The speedboat tour of James Bond Island was amazing!
After a challenging few days of contemplating which Phuket tour to take, we settled on the James Bond Tour, the one featuring the iconic island from the 1974 film. Despite its reputation for being overly touristy, we were eager to experience some island hopping.
This guide is designed for anyone trying to choose a tour company or deciding if the James Bond Island Tour is suitable for them.
If this is your first visit to the site and you’re interested in following my year-long journey, check this section for all my posts related to extended travel. You can also read the beginning of the series in this article, which summarizes my adventure leaving Canada for a year of exploration.
Which Tour Company Did We Choose for the James Bond Island Tour?
After researching various tour companies in Phuket, we opted for JP Andaman. Established in 1999 and having served over 60,000 guests, their emphasis on safety was our top priority. Some companies disregard safety by not canceling tours in adverse weather, putting clients at risk. Given that we visited during the rainy season, we wanted assurance that the tour would not set sail under dangerous conditions.
Cost and Inclusions of the Phuket James Bond Island Tour
We paid 2,700 baht for the tour for two people, which translates to about CAD 105 or USD 81. We booked through the travel kiosk in our hotel, incurring an additional fee of 81 baht for using our Visa card. While we could have saved 100-200 baht per person by booking at a street kiosk or online via Klook, we preferred the convenience and security of booking through our hotel. For tips on avoiding common booking pitfalls, check out this post on Phuket tours.
The tour package included:
- Roundtrip speedboat ride
- National park fee
- Lunch
- Snacks (soft drinks, water, and fruits) onboard; Pringles were available for purchase
- Transportation service from hotels in Phuket and Khao Lak
- Canoe ride
- Life jacket for the duration of the trip
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Insurance coverage
Pringles for sale on our tour boat!
Our additional out-of-pocket expenses included tips, snacks available for purchase on the boat, and souvenirs. I’ve come across reviews where some travelers paid double for their tours simply because they neglected to do their homework. Don’t be like them—save money by conducting your research!
Itinerary for the Phuket James Bond Island Tour
Here’s the scheduled agenda for our day:
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Hotel pickup
- 10:00 AM: Depart from Ao Po Pier
- 10:45 AM: Explore Panak Island and go canoeing at “Bat Cave” or “Diamond Cave”
- 11:30 AM: Canoeing at Hong Island, followed by lunch
- 1:00 PM: Visit James Bond Island and Khao Ping Kan
- 2:30 PM: Swim and relax at Lana Island
- 5:00 PM: Return to Ao Por Pier and back to the hotel
Our Experience on the James Bond Island Tour
Here’s an overview of what transpired on our tour:
Hotel Pickup
The pickup from the hotel was seamless. We were relieved to have booked the tour through our hotel. Siriwan ensured we got on the correct minibus and kept us informed when there were delays.
The drive to Ao Po Pier took about an hour, and I dozed off. Contrary to the reckless driving experiences I had heard about, our minibus driver was quite cautious. Although the bus was filled with other passengers, the journey was comfortable, clean, and odor-free.
It’s worth mentioning odors, thanks to some unpleasant bus rides I’ve endured in the past, filled with the scent of cigarettes or damp, musty laundry. Add in stale air from the AC, and you feel almost trapped.
Arrival at Ao Po Pier
At Ao Po Pier, searching for our guide before venturing to the end of the dock.
Upon arrival at the pier, we joined a throng of confused passengers. Fortunately, the tour company was very organized and quickly grouped us for boarding different boats. Our guide checked our names off a list and gave us blue yarn bracelets.
Note: I read online that some tours require passengers to pay for transfers to the boat. We had this transfer included in our package, and I did not notice many people paying for transportation to their boats.
After navigating our way through three boats, we finally reached our speedboat—a bit tricky, but thankfully I didn’t take a plunge into the water.
The dock area.
Tip before you go: Make a mental note of your minibus driver’s appearance to find your bus later! We forgot who our driver was and spent 10 minutes searching for him! If you miss your ride back to the hotel, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation!
Boarding the Speedboat
There were approximately 40 passengers on our speedboat, divided into Russian and English speakers. The Russian guests had their own guide and remained inside, while the English speakers enjoyed the outdoor seating.
Access to the boat was limited to those who spoke Russian.
Non-Russian speaking passengers seated outside.
Enjoying the breeze during the ride.
Our English-speaking guide provided safety briefings and instructed everyone to wear lifejackets throughout the journey. “In Thailand, you’re solely responsible for your safety,” he emphasized, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with.
“This is Thailand! It’s not the same as back home! Wear your lifejacket!”
Heading towards Koh Panak Cave.
