Located in Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island was named as such after one of the movies were filmed here in 1974: “The Man With the Golden Gun”.

While it’s understandably turned into a pilgrimage spot for 007 fans, you don’t have to know the movies to enjoy this stunning location.

One of the best ways to see the towering limestone spot is by signing up for a proper tour! There’s so much to see, that only a local guide would be able to do it justice.

We’re here to bring you the top James Bond island tours, so buckle up and don’t go anywhere!

Best James Bond Island Tours

	Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch & Sunset Dinner	James Bond Island Private Boat Tour	Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island w/ Buffet Lunch
Departure:	Ao Por Pier, 3C6M+95Q Andaman Sea, Tambon Pa Klok, or hotel pickup	Hotel pickup and drop-off available	Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Departure Time:	11:30 am	6:00 am	9:30 am
Duration:	7.5 hours	4 to 10 hours	7.5 hours
Includes:	Dinner, lunch, soda, kayaking, paddle board, water slide, DJ on board, Wi-Fi on board, National Park fee, life jacket, tour guide	Bottled water, soda, WiFi on board, restroom on board, private transportation, snacks	Beverages, bottled water, morning tea and buffet lunch, local taxes, air-conditioned minivan, transfer to a private pier, national parks fees
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best James Bond Island Tours For 2024

1. Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner
2. James Bond Island Private Boat Tour
3. Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island w/ Buffet Lunch
4. 5 in 1 James Bond Tour by Long Tail Boat
5. James Bond Island w/ Canoeing and Lunch by Speedboat

James Bond Island Tour Reviews

1. Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

Let’s start things off right with one of the most popular tours in the area. The Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner is designed to pack in as much fun and beauty as possible, and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. If you enjoy dancing, great music, and great views in a breathtaking location, this can’t be beat.

Your tour starts out at 11:30 am, so you have plenty of time to sleep in and grab breakfast beforehand. The guide will either pick you up or you’ll meet at the pier – whatever works best for you. Board a luxurious catamaran, where you’ll have plenty of space to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

You’ll be served a welcome drink and delicious buffet lunch upon boarding, as you head out to Hongs of Phang Nga. Kayak to Hong Island, where you’ll get to immerse yourself in these unreal sea caves with gorgeous limestone walls and open-ceiling caverns.

With wi-fi on board, you’ll be able to livestream, share photos, and stay connected while in the “middle of nowhere”.

Next up is James Bond Island/Phing Kan Island, which is the heart of the legendary Phang Nga National Park. The immense limestone towers were made over hundreds of millions of years, and are simply iconic. Here, you’ll take some time to either hang out on board and enjoy the onboard DJ or use the paddleboards, waterslide, and other toys!

After you splash around, you’ll board the catamaran again where you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner with unlimited soft drinks.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. James Bond Island Private Boat Tour

While the first tour is definitely something special, if you really want to ramp up the experience you could go for a completely private tour. The James Bond Island Private Boat Tour is just the ticket if that sounds up your alley. On this one, you’ll be able to take up to 14 other guests with you along for this customizable excursion!

This is probably one of the easiest to fit into any itinerary, as you have a say regarding the start time and can adjust the tour depending on how long you want it to be. Usually, they’ll range anywhere from 4 to 10 hours and that depends on how many sites you want to see.

You can start as early as 6 am so you have the entire day for venturing around! Just like with every other on our guide, you have the choice of either being picked up at your hotel or other location within Phuket.

Once you arrive to the tour offices, they’ll offer you a coffee, tea, or cold beverage while giving a complete tour briefing of what to expect. At this time, you can store any items you don’t need for the tour.

Stop over first at Koh Panak Island, or “Monkey Island”, named as such due to the monkeys that tend to play on the beach. Here, you can watch them or head into many of the cave systems complete with hidden lagoons, thick mangroves, and much more.

Next up is Hong Island located in Phang Nga Bay, where you can get on a canoe and paddle through the various water caves. Arrive to the floating village of Koh Panyi where they’ll teach you about their Sea Gypsy influence and visit the famous floating football field! After all this, you’ll want to take a break so stop at one of the local restaurants for a traditional lunch.

After refueling, hop on over to James Bond Island where you’ll have plenty of time for photo-taking and learning about how it came to be over millions of years. Follow that up with some time to relax on the beautiful Koh Rang Yai Beach while snacking on some fresh fruit and cool drinks.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island w/ Buffet Lunch

The Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island w/ Buffet Lunch by Big Boat tour is one of the most comprehensive of its kind. This is one of the most well-reputed in the area, including insurance and all transfers and pickups so you don’t have to worry about spending extra.

