James Bond Island

Related article: Krabi

Characteristics: Litoral Caves, limestone tower carsts

Popularity: James Bond movies The Man with the Golden Gun and Tomorrow Never Dies

Important Note: Thailand prohibits import and export of ivory even if it is for personal consumption or as souvenir, and tourists are strongly advised not to buy ivory or ivory products. Taking ivory or ivory products outside Thailand is illegal. Offenders could get a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of up to four times the value of the item or both penalties, and could face arrest at their country of origin. (Thai Ivories and Elephant Legislations)

James Bond Island

The Pha Nga Bay:

• Kayaking: The bay of Phang Nga is one of the renowned spots for kayaking around Phuket / Krabi. Paddle guides price is generally included in the package but they expect a tip though that is not compulsory. They will paddle through the mangrove lined backwaters to visit some sea caves (littoral caves). There is a sea cave, where you need to lie down on the boat to enter through a narrow rocky low arch-like opening. The inner walls of the cave surround the water body giving an echoing effect inside with the sun peeking in from the top making this place a one of a kind experience.

Phang Nga bay kayaking

• Floating village at Koh Panyi: Stop for lunch mostly. This traditional Muslim fishing community heavily depends on tourism.

• James Bond Island or Koh Khao Phing Kan: An island in Phang Nga Bay. The islands are limestone tower karsts and are a part of Ao Phang Nga National Park. The entry fees is generally included in the package pricing. Khao Phing Kan has been popularly called James Bond Island, since it’s featuring in the James Bond movies The Man with the Golden Gun and Tomorrow Never Dies. About 40 metres from the shores of the island lies a 20-metre tall islet made of limestone called Ko Tapu, the "mushroom-shaped rock" (which houses two large solar panels which come up on top of Ko Tapu and lock on to the Sun: The man with the Golden Gun). It is also known as the James Bond rock. Ko Tapu literally translates to “Nail Island”, a name it gets from the local legend of a fisherman who was trying to fish but kept getting the same nail in his fishing net even after throwing it back to the water. The angry fisherman then decided to cut the nail in two halves with his sword using all his power. One of the part stuck back to the sea forming Ko Tapu. The scientific explanation on the formation of Ko Tapu says the area was a barrier reef that ruptured upon tectonic movements, dispersing over the sea, flooded by the rising ocean. Erosion of the islands thus formed resulted in peculiar structures such as Ko Tapu. Tide-related erosion is visible at the bottom of the rock. Interesting structures as it may seem, and indeed they are, but thanks to the James Bond fame, this island is over crowded with tourists. So, if you are looking for that perfect Bond / Bond girl pic, beware, you might run out of luck here.

Ko Tapu, James Bond Island

Getting Here:

Although nearer from Phuket, Thailand, day trips are also available from Krabi, Thailand. Some trips offer kayaking option. When traveling from Krabi, trips will generally halt at the Cave temple near Krabi town on the way to the island and in the fruit farms on the way back.

Getting Around:

Island hopping is generally via speed boats and/or longtail boats.

Happy Panda Notes:

Phang Nga bay happens to be one of the best kayaking spots around this area and the litoral caves are truly beautiful and worth the visit.