James Bond Island Day Trip: Sea Canoeing & Monkey Cave

A 15-meter reclining Buddha, limestone cliffs rising from the sea, and a canoe through mangrove forest in one day.

This day trip from Phuket combines island sightseeing and sea canoeing in Phang Nga Bay, with stops at Wat Suwan Kuha temple, James Bond Island, and a local fishing village. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a professional English-speaking guide, lunch, life jackets and insurance. The national park fee (300 THB per adult, 200 THB per child) is paid separately in cash at the site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Wat Suwan Kuha30m
2. James Bond Island1h · entry included

Explore Phang Nga Bay and Islands

• Hotel pickup and drive to Monkey Cave
• Explore Monkey Cave and watch monkeys
• Boat to mangrove forest and Pan Yee Island
• Lunch at Pan Yee Island fishing village
• Visit James Bond Island and take photos
• Sea canoeing around Talu Island
• Return to pier and hotel drop-off

The experience

The day starts with a drive from your hotel (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on where you're staying) to Wat Suwan Kuha, the Monkey Cave temple. Inside, a 40-meter-long cave called Tam Yai opens up, and a 15-meter gold reclining Buddha sits at the back. Wild monkeys move through the temple grounds. You explore on foot before heading to the boat.

Once on the long-tail boat, you enter Ao Phang Nga National Park and the mangrove forest. The boat stops at Pan Yee Island, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts over shallow water, where about 1,600 people live among vertical limestone cliffs. Lunch, fresh Thai food, happens here. Then comes James Bond Island, the limestone formation that appeared in "The Man with the Golden Gun". You'll be dropped at Khao Phing Kan to walk and photograph the rock and the surrounding islands.

The sea canoeing happens at Talu Island. Your guide handles the paddling in difficult conditions, so you sit and take in the water and the limestone scenery around you. The return to the pier and your hotel takes place around 6 p.m. The itinerary can shift based on tide and weather, so flexibility matters.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Patong, Kata or Karon (200 THB per person extra from other areas, paid in cash to the driver).
• professional English-speaking guide.
• lunch at Pan Yee Island.
• life jackets and full insurance.
• entry to Wat Suwan Kuha temple, James Bond Island and Khao Phing Kan.
• sea canoeing at Talu Island with guide-led paddling through the mangrove forest.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (11 to 75 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 200

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Thrilling Thai Tours Co.,Ltd.

Is this one for you?The nine-hour commitment means you lose most of a day, but it packs five separate stops and two different ways of moving through the landscape (boat and canoe) into one trip. If you want to see the famous limestone islands and the Monkey Cave without renting a car or arranging guides separately, the fixed schedule and included transport make it possible.

Traveler reviews

4.62★★★★★★★★★★

69 verified traveler reviews

5 ★54

4 ★10

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Monkey Cave at Suwan Kuha Temple like?

Wat Suwan Kuha holds a massive cave system. Tam Yai, the largest chamber, stretches 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. A 15-meter gold reclining Buddha sits inside, and wild monkeys roam the temple grounds around it.

Do I paddle the canoe myself, or does someone else handle it?

Your guide does the paddling at Talu Island to manage the difficult conditions and keep you safe. You sit in the canoe and take in the views of the mangrove forest and limestone formations.

What is included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional English-speaking guide, lunch, life jackets, full insurance, and all the stops and canoeing. The national park fee (300 THB per adult or 200 THB per child) is paid in cash at the site and is not included.

How long is the drive to the activity sites from my hotel?

The initial drive to Wat Suwan Kuha takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your hotel location. The activity site is roughly 2 hours from the main hotel areas, so plan for that time in the vehicle.

What happens if the weather or tide is bad?

The itinerary may be modified depending on ocean tide levels and weather conditions. Your guide will adjust the day to keep it safe and enjoyable.