John Gray's Hong By Starlight With Sea Cave Kayaking + Loy Krathong From Phuket

This was a fantastic tour and we all loved it! Our pickup and dropoff were handled seamlessly from our Marriott Vacation Club in the northwest area of Phuket and no interim stops. Arrived in around 50 minutes. All of our guides were friendly, knowledgeable and worked hard to make our experience great. Each Kayak held 2 people plus your guide, who operated the kayak and expertly took us into the caves and grottos. In all we did 3 kayak excursions, 2 during the day and one as night fell. The guides helped us make our Loy Krathongs, which were beautiful made with fresh flowers. Floating our lighted krathongs in the grotto was an experience we won’t forget, it was so beautiful! The food that was provided was top notch, lunch included chicken satay, spring rolls, pad see ewe, sticky rice and more, fruit was available all day with other fresh snacks. Dinner included fried rice, a delicious chicken and shrimp soup, chicken satay, salad, and fresh grilled fish, with a coconut milk based dessert. Best food we’ve ever had on a tour.

The most memorable activity of our trip in Thailand. The tour was well organized, properly staffed, very safe, and still quite exciting. Our kayak lead was Hab (I think Abdolwahab) and he was really nice, highly experienced and professional. He's even a great photographer and took many beautiful photos from us.

We did lots of different trips during our recent holiday and this trip was one of the best we did. Great transfers from the hotel and the whole day was very well organised. All the staff on the trip and especially our guide were excellent and friendly and genuinely seemed like they wanted us to all enjoy ourselves and learn about the culture. My guide was fantastic and so experienced and knowledgable. He got me through the bat cave which was a feat in itself!! The food they provided was some of the best Thai food we ate and seeing the bioluminescent plankton at the end was a memorable moment! Doing this trip gives you the opportunity to experience and see parts of Thailand that you wouldn’t be able to on your own and without the expertise of the local guides…. Book this you won’t regret it!

This was our second trip with this company. We love it! The staff is great and make it so fun and the food on the boat is some of the best we’ve had. It was fun to see some of the same staff that we saw a couple of years ago. I would highly recommend going. It was a highlight of both of our trips to Phuket. A do not miss in my opinion!

I have no gripe with the tour operator who has also been inconvenienced. The rearranged tour was absolutely stunning so don't be put off by this review. Best not book through Viator - go direct. I booked this trip twice, the first time I made an error so cancelled it months ago. I then corrected my error and rebooked. After months of not hearing from Viator, I get a message ( on the eve of my rebooked trip ) saying my trip was cancelled. I replied asking why but got another one word response saying "cancelled". I made alternative arrangements, but then the pick-up of my trip arrived as it was the original cancelled booking that the message referred to apparently. Why would you resurrect a cancelled trip and send a cancelled message on the eve of the rebooked trip causing total confusion ? Doubtless I will struggle to get a refund as we couldn't go as we had already made alternative plans. Not the first time I have had problems with Viator, I should have learned from previous experience. Needless to say I will not be using them again. Having emailed Viator I expected a quick response - foolish expectations.

Absolutely amazing!! Best thing I’ve done since being in Thailand. I can’t recommend this enough. We all had the best time. Mr T and the guides are exceptional and so knowledgeable. It really was a magical day that I will remember forever. Wouldn’t change any of it. The day is perfect and really well run. You don’t feel crammed into the boat and have lots of space to move around and sight see. The food was sooo good aswell. Really really loved it. Don’t think you can beat this trip.

We decided on this trip due to the good reviews + the advice to avoid the crowded James Bond Island-trips. ...and what a good decision it turned out to be! We were picked up at the hotel, and were taken to the pick-up point further north on Phuket. Drive took 70-80 minutes due to heavy traffic which we were not prepared for. Time had probably gone faste if we had been prepared. The boat and crew was great. The food cooked onboard was really amazing. Will describe and spend most of review on 2 main events: the kayaking and Loy Krathong. The kayaking: There were 2 main sites for kayaking. We were all assigned a guide who also steered and operated the kayak (we actually thought we had to paddle ourselves - just as well...). We had the guide Saman designated to us. A smiling and very professional guide. Pro-tip: ask for him - well worth it as you'll learn. Saman speaks English very well. He is very experienced which meant that he knew exactly where and when to position the kayak to get the best views. He is a retired fisherman and has very good knowledge about Thailand history and local Phuket history. He also knows about the plants, trees and wildlife in and around the caves. He made us feel very safe and could explain everything we saw and experienced. Btw, he has trained many of the other guides at John Gray and other kayaking-cruise companies. It was with some anticipation we entered the kayak, and the first cave. It had to be timed with the waves. and the tide, but Saman expertly got us through the very narrow and intricate caves and canals. Which led us to beautiful lagoons where the water was shallow and the mood was quit and serene. Amazing to experience and expertly narrated and explained by Saman. Loy Krathong: The cermony of thanking the water was the second highlight. We were told the background and history of this ritual and took part in preparing the beautiful vessel to be offered. So, after dark, we re-entered the kayaks and paddled to a suitable place to light the candles, say our prayers and launch the vessel of thanks. A beautiul and moving ritual which was made even more meaningful when doing it with my wife. This trip was one of the highlight of our vacation to beautiful Phuket, and made even better because of the kind and steady guidance of Saman. Highly recommended!

