James Bond Island: how to get there, tour cost and when to go
James Bond Island is known from the movie, but its real name is different. It is Khao Phing Kan and the nearby rock Ko Tapu in Phang Nga Bay off the coast of Phuket. You can get to the island on a day trip or by private boat.
The island is about 25 km from Phuket. Below: what to see at the rocks, how the boats differ, and how much the national park entrance costs.
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What James Bond Island is
💡 In short:
- James Bond Island consists of two features: Khao Phing Kan island and the Ko Tapu rock next to it.
- There is no public ferry, a full day with a tour takes 8-10 hours, and you will spend 20-30 minutes on the island itself (as of 08/2026, Phuket 101 guide).
- The national park entrance fee for foreigners is 300 baht (as of 09/2026, Nation Thailand), and it is usually already included in the tour price.
The name "James Bond Island" stuck after the 1974 film. Locals call the large island Khao Phing Kan, which translates as "hills leaning against each other." The rock nearby is called Ko Tapu, or "nail," for its pointed shape. You will see both features on one trip.
Administratively, this is part of Ao Phang Nga National Park between Phuket and Krabi. That is why foreigners pay an entrance fee and why approaching the rock closely is prohibited.
The Man with the Golden Gun
The film came out in 1974, and Bond was played by Roger Moore (Wikipedia). The villain Scaramanga was played by Christopher Lee, and Bond's partner Mary Goodnight was played by Britt Ekland. In the plot, Scaramanga builds a solar-powered weapon and hides it on an island in Thailand.
Christopher Lee was a relative of Ian Fleming, the author of the Bond books. The writer wanted him to play Dr. No, but the role went to another actor.
The second half of the film was shot in Phang Nga Bay. Critics received the film coolly, but it was after the premiere that the island became recognizable worldwide (according to the Phuket 101 guide, 08/2026).
© Robert Haandrikman · CC BYPhoto: Robert Haandrikman, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsJames Bond arrives here by seaplane in search of Scaramanga. Tourists do not come for sets: you are looking for the filming location of that very duel. The beach at Khao Phing Kan has long been occupied by souvenir stalls rather than a film set.
Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu
Two hills are connected by a narrow isthmus. At high tide the sandy strip narrows, and most of the beach goes underwater. It was on this strip between the rocks that Bond's seaplane landed, and later the scene with Dom Perignon champagne, served to Scaramanga by his servant Nick Nack, was filmed.
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsLook for the entrance to the villain's lair in a crack in the rock surrounded by vegetation. You can recognize it if you imagine a shiny door between the stones. Today a souvenir market operates nearby: shells, magnets, postcards, and posters.
Ko Tapu stands about 40 meters from Khao Phing Kan. The rock is about 20 meters tall and widens upward: at the base its diameter is 4 meters, at the top 8 meters (according to Wikipedia).
A legend is tied to the rock's origin. A poor fisherman pulled a rusty nail out of the sea with his net three times, and the third time he cut it in half and threw it into the sea. One half stood upright and turned into the rock.
In the movie, a solar panel for a weapon was installed on top of Ko Tapu. The rock has become one of the most photographed places in Thailand, and its pictures even appear at Phuket Airport (according to a Phuket 101 review, 08/2026).
To preserve the limestone, the authorities have banned boats from approaching Ko Tapu closely, and the lagoon stays calm. Eagles nest on the rocks. You photograph the rock from a boat or from the beach on Khao Phing Kan.
What to see in Phang Nga Bay
The caves of Khao Phing Kan are open only at low tide. You enter them in a small canoe to see stalactites hanging from above. The water washes out the limestone, and the cliff walls have turned into whimsical shapes.
© Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BYPhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsCrab-eating macaques live on the rocks. The monkeys eat not only crabs and snails: they also don't turn down fruit, leaves, and insects. Feeding them is prohibited, so keep your bags closed, otherwise the monkeys will take the food out themselves.
Nearby is Ko Panyi, a floating village on stilts and boats. Descendants of sea gypsies live here, and the market sells handmade goods and seafood dishes. The bay also has calm beaches with clear water where you can swim along the way.
How to get there and how much it costs
You can get to the island on a tour from Phuket, Krabi, or Khao Lak. From Phuket, tours depart from Ao Po and Royal Phuket Marina piers, and some longtail boats leave from Bang Rong Pier (according to Phuket 101 material, 08/2026).
The drive to the pier takes 45-60 minutes from Patong or Kata, and it is included in the tour. By water you travel another 45-90 minutes, depending on the boat and the number of stops.
Boat types and prices:
Boat | Price from Phuket | Group | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
Longtail boat | from ~1,400 baht | 8-10 people | budget travelers, the trip is slow and noisy |
Big boat | from ~1,500 baht | large group | families with children and those who get seasick |
Speedboat | from ~1,800 baht | 15-25 people | most people, less time on the water |
Catamaran | from ~2,500 baht | small group | if you need space, food, and a relaxed pace |
Boat prices are approximate and depend on the operator and season. The cost usually includes transfer, lunch, life jackets, and an English-speaking guide.
The season runs from November to April. Go with early groups, they pick up from hotels around seven in the morning, when there are fewer people at the rocks. In the rainy season, boats still run, but the crossing across the bay can be rough.
You can compare programs and book a group spot on GetYourGuide: James Bond Island tours.
Tours and tickets in Phang Nga Bay
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.
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James Bond Island on the map
The rocks lie in Ao Phang Nga National Park between Phuket and Krabi. The point on the map shows Khao Phing Kan, and you will find Ko Tapu a few dozen meters to the south.
© Bumscissors · CC BYPhoto: Bumscissors, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need on James Bond Island?
Allow 20-30 minutes for the rock itself and the beach, there is nothing else to do there (according to Phuket 101, 08/2026).
Can you get to the island without a tour?
Yes, if you rent a private boat. Private longtail boat charters are available at piers on the Phang Nga province side. This makes sense if you are already staying in that part of the coast.
How much is the entrance fee to the island?
The rock itself has no ticket; you pay for Ao Phang Nga National Park: 300 baht for foreigners (as of 09/2026, Nation Thailand). This fee is usually already included in the tour price, but confirm this before booking.
The dry season runs from November to April. Arriving before nine in the morning means fewer people and softer light for photos.
What should you bring?
Sunscreen, a hat, water, and a dry bag for your phone. A swimsuit will come in handy for the beaches in the bay. Choose non-slip shoes: it can be slippery near the water at Khao Phing Kan.
In short: what is worth booking
If you want to see the rock without extra hassle, take a speedboat with an early departure. It costs more than a longtail boat, but you will spend less time in transit and more time at the rocks.
Families with small children will do well on a larger boat: it has a canopy and a toilet, and you barely feel the rocking. Those who value space and a relaxed pace should look at a catamaran.
Ready-made programs with transfers, lunch, and canoeing through the caves are listed in the block above. Book in advance: during high season, speedboat spots sell out several days ahead.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.