Phang Nga Bay Six Islands Speedboat Tour with Hong & Panyee Phuket

Phang Nga Bay and Koh Yao Yai

Phang Nga Bay lies between Phuket and the mainland: a shallow, sheltered sea scattered with sheer limestone islands, sea caves and mangrove channels. Much of it is protected as Ao Phang Nga National Park, founded in 1981. The towers were formed from ancient coral reefs, lifted and carved by rain and tides over millions of years, and their shapes change with every turn of the speedboat.

The first stop is Koh Yao Yai, the larger of the two Yao islands, a rural island of rubber plantations, fishing villages and quiet beaches. You have about 30 minutes on a white-sand beach to swim and take in the view of the limestone islands on the horizon. Is a Phang Nga Bay day trip from Phuket worth it? For scenery like this, it is one of the most rewarding days in southern Thailand.

Panak Island

Panak Island is a long limestone block with caves that cut right through it into enclosed lagoons, or hongs, ringed by cliffs and mangroves. Depending on the tide, the boat brings you close to the cave entrances, where stalactites hang over green water and mangrove roots grip the rock.

The guide explains how these lagoons formed when cave roofs collapsed, and how monkeys, monitor lizards, kingfishers and crabs live in the mangroves. The stop lasts about an hour including the scenic approach, and it is one of the quieter parts of the route, away from the busier stops, and the light inside the caves is often magical. Bring a waterproof camera or phone pouch for the best shots.

Hong Island Canoeing

Hong means room in Thai, and Hong Island is famous for its hidden lagoon, a roofless chamber surrounded by towering cliffs and reached only through a narrow opening at the right tide. Gliding in by sea canoe, you pass under overhangs and into a calm pool of emerald water where the only sounds are birds and the drip of water from the rock.

Canoeing at Hong Island is included in the default option and lasts about 30 minutes. Life jackets are provided, and the water inside is usually flat and calm, so beginners and children can join. Wear quick-drying clothes and keep a dry bag for your phone, as a little splashing is part of the fun.

Koh Panyee Floating Village

Koh Panyee is a fishing village built almost entirely on stilts beside a towering limestone rock. It was founded in the late 18th century by Muslim fishing families from Java, and today it has a mosque with a golden dome, a school, houses, shops and restaurants connected by narrow wooden walkways over the water. The villagers even built a floating football pitch from planks, now one of the most photographed sights in Phang Nga.

Lunch is a buffet in one of the village restaurants, with Thai, Western, vegetarian and halal dishes. Afterwards you have time to walk the lanes, browse for batik, shells and dried seafood and watch daily life on the water. The stop lasts about an hour and a half, the longest of the day.

Khao Phing Kan

Khao Phing Kan is the most famous island in Phang Nga Bay: two great limestone hills leaning against each other, split by a slanting cleft, with a small beach and walkways between them. Just offshore rises Koh Tapu, the needle rock, a slim pillar about 20 metres high that narrows at its base as the tides wear it away.

Boats are not allowed near Koh Tapu to protect it, so the view from the beach is the classic photo. Allow time to climb the steps to the viewpoints, walk through the leaning rock and browse the small stalls. Arriving in the afternoon, after the morning crowds, usually means more space; the stop lasts about an hour.

Naka Island Beach

The last stop is Naka Island, a small island off the north-east coast of Phuket with a sandy beach, shady trees and calm, clear water. After a full day of sightseeing it is the perfect place to swim, relax on the sand and watch the limestone silhouettes of Phang Nga Bay in the late-afternoon light.

You have about 45 minutes here before the short speedboat ride back to the pier and the transfer to your hotel. The best time to visit Phang Nga Bay is November to April, when the sea is calmest, but the bay is sheltered and tours run all year. Return to the pier is usually between 17:00 and 17:30.