I recommend this tour itinerary and provider. Hotel pickup and drop off-9n time, efficient and safe. Boat-comfortable and safe. Food onboard-excellent. Itinerary-hit all of the spots they promised but threw in extra touches. I was a solo traveler-my kayak guide, Charlie, was just so great. Charlie picked up on my interest in specific wildlife and geologic features and took me to see those things. And provided explanations that included Thai tradition. Finally, the boat crew made getting on and off the boat - at the dock, on and out of kayaks and in and out of the water for swim breaks - easy for all mobility levels. They effortlessly paid attention to safety, while ensuring comfort of passengers.

The John Gray's Hong by Starlight tour provides spectacular natural scenery, excellent food, and seamless main boat logistics: the natural environment is 5-star quality. However, the personalized kayak guide service, which is essential to the experience, was the bare minimum and severely inconsistent. My guide provided safe paddling but was completely disengaged. I had to explicitly prompt him for basic commentary, and he made no effort to enhance the experience (such as taking photos), which directly contrasted the enthusiastic service I saw from the other John Gray guides. Furthermore, the Krathong crafting was rushed and used poor materials, resulting in a disappointing finale, it was clearly the lowest effort one in the group. As a solo traveler, I felt this lack of personalized effort was particularly apparent. I recommend the tour only for the essential beauty and safety, but the risk of receiving minimal service from your guide is high and significantly impacts the overall enjoyment.

What an amazing experience full of magnificent scenery and fun filled activities. Kayaking the caves was so cool. The crew were simply the best!

This was an excellent experience --- organized, beautiful, and giving. The tour guides give you a lot of unique adventures. I highly recommend.

This is a fantastic tour, you should definitely take it. The guides are great, the sights are incredible, and the food was extremely good (shockingly so). We had to reschedule 2 hours before our original pickup and they let us take the tour on a later day with no problem, really great customer service.

Amazing day as expected… 3 rd time doing this tour, crew were friendly, helpful , informative and lots of fun. Hong caves are beautiful and a must see if you come to Thailand. Food served on board was so amazing, plenty of water provided, towels if you needed and water proof bags provided as well. Best tour from Phuket, best value for money and amazing experience.

We were picked up from our hotel and transported to the starting point on the coast which took approximately one hour. It was a very hot day and you need to be prepared with hats, sunscreen and towels. We had the most fabulous day, felt safe at all times. The food was plentiful and delicious, it was a treat. All the team were polite and helpful . Our guide was Haap, he was full of information and showed us so much wildlife, all sorts of fish, bats, monkeys and a small snake. We highly recommend this tour if you are coming to Phuket it’s the best day out.

Communication was excellent from pick up to drop off. Good was very tasty . The tour guides were very informative. The cave experiences were fantastic- well organised and I felt very safe. Loved the evening night cave experience.

A great day - I highly recommend. Staff were awesome, beautiful sites. But be prepared- it’s a very long day.

Unforgettable Loy Krathong & Kayak Cave Experience with John Gray’s Sea Canoe! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our experience with John Gray’s Sea Canoe was nothing short of magical from start to finish! The evening began with a peaceful kayak journey into stunning limestone caves, where we learned about the history and significance of Loy Krathong, Thailand’s beautiful festival of gratitude. Creating our own krathongs from natural materials was a special touch, making the experience feel even more authentic and meaningful. As we floated our candlelit offerings onto the water, thanking the river for the life it sustains and making a wish, the atmosphere was simply breathtaking. The guides were exceptional—knowledgeable, friendly, and deeply respectful of the environment. The two meals served on this boat were exceptional! If you’re looking for an authentic, eco-friendly, and unforgettable way to experience Thailand’s natural beauty and traditions, John Gray’s Sea Canoe is an absolute must! Highly recommend!

What day of fun and natural beauty. Kayaking through the caves into the lagoons of Hong Island and Ko Pak Na was a great adventure, swimming, the food was very tasty, the boat very comfortable and the guides outstanding- really made the day a 10/10 experience

World class experience, 10 out of 10. Our crew lead by Sonny was most impressive with warm attitude, deep knowledge and enthusiasm towards their customers. We immersed into the large and small caves with beautiful marine and wild life, spectacular islands , devoured most delicious Thai food as the sun was setting and experienced illuminated night caves waters towards the end of the day. this tour is simply THE BEST. a must experience for everyone.

