Phang Nga Bay

Bay · Phang Nga, 🇹🇭 Thailand

Phang Nga Bay is a wide bay on Thailand's Andaman coast between Phuket and Krabi. Tall limestone cliffs rise from green water, and hidden lagoons, caves and mangroves sit between the islands. Much of the bay is protected as a marine national park.

Most visitors explore it on a boat day trip from Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak. Sea kayaks, longtail boats and speedboats are the usual ways to see the rocks up close.

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When to visit

The best time is from November to April, when the sea is calm and skies are mostly dry. Boat tours run on a regular schedule and the water is easier to enjoy.

From May to October the rainy season brings rough seas and showers. Some tours are cancelled, and views can be hazy.

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

31° (feels like 34°) · extremes 21°–34°
23° at night
11 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
28°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in February

Fair

33° (feels like 36°) · extremes 21°–35°
23° at night
8 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in March

Poor

33° (feels like 37°) · extremes 22°–36°
24° at night
15 rainy days
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 7 days above 35°

Typical weather in April

Poor

32° (feels like 37°) · extremes 23°–36°
25° at night
24 rainy days
11 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in May

Poor

30° (feels like 36°) · extremes 24°–33°
25° at night
28 rainy days
3 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in June

Poor

30° (feels like 35°) · extremes 23°–31°
25° at night
26 rainy days
4 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Poor

29° (feels like 34°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
27 rainy days
3 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
30°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Poor

29° (feels like 34°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
27 rainy days
4 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Poor

29° (feels like 34°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
27 rainy days
3 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in October

Poor

29° (feels like 34°) · extremes 23°–31°
24° at night
30 rainy days
3 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in November

Poor

29° (feels like 34°) · extremes 22°–31°
23° at night
25 rainy days
4 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in December

Fair

29° (feels like 33°) · extremes 21°–31°
23° at night
16 rainy days
8 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Oppressive humidity
Calm winds
29°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

James Bond Island is a tall rock standing in the water, made famous by a 1970s James Bond film. Boats usually stop for a short visit and photos.
Koh Panyee is a village built on stilts over the water, where many tours stop for lunch.
Hong Island Kayaking is a popular kayaking stop among islands with lagoons and rock arches.

Featured Lists

Jan Korpáš / cc-by-4.0

Phang Nga Bay Highlights

Limestone karsts, sea caves and floating villages: the signature sights of Phang Nga Bay, from James Bond Island to Koh Panyee.

12 places

What to experience

Sea kayaking: Paddle into lagoons and under limestone arches.
Longtail boat ride: See the cliffs and islands at your own pace.
Stilt village lunch: Eat seafood in the village built over the water.
Sunset cruise: Take an evening trip when the cliffs turn orange.

Tours & Activities

Phang Nga Bay — Map

Day trips

These trips are listed from closest to farthest.

Hong Islands by kayak: a boat and kayak trip into hidden lagoons.
Longtail boat tour: a half-day trip around the main rocks and caves.
Full-day tour from Phuket or Krabi: a boat day trip that combines sea caves, Koh Panyee and island stops.

Where to explore

Phang Nga is the province around the bay.
Khao Lak is a beach area north of the bay.
Phuket Town is a common starting point for tours.
Krabi is the province on the other side of the bay.

Getting there

From Phuket: Tours start from Phuket piers and often include hotel pick-up. The boat ride into the bay takes a while, depending on the pier.
From Krabi and Ao Nang: Tours leave from Krabi piers.
From Khao Lak: Day tours run to the northern part of the bay.
By private boat: Longtail boats can be hired from piers around the bay.

Getting around

By boat: Boats are the main way to move around the bay. Most visitors join a tour.
By kayak: Guided kayak trips enter caves and lagoons that larger boats cannot reach.
On land: Roads run along the mainland coast, but most sights are on the water.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: A car helps for reaching piers on the mainland, but sights are on the water.
Driving side: Traffic drives on the left.
Roads: Main roads between Phuket and Krabi are paved.

Food & drink

Seafood is the main food in the bay area, with prawns, fish and crab at village restaurants. Southern Thai dishes are spicy and rich with coconut milk.

The stilt village is a Muslim community, so alcohol may be limited.

Lunch

Pad ThaiStir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, and tamarind sauce, topped with crushed peanuts.

Som TamSpicy shredded green papaya salad with lime, chili, fish sauce, and peanuts.

Boat Noodles Kuay Teow ReuaSmall, intensely flavored bowls of noodle soup, traditionally served from boats along Bangkok's canals.

Dinner

Tom Yum Goong Tom Yum KungHot and sour soup with shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili.

Green Curry Gaeng Keow WanCoconut-milk curry with green chilies, Thai basil, and meat or tofu, served with rice.

Massaman Curry Gaeng MassamanMild, rich curry with Persian and Indian influences, typically made with beef or chicken, potatoes, and peanuts.

Snacks & street food

Satay SateGrilled skewers of marinated meat served with peanut dipping sauce.

Mango Sticky Rice Roti RotiCrispy pan-fried flatbread, often served sweet with condensed milk and banana, or savory.

Sweets & desserts

Mango Sticky Rice Khao Niao MamuangSweet sticky rice served with fresh mango slices and coconut cream.

Drinks

Thai Iced Tea Cha YenStrong black tea sweetened with condensed milk and served over ice.

Singha / Chang Beer Beer Chang / SinghaPopular Thai lagers widely available at bars and restaurants.

Safety & health

Sea conditions: Check the weather and choose a tour with life jackets and a good safety record.
Kayaking: Follow your guide, as tides can change water levels inside caves.
Sun: Use sunscreen and wear a hat.
Crowds: Popular stops are busy in the morning. Visit early or late if you can.
Respect nature: Do not touch coral or feed wildlife.
Royal family: Do not speak or write badly about the monarchy. It is a serious crime in Thailand.