Krabi Day Tour to James Bond Island Khao Phing Kan Khao Tapu — *Maybe the most iconic location in all of South Thailand, the Infamous Khao Tapu at James Bond Island*

Looking for a great Krabi Day Tour? Want something that’s equal parts adventure, scenery, and good tropical island vibes? Then look no further! I’ve recently joined the Krabi: Premium James Bond Island Speedboat & Canoe Trip, a speedboat tour that not only takes you from Krabi to the famous James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan), but also on a kayaking trip through gorgeous limestone caves, as well as a mini excursion to an island village.

It was seriously the most fun I’ve had in Krabi and I wanted to share that with you in this blog post. I’ll walk you through exactly what the experience is like, what to expect, and some insider tips so you can make the most of your this incredible day trip in Krabi. So if you’re ready for some adventure then read on!

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Overview of the Krabi Day Tour I Joined

The Krabi Day Tour that I went on is the Krabi: Premium James Bond Island Speedboat & Canoe Trip, an 8 hour tour around the Phang Nga Bay Area. Note that this blog post isn’t sponsored by the way, so all opinions are my own.

When I was choosing which Krabi Day Tour to book, the itinerary was the first thing that sold me. I wanted a day that felt full of adventure but not too chaotic or rushed, and this one ticked every box, this Krabi Day Tour brings you to:

James Bond Island - Known as Khao Phing Kan, featured in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
Lod Cave - Kayaking through gorgeous limestone caverns.
Koh Panyee - A small island, you’ll have an included lunch here as well as explore a local village.
Kian Bay - End the day enjoying a swim here.

So as you can see, a pretty eventful day.

Oh I should also mention that there’s a 300 THB (~10 USD) national park entrance fee that everyone has to pay on this Krabi Day Tour, It’s not included in the tour, understandably so.

Krabi Day Tour to James Bond Island Khao Phing Kan Kayaking — *One of my favorite beach activities is kayaking, so fun especially in Krabi*

Another big plus for me was that this was a small group private tour, so introverted me was quite happy about that. Also included in this Krabi Day Tour was an English-speaking guide. Our tour guide was Khun Neen, she was incredibly friendly, fun, and helpful, very good at story telling I might add. I love learning about the little stories about the area.

On top of that, this Krabi Day Tour included hotel pickup and drop-off, which was a lifesaver because I didn’t have to worry about transportation at all. And of course extra included touches round out the experience like lunch, drinking water, and even accident insurance of all things, which was really great.

Plus, the reviews were consistently great, tons of people mentioned how well-organized everything was and how friendly the crew were. With all that together, it honestly felt like the most reliable and value-packed Krabi island tour I could find. If you want to book this tour for yourself, you can book now using the widget below!

Exploring James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan)

Krabi James Bond Island Khao Phing Kan Khao Tapu — *Khao Tapu, how does it not collapse?*

Ok, I’ve mentioned it a few times already, but our first stop is James Bond Island located off the coast of Krabi in the Phang Nga Bay area, also the main highlight of this Krabi Day Tour.

Originally known as Khao Phing Kan, James Bond Island shot to fame after appearing in the 1974 film The Man With the Golden Gun. Since then, it’s become one of the most iconic sights in southern Thailand, and it’s easy to see why. That tall, narrow rock formation, you see in all the pictures is Khao Tapu, a 20 meter tall islet.

It does look like something Mother Nature carved just to confuse geologists. But going near it I do feel a little bit of an irrational fear that the thing will tip over, it’s so scrawny looking…

Krabi Day Tour to James Bond Island Khao Phing Kan Khao Speed boat — *A little bit of luxury while exploring Krabi is most certainly welcome*

Anyways, the best part though was that we got there via a luxury speedboat from the Krabi mainland which seriously made the whole experience so much more special. The ride is smooth, fast, and you get a front-row view of Phang Nga Bay’s spectacular limestone cliffs rising straight out of the water.

James Bond Island is very beautiful and scenic, so be sure to snap lots of pictures, but also don’t forget the surrounding landscapes! The almost glowing emerald water, the sheer scale of the vertical cliffs, the quiet coves, and the way the light hits the limestone in the late morning…

You can hop off the speedboat too of course, and I spent most of my time wandering around the viewpoints, taking photos, and just soaking in the scenery.

Lod Cave Kayaking Adventure

James Bond Island Krabi Tham Lod Kayaking — *The natural rock formations in Phang Nga Bay is so beautiful*

The next stop in this Krabi Day Tour is the nearby Tham Lot or Lod Cave, you won’t be on a speedboat for this one, you’ll be commandeering a kayak! Lot Cave is a massive limestone cavern tucked inside Phang Nga Bay.

The Lot cave system spans about 1,666 meters, and the cave network periodically floods with water coming in from the nearby Nam Lang River. Yes, periodically, which means that during the dry season you can actually just walk up to the entrance of Tham Lot completely dry!

Krabi Lod cave Tham Lot kayaking — *Imagine being the first few people to discover Lod Cave, must be terrifying*

Paddling my kayak into Tham Lot was mysterious and quite eerie. Silence fills the room only contrasted by echoes of dripping water and sharp flutters of bats. It’s one thing to walk through these prehistoric tunnels, it’s a completely different thing to slowly glide through gentle still waters. It’s incredibly unnerving if you are even a little bit claustrophobic.

The cave stretches deep into the rock, and the ceiling opens up into beautiful chambers carved by thousands of years of erosion. Stalagmites and columns of Permian age Limestone creates jagged edges that make the caverns seem so hostile. K. Neen also told us that wooden coffins have been unearthed in these caves and are believed to be from ancient tribal people thousands of years ago.