Exploring Panak Island (Koh Panak Cave)
Canoeing in Panak Island.
Panak Island was our first stop. This area is renowned for its stunning caves, lagoons, and distinctive stalactites. Although there are monkeys around, we didn’t spot any. Once we arrived at Panak Island, we transferred from our speedboat to canoes for an exploration of the caves. Each canoe carried 2-3 people, guided by a staff member who did the rowing.
Canoes ready for adventure amidst the caves.
In retrospect, it was likely a good choice not to do the rowing myself; navigating through the narrow caves could be quite challenging.
A moment where I took over the paddling, though we didn’t get very far!
The Cave Experience: A Memorable Adventure
Although some cave sections were so low that my nose grazed the ceiling while lying flat, it was a unique experience.
During our adventure, we encountered numerous bats, which the guide pointed out with his flashlight. I couldn’t help but think about how we were stressing the bats by shining lights at them. Earlier, we learned that illuminating bats can be detrimental—a lesson we took to heart during our Batu Caves expedition in Kuala Lumpur. Although I avoided getting pooped on by bats this time, I did spot some droppings quite close to my feet.
Tip: If you’re under bats, do your best not to look up, and keep conversation to a minimum while touring the cave.
As a side note, I did get pooped on by bats in Angkor Wat!
Canoeing at Hong Island
Exploring the beauty of Hong Island.
Hong Island translates to “Room Island” in English and offers a noteworthy contrast to the bustling Phuket. It’s relatively untouched, providing serenity away from the crowds. We enjoyed more canoeing here, reveling in the beautiful surroundings and the proximity of small islands.
Lunchtime
Unfortunately, I can’t provide feedback on the meal since I was feeling quite ill and was only able to manage a few bites of plain rice. The smell of food made me nauseous—a reminder to never indulge in an oversized spicy noodle meal before an excursion!
The lunch spread was impressive and included fish, noodles, fried rice, vegetables, soup, salad, and chicken.
Swimming and Relaxation at Lana Island
This segment of the trip possibly occurred prior to our visit to James Bond Island. At one point, we stopped in the ocean for swimmers to jump off and take a dip. Gary seemed to enjoy himself, even though he remarked that the water was somewhat murky but pleasantly warm for swimming.
Exploring James Bond Island and Khao Ping Kan
Welcome to James Bond Island!
Despite reading reviews claiming that James Bond Island is not worth a visit, I genuinely enjoyed our time there. Although it was crowded, we still managed to capture some great photos and immerse ourselves in the environment, imagining the film’s sequences that took place back in 1974.
This island was barely known and seldom visited before its cinematic fame, but the movie significantly elevated its popularity. I speculate that the same will occur with Ninh Binh thanks to the recent King Kong film.
While James Bond Island is commonly known, its actual name is Ko Ta Pu, though locals and tourists seldom refer to it by its proper title.
It was quite windy, and my hair didn’t cooperate very well!
As our speedboat approached the island, we transitioned to a long-tail boat for a short ride to the shore. To protect the limestone structures, Thailand has prohibited tour boats from getting too close to the island, as erosion could lead to disastrous collapses.
Long-tail boats waiting to transport visitors.
We enjoyed 40 minutes of exploration on the small island, which felt like ample time, as there isn’t a plethora to see aside from a few caves.
The beach area where guests can relax.
Once we completed our exploration, it was time to return to our boat for the journey back to Ao Por Pier, which took us approximately two hours.
What to Pack for the James Bond Island Tour by Speedboat
Ensure to take along the following items:
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Change of clothes (optional)
- Snacks (lunch is provided and chips can be purchased on the boat)
- Camera (preferably waterproof)
- Waterproof bag to keep your belongings dry
- Flip-flops or water sandals
- Lock for your belongings. A Pacsafe bag is great for securing your items while you explore the boat and islands.
Facilities During the Phuket James Bond Island Tour
A public toilet is available at the pier for a fee of 10 baht, and the boat featured surprisingly clean restrooms equipped with toilet paper!
What I Disliked About the Phuket James Bond Island Tour
Some guides and rowers made subtle yet persistent requests for tips, which was slightly annoying. Though they weren’t pushy, the repeated inquiries could be frustrating. I fully support tipping for excellent service, but soliciting gratuities feels off. That said, this was a minor concern amidst an otherwise enjoyable experience.
Would I Recommend the Phuket James Bond Island Tour?
I highly recommend the James Bond Island tour when visiting Phuket.
Overall, we were pleased with our experience, feeling we received good value for our investment. Most importantly, the tour was safe, well-organized, and largely operated by professional staff.
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This post was first published in January 2018 and last updated in March 2020.