If you want to see this area in style, this is one of the best ways to go about it. Start off by being picked up at 9:30 in the morning by a spacious, air-conditioned minivan.

Take a brief trip over to Ao Por Pier, while your guide tells you all about what to expect, and some interesting facts about the area. The tour guides are all locals so they always share interesting anecdotes and pieces of advice.

Once you arrive to Phang Nga Bay, take some time for sightseeing and hop into a canoe. The professional crew will lead you around, taking you through an intricate labyrinth of caves and mangroves.

After, you’ll also have time to canoe around Hong Island, which features even thicker mangroves and monstrous limestone towers of rock!

We can’t forget James Bond Island, which is the highlight of many tours. Take in the sights of the rocky cliff emerging from the center of the emerald green waters, complete with lush greenery jutting out from every side.

After taking photos and videos, you’ll see Lawa Island and choose to either lay out on the sandy beach or take a dip in the waters. Enjoy a tasty lunch buffet when you get back on the boat!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. 5 in 1 James Bond Tour by Long Tail Boat

Next up, we have an even longer tour: the 5 in 1 James Bond Tour by Long Tail Boat. Lasting 9 hours, it’s perfect if you want to pack in as much as possible and really learn about the area. With professional guides local to the area, it’s almost like you’ll have a friend showing you the coolest parts of the bay!

Your driver will pick you up first thing in the morning at your hotel, where you’ll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Head straight out to Krasom Pier, where you’ll board a longtail boat. The tour guide will let you know what to expect, and offer an educational commentary along the way.

At Phang Nga Bay, you’ll have the chance to try some canoeing and take in the gorgeous vistas of the flora and fauna. After working up an appetite, stop over at the legendary Koh Panyi floating village and enjoy a delicious Thai lunch.

Now that you’re all fueled up, you can sit back and enjoy a gorgeous sightseeing tour in Phang Nga Bay and head to James Bond Island.

Once you arrive to the island, you’ll stop over and be able to take plenty of photos or simply take it all in. The sage green waters contrasted against the blue skies are really something out of a fairytale! After this, you’ll head to one of the crowd favorites: Monkey Cave Temple or Wat Suwan Khuha!

This temple is located inside a cave, housing a massive golden Buddha relic. Monkeys love popping out and socializing here, and sometimes cats even love taking naps around the Buddha.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. James Bond Island w/ Canoeing and Lunch by Speedboat

If you really want to see a ton of cool sites in a relatively short amount of time, you can’t go wrong with this next adventure. The James Bond Island w/ Canoeing and Lunch by Speedboat tour lasts around 7 to 8 hours and will have you zipping through the bay to see some of the most intriguing cultural and natural spots in the world.

If you want to escape the hustle-and-bustle of Phuket, this is just the ticket. Start off by being picked up at your hotel by an air-conditioned minivan with padded seats and ample leg room. The windows are nice and large, too, so you can enjoy the views as you head to Ao Por Pier.

Your guide will tell you all about the area, as well as offer a briefing on what to expect for your tour and how to stay safe. Once you arrive to Phang Nga Bay, you’ll have plenty of time for taking in the panoramic views and canoe at Hong Island.

The professional crew places safety at the forefront, and will expertly navigate you through mangrove forests and impressive limestone rock formations.

Continue on to James Bond Island where you’ll see the magnificent limestone towers infamous for their use in “The Man With The Golden Gun”.

Next up, see the Koh Panyi floating village where you’ll learn how the locals made their homes and rely on the river in their everyday lives.

This small island community is quite literally located “in the middle of nowhere” and incredibly fascinating to learn about as they have electricity, internet, and more! Have a tasty lunch here of traditional food and take time to walk around and explore.

Next, head over to Naka Island, known for its pristine white sand beaches and rich coconut groves surrounded by limestone cliffs. You’ll be able to relax on the beach or swim in the clear turquoise waters.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Phuket Tour Guide

Getting There

Phuket is an island, though it seems to be a much easier island to access than many others in the world. The vast majority of visitors simply arrive through Phuket International Airport, located around 24 miles from the city center.

It’s usually cheaper to fly into Bangkok, however, so if you’d like to see Bangkok you may just want to allot a day or two there. From there, you can simply take the train from Hua Lamphong Station to Surat Thani and then take a bus to Phuket. You should not miss Bangkok, we would recommend a tour of the city.

Getting Around

Phuket is pretty simple to navigate, thank goodness. You’ll find many varying private and public transportation options. If you’re staying in a resort area, you may just be able to walk around without even thinking of 3^rd-party transportation.