Kayaking through Tham Lot was definitely my personal highlight of this Krabi Day Tour.

Lunch & Exploring Panyee Island

Krabi Day Tour included lunch — *A quick little lunch and a few snacks to regain some energy*

After a full morning of adventures, lunch on our luxury speedboat was exactly what I needed. The crew set everything up quickly, and we enjoyed a simple but tasty Thai meal with some desserts right on the boat with views of limestone cliffs all around us.

I especially love the nice little luxury touches that the crew provided for us, like the basket of flowers and fresh fruits, the refined wooden plates and cutlery as opposed you standard plastic or paper ones. It was really nice and comfortable, and definitely way nicer than squeezing into a crowded restaurant.

Ko Panyi Panyee Island village krabi — *Ko Panyi isn’t some rickety village, it’s a full on developed community!*

Once we finished eating, we headed to Koh Panyi or Panyee Island, one of the most fascinating stops of the whole day. This floating village is home to a Muslim fishing community that has lived here for generations, and you really feel the charm as soon as you step off the boat. The wooden walkways, colorful homes, and the sound of kids running around give it a warm, lived-in atmosphere that feels completely different from the touristy side of Krabi.

It’s a full on village on stilts, with schools, a floating football field, and a central mosque that serves as the eye catching landmark, a fascinating village for sure.

You’ll have some free time to wander around, and I definitely recommend checking out the small shops selling handmade crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. It’s a nice break from the big attractions earlier in the day, and a great cultural experience as well, a nice addition to this Krabi Day Tour.

Swimming at Kian Bay

kian bay krabi — *Nice quiet beach, calm turquoise waters, what more could you ask for?*

Last stop on this Krabi Day Tour itinerary, on the way back to Krabi, we made one final stop at Kian Bay. After a busy day of sightseeing and exploring caves and villages, pulling up to a quiet bay with calm turquoise water felt like the perfect reset.

Here is where we got plenty of time to just swim or float around in the turquoise blue waters, or if you’d prefer, just chill on the boat and enjoy the comfy cool sea breeze.

The water at Kian Bay is incredibly clear, and the tour even gave us the chance to do some snorkeling. It’s not a full-on coral reef spot, but there’s still enough marine life to look at. I opted for just a regular swim.

What to Pack for This Krabi Day Tour

Krabi Day Tour to James Bond Island — *Long tail boats are pretty cool, I kinda want to own one*

Packing for this Premium James Bond Island Speedboat & Canoe Trip is pretty simple, but bringing the right essentials makes the whole experience way more comfortable. Since you’ll be hopping between islands, caves, and swimming spots, aim for things that keep you protected from the sun and ready for water activities. Here’s everything I personally brought:

Lightweight clothing that dries quickly
Swimsuit + a change of clothes
Towel or quick-dry travel towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Sunglasses and a hat
Waterproof bag for electronics
Flip-flops or water shoes
Small dry bag for valuables
Snacks (you already get free fruits, but nice to have options)
Cash for the national park fee and shopping at Panyee Island

Tips for a Better James Bond Island Krabi Day Tour

Khao Ta poo tapu james bond island Khao Phing Kan Krabi — *This James Bond film was way before my time, I should watch it someday*

This premium James Bond Island Krabi Day Tour is a full day tour that’s roughly about 8 hours long. So you’ll be out the whole day, starting at 8:30 AM. Here are some small tips to make your day go a bit smoother…

I recommend wearing your swimsuit under your clothes from the start, it saves time when you get to Kian Bay and lets you jump straight into the water without fussing around on the boat. Of course this doesn’t matter if you don’t plan to swim, but you know, just in case.

Also keep your dry bag small. You don’t wanna be lugging around an unwieldy bad the whole day. Avoid purses, or backpacks, tote bags are maybe ok. But only bring the essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys.

And lastly, bring a little cash for the national park entrance fee and any potential shopping at Panyee Island.

My Honest Opinion About This Krabi Day Tour

Ko Panyi Panyee Island village mosque — *The gold accented mosque poking out of the Panyee Island Village*

After going on this Premium Krabi Day Tour myself, I can honestly say it was one of the most well-rounded and enjoyable day trips I’ve taken in Thailand.

The scenery especially was absolutely gorgeous and the adventurous activities were really fun. Plus, as someone a bit introverted, the small-group setup made the whole experience way more relaxing and enjoyable compared to the usual crowded island tours.

If I had to point out one negative, it’s that some parts of the itinerary can be changed depending on the weather, I’ve seen reviews of some people missing out on swimming at Kian Bay for example because the weather just wasn’t right.

If you’re someone who wants a day packed with iconic views, fun activities, and zero stress, this is the tour I’d recommend without hesitation. It covers all the must-see highlights in one go, includes everything you actually need, and gives you those “wow” moments that make a trip to Krabi unforgettable. If you’re still deciding which Krabi island tour to book, this Krabi: Premium James Bond Island Speedboat & Canoe Trip is definitely the one I’d tell any friend to choose.

Details + How to Book this Krabi Day Tour

If you are interested in going on this premium Krabi Day Tour, here are the essential details:

The tour starts at 8:30 AMand runs for about 8 hours, making it a full-day adventure
Private small group tour
Visits to James Bond Island, Lod Cave, Panyee Island, Kian Bay
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included
Lunch, drinking water, fruits included
Includes English speaking tour guide
National Park entrance fee is an additional cost (300 THB or ~10 USD)

You can book the Krabi: Premium James Bond Island Speedboat & Canoe Trip available on GetYourGuide via clicking on the link or using the widget below.

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