James Bond Island Tour With Sea Cave Kayaking & Glowing Plankton

Hong by Starlight This was a highlight from my trip in 1999 and l was so pleased that this company is still in operation all these years later. They are obviously doing something right. We were picked up as pre arranged in a comfy vehicle and transported to the port. The boat had life jackets and included a safety briefing. We travelled via calm seas to our first canoeing destination where we were paired with a member of crew (they also employ local fisher village people who meet at first canoeing point which is great). We were lucky to be matched with Naan, he always ensured we went to the best places, pointed out places of interest, he really looked after us throughout the day including taking photos for us. He was lots of fun. We went to multiple destinations, including a glimpse of James Bond Island, it was pretty busy so only saw from a distance but we were ok with that. We had some free time where we could either canoe without our guide, or swim off the boat. In the afternoon, with Naan assistance and guidance we made kratong which after dinner we completed a Loi Kratong ceremony which was really nice finished off with seeing the bioluminescent plankton which was really special. Meals on board were plentiful, a great variety and very tasty. You can purchase snacks and drinks onboard including alcoholic beverages. We had the best day, I would highly recommend it, and thanks to Naan for being an awesome guide.

Crew was wonderful, food was ok, about what is expected on a small boat feeding 20-30 people. Cave tours were great 1.5 hours caves located close to each other so after the first 2-3 hours visiting the caves your done, now your sitting on the boat so the rest I could have done without. The swimming 15 minutes, making the offerings 45 minutes, plankton was not seen, some times it there today no, thats something they cant help. So tour could have been 3-4 hours not 8.

From the moment I got on the boat it felt like paradise! We were taken to a beautiful cove where our expert guide assisted us onto a raft like kayak. From there he paddled us inside multiple caves and all around the massive limestone cliffs. We saw monkeys, bats, lizards, and many different bird species. We were served the most amazing lunch and then taken to James Bond Island for iconic photos all expertly taken on our cell phone by our guide. We left with full bellies and amazing images of an unforgettable experience! Highly recommend!!

An extraordinary experience but a long day.our kayak guide was fantastic. The caves, the bats, the scenery. What an experience. The floral offerings lit with candles in the caves at night were amazing. Excellent food. A really caring crew. A must do but a bit physically demanding

This private experience was the highlight of my trip to Thailand. It was pure magic to have a private ship take us out into the isles of Phuket and then take us on sea canoes to explore the caves. We saw monkeys and bats and beautiful views. The lunch was amazing! The whole team was fantastic. The trip to James Bond Island was great. And nothing can compare to swimming in the middle of the sea. It was a perfect experience. Highly recommend this company!

This full day excursion was the highlight of my Thailand trip. First, the staff members on the boat were professional, courteous, and playful. They were engaged with the group from dancing to our playlists to creating whimsical flowers & hearts from pieces of nature. Most of all, they were experienced guides, steering us through the tight spaces of the caves. To think much about this excursion would definitely instill fear, but they made travelers feel safe because they confidently maneuvered through the waters, taking time to point out rock formations & animals, and even getting out of the canoe to take pictures. The other part that made this trip enjoyable was the hospitality on board the boat. In a small galley kitchen two cooked prepared the most amazing meal - a huge spread! Highly recommend this tour!

I saw the glowing reviews and it really was a once in a lifetime trip! I can’t believe how incredible the food was, they also know the waters so well and navigate it all. They paddle the long rubber kayaks for you but some asked to paddle too if you prefer! They made each experience pretty special and we LOVED Toy, our guide, who really went the extra mile to make it special for our first trip to Phuket. I felt like we were all friends by the end!

This was SUCH a fun tour and experience! The crew is fantastic and they take great care of you, we had a blast playing in the water, exploring the island and caves, so many fun things to do. And we LOVED Armeen!! The whole crew is wonderful, Armeen was especially a trooper and we had a blast with him :) Classic Armeen! The lunch they made was incredibly delicious and way nicer than we expected on board a boat. This was a highlight of the entire Thailand trip for all of us, I highly recommend this tour.

This program is for people who love sea, natural and kayaking! You will enjoy the activity, yummy food, beautiful scenery, nice staffs and really great plan on the trip. Every staffs are really nice and always take care of us all day. I got a lot of great experience here. RECOMMENDED!