Tuk-Tuk – These are unique to a lot of people, and the experience can be a fun one. However, they’re more ideal for shorter journeys, due to their small size and rather bumpy ride at times. Not only that, but if you’re in a resort area like Patong, they can get kind of pricey. Make sure you agree upon a rate before heading off.

Taxis/Grab – Taxis are pretty much everywhere around Phuket, but particularly in tourist spots and resort areas. Metered taxis are also located right outside the main entrance/exit at the airport. For the first 2 km, fares will be 50 baht and around 8 baht for each km after that. If you’re going long distances, try to settle on a flat rate beforehand.

There is no Uber here, but instead “Grab”. This app-based service is preferred by many visitors as it’s more reliable and gives you more of a sense of security as your ride is tracked and your rate is already settled.

Buses – Known as “songtaews”, these open-air buses are bright blue and easy to spot. The cool thing is they even write the destinations in English if you don’t speak Thai. Just be prepared to be able to flag one down, as there are no established bus stops. Buses operate from around 7 am to 6 pm, and are very affordable.

Motorbike – If you’re brave enough, you may just choose to rent a motorbike. 50-cc Hondas and big bikes are the most common type, and are very cheap. However, you need to know that many drivers operate with complete disregard for the laws and others on the road. Not only that, but if it’s a wet season, roads can become very slippery and difficult to navigate.

Motorbike Taxis – If you are going to hop on a motorbike, you may be better off with a local driving it for you. They are familiar with the way other locals drive, the weather conditions, and so on. This makes it much safer and more reliable. You can find them at moto taxi stands, usually with the drivers wearing red or green vests.

Where to Stay

Phuket may be an island, but it’s one of the more lively islands in Thailand. However, whether you’re going to party or to vacation as a family, there’s something for everyone. Each beach has a different vibe to it!

Phuket Town – If you’re going for the sightseeing and absorbing the culture more than anything, just stay here. You’ll be able to access some of the most popular attractions like the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong Temple, and elephant sanctuary. Not only that, but it’s easy to walk to hotels, temples, markets, and restaurants.

Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon – If your main priority is seeing the amazing beaches, then stay in any of these areas. Patong is one of the main beaches, but is usually very overcrowded while many others are uncomfortable and not quite as beautiful.

However, these 3 are all located inside a national park. They have beautiful white sands, gorgeous views, and have a more private feel to them. Nai Yang is notorious for being so close to the airport runway that you feel like you could almost reach out and touch the airplanes! Kata is another honorable mention, with some of the best swimming on the island.

Bang Tao – Bang Tao is perfect if you are a water sport kind of person. That could mean jet-skiing, going out on a speedboat, parasailing, etcetera. If you’re into receiving top-notch spa treatments, Bang Tao is also the way to go. If you’re feeling sore, you can’t skip receiving a massage here.

Patong – Patong is the center of nightlife and all the hustle-and-bustle of Phuket. You’ll find clubs bumping with loud music, all kinds of “entertainment complexes”, and extravagant shows. If you’re coming with the entire family, you may want to steer clear of staying in this area, though.

Kata Yai, Kata Noi – Are you a serious foodie? Then you should be staying in either of these areas. You’ll find everything from world-class bistros to makeshift stalls at the beach serving up delicious dishes. Whatever you’re looking for as far as food goes, you’ll find it here.

Restaurants and Eating Out

As we just mentioned, Phuket has a variety of tasty food options and there really is something for everyone. With that being said, we recommend trying both formal restaurants and food stalls for best results.

One Chun Café and Restaurant – Located in Old Town, this restaurant is consistently rated as one of the best on the island. With a wide variety of dishes (try the crab yellow curry), it has a very vintage feel with brick walls and all kinds of old clocks and TV sets!

Raya – Okay, so this is from the same owners as One Chun, but it just can’t be left out! Known for their classic local dishes like moo hong or slow-cooked pork belly stew, they really take their time in making sure each dish is served to perfection. It’s located right around the corner from One Chun, too!

Ko Ang Seafood – This place has been around a long time, and is known for being one of the best seafood spots in Old Town. You’ll find everything from popular dishes to exotic options like red ant eggs or horseshoe crab.

Lock Tien Food Court – If you go to Phuket, you have to make a visit to Lock Tien. It’s been serving up delicious food for over 50 years to locals and tourists, alike. Located on the corner of Dibuk and Yoawarat, you can try a delicious traditional dinner like por pia, or a cool dessert like oh aew. O-aew is a Thai shaved ice dessert topped with many ingredients like red bean, grass jelly, and of course o-aew: a type of jelly made with banana and herbs.

Kwong Shop Seafood – Here’s another prime seafood spot, and if you’re in Kata Beach, we highly recommend stopping by. Crab curry, hot pot, steamed squid, entire fish – they have it all and it’s super cheap for the quality and quantity received.

