Phang Nga, Thailand: travel guide
Dramatic bay of towering limestone karsts — famous for sea caves, James Bond Island tours, and canoe adventures.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- HKT
Top places to visit in Phang Nga
Ao Phang Nga National Park Sea Kayaking
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · entry THB 500
Paddle through limestone hongs (hidden lagoons) only accessible by sea canoe at low tide.
Suwan Kuha Cave (Monkey Cave)
Cultural · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · entry THB 20
Cave temple with a reclining Buddha and resident macaques. A local pilgrimage site near Phang Nga town.
Bang Sak Beach
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h
Quiet 2004 tsunami memorial beach 30 km north of Khao Lak. The police boat swept inland is preserved nearby.
Phang Nga Town Walking Street
Market · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h
Weekend walking street in Phang Nga old town under the limestone cliffs with local food and crafts.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry THB 200
Coastal park with jungle trails, waterfalls and a beach backed by forest. Wildlife-rich.
James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan)
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 6 h · entry THB 400
Iconic limestone karst bay with Ko Tapu (James Bond Island), caves and sea canoe through hongs.
Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial (Police Boat 813)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h
A patrol boat swept 2km inland by the 2004 tsunami, preserved as a memorial park.
Khao Lak Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h
Unspoiled 10-km beach with few high-rises, popular with families and divers heading to Similan Islands.
Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Jungle park with a series of cascading streams and moss-covered rock pools threaded by wooden bridges.
Ko Yao Noi
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 5 h
Laid-back island in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi, known for limestone-cliff views and quiet villages.
Tha Dan Pier
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 1 h
Historic Sino-Portuguese shophouse street and departure pier for Phang Nga Bay tours.
Ko Panyi Floating Muslim Village
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Sea-gypsy village built on stilts over the bay. Seafood restaurants and a floating football pitch.
Things to do
- Khao Lak & Similan Islands Snorkelling Day Trip Water Sports · 9 h · from THB 2,100 per person
- Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Kayaking Expedition Adventure · 8 h · from THB 1,700 per person
- James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay by Longtail Boat Sightseeing · 8 h · from THB 1,000 per person
- Phang Nga Town Walking Tour & Local Market Cultural · 3 h · from THB 520 per person
- Sa Nang Manora Forest Park Trek Activity · 2.5 h
- Ko Yao Noi Cycling Tour Activity · 3 h · from THB 3,900 per person
- Khao Lak Elephant Care Experience Activity · 3 h · from THB 3,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- James Bond Island Speedboat Premium Tour 8 h · from THB 1,200
- Phang Nga Bay Longtail & Sea Kayak Adventure 8 h · from THB 1,000
- Khao Lak & Similan Islands Snorkel Day Trip 10 h · from THB 1,700
Where to stay in Phang Nga
- Town Area about THB 2,000 per night
Gateway to Phang Nga Bay with tour base
Hotels
- Aleenta Resort Phang Nga 5-star
- Phang Nga Inn 2-star
- Phang Nga Bay Resort Hotel 3-star
Where to eat
- Khun Thip's Satay Thai, Satay · about THB 200 per person
- Mon Phochana Southern Thai, Seafood · about THB 500 per person
- Gop Phochana Southern Thai, Peranakan · about THB 400 per person
- Nai Mueang Southern Thai, Seafood · about THB 600 per person
- Takola Southern Thai, Thai · about THB 1,500 per person
- Juumpo Peranakan, Southern Thai · about THB 600 per person
- Krachang Khao Lak Seafood, Thai · about THB 700 per person
- Beach Grill and Bar Mediterranean, Seafood, Grill · about THB 1,800 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Phang Nga
- Apr 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for April: 221.7 mm, 13.6 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga).
- May 33°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 430.9 mm, 20.2 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). TAT park status list: "Mu Ko Similan (Similan Island) National Park - Closed from 16 May until 14 October" and "Mu Ko Surin (Surin Island) National Park - Closed from 16 May until 14 October" - both in Phang Nga province, closing from mid-month. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Jun 32°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for June: 456.6 mm, 18.9 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin (Phang Nga province) closed 16 May - 14 October. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Jul 32°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for July: 465.8 mm, 19.7 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin (Phang Nga province) closed 16 May - 14 October. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Aug 31°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 570 mm, 20.5 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin (Phang Nga province) closed 16 May - 14 October. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Sep 31°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 635.7 mm, 22.5 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin (Phang Nga province) closed 16 May - 14 October. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Oct 31°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 529.4 mm, 21.6 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga). Mu Ko Similan and Mu Ko Surin reopen 15 October; the first half of the month is still inside the closure. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Nov 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for November: 231.7 mm, 13.8 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station TAKUA PA (WMO 48561), 40 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Phang Nga).