October 21, 2024

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay situated between the island of Phuket and the mainland of southern Thailand offers some of the best cruising destinations in South East Asia. Its geographical location is sheltered from the monsoonal winds, making it the perfect place for a luxury yacht holiday all year round.

Famous for its limestone rocks like James Bond Island

Open for visiting all year round

5-star accommodation and dining are available

Phang Nga Bay Private Yacht Charter

With its spectacular scenery, Phang Nga Bay is home to literally hundreds of islands made of sheer limestone cliffs that rise up straight from the sea.

Most islands are uninhabited, offering secluded anchorages under soaring cliffs fringed with jungle, as well as fascinating dinghy expeditions to hidden beaches, caves and creeks not shown on charts or maps.

The famous features of this bay are the ‘hongs’ – Thai for ‘room’. These shallow-water fully enclosed lagoons open to the sky are only accessible through caves at medium to high tides. The best way to explore them during your Phang Nga Bay private yacht charter is by sea canoe or dinghy.

The most famous for their lagoons are the islands are Koh Phanak and Koh Hong lying in the northwestern part of the bay close to each other.

Cruising further north you will see the tiny island of Koh Tapu, the world famous under the name of James Bond Island. It got its second name after being the filming ground for a James Bond film, and it’s certainly worth a look. Being a popular tourist destination, the place is best visited early morning before 10.30 or late afternoon after the crowds are gone.

To the north of James Bond Island, you will find the floating village of Koh Panyi (or Sea Gypsy Village), another highlight of your Phang Nga Bay private yacht charter. This phenomenal place is almost entirely built on stilts and has its own school and football pitch. The people here are really Muslim fishermen, not Sea Gypsies as the tourist name suggests. The island gets busy in the afternoon as the numerous local restaurants host tourists for lunch.

: Phang Nga Bay

: Phang Nga Bay cave tour

: Phang Nga Bay day tour

Looking for more privacy and a finer dining experience, or even a good night stay ashore head to the islands of Koh Yao – two biggest islands in Phang Nga Bay lying right in the middle of it.

The Yao Island Archipelago runs north to south and divides the bay into 2 distinct cruising areas. To the west and north is Phang Nga Bay and to the east and south are Krabi and the mainland.

Both Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi offer a good amount of anchorages: Koh Yao Noi mainly on the eastern side, and Koh Yao Yai on the western. In terms of cruising Koh Yao Noi is probably a more interesting option with a good number of luxury resorts overlooking sweet little bays.

The Paradise Koh Yao is one of them. The boutique resort is nestled in the palm trees behind the beach. The private bay offers a floating dinghy jetty, and guests are welcome to use the restaurant ashore.

Further north is an ultra-luxury Six Senses Yao Noi Resort with 55 pool villas and probably the best views of the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay from the infinity pool at the top. The resort has got a wooden jetty.

Just recently the island gained 1 more resort development – Cape Kudu Hotel. The 5-star beachfront resort offers room and villa accommodation with fantastic views, as well as a restaurant and a bar worth checking when on the Phang Nga Bay private yacht charter.

Between the southern tip of Koh Yao Yai and Phuket’s east coast, there is a group of Khai Islands with Koh Khai Nai and Koh Khai Nok being the biggest and the most popular. The beaches are brilliantly white here, with a couple of restaurants and bars. An abundance of tropical fish and corals make these islands a great snorkeling and diving spot, as well as a popular tourist destination.

Being too small to host mass tourism, a tiny islet of Koh Khai Nui to the north of Koh Khai Nok feels like a perfect tropical getaway as compared to the busy life of his bigger neighbours. It has moorings and a stilted restaurant with a delicious Thai and International menu and colourful cocktails. An amazing snorkeling adds to the perfection of the place making it one of the highlights of your Phang Nga Bay private yacht charter!

Another small island of Koh Rang Yai is truly a bonus as a stopover on many cruising passages across the bay. The west side is a remarkably beautiful location with a lovely beach in the shade of trees. A local Thai restaurant is a good option for a lunch break.

Contact Boat in the Bay to experience the Phang Nga Bay private yacht charter.