Excellent expérience. Good food. Nice people. Very careful team. Always on time . They gave us protection for our things. There wasn't too many people . They made us make a Lot Kratong. Very beautiful.

We did three Phuket boat excursions. This one was no frills compared to the other two that were luxury boats, but it was our favorite one. We got to spend tons of time out on the canoes and our guide was awesome. Loved the night canoeing. The food was good enough.

This is the second time I've done this tour, that should tell you how mich i enjoyed it! We had an amazing time with our guide Chien who was very informative and great to chat to. The amazing captain Sonny made the whole trip entertaining. There was so much delicious food. I could not tell you one single highlight to the trip, it was all fantastic. I highly recommend taking this tour. Will definitely come back again!

First of all, the views on the boat out to the islands is amazing. there are 3 kayak trips and you don’t have to work at all ! guides pointed out wildlife (monkeys and crabs, etc), gave info about the area and generally made sure his passengers had the best experience (rahood (phonetical)). the making of the loy krathong and ceremonial float was a highlight. delicious food and fresh coconut at end. loved that all staff personally thanked us as we disembarked - all genuine local people. 10 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The departure was on time. The crews are all polite and friendly. Lunch and dinner were great as well. Overall tour to caves, lagoons, and snorkeling was amazing. Great experience to remember.

We got picked up at our resort at 11am and had a 40 minute drive to where we boarded our boat at 1pm for the day at Ao Por Pier. Our tour was a day/night kayaking tour to Ao Phang Nga National Park. We relaxed while our ever informative & helpful tour guides paddled us in and around several caves. The views were spectacular and our day was very peaceful and relaxing. We also enjoyed a delicious traditional Thai lunch and dinner. It was some of the best Thai we've had. Once we finished dinner, our group all made Krathongs with our guides and let them go after sunset near the caves and made a wish. This was one of the best tours we’ve been on in Thailand. We loved this tour the first time we did it, so we decided to do it a second time with our family. We definitely recommend this tour.

We enjoyed our day. The guides were friendly and the boat was not crowded. The bioluminescent plankton were a highlight! That said, it would have been helpful to know a few things: 1. The trip is listed as starting at noon but pick up is much earlier. We were picked up at 10:15 am at Patong (and were the last ones to get in the van), drove an hour to the departure point, and then spent about 45 minutes more just waiting to leave. 2. The water in Phrang Nga bay is murky and not pleasant for swimming. 3. Based on the timing, it is very likely that we caught a norovirus on the boat, which ruined the rest of our trip to Phuket. Bring your own hand sanitizer and beware! It would be even better if the company would take some precautions and provide some hand sanitizer, serve the food instead of having people serve themselves, etc.

This tour is a must do!! Put on your list immediately! Phenomenal! Thank you Noi for a fantastic day!! Kayaking was amazing, once in a lifetime sites to see, accompanied by phenomenal staff, and food!

This tour was a highlight of our Thailand trip and our time exploring the islands in the south. You get great views of Phang Nga Bay at midday and sunset, and visit caves on two islands- Hong and Phanak islands. Getting through the caves (which sometimes required laying down in the kayak which the guides are steering) is a thrilling time and inside you get to see stunning lagoons with mangroves, monkeys and some other animals. The staff is so kind and takes excellent care of you, making you feel safe while you are swimming in the ocean and going through caves in the kayaks. Lunch was so delicious and getting to learn about and make Loy Krathings was also special.

Amazing experience and sights. The food was INCREADIBLE! The kayaking was super fun and we all got to see bioluminescence (bucket list item completed). Staff was very kind and helpful :) Not much solo kayaking (only ~1 hour), but the guides can get you into much cooler places that require more difficult navigating. Loved it!

Amazing day out. An abundance of freshly cooked fabulous food that catered for allergies, gluten intolerance, vegan and vegetarian. All staff were very friendly, knowledgable and helpful. The trip was very well organised, not rushed and not too many people. Amazingly scenery. Recommended if you want a tour that doesn't have a lot of crowds at the destination and will definitely do it again.