The full day tour was very enjoyable, well catered with delicious food and flowed seamlessly the entire day. The crew made us laugh all day and were very knowledgeable. The big boat was very comfortable and there were 2 toilets on board. We loved canoeing with Louis through the caves which opened up into beautiful lagoons. Jumping off the boat for a swim was exciting, then we made flower-decorated baskets (krathongs) with the crew before lighting the candles, making a wish and floating them in the dark caves where plankton sparkled in the water. We will definitely recommend to family and friends when we arrive back in Australia.

Great job! I initially picked this company by the reviews. They exceeded my expectations. Communication was excellent from the time the trip was booked until we were dropped off at the hotel. It was organized from start to finish. I was a little disappointed that we couldn't kayak ourselves, but now there is no way we could have navigated through the caves with only inches to spare! It was simply amazing! We had "Crazy Charlie" as our guide and he kept things interesting and was full of information. The food was good on board and if you left hungry that would be your fault. The scenery and experience was breathtaking and highly recommend this excursion with this company to anyone without hesitation

We absolutely loved this and it exceeded all our expectations. We booked onto a canoe thing not really knowing what we were doing and wow, we were so glad we did. The staff were so friendly and kind - we were picked up from our hotel before 11 am and taken to the main reception area then bused to the end of the pier to meet the boat. We were given a safety talk and got under way. Lunch was served so we didn't notice the 1hr transit to our first location - the food was delicious. Again, I'd brought my own snacks as thought it would be underwhelming but everything was delicious from the pad Thai, salads, fresh pineapple, Asian salad, satays etc Our first of the three times in the canoe took us into amazing caves into hidden lagoons - we had Den as our guide, he was very knowledgeable about the area and we felt 100% safe at all times. it was time for tea, coffee and cake - all delicious. We then went to see James Bond Island and got information from Sun about this island. We then went into other caves and had the opportunity to try the canoes ourselves or time to swim. We had the opportunity to make Kratongs to release later in a cave once the sun had set. We then had a delicious dinner as the sun went down and we headed out for our final time in the canoes in darkness and saw the luminescent plankton. A fantastic thing to see. We were so well looked after - so many different nationalities on board, all catered for with someone speaking various languages. We were back at our hotel by 9 pm. Please try this trip - you will not be disappointed. For adults and children alike.

The tour was beyond expectations from start to finish. Transfers were on time and extremely convenient. The guides on the boat were extremely entertaining, attentive and truly went out of their way to make the trip enjoyable. The food was freshly prepared on board by a team of chefs, catering to all dietary requirements. The kayaking experience was a once in a lifetime experience, and I would recommend this tour to everyone. Highlights were the amazing guides, seeing the glowing plankton and the incredible food.

This was hands down one of the most incredible experiences we had during our time in Thailand! From the moment we stepped onto the boat, everything was perfectly organized and thoughtfully planned. The true highlight of the trip, however, was our guide Denny. Denny was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the geography, wildlife, and culture of the area, but he also made the entire journey feel personal and meaningful by sharing stories from his own life. His openness and warm personality brought a depth and connection to the trip that you just don’t get on typical tours. We explored hidden caves, saw breathtaking bioluminescent plankton, and participated in the Loi Krathong ceremony — which ended up being one of the most peaceful, magical moments we’ve ever experienced. Denny’s guidance throughout made everything even more special. He answered every question with passion and insight, and it truly felt like we were guests in his home. Not only was Denny amazing, but all of the staff at John Gray's Sea Canoe were amazing, and cared about everyone!

It was the most wonderfull experince. Beautifull and so exicting trip. I did a day trip and was more then expected, have really enjoys. Sea Cave Canoing was awesome, worthfull and also Neon plangueton lighting on the water . All staff was lovely very friendly and was so helpfull. As i am muslim, All the food and drink also dessert are halal.

The team was very friendly and fun. The food and activities were great. The best tour in Phuket.The team was very attentive and saw us off with smiles until we left. Definitely the best agency! Also, thanks to Reed!

Fantastic tour. Guides were great - nice people, knowledgeable and fun. Food was terrific. The glowing plankton at nightfall was a highlight - amazing. Highly recommended if you’re visiting Phuket.

Such a fabulous day out! Absolutely breathtaking views all round , whether travelling on the boat or paddling on the sea and through the caves. It is wonderfully quiet and serene. Our guide was Term, who was super friendly and very knowledgeable with a lovely sense of humour. All the crew were great and we were absolutely spoiled with the catering onboard! This is a long day out, but absolutely worth it, highly recommended.

