James Bond Island and 7.5 Island Canoeing Tour

Where the long-tail departures crawl through Phang Nga Bay, this one runs by speedboat out of Ao Po Pier, covering a 7-hour day rather than a full day on the water. The “7.5 islands” name reflects the string of stops: James Bond Island (Khao Ping Khan), kayaking through caves, mangrove swamps and lagoons, then swim breaks at Naka Island and Panak Island before lunch at Koh Panyi’s floating village.

An English-speaking guide travels with the group throughout the day, and the price includes a buffet lunch, coffee and tea at the port, and on-board refreshments (soft drinks, water, fresh fruit and snacks) alongside the sea canoe and life jacket. Kayaking through the caves and lagoons is done in the sea canoe provided rather than as a separate paid add-on. The Ao Phang Nga National Park entrance fee is charged separately at 300 THB per adult and 150 THB per child.

Groups run up to 30 people, with pickup available from most Phuket hotels; some outlying areas carry an extra transfer charge, so it’s worth checking before booking if you’re staying away from the main tourist zones. The rating rests on a moderate sample, enough to be meaningful.

Watch out: The listed price doesn’t cover the national park entrance fee. Budget an extra 300 THB per adult and 150 THB per child on top of the tour cost.