4.8 / 5

Khao Phing Kan (james Bond Island)
📍 James Bond Island, ThailandView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:November to February

⏰ Open Hours:24/7

🏖 Things To Do:Boat tours, snorkeling, photography, explore rock formations

💰 Budget:Boat tours range from 1,000 - 1,500 THB per person

🧳 Traveller Types:Solo travellers, families, couples, group of friends, photographers

🔖 Known For:Featured in James Bond film 'The Man with the Golden Gun', stunning limestone cliffs, crystal clear waters

📍 Distances:About 40 km from Phuket International Airport, 20 km from Phuket Town

📸 Best Photo Spots:Koh Tapu (Nail Island), the limestone cliffs

🚣‍♂️ Water Sports:Kayaking and snorkeling are popular activities

🦈 Marine Life:Home to a variety of marine species including fish, coral reefs, and occasionally sea turtles

👟 Tips:Wear comfortable shoes for exploring, carry sunblock and hats for protection from sun, and be respectful towards the environment

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Khao Phing Kan: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting James Bond Island in Thailand

Khao Phing Kan is a small island in Phang Nga Bay, about 40 kilometers northeast of Phuket. It is famous for its distinctive rock formation, which resembles a giant nail sticking out of the sea. This rock, officially named Ko Tapu, became a worldwide sensation after it appeared in the 1974 James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.

Since then, Khao Phing Kan has become one of the most popular attractions in Thailand, attracting thousands of visitors every year. But there is more to this island than just the James Bond Rock. Khao Phing Kan is also a natural wonder, with lush vegetation, limestone cliffs, caves, and mangroves. It is also surrounded by other beautiful islands and villages, such as Ko Panyi, the floating Muslim village, and Ao Phang-Nga National Park, the largest marine park in Thailand.

If you are planning to visit Khao Phing Kan, you will need to know some important information, such as how to get there, what to see and do, when to visit, and more. In this article, we will provide you with the ultimate guide to visiting James Bond Island in Thailand, so you can have an unforgettable experience.

What to See and Do on Khao Phing Kan

Photo of Khao Phing Kan (james Bond Island) 1/1 by

Once you reach Khao Phing Kan, you will have plenty of things to see and do on the island and its surroundings. Here are some of the highlights that you should not miss:

1. James Bond Rock:

The main attraction of the island is, of course, the James Bond Rock, or Ko Tapu, which stands 20 meters tall and 4 meters wide at the base. You can admire this rock from a distance, as it is forbidden to get too close to it or climb on it, to protect it from erosion and damage. You can also take photos of yourself with the rock in the background, but be prepared to share the spot with many other tourists, especially during peak hours.

2. Khao Phing Kan Beach:

The island also has a small beach, where you can relax, swim, or snorkel. The beach is not very sandy, but rather rocky and muddy, so you may want to wear water shoes. The water is clear and calm, but not very deep, so you may not see many fish or corals. The beach also has some souvenir stalls, where you can buy some local handicrafts, such as shells, pearls, or wood carvings.

3. Khao Phing Kan Caves:

The island also has some caves, which you can explore by foot or by canoe. The caves are not very large or deep, but they are interesting to see, as they have some stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. Some of the caves also have some Buddhist shrines, where you can see some statues, paintings, and offerings. The caves are usually dark and damp, so you may want to bring a flashlight and a jacket.

4. Ko Panyi:

Another attraction that you can visit near Khao Phing Kan is Ko Panyi, the floating Muslim village. This village is built on stilts over the water, and has about 300 houses, a mosque, a school, a market, and a football pitch. You can visit this village and learn about its history, culture, and lifestyle, as well as enjoy some delicious seafood at one of the many restaurants. You can also buy some souvenirs, such as batik, silk, or silver, at the local shops.

5. Ao Phang-Nga National Park:

Another attraction that you can visit near Khao Phing Kan is Ao Phang-Nga National Park, the largest marine park in Thailand. This park covers an area of 400 square kilometers, and has more than 40 islands, with stunning scenery of limestone cliffs, caves, mangroves, and coral reefs. You can explore this park by boat, canoe, or kayak, and see some of the other famous islands, such as Ko Hong, Ko Panak, Ko Phanak, and Ko Yao. You can also see some wildlife, such as monkeys, dolphins, turtles, and birds.

How to Reach Khao Phing Kan

The only way to reach Khao Phing Kan is by boat, as there is no road or airport on the island. You can take a boat from different locations, such as Phuket, Krabi, or Khao Lak, depending on where you are staying. There are two main types of boats that you can choose from: speedboats or longtail boats.