A great day out. Breathtaking views across the bay. Really enjoyed the sea kayaking. Loved the bat cave. Food was delicious and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. A quieter tour away from the speedboats and tourists.

The most amazing experience ever! Great people & service & food. We loved and enjoyed every minute. Beautiful place and beautiful people! Thank you

Amazing tour. The food was amazing on the boat, the tours are abit later than the main crowds so you are able to better enjoy serenity of the nature. We had Charlie and Tong as our guides, Charlie went above and beyond for photos and enjoying our experience.

This was such a great experience and the the staff could not have done more to make this a great experience. Always found wow factor and the food was amazing!

The best day ever! Very well organized, safe, great food and excellent paddling guides. The glowing plankton was spectacular! Very beautiful scenery.

This was a once in a lifetime experience. This entire trip exceeded my expectations. It was one WOW after the other. We were a party of eight women. We were on a trip with 28 other people, but seemed like it was just us. The entire staff was amazing. I thought this 8 hour trip was going to be too long, but the time flew by. First they feed us the most delicious lunch as we took 1 hour to get to our first kayaking place. Then the MAGIC happened. I can’t even describe the words to what we saw as we went through the sea caves, and came out in to what I can only describe as something from Avatar or Disneyland. it was beyond belief. If that would have been it, we would have been happy, but that was just the beginning. We went through more areas and then back to the boat. Then on to another place, but first we made these most beautiful decorations (that we would at night light and float in the water as a blessing of sorts). Each one was unique and would have cost at least $75.00 back in the USA) Then we went to another island and went through more caves out into open areas of the island where we saw many monkeys and their babies. Then we had free time to play in the water (if you wanted to). Then we had another amazing delicious dinner meal that was as good as anything we’ve had in the week we’ve been in Thailand. Then once it got dark, we went back in the kayaks to float our flower decorations and see the luminous plankton. That was another very special emotional moment. This was all so wonderful but the crew really made it memorable. Lead by Sun and his guys. We had Otto, Oop, Sun, and Mon who were our kayak guides. We all felt very safe with them taking us to what could be a very (accident waiting to happen) time. We also want to acknowledge Mike on the boat. He was so incredible sweet. You cannot come to the this area of the world and not do it. I’ve been all over the world and THIS is up there with the best thing I’ve ever done.

What can I say that passes on the fact this is possibly the best day trip my wife and I have ever been on. From the second we arrived at the departure point to the second we were returned to the jetty we were greeted, looked after and made welcome. Great safety information. Food amazing and for a boat trip to provide such wonderful tasty food is amazing in itself. We were blessed with a great group of fellow travellers, can’t guarantee that on your trip. Everything on the itinerary we accomplished, information along the way top class. James Bond island only a small part of this tour, the spectacular scenery on route to the island will have you clicking away on your smartphone. You are allocated your individual guide for the activities, Nan our guide was incredible, many thanks to Nan for his help, support, encouragement and making sure we were always last in the line so we had a great opportunity to feel as though we were the only ones in the activity especially the bat caves. He would hang back so the other canoes would finish and we were on our own in the lagoons and then the sea. Krathong skills from Nan teaching us was also incredible and then to go back out in our canoe with Nan to light ours plus the added bonus of experiencing the bio plankton lighting up in the water as we brushed our hands underneath the water.All the staff were great nothing too much trouble. Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner served onboard, congratulations to the chefs on board. Even down to on our return to port making sure we had the right driver to take us back to our hotel. Can highly recommended this tour with John Grays amazing staff. Many thanks

I was advised to do this trip by many people back home and I’m so glad I listened to them. This is by far the best excursion I have ever done. My husband and two children (age 13 & 16) all agree. The staff, the food, the view and the people we met from all over the world was absolutely amazing. The canoe tours are a highlight but I loved the swim in the sea. Then the Krathong making was so special and we loved the lighting of them in the water and letting go of negative energy and making wishes. Such a special moment. The plankton at the end was magical. Please put this on your list!!!!!!!

Absolutely highlight of our trip to Thailand. The whole crew were very helpful and passionate about their jobs speaking very highly of the owner John Gray. We loved the food, the canoe caving experience which I never thought I would have the courage to do. So glad I did it now. Nothing to be worried about, just relax and enjoy the once in a lifetime experience. I loved making my floral arrangement with our canoe tour. I rate this experience very highly and great value. Thankyou amazing John Gray team.

