Big Boat Budget Trip
From Phuket: Phang Nga Bay and Canoeing Tour by Big Boat
Cheapest listed tour, a big boat trip to Phang Nga Bay with canoeing and thousands of reviews.
From$47Check availability
The Short Answer
James Bond Island is the limestone karst pairing of Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu in Ao Phang Nga National Park, which appeared as Scaramanga's lair in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). There is no independent access; visitors reach it on full-day boat tours from Phuket piers, typically 8 to 9 hours round trip with about 20 to 30 minutes on the island itself.
Khao Phing Kan and its neighbor Ko Tapu sit in Phang Nga Bay, part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, a marine park of roughly 400 sq km established in 1981. The 20m needle of Ko Tapu stands about 40m offshore and became world famous after serving as Scaramanga's island lair in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). Today it is one of Thailand's most photographed natural landmarks.
Every visitor arrives by boat. Tours depart from Phuket piers such as Ao Po and Royal Phuket Marina, usually with hotel pickup, and the crossing takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Most itineraries pad out the day with sea cave canoeing at Panak or Hong islands and lunch at Koh Panyee, a stilt village on the water. Expect crowds at midday, which is why early departures are recommended.
Compare The Tours
The tours below differ mainly in vessel and pace. Speedboat trips cover more islands in less time, big boats and longtails travel slower and cheaper, and yacht options add comfort, dinner or sunset cruising. Several include canoeing and two meals, one runs in the evening with plankton viewing by private longtail, and one departs from Khao Lak rather than Phuket.
Premium Yacht Cruise
Phuket: James Bond Island Phang Nga Bay Premium Yacht Tour
Yacht-based cruise with a large review base and a mid-to-high price.
From$112Check availability
Speedboat With 2 Meals
Phuket: James Bond Island Sea Canoeing by Speedboat+ 2 Meals
Popular mid-range speedboat option with canoeing and two meals included.
From$64Check availability
Sunset Yacht With Dinner
Phuket: James Bond Island Canoeing & Sunset Yacht Dinner
Highest rated option at 4.9, pairing the island with a sunset yacht dinner cruise.
From$143Check availability
Speedboat With Park Fee
From Phuket: James Bond Island by Speedboat + Park Fee
Straightforward speedboat trip with the park fee already bundled into the price.
From$60Check availability
Longtail Or Speedboat Choice
James Bond Island Tour by Long Tail Boat or Speedboat
Lets travelers pick between longtail boat or speedboat at booking.
From$84Check availability
From Khao Lak Kayaking
Khaolak: James Bond Island Kayak Tour with Snorkeling &Lunch
Departs from Khao Lak, adding kayaking and snorkeling for travelers staying north of Phuket.
From$104Check availability
5-Island Speedboat Lunch
Phuket: James Bond Island 5-Island Speedboat Tour & Lunch
Covers five islands by speedboat with lunch, at one of the lower prices listed.
From$51Check availability
Evening Private Longtail
Evening James Bond Island&Plankton Tour by Private longtail.
Private evening longtail with plankton viewing, the most expensive option listed.
From$298Check availability
Cave Canoeing Full Day
From Phuket : James Bond Island Tour with Cave Canoeing
Combines the island visit with guided cave canoeing, though its 2.5 rating from few reviews warrants caution.
From$85Check availability
Premium Naka Island Day
Phuket: Premium Day Trip to James Bond - Naka Island
Premium day combining the island with Naka Island for a higher price point.
From$146Check availability
Longtail Canoeing Tour
James Bond Island Tour with Canoeing by Long tail boat
Slow-paced longtail boat version with canoeing, from a similar price to speedboats.
From$61Check availability
What You Will See
Ko Tapu
The roughly 20m limestone islet sits about 40m offshore from Khao Phing Kan. Its narrow, needle-like silhouette leaning away from the cliff is the shot every visitor comes for, framed from the beach or one of the viewpoints.
Khao Phing Kan Beach And Viewpoints
The main island offers a short beach and several viewpoints for photographing Ko Tapu against the cliffs. Most tours allow about 20 to 30 minutes here, enough to walk the shoreline, take pictures and browse the small stalls.
Panak And Hong Islands Sea Caves
Many tours include sea cave canoeing around Panak or Hong islands, paddling into limestone caverns and hidden lagoons. It is the most common add-on activity and fills the middle of the day between island stops.
Koh Panyee Floating Village
This stilt village built over the water is the standard lunch stop on James Bond Island day trips. Restaurants serve Thai set meals and a small market sells snacks and souvenirs along the walkways.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
There is no independent access to the island. All visits happen on organized full-day boat tours from Phuket, departing from piers such as Ao Po and Royal Phuket Marina with hotel pickup included on most options. The boat crossing each way takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on vessel type, with speedboats faster than big boats or longtails.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
Organized tours cost roughly 1,500 to 3,500 THB per person as of 2026. The national park entrance fee of 300 THB for adults is often included, but budget options may charge it separately, so check before booking. Visits on the island itself last only 20 to 30 minutes; the full tour day runs 8 to 9 hours from hotel pickup to return. November to April offers the calmest seas, and early departures beat the crowds.
Booking Tips
- Book ahead, especially for the November to April peak season.
- Check whether the 300 THB park fee is included, as budget options sometimes add it on the day.
- Most tours include lunch and transfers; canoeing is common but not universal.
- Drones are not permitted, so leave them at the hotel.
- Tours are family-friendly, but confirm age or mobility restrictions with the operator.
On The Map
2 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Called James Bond Island?
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) filmed scenes at Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu, using the location as Scaramanga's island lair. The nickname stuck and is now used more widely than the Thai names.
Can You Visit Independently?
No. The island has no independent access. It can only be visited on organized full-day boat tours from Phuket, which typically include hotel pickup, a boat crossing of 1.5 to 2 hours and stops at nearby islands.
How Long Do You Spend On The Island?
Most tours allow 20 to 30 minutes on Khao Phing Kan, enough for photos of Ko Tapu from the beach and viewpoints. The full tour day runs 8 to 9 hours including transfers, canoeing and lunch.
When Is The Best Time To Go?
November to April offers the calmest seas in Phang Nga Bay and is the peak season, so book ahead. Early departures are recommended to avoid the midday crowds that gather at the island.
Is The Park Fee Included In Tour Prices?
Often yes, but not always. The 300 THB adult entrance fee for Ao Phang Nga National Park is bundled into many tour prices, while some budget options collect it separately on the day. Confirm before booking.
What Else Do Tours Include?
Most day trips include hotel transfers, lunch at Koh Panyee floating village and sea cave canoeing at Panak or Hong islands. Some add a second meal or snorkeling, and premium options travel by yacht with dinner or sunset cruising.
James Bond Island is a short photo stop stretched into a full bay adventure, so the boat and itinerary matter more than the destination itself. Speedboat tours suit travelers packing several islands into one day, while big boats and yachts trade pace for comfort, and the sunset yacht and evening plankton options reframe the trip entirely. Whatever the choice, book early for the November to April season and confirm the park fee is covered.
