Phang Nga Bay is a 400 km² bay in the Strait of Malacca between the island of Phuket and the mainland of the Malay peninsula of southern Thailand. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The Park is situated in Phang Nga Province, at 08°17'N 098°36'E.
Limestone cliffs with caves, collapsed cave systems and archaeological sites are found about Phang Nga Bay. Some 10,000 years ago, when sea levels were lower, one could walk from Phuket and Krabi.
Distinctive features of Phang Nga Bay are the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds at James Bond and Koh Panyee, is to take one of the boat trips from the northern end of Phuket.
ISLANDS
There are dozens of small islands between Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. The following have accommodation:
• Ko Bon — 10 minutes from Rawai, an ideal island for a day of snorkeling and relaxing.
• Ko Hae (Coral Island) — 15 minutes by speedboat from Chalong Bay, accessible all year.
• Ko Lon — quiet, mostly Muslim island with a few bungalows.
• Ko Mai Thon — gorgeous little island with only one (expensive) place to stay.
• Ko Maphrao (Coconut Island)
• Ko Racha — consists of two islands (Yai and Noi), popular with scuba divers and a relaxing snorkeling destination.
• Ko Yao — two islands halfway to Krabi, with four upmarket resorts.
JAMES BOND ISLAND
James Bond Island is a famous landmark in Phang Nga Bay. It first found its way onto the international tourist map through its starring role in the James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. A distinctive feature of this famous bay is the number of sheer limestone cliffs that vertically jut out of the emerald-green water.
The bizarre, why-doesn’t-it-fall-over outline of James Bond Island or Koh Tapu (meaning Nail Island in Thai), lies next to the equally well known Koh Ping Ghan (sometime spell ‘Ping Gan’ or ‘Ping Gun’). The entire area surrounding this island is indeed spectacular, but it can get crowded with tourist boats in high season.
The two best ways to view James Bond Island are from boats or from the small beach on Koh Ping Ghan.
This area is a popular destination for sailing as well as kayaking. Most of the organized tours to James Bond Island are combined with a visit to other popular islands and usually include a stop for a seafood lunch at the charming Koh Panyee – a nearby Muslim fishing village on stilts. Even though tour companies usually hand out plastic bags to protect your camera it really is best to bring along a snap-shut waterproof camera bag.
If you want to have more freedom, you can rent a long-tail boat from Surakul Pier in Phang Nga for a good three to four hours. The boat can carry up to ten people.
RAMSAR SITE
Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park was declared a protected Ramsar Site (no. 1185) of international ecological significance on 14 August, 2002. Phang Nga is a shallow bay with 42 islands, comprising shallow marine waters and intertidal forested wetlands, with at least 28 species of mangrove; sea-grass beds and coral reefs are also present.
At least 88 bird species, including the globally threatened Malaysian Plover (Charadrius peronii) and Asiatic Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), can be found within the site, as well as 82 fish species, 18 reptiles, three amphibians, and 17 mammal species. These include the Dugong (a vulnerable species), White-hand Gibbon (Hylobates lar), the endangered Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), and the Black Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides).
A number of diverse cultures co-exist in local communities, which practice fishing, harvesting Nypa palm fronds for thatch, and catering to an international tourist presence drawn both by the natural beauties and by the archaeological sites, which have paintings more than a thousand years old.
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