The Beauty of James Bond Island: Khao Phing Kan
James Bond Island, also known as Khao Phing Kan, is a unique and famous tourist destination located in the Phang Nga Bay of Thailand. This iconic island is known for its 66-foot tall vertical pillar of rock that rises from the shallow waters, which is wider at the top than it is at the bottom.
It was a relatively unknown site until the release of the James Bond film “The Man With the Golden Gun” in 1974. The film featured the island as the hideout of Bond’s nemesis and referred to it as a “mushroom-shaped rock”. This helped boost tourism in Phang Nga Bay and the island was renamed James Bond Island. However, it has another Thai name, Ko Ta Pu, or Nail Island, based on local mythology of a fisherman who threw a nail into the ocean, which magically returned and eventually turned into the limestone tower. The island is part of Ao Phang Nga National Park and is located offshore from Khao Phing Kan island.
Located just offshore from Khao Phing Kan island, James Bond Island is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park and is accessible by boat from Phuket or Krabi. The island offers breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and is a popular spot for kayaking, trekking, and nature photography. Visitors can also explore the cave systems and rock formations that are unique to the region.
In conclusion, James Bond Island is a must-visit destination for those who are looking for a unique and memorable experience in Thailand. Its iconic status as James Bond Island and its rich local mythology make it a truly unique and fascinating place to visit. With its stunning views and accessible location, James Bond Island is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
Location:
Phang Nga Bay
Ao Phang-nga National Park
ambon Kalai, 82000
Thailand
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island landing island), Ao Phang Nga National Park, Phang-nga Province, Thailand; map pin is the OpenStreetMap islet-area centroid, not Ko Tapu or a boat pier
- Coordinates
- 8.2746284, 98.5009229
- Access
- Reach Khao Phing Kan, the island commonly called James Bond Island, by boat within Ao Phang Nga National Park. Ko Tapu/Khao Ta Pu is the narrow offshore limestone stack: view it from Khao Phing Kan or the water, and do not attempt to land on or climb it. Routes and departure piers vary; confirm current park notices, sea conditions, and the operator’s itinerary, and wear a life jacket.
- Admission
- There is no separate James Bond Island ticket. The 2026 Department of National Parks Group 3 schedule lists THB 300 per foreign adult / THB 150 per foreign child and THB 60 per Thai adult / THB 30 per Thai child for park entry. A separate tourism-directory listing gives variable longtail boat hire of about THB 1,200–2,500 per boat. Confirm the current park tariff and whether a tour includes it; boat and canoe charges are separate.
- Time needed
- The Thai Department of Mineral Resources describes about a three-hour boat round trip from the park headquarters with stops including Ko Panyi and Khao Phing Kan. Thailand’s Tourism Directory lists common longtail visits at about 3–4 hours; Phuket departures and multi-stop tours take longer. Confirm duration and pier with the operator.
- Best season
- Thailand visitor guidance identifies November–April as the generally calmer, drier Andaman coast season; a guide checked in October 2026 identifies January–March as Phuket’s driest months. These are regional patterns, not guarantees. Monsoon weather, sea state and park closures can disrupt trips; confirm current notices.
- Opening hours
- No fixed island-specific public hours are published. Landing depends on boat schedules, tides, weather and current park attraction status. The park-office schedule is not a guarantee the island landing is open; confirm with Ao Phang Nga National Park and your operator.
- Location checked
- 2026-11-02
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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thx
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