Amazing and relaxing, not a rushed tour. Food was amazing and unexpected how much we really do get fed. High quality local dishes with ample rest time. Very comfortable. Cave kayaking is pretty, got to see the bioluminescent plankton. felt like a Disney princess. would definitely recommend

The trip started off on the wrong foot, as we were told we would be picked up between 1130 and 1140, and to be in the hotel lobby 15 minutes prior. At 1045 we got a call from the front desk telling us that we had a vehicle waiting for us downstairs. We started frantically getting ready, and not even 5 minutes later, we get another call to remind us again about the vehicle... not sure if the second call was motivated by the front desk, or the driver. The transfer was basically 30 minutes early to the, 15 minutes early downstairs to the scheduled time... I'm all for being flexible, but a text or a message on viator for a heads up would have been appreciated. When I mentioned it to the driver, he seemed to not care. That being said, the trip itself was AMAZING! It is definitely worth the money! We went to several locations and saw sea caves, as well as lagoons. Lunch, dinner, and snacks were provided and all were delicious, with multiple options. They even catered to some people with dietary restrictions. Bottled water was provided. Extra snacks and drinks, to include beer, were for sale. The primary tour guide, Mr.You, spoke English and was easy to understand the majority of the time. He was also very informational. Our kayaking guide, Dom, didn't speak much English but he was still great. He told us what he could, when he couldn't answer a question, he directed us to another guide whom he knew could understand what we were asking. When we had difficulty seeing the bioluminescent plankton, due to the choppy water, he kayaked us to several locations on the hunt for them, and he even got into the water and filled his shirt with water so that we could see them. This tour is exceptional, however I do think I should note that it is not for everyone. If you have a genuine fear of the dark, or have claustrophobia I do not recommend this tour. There is one portion of the tour that goes into a pitch black bat cave, as well as another Oster cave, that is very difficult to get into and requires you to lay as flat as possible in the kayak and to float under a ceiling of oysters. That being said, the concern about getting cut, was worth it once we were in the lagoon!

Awesome guides, food and caves. Mr. “U” was our guide, and he was also in charge of the trip. He really made our trip worthwhile. My only suggestions would be to list on their site to bring a bathing suit and a towel. They don’t mention it and if you want a towel (and he will get wet so I would recommend it) you have to pay 100 bhat ($3 USD) to rent one. Also, we were supposed to make our own Loy krathong, but he did 99% of it. I would’ve liked to have done some of it myself since I like arts and crafts.

Our personal guide Friand was the best. Glad we were assigned to him. He was funny and his english was good as well. Overall the trip was smooth and above expectations, view was amazing and food was great. We were lucky the weather was not too hot on our trip day as well. They kept cleaning the boat after every stop and every meal which was a plus point. Kids friendly and the kids who were on board had a lot of fun.

tr;dl: This experience combines stunning natural beauty, a little bit of adventure and physical activity and exposure to Thai culture. This is the perfect package. I was on the fence about booking this activity because I couldn't decide if all the travel and potential crowds would diminish the experience. Like other reviewers, I think this will end up being the highlight of our trip to Phuket. Not enough is said about the stunning natural beauty of this location. You boat out to an amazing collection of islands that feel like a unique ecosystem, mostly untouched by humans. The towering rocks hide secret cave entrances that allow you to narrowly float into them to reveal pristine lagoons. We saw bats, crabs, a tucan, other birds and even one monkey. The forest sounds alive with happy inhabitants. The trip included time for swimming in the lagoon and self-kayaking. We also enjoyed the Loy Kratong ceremony at the end of the day. It was a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a Thai tradition. Yes, the food is amazing. They have a team making fresh, hot cooked meals on the boat. And, enough can't be said about the guides who make the passage into the Lagoons safe. Thank you to Doon and the three other guides that assisted my family's adventure. If I have the good fortune of coming back to Thailand again, I would definitely book this trip or consider one of their extended camping adventures. You will not be disappointed with this trip.

Such an amazing experience. Our guide, Dawud, was so funny and made everything 10x better. Surreal how beautiful everything was.

Our tour guide was amazing and funny. Beautiful caves and bioluminescent plankton was a highlight. The day went by very quickly. Food was delicious. We made offerings to the sea which was a great experience. Overall one of the best tours we did .

Before we went on the tour we worried that it was going to be long day but it flew by! It was an amazing experience getting to explore multiple caves on a canoe, a canoe that gets paddled for you by your own tour guide. A shout out to our guide 'Saman' who was extremely lovely and showed us a great time. A highlight for us was the last canoe trip into the caves at night where the water inside is bioluminescent and it's like you're in a Disney movie with the water lighting up blue when you run your hands through it. Lunch and dinner are both provided and are both very lovely and fresh. A magical day, would highly recommend.

This was worth it! An entire day filled with so many awe-inspiring views and activities. Staff was organized and friendly. Our guide, Victor, was great! Food was also fantastic. I would highly recommend this experience.

Organization at the top, staff and guide very friendly, the group is not huge and suddenly we do not feel on top of each other. I highly recommend!

A beautiful place to discover and have a good laugh with the guide you had for you for activities. Maximum two passengers with one guide on the canoe.

Everything worked great..on the boat were only as many guests as boats were available ..for all enough space ..only one was extremely annoying ..the many Chinese who were loudly informed by their tour guide with microphone and amplifier ..just horrible ..but the organizer can't help it ..