Phang Nga Bay: Sailing Around Phang Nga Is A Thailand Trip Must!

Phang Nga Bay

Put Phang Nga Bay On Your Must Do For Thailand! 

While I was visiting a friend in Phuket (2014), we went out sailing around Phang Nga Bay for the day. I wanted to share a photo diary since it’s such a beautiful place and a must do if you are visiting southern Thailand.

Here’s a little description from my good friend Wiki about the area:

“Phang Nga Bay is a bay in the Strait of Malacca between the island of Phuket and the Malay peninsula of southern Thailand. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. Limestone cliffs with caves, collapsed systems and archaeological sites are found about Phang Nga Bay. Some 10,000 years ago when the sea levels were lower, one could walk from Phuket and Krabi.”

Our plans did not include boating at all, we didn’t even think we would have time. Our lovely local friend and hostess arranged for us to ride on a speedboat through the islands rather than get on a group tour via longtail boat. It was an incredible day and I’m so grateful for this experience. Thank you, Michelle!! You’re the best! You too Theo!

Here are photos from our day to give you a better visual:

Phang Nga Bay

Swanky boat life!

Boating

View from our speedboat

James Bond Island Thailand

We sailed past James Bond Island because it was too busy with tourists. All good!

Phang Nga Bay Thailand

Limestone cliffs to satisfy us everywhere!

Phang Nga Bay Thailand

Spotting longtail boats!

We anchored the boat and found a kayak guide. We hired him to take us into some of the sea caves. I am kind of a nerd when it comes to this stuff so I loved seeing the different stalagmites and stalactites. I also get a kick of out the Thais because they make up funny names for the rock formations.

Phang Nga Bay

Kind of ridiculous scenery right?

Me and Theola Phang Nga Bay Thailand

My friend and I being goofy underneath what our guide called the Big Banana

We were starting to get hungry so our hostess asked the boat driver to take us for lunch. He took us to Koh Panyee a floating fishing village. It’s like a city on the water. It has restaurants, shops, a school, a soccer pitch with its own football club, a mosque and more. If you love seafood, I don’t know if it can get fresher than this!

Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

Driving up to Koh Panyee (aka Ko Panyi), a floating fishing village

Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

There’s a mosque back there and a soccer/football field!

Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

Stopping in for lunch at Koh Panyee

Coconut Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

I drank at least 3 coconuts a day!

Seafood at Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

The freshest seafood possible!

Seafood at Koh Panyee Island Fishing Village

Lunch was divine. We had different fish, prawns, crabs, you name it…

Seafood lunch at Koh Panyee floating fishing village

Longtail boat Thailand

Traditional longtail boats

After lunch, we headed to Naka Island but it started raining heavily. We anchored and chilled out or swam then called it a day.

Naka Island

Naka Beach on Naka Island

Whether you go via longtail boat with a group tour or if you can splurge on a speedboat hire, get out on the water and explore the islands around this beautiful place.

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Phang Nga Bay

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