Nearby Islands – Beyond James Bond Island

Phang Nga Bay contains more than 40 limestone islands, each with its own character. James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) is the most famous, but the surrounding islands offer just as much beauty – floating villages, hidden lagoons, sea caves, and quiet beaches. This guide describes the best nearby islands, how to visit them, and what makes each one special. No hype – just honest advice for travellers who want to explore beyond the tourist crowds.

Koh Panyee – The Floating Football Village

Koh Panyee is a Muslim fishing village built entirely on wooden stilts over the water. About 300 families live here, in houses connected by narrow walkways. The village has a school, a mosque, several shops, and – famously – a floating football pitch. The pitch was built on a raft because there is no flat land on the island. The story of the village’s football team was made into a short film that became popular worldwide. Most tours stop at Koh Panyee for lunch. You can eat fresh seafood in open‑air restaurants overlooking the bay. The village is also a good place to buy souvenirs and see how sea gypsies live.

Visitors find Koh Panyee either fascinating or too commercial. It is crowded during peak hours (11 AM – 2 PM). To avoid the busiest time, ask your tour operator to schedule lunch earlier or later. There is no entrance fee, but you are expected to buy something – even just a soft drink – if you use the village facilities. The people are friendly, but do not take photos of residents without asking first.

Hong Islands – Hidden Lagoons and Snorkelling

Hong Islands (Koh Hong in Thai) are actually a group of islands, but the most visited is **Koh Hong Krabi** (not to be confused with Koh Hong near Krabi mainland). The word “Hong” means “room” in Thai – the island has a large, enclosed lagoon that feels like a secret room. You enter the lagoon through a narrow opening in the cliffs, which is only passable by kayak or small boat at low tide. Inside, the water is calm and emerald green, surrounded by 50‑metre vertical walls. It is a perfect spot for swimming and photography.

Hong Island also has a beautiful white sand beach on its outer side, where you can snorkel among coral reefs. The water is shallow and clear, with many small fish – sergeant majors, butterflyfish, and sometimes parrotfish. Because it is a protected area, no boats are allowed to anchor directly on the reef. You swim from the beach. The island has basic toilets and a small snack stall, but no restaurants. Most tours spend about one hour here. For the best snorkelling, visit during the dry season (November‑April) when the water is calm. See our dedicated Hong Island guide for more details.

Panak Island – The Cave of Ice Cream

Panak Island is known for its large sea cave called **Tham Nam** (water cave) or the “Ice Cream Cave”. The cave gets its name from the white stalactites that drip down – they look like melting ice cream. You enter the cave by kayak at low tide. The ceiling is low, so you must lie flat in the kayak as you paddle inside. Once inside, the cave opens into a large chamber with a small beach. The water is dark, but your guide will shine a torch to show the rock formations. It feels like entering another world.

Besides the cave, Panak Island has a mangrove forest at its base and a viewpoint on top (but climbing is not allowed in most areas). The island is also home to many crab‑eating macaques. They are used to tourists and may come close, but do not feed them – they can become aggressive and bite. Panak Island is almost always included in Phang Nga Bay tours because the cave is a highlight. You will spend about 30‑45 minutes here, depending on tide conditions. For other caves, see our Panak Island tour page.

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai – Quiet Resort Islands

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are two larger islands located between Phuket and Krabi. They are not limestone karsts – they are flat, green islands with rubber plantations, rice fields, and fishing villages. Many travellers stay here for a few nights to escape the crowds of Phuket. The islands offer bungalows, small resorts, and homestays. There are few cars, and you can explore by bicycle or scooter. From the eastern coast of Koh Yao Noi, you get a perfect view of the karst towers of Phang Nga Bay – the same view you see on postcards.

Most day tours do not stop at these islands because they are not part of the national park’s main attractions. However, some longtail boat tours from Koh Yao Noi will take you to James Bond Island. Accommodation prices here range from budget (400‑800 THB per night) to mid‑range (1,500‑3,000 THB). If you want a relaxing base away from the tour boat crowds, consider staying on Koh Yao Noi for a couple of nights. Read our accommodation guide for recommendations.

