James Bond Island: how to get there from Phuket by car and what to see

What it is and why visit

Ko Tapu is a limestone spire about 20 metres tall, jutting straight out of the water in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. In 1974 it appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore as Bond — ever since, the rock and the nearby islet of Khao Phing Kan have been known as "James Bond Island".

It's worth the trip: two huge limestone cliffs leaning together (roughly what Khao Phing Kan means), the small beach where villain Scaramanga's lair was filmed, and Ko Tapu itself — one of Thailand's most iconic sights. Just remember: this is mainland Phang Nga province, not Phuket — you reach it via Sarasin Bridge and then by boat.

What to see on the island and nearby

Boats can't dock right next to Ko Tapu since 1998 — waves and tourist traffic were eroding the limestone, so the park restricted the zone. You can still land at Khao Phing Kan beach, photograph the rock from a distance, and wander among the souvenir stalls and cafés by the jetty.

Almost every tour and independent boat trip stops at a couple more spots along the way: Koh Panyee, the Muslim stilt village built right over the sea, and the hidden sea caves (hongs), reached by canoe through low rock archways — a beautiful stretch of the bay in its own right.

How to get there: car only, no bikes allowed

Like other mainland spots, you can't ride a bike here: scooter rental terms only cover Phuket island, and James Bond Island is already the mainland. You'll need a car from our car catalogue — let us know in advance about a Phang Nga trip, and full first-class insurance still applies past the bridge.

From Patong to the Phang Nga piers (like Tha Dan) it's about 93 km and 1h30 via Sarasin Bridge. From Chalong the distance is a bit longer, but time is similar — around 1h30. Then it's 30–45 minutes by longtail boat to the island. Alternatively, depart from Ao Po pier on Phuket's east coast, where faster tour speedboats run — but that means booking through an operator, not a self-drive trip.

Tickets, parking, boat

Entry to Ao Phang Nga National Park is 300 baht for foreign adults and 150 baht for children, paid on-site or already included in a package tour. There are two ways to get a boat: hop on a scheduled longtail at the pier (from 150–200 baht/person, departs once full) or charter one for your whole group — 1,500–2,500 baht for a 2–3 hour route, handy for families or friends.

If haggling with boatmen on-site isn't your thing, a ready-made one-day tour from Phuket costs 1,500–3,500 baht per person — usually including transfer, guide, several bay stops, and sometimes lunch. Paid car parks are available at the piers, 20–50 baht per day, so finding a spot is no hassle.

Tips: timing, crowds, what to bring

James Bond Island is one of the bay's most popular spots, and by 11:00 the rock gets crowded with tour boats. A few simple rules make the trip more comfortable.

• Leave your hotel by 7:00–7:30 — this gives you a shot at reaching the rock before the tour buses
• Bring cash in small baht notes — the park entrance and boatmen don't take cards
• A cap, sunscreen and water are a must — there's no shade on the boat or beach
• A waterproof pouch for your phone and documents — the boat gets splashed at speed, and sudden downpours happen in rainy season
• Check the forecast at the pier in the morning — boats may be delayed in a bad storm