The entire trip was wonderful - the boat ride, the scenery, the stops for swimming and snorkel - everything was perfect. A dream come true, and still on my bucket list.
James Bond Island — locally Khao Phing Kan, with the iconic limestone pinnacle Ko Tapu rising from the water — is the headline stop in Phang Nga Bay, in the Andaman Sea off the east coast of Phuket. Famous since The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here in 1974, the island draws hundreds of day-tripper boats from late morning onwards as the aggregator fleet arrives from Phuket and Krabi. The best way to see it is early, by direct speedboat, before the crowd builds. National park fees for Mu Ko Ao Phang Nga National Park are included on every Simba Sea Trips Phang Nga departure.
James Bond Island sits about 65 km northeast of Phuket inside Mu Ko Ao Phang Nga National Park. By speedboat the bay is reachable in well under two hours; from late morning onwards, hundreds of aggregator boats arrive from Phuket and Krabi, and the limestone karst that makes the bay famous starts to feel like a queue. The early window — first arrivals at Koh Panak’s sea caves, kayaking the hongs at Koh Hong, then Ko Tapu before the crowds — is a completely different bay. A direct speedboat departure from Boat Lagoon Marina makes that window reachable.
Simba Sea Trips’ main route into James Bond Island is the Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island Tour — a small-group join-in (maximum 18 adults) departing Soho Pool Club at Boat Lagoon Marina early morning. From ฿4,500 THB, all-inclusive (transfers, national park fees, light breakfast, buffet lunch, soft drinks, snorkel equipment, floating aids, life jackets, insurance). The seven-stop itinerary pairs Ko Tapu with Koh Panak’s cave system, sea canoeing at Koh Hong, the Secret Hong / Kadu Beach hong (tide-dependent), Koh Yao Noi village, and a final beach swim before the return to Soho. For private alternatives covering the same bay, the Luxury Phang Nga Bay Private Charter — Full Day or the Phang Nga Bay Sunset Private Charter (with the Lola sports-rib alt-rate for couples) provide chartered options.
Ko Tapu — the 20-metre limestone pinnacle that gives the island its James Bond nickname — sits offshore from the main beach on Khao Phing Kan. Walking onto Ko Tapu itself is not permitted (the rock is a protected geological feature); the main beach and the boardwalk on Khao Phing Kan are where visits actually happen. The sea-canoeing component at Koh Hong is run by experienced Thai guides paddling visitors through the natural hong system — flat-water caves that open into hidden interior lagoons. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water, and a dry bag for camera kit are worth bringing. Park fees and gear are covered by Simba Sea Trips.
Simba Sea Trips has been running the Phang Nga Bay route from Phuket since 2005 — more than twenty years of operating through every change in national park access rules, route configuration, and seasonal weather windows. The company holds TAT Licence 34/02111 issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Run by an airline pilot of 23+ years with aviation-grade safety standards applied at the operations management level, with Thai-licensed captains and certified crews on every boat. More than 5,814 verified reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and GetYourGuide back the operating record.
Join-In TourLimestone karsts, hidden sea caves, mangrove kayaking, and the iconic Khao Phing Kan ("James Bond Island"). Smallest group sizes among local operators — most boats running this route carry 30–60. We carry 18. Lunch on board.
Max 18 adults · From ฿4,500 · Free cancellation 24h+ · All-inclusive
Join-In TourPhang Nga Bay full-day by private speedboat — 8 hours from Boat Lagoon Marina to James Bond Island and the Hong sea caves.
Departs Soho Pool Club at Boat Lagoon Marina early morning. The day covers Phang Nga's iconic limestone karsts — James Bond Island, the Hong sea caves, and a swim stop wherever conditions favour. Lunch back at Soho on return.
Up to 18 adults on a single private charter — your own boat, your own pace. All-inclusive: skipper, fuel, drinks, snacks, lunch, snorkelling gear, national park fees. Free cancellation 24h.
Operating from Boat Lagoon Marina since 2005.
Join-In TourPhang Nga Bay at sunset — our 4hr 30min private charter from Boat Lagoon Marina to James Bond Island and the Hong sea caves.
Departs Soho Pool Club at Boat Lagoon Marina mid-afternoon. The route runs out to Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts — James Bond Island, the Hong sea caves, and a quiet anchorage for sunset. The bay is at its quietest after the day-tour fleet has turned back.
Up to 18 adults on the standard charter. Lola — our sports rib alternative for up to 4 — runs the same itinerary at a flat ฿29,150 booking price. Both rates all-inclusive: skipper, fuel, drinks, snacks. Free cancellation 24h.
Operating from Boat Lagoon Marina since 2005.
Tell us where you'd like to go and how you'd like to travel. We'll put together a bespoke charter that fits your group, your dates, and your budget — no template, no compromise.
Email sales@simbaseatrips.com