Koh Naka Noi – Pearl Farm

Koh Naka Noi is a small island east of Phuket. It is not a karst island – it is low and sandy. Its main attraction is a **pearl farm** where you can see how cultured pearls are grown. A guide explains the process: a small piece of mantle tissue from a donor oyster is implanted into a host oyster, which then secretes nacre around the irritant. After 2‑3 years, a pearl forms. You can buy pearls in the shop (prices vary widely). Some tours include this as a stop, often for 30 minutes. It is educational but not exciting for children. If you are not interested in pearls, you can skip it – many tours offer an alternative stop.

Koh Khai – Snorkelling with Small Fish

Koh Khai (Nok, Nai, and Nu – three tiny islands) are located east of Phuket, not inside Phang Nga Bay. They are often combined with James Bond Island tours on speedboat trips because they are relatively close. The water around Koh Khai is very shallow and clear. You can stand on the sand and be surrounded by hundreds of small fish – mostly sergeant majors and damselfish. It is very touristy, with deckchairs, umbrellas, and snack stalls. If you want a easy snorkelling experience without currents, Koh Khai is fine. For more advanced snorkelling, Hong Island is better. Most speedboat tours include Koh Khai as a last stop before returning to Phuket.

How to Visit Multiple Islands in One Day

No single tour can cover all of these islands. A typical full‑day tour (8‑10 hours) includes:

• James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan + Ko Tapu) – 1 hour
• Koh Panyee – 1 hour for lunch
• Hong Islands or Panak Island – 1 hour for kayaking/snorkelling
• Ice Cream Cave or Pearl Farm – 30 minutes
• One extra snorkelling stop (Koh Khai or a lagoon)

Longtail boat tours are slower (90 minutes to reach the bay) so they include one fewer stop. Speedboat tours (45 minutes) can include more. Private tours allow you to customise. Tour prices vary, but expect to pay around 1,500 THB for a group speedboat tour, 2,500 THB for a private longtail (2‑3 people), and more for luxury yachts. Check our practical information page for booking tips.

When to Visit Which Island

Tide is critical for Panak Island’s Ice Cream Cave – you can only enter at low tide. Most tour operators plan around this. Hong Island’s lagoon is also best at low tide when the entrance is visible. Koh Panyee is fine at any tide. Snorkelling is best from November to April when the water is clearest. From May to October, some islands may have jellyfish – your guide will warn you. For a full month‑by‑month recommendation, read our best time to visit guide.

Conservation and Respect

All islands inside Ao Phang Nga National Park are protected. Fines start at 5,000 THB for damage. Do not: remove any shells, coral, or rocks; feed or touch the monkeys; litter (take everything back to the boat); walk on coral reefs; fly drones without a permit. On Koh Panyee, respect local customs – dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) when entering the mosque area. Do not take photos of Muslims praying. Thai people say “hen nam pla, hen khao” (เห็นน้ำพล่าเห็นข้าว) – “When you see the water, you see the fish.” It means that one thing often leads to another. Respect the environment, and the environment will continue to provide beauty for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nearby Islands

Q: Can I stay overnight on any of the karst islands?
A: No. There are no hotels or guesthouses on the small limestone islands. Only Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, and Koh Panyee have accommodation.

Q: Which island has the best snorkelling?
A: Hong Island has the best coral and fish. Koh Khai is good for beginners but crowded.

Q: Is Koh Panyee worth visiting?
A: Yes, for the culture and food. But be prepared for crowds. Go early (before 11 AM) or late (after 2 PM).

Q: Can I climb the limestone islands?
A: No. Climbing is forbidden in the national park. Only designated areas like Railay Beach in Krabi allow climbing.

Q: Which is better – longtail or speedboat for visiting multiple islands?
A: Speedboat is faster, so you see more islands. Longtail is slower, more traditional, and quieter. Choose based on your priority.

Q: Are there toilets on the islands?
A: Koh Panyee and Hong Island have basic toilets (sometimes require a small fee, 5‑10 THB). Other islands have none.

Final Word From Local Experts

The islands around James Bond Island are like a chain of pearls – each one different, each one worth seeing. Take your time. Do not try to see all of them in one day. Choose two or three that interest you most. Sit on a kayak and go inside a cave. Eat fish on Koh Panyee. Watch the sunset from the beach of Koh Yao Noi. Then come back another day to see the rest.

Remember the Thai phrase: “Talaw tai mi plaa, talaw klang mi pu” – each sea offers its own treasure. Let the islands surprise you.

— Written by the team at VisitJamesBondIsland.com