When to Visit Khao Phing Kan

The best time to visit Khao Phing Kan is between November and April, which is the dry season in Thailand. During this time, the weather is sunny, warm, and dry, with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). The sea is also calm and clear, which is ideal for boating and snorkeling. However, this is also the peak season, which means that the island and the bay will be more crowded and expensive, especially during holidays and weekends.

Tips and Advice for Visiting Khao Phing Kan

To make the most of your visit to Khao Phing Kan, here are some tips and advice that you should follow:

What to wear:

You should wear comfortable and light clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals, as the weather is usually hot and humid. You should also wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, to protect yourself from the sun. You should also bring a swimsuit, a towel, and a change of clothes, if you plan to swim or snorkel. You should also respect the local culture and dress modestly, especially when visiting Ko Panyi or the caves, where you should cover your shoulders and knees.

What to bring:

You should bring some essentials, such as water, snacks, cash, camera, phone, and charger, as well as some optional items, such as binoculars, books, or games, to keep yourself entertained. You should also bring some insect repellent, as there may be some mosquitoes and other bugs on the island and the bay. You should also bring some motion sickness pills, if you are prone to getting seasick on the boat.

What to avoid:

You should avoid some things, such as touching or climbing on the James Bond Rock, as it is prohibited and disrespectful. You should also avoid littering, feeding, or harming the wildlife, as it is harmful and illegal. You should also avoid buying or collecting any shells, corals, or other marine products, as it is damaging and illegal. You should also avoid swimming or snorkelling alone, as it is dangerous and risky.

What to expect:

You should expect some things, such as crowds, noise, and traffic, especially during the peak season and hours. You should also expect some weather changes, such as rain, wind, or waves, especially during the rainy season and days. You should also expect some cultural differences, such as language, religion, or customs, especially when visiting Ko Panyi or the caves. You should also expect some fun, adventure, and beauty, as you explore the island and the bay.

Khao Phing Kan, or James Bond Island, is a must-see attraction in Thailand, that offers a unique and memorable experience. Whether you are a fan of the movie, or just a fan of nature, you will surely enjoy visiting Khao Phing Kan and its surroundings. You will discover a stunning and diverse landscape, with amazing rock formations, caves, mangroves, and coral reefs. You will also learn about the history and culture of the island and the bay, as well as the movie that made it famous. You will also have fun and adventure, as you boat, canoe, or kayak around the bay, and swim or snorkel in the clear water.

