Outdoors
Phang Nga Bay Canoe
A boat takes you out into Phang Nga Bay, then you sit in a two-person sea canoe while a guide paddles through low sea-level caves into hongs, open-air lagoons ringed by limestone walls. Koh Panak has several cave passages to inner lagoons, and Koh Hong is one of the bay's best-known canoeing spots.
- Where
- Phang Nga, Thailand
- Time
- about 10 hours with hotel transfers (John Gray's Hong by Starlight trip)
The route
Sea-canoe day trip to the hongs (enclosed lagoons) of Koh Panak and Koh Hong, Ao Phang Nga National Park.
Most trips run from Phuket, about 35 km away, with hotel pick-up to a pier on the island's east or north-east coast such as Ao Po. Tours also leave from Krabi and from near Phang Nga town.
When to go
Thai National Parks lists the park as open from 15 October to 15 May and closed from 16 May to 14 October; check with your operator whether trips run in the wet season.
Permits and fees
The national park fee for foreigners was 300 baht per adult and 150 baht per child (3-14) as of June 2022. Organised tours often include it, as John Gray's Sea Canoe does, so check what your price covers.
Before you go
- The itinerary may change with the tides, so expect the order of stops to vary.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, dry warm clothes for the ride back, sunglasses and sunscreen; John Gray's provides dry bags.
- On evening trips, look for bioluminescent plankton glowing in the water after dark.
What to bring
- A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
- A dry bag for your phone and keys
- Water and snacks
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A warm layer, even on a hot day
Getting ready for it
Plan for a long day: about 10 hours with hotel transfers (John Gray's Hong by Starlight trip).
Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.
A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.
Staying safe
- The cave passages can only be entered at certain water levels, so never try them without a guide.
- Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against thainationalparks.com, johngray-seacanoe.com and en.wikivoyage.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