Sugar & Spice – This place melds western dishes with Thai favorites like pad Thai, pineapple rice, and som tam. It’s not all that exciting, but it’s a good option if you or another in your group isn’t that adventurous with food.

Nightlife and Entertainment

1. Soi Bangla Road – This place goes crazy after the sun sets! You’ll find all kinds of lavish clubs to sophisticated lounges and everything in-between.
2. Wassa Homemade – Located right on the coast, this is a wonderful date night spot if you’re looking for chill music, great conversation, and excellent cocktails. The views are unbeatable, and the service is fantastic.
3. Seductino Nightclub – This trendy spot is a massive club, with famous DJs every night.
4. Simon Cabaret – One of the most popular places in Phuket, it has great digital sound and visual effects.
5. Siam Niramit – This is undoubtedly one of the most unique shows on the island, and has an almost Vegas-esque feel to it. If you’re bringing the whole family along, this is one of the top recommendations. Complete with over 100 performers, glamorous costumes, and elaborate sets, there’s never a dull moment.
6. Boat Bar – This is a fun place with friendly staff, cool decorations, great music, cabaret some nights, and more.
7. Kee Sky Lounge – This rooftop bar is just steps away from Bangla Walking Street. The rooftop is designed to look like a cruise ship deck, and is always fun with great cocktails and views of the Andaman Sea.
8. Kudo Beach Club – Okay, so this club does open at 10 am, but it goes until midnight so you always have a party to go to!

Weather

Generally speaking, Phuket is quite warm throughout the entire year. Temperatures range from around 77 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, and seasons are pretty much just divided into the “rainy season” and “dry season”. These periods depend on the tropical monsoon.

Dry season starts in December, lasting until around March. You’ll see clear skies, calm waters, and light breezes with temperatures in the high 70s, typically. As you can imagine, this attracts a lot of tourists and is known as the high season.

Rainy season starts in June and lasts until October. This is when the monsoon comes in, with intense winds, lots of rain, with hot and humid weather. It’s not quite as pleasant, considering many times you won’t be able to be out on the water. Going to the beach may result in sand blowing all over, and raining you out.

Attractions

Kata Noi Beach – Phuket has a ton of great beaches, but Kata Noi remains one of our favorites. It’s small in size but huge in beauty. Take a walk along the pristine sand while just enjoying the view or taking a swim in the water.

Chalong Bay Rum Distillery – If you’re a rum fan, you’ll love learning about how it is produced. Not to mention, after the tour you get to participate in a cocktail workshop and bar, where you’ll learn how to make various cocktails that include the house rum.

Big Buddha – This is an absolutely massive marble Buddha statue, at almost 150 feet tall! While the Buddha alone is a great motive for heading there, you also get some of the best panoramic views of the island from the top of the hill.

Nai Harn Beach – This is one of the most popular beaches, with soft white sand and crystal-clear blue water. There are many delicious restaurants nearby, so we recommend grabbing a bite to eat and then coming to sit under the shade of a large tree on the beach.

Karon Viewpoint – Right next to Kata Noi is Karon Viewpoint, which offers some of the best lookout points on the whole island.

Phuket Town Weekend Night Market – The locals call it “Maka Market”, and is the place to be at night on the weekends! It’s crowded with tourists and locals, yes, but there are so many delicious foods and fun items to purchase and look at here.

Wat Chalong and Phuket Temples – Wat Chalong is one of the most important temples in Phuket, with incredible intricacy and a fascinating history. It’s gorgeous from a distance, but head closer and you’ll see the innumerable pieces of glittering glass.

Bangla Road – It’s definitely unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, so prepare yourself for that! But if you are ready for adventure and have a sense of humor, you’ll be just fine.

Phi Phi Islands – If you have seen the movie, The Man With The Golden Gun you will recognize this area. The Phi Phi Islands are definitely worth taking a tour of.

Tips

1. Don’t drink the tap water. Just drink bottled water, and make sure that the bottle is sealed. Ice is made with clean water, and you don’t have to worry about it.
2. Bring mosquito repellent or purchase some right when you arrive. Dengue and malaria aren’t that common, but it’s still annoying to be itching the entire time.
3. When at temples, you need to be respectful. Cover your shoulders and legs at least to the knee. Remove shoes and hat before entering any temple.
4. Be respectful of any image of Buddha. Buying statues and/or getting Buddhist tattoos if you aren’t Buddhist is not only considered very disrespectful, but in some cases, even illegal!
5. Public criticism of Thai royalty is illegal, and if the national anthem is played in public or even before a movie in the theater, you should stand.