This is how tours should be conducted. From beginning to end this tour was totally professional. The staff knew their jobs perfectly , from helping us get in the kayaks to paddling into the caves , to serving an exceptionally good lunch , to finding the best spot to take pictures of the amazing scenery , well done!!!!!

This was nothing short of amazing ! I booked through their site and had the best experience. They pick you up from the hotel where you then meet your guide and head out to the boat. They start off with some lunch and then head out to the first cave. Our guide was Baw. He was so informative and honest. They provide you a whole schedule once you book so I’m just going to say, it was worth it. We had an amazing experience and learned to much about their beautiful culture and ritual of loy Krathong with such an amazing crew. Highly recommend this tour.

Excellent afternoon and evening excursion exploring the sea caves and hongs. The food supplied was very tasty and accommodating to different dietary requirements. Very friendly and informative and the staff were fabulous with the children. Special shout out to our guides Ball & Boy!

The John Gray Sea Cave Tour was incredible from start to finish. The caves and nooks within the islands were spectacular. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and funny. They even attached the kayaks and let us take turns running across into the water. It was so much fun. On the boat, they provided us with some of the best food I have eaten. They had an array of seafood and Thai food and I had so much of everything. We got to help make lanterns and learn about the Thai holiday Loy Krathong. Once it got dark, we got to light the lanterns we made and watch them float in the water. Then we went to where it was very dark and were able to see bioluminescent plankton. It was unbelievable. This was one of the best experiences I had while I was in Thailand. I would highly recommend this tour.

The entire day was amazing start to finish. The views, the food, the pace, and our tour guide. Our tour guide Bookie was amazing. He taught us so much on the tour while keeping the energy light and fun. He was a funny guy that was good at his job. I would recommend this tour to anyone that is visiting the Phuket area.

From the moment you arrive to the moment you disembark, the vibes are clear! This is the place to relax, reflect and rejuvenate. There are no words that can completely describe this experience which include a most attentive, friendly and full of life crew. They are in it to make YOU feel great. You can hook up your phone’s Bluetooth for the music of your choice. You can make believe you’re Jack and Rose on the bow. You get to see ‘James Bond Island’. You get to pick a name out of the bucket for who will be your personal guide on the canoe that will guide you through the massive rock formations and opening up to a most serene lagoon on the planet. The lunch spread (prepared down below) is beyond flavorful and will tickle all of your senses. Truly the highlight of this traveler’s Thailand journey.

An amazing full day experience. Fabulous English speaking guides with local knowledge and history. Food was amazing and so much of it. It rained all day but didn’t dampen our experience. This tour was the best we have done in Thailand :)

The views, the sea life, the guides, the food -- it was all amazing. This is a tour I would book over and over again. Our guides were very knowledgeable and went out of their way to make this the perfect experience for our family.

Wonderful day/evening on the Starlight tour. Saw lots of wildlife and the luminescent plankton. The guides were very friendly and engaging.Enjoyed making Kratong and the food was also excellent. Thoroughly recommended.

Incredible day. We are staying at the other end of the island, it’s a long round trip to get to the starting point at the north of Phuket. With the heat and humidity we were wondering if we’d were doing the right thing. We did. The tour brought us to three stops. Each was a cave that brought us inside an island. There was incredible scenery and wildlife on show. Can properly be described as awesome. Each canoe takes one or two people with a guide. The guides keeps groups or families together. They are so good to give you space to take photos. Very considerate. The places they bring you are tricky to get to. As guests at times you lie in the canoe to get through tight caves. It only take a minute or two and is worth it. Boarding times depend on the tide. We launched about 1:30pm. Once off the pier and out of the port lunch was served. Dinner served later. Drinking water is free all day. You will and should drink a lot. There was some local crafts before dinner. The deck is covered so you’ll be out of the sun. There will be 25-30 people or so on each boat. Everyone will have a great time.