Khao Phing Kan (james Bond Island) Reviews

Since we planned to go for island hopping, it dint make any sense to splurge on luxurious hotel. We kept our luggage in cloak room and left for James bond island tour which we booked at Phuket airport. You will find numerous travel shops in the airport & the key to get a good deal is talk, talk, talk & laugh along with them. The initial price for the tour was 3,200 ฿ per person, which after bargain we got for 1,333 ฿.We opted for big boat ,one can also opt for speedboat. The tour includes pick & drop facility, lunch & beverage, life jacket & an English speaking guide. Khao Phing Kan famously knows as James bond island because the movie" Man with the Golden Gun 1974" was shot on this island is the main attraction of the tour. Canoeing to Hong island & Panak island are also included where each canoe carrying 2-3 tourist is assign with the crew. The last stop "Lava island" is for some relaxation, swimming & self canoeing. While throughout the tour weather was pleasant, it suddenly started raining when we were about to leave Lava island. I was petrified for a moment when we were in canoe on our way to big boat, but everyone reached on boat safely & happily. It was one of the rare experience to witness the rain amidst sea. The tour ends by 5.00 pm & by 6-6.30 pm we reached hotel, collected the luggage & shifted to another hotel.Hotel golden house(not very far from Amari) is where we checked in, the rooms had basic amenities, but wasn't clean, so I won't recommend this hotel. The night was spent wandering around streets of Patong, the place is filled with tourist & have exhilarating vibes. The place also offers a lot to eat, shop souvenir, with lots of forex windows, travel shops & 7-eleven shops. Things not to miss is coconut ice-cream (the best), coconut chips & dried mangoes. We booked a cab for the next day to Khlong Thom, a place little ahead of Krabi town . One can also book a bus or boat, which is less expensive. Expenditure James bond island tour=1,333 ฿ Hotel Golden House=1,200 ฿ Dinner & dessert=400฿
This entire day was dedicated for our full day tour to james bond island. We also had option for phi phi island tour but we opted james bond as due to rain and more sea disturbance in phi phi range, there were chances for its cancellation. So day started early 7. We had breakfast and had pick up at - 8 for transfer to port. From port, we buy raincoat as it was drizzling. Then there was mini bus to main point from where we got our tour ship. There was huge group in our ship for tour from multiple countries. So, we had entertaining host who briefed about full day itinerary. First spot was james bond island. Its a small island with beautiful stone admist sea. It has shopping outlets and scenic beauty for photo sessions. Had half and hour halt there. After this, moved back to ship where lunch was ready. Also had option for vegetarians. After lunch, there were two islands which was which had to be explored via canoeing . Attached photo which brief what to expect from tour. At end of tour, host asked people to jump from big boat to swim in green andaman water. Lot of people jumped and enjoyed 20 mins in water. We took front part of big boat and enjoyed entire boat journey sitting and enjoying andaman sea cool breeze and beauty. We reached port and then had transfer back to hotel. In evening we decided to visit major beach of - phuket- Patong beach which was around 2 kms from our hotel and its market nearby which is very happening. We picked drinks and snacks from family mart and enjoyed drinks at patong beach. It was fun. Had dinner at lively eatery market nearby and had cheerful day overall.
There are many tours which one can take out of Phuketto explore the nearby islands. We took a full-day tour to the James Bond Island and this was the most memorable islands hopping kind of a tour of our entire trip. This tour started around 8:30 am in the morning and the whole day was spent cruising on a two-floor deck speed boat with a group of other travelers. This was a very picturesque sail in the Andaman Sea with a distant view of the mountain like cliffs formed out of limestone deposits. We hopped into tiny banana boats and explored canoeing around the limestone caves of Monkey Island, the enclosed lagoons and mangroves of the Hong Islands. After an on-board Thai lunch and fruits served by our hosts we were taken to the James Bond Island (Pha Nang Bay)famous for the movie shot here. We strolled around this island admiring the Needle cliff enclosed Island and having a conversation with the souvenir sellers who come from the nearby Island villages. More than the picturesque spots that we explored on this tour it was an awesome experience to meet so many people who became a family by the end of the tour. There were some solo wanderers, a bunch of college goers, few honeymooners, some oldies with the enthusiasm no less than a kid. The sail back was filled with chatters, music by our hosts, some dancing by the old couple and snacking on fruit platters. The perfect end to a beautiful day indeed!Canoeing in Hong Island
Next, we headed to James Bond Island, the one where they shot the movie, "The Man With The Golden Gun", an old Roger Moore Bond flick, if anyone's interested. I'm more of a Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan fan. It was teeming with people and I'm not really fond of crowded places. After a couple of photos, I was done with the place. They did have stalls selling accessories but they were priced high and I felt that I could buy the same stuff for half the rate at the local Krabi shopping market. And I did. We had a pit stop at some local farmers land and learnt a bit about their farming, cuisine, and his life story as an example of life. Long story short: he is an old man who begged for food on the streets. Later, with a minimum wages job, he managed to live on his own, saving up what little he could. In due time, he started a small shop which sold Ramen and soups of different kinds all of which costs nothing more than THB 10. He believes that everyone who walks into his shop should be able to buy his food. His kindness and concern for society stood out listening to him talk became a huge part of our Thailand experience.
Day 4: (James Bond Island Tour Package) This was one of the best activities, I did at Phuket. I was booked a James Bond Island Tour with Amazing Canoeing. The tour agent arranged the pick cab from hotel to their place. They were confirmed with phone call and I paid on the spot. It was ฿2,200 Bhat. It includes hotel pickup and drop anywhere in Phuket. They were offering different types of island tour packages. I was booked james bond by big boat. Amazing Canoeing Offered: • 09:30 - 10:00 Depart from the pier by Big Boat to Phang Nga Bay. • 10:30 - 11:00 Sightseeing at Panak Island, Phang Nga Bay. • 11:15 - 12:15 Enjoy a spectacular canoeing at Hong or Panak Island in Phang Nga Bay (depending on tide). • 12:30 - 13:00 Lunch on board (Western and Thai Food, Seafood) • 13:15 - 14:00 Sightseeing and Trekking at Jame Bond Island. • 14:45 - 16:00 Swimming and relaxing on white sandy beach at Lawa Island. The tour went smooth, tour staffs are very friendly, and they are very helpful. After, that island tour. They dropped me at phuket airport. The Phuket to Bangkok air travel was about one and half hour.
Photos of Khao Phing Kan (james Bond Island)
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