John Gray’s Adventure Hong by Starlight in Phang Nga Bay

This 11-hour sunset-into-night kayaking tour explores Phang Nga Bay with John Gray’s Sea Canoe, paddling into limestone caves and lagoons lit by LED lights after dark.

The day starts with a Loy Krathong workshop before the group kayaks out as the sun sets, guides leading the way with LED lights through sea caves and hidden lagoons only reachable by water. A second stop continues the exploration further into the bay’s caves and lagoons, and the tour builds to Hong Island, where you paddle through a sea cave into an emerald lagoon ringed by cliffs, with time on the island’s beaches to swim. Dinner is served Thai-buffet style on a traditional wooden boat once the paddling’s done.

No previous kayaking experience is needed, and the operation is wheelchair accessible. Hotel pickup covers most centrally located Phuket hotels. Arrange it when you confirm your booking, and be in your lobby 15 minutes before pickup. Group size caps at 35. Kayaks (Caveman’s SOTAR), paddling gear and a dry bag are all provided, along with buffet lunch, dinner, bottled water, herbal tea and fruit. Gratuities, the tour DVD and souvenir photos cost extra.

Safety Tip: The operator asks anyone who is pregnant or has back, neck, joint or muscular problems to think carefully before joining: you’re in a kayak across two separate paddling sessions.

Starting a kayak tour at sunset and finishing after dark suits travelers who’ve already done a daytime Phang Nga Bay trip and want a different angle on the same water; families with children 6 and under travel free with a paying adult, though a full day of paddling is a lot to ask of very young kids.