My family and I absolutely enjoyed the Sea Canoe Hong by Starlight tour organized by the John Grey company. It was one of the most professionally organized tours that I have ever joined in more than 20 years of traveling to different countries around the world. From the point of pickup at the hotel to the jovial atmosphere at the dock, the cleanliness of the boat and supplies, the wonderful assortment of delicious foods at both lunch and dinner, and the copious amounts of generous refreshments served throughout the day, it was an all-around superstar experience! The best part of the adventure was our guide, Reed. We are traveling with an inquisitive 7-year-old, Reed had the patience and kindness as if she were a longstanding family member. It was like we had a National Geographic tour guide with us, in the form of a caring uncle. We were so fortunate to have him as our guide for the day. In each part of the tour, Reed actively involved my daughter in topics about nature, the ocean, the environment, and creatively explained each destination in a way that a 7-year-old would find mesmerizing. Halfway through, we were all taking selfies and laughing, fully immersed in the beauty of our surroundings, like true adventurers! I was floored. Kindness in a tour setting is the starting ground for a good experience. But to be with a guide who acted as if he were an owner of the company, carefully giving attention to each detail, elevating each experience, contributing without question to make a great time for his guests, it was an experience we’ll never forget and something I hope the John Grey Company deeply appreciates in what must be one of their best guides. Thank you very much Reed and also to the wonderful staff and superstar chefs. It was an experience my daughter and I will remember forever!

We did a full day private tour and it was beyond what we could have imagined. Our tour guide Sun was awesome, paddling us around the islands while filling us with facts about the flora and fauna. The food was amazing and so plentiful! We felt like royalty in this huge boat by ourselves! The bat cave was so cool and everything was gorgeous. This was hand's down the most beautiful and informative tour we did in Phuket.

This was my second time with John Gray company! This is an excellent day trip to include in your Phuket itinerary. The trained staff, limited group-size, and delicious food help to make this a memorable experience. I highly recommend this program!

An absolutely incredible full day tour that is well worth the money - and then some. The best excursion we did while in Phuket! Special shoutout to Sak our canoe guide who not only had all the interesting facts, but also filled the day with jokes keeping us smiling from start to finish :)

Booked this company as part of an excursion on a larger tour group. The staff was great! I liked breaking out into small groups. Our trip got lunch and dinner on. Part which were both delicious. Gorgeous views

It was an amazing experience, the team put efforts to ensure all are comfortable, safe and at the same time enjoy the tour.. Our guide was very good and explained as we paddled along. I was only vegetarian in the completely group, they were vety considerate and had an exclusive menu for me during lunch.. thank you team for your efforts. Definitely it's worth taking a tour with them..

The best trip! The nature was amazing, and definitely worth seeing. Loved the caves, the plankton and the whole day. Special shoutout to the crew. They were so funny and nice, and made the whole experience even better. Definitely recommend!

John Grey’s sea canoe is the ultimate adventure in Phuket. The food is fantastic, the whole experience makes you feel like you are on a once in a lifetime adventure and the organisation is second to none. It’s honestly worth the 12 hour flight to just do this one thing. Our guides Dom and his brilliant accomplice ‘The Pirate’ made my whole family feel safe, welcome and adventurous! Can’t recommend enough.

This was a superb trip. We were collected puntually, taken to the pier, very quickly on a boat and sailing to the islands. Kayak experience in the caves was amazing, the food on board the ship between kayaking was fabulous all so tasty and fresh. Trip to James Bonus island was a bit busy with other tourists but great place to go. Finally a chance to kayak and swim on the way back making a perfect ending to the day. A superb first class trip and day out.

First time doing this island tour and so glad I did it with John Gray. Logistics was flawless and well organized. We were kept well fed and hydrated with lots of yummy local food, small bites and bottled water. All the guides in our group were super friendly and provided us with lots of information about the cave and island that we visited. It was nice but having to kayak on our own.

Great trip! Mr Aew was a fantastic guide and very environmentally friendly. Strongly recommend! My family of 8 all enjoyed it. Canoeing the caves was awesome and my boys thought the food was out of this world.

Guided by a wonderful trip team, led by the inimitable Tee we thoroughly enjoyed the day. A very pleasant smooth boat trip to and from the harbour. Continual supply of water and the plentiful food was of such a high quality. I have some claustrophobia, Tee very reassuring around entry into the lagoons, in fact lying down on the kayak very brief, I needn’t have been concerned. Tee very skilled in leading the excursion, plenty of laughs and a good sized and appreciative group. So well organised, timings precise. We had Tee in our kayak and his knowledge of flora and fauna impressive, I’m sure the other kayakers also. This was a glimpse of paradise at gentle pace, a privilege long in the memory. Enjoyable to make and launch a krathong (retrieved to minimise debris) Fluorescent plankton magical. Tee also complimentary on support for these trips contribution to the local economy.