James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) by Private Yacht from Phuket

James Bond Island sits in Phang Nga Bay, about 20 km (11 nautical miles) from Ao Po Grand Marina — roughly 30–45 minutes by motor yacht. It is reachable only by water, and the difference between arriving with the group tours and arriving before them decides how the place looks.

Why is it called James Bond Island?

The 1974 Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, the ninth in the series, was shot here with Roger Moore. The island of Khao Phing Kan held the hideout of the villain Scaramanga, played by Christopher Lee, and the Ko Tapu rock appeared in the key frames.

Few visitors remember the Thai names, so "James Bond Island" stuck on maps and in guidebooks. Formally these are two separate places: Khao Phing Kan, the island with the beach where guests land, and Ko Tapu, the freestanding limestone pillar in the water.

Where is James Bond Island?

In Phang Nga Bay, northeast of Phuket, inside Ao Phang Nga National Park. This is the same stretch of water as Hong Island with its hidden lagoon, the floating fishing village of Koh Panyee, and dozens of limestone towers rising from green water.

The bay is sheltered from ocean swell, so the sea here is calm almost year-round — which makes it one of the more comfortable routes for a day out with children.

How far is James Bond Island from Phuket?

Trips leave from Ao Po Grand Marina on the northeast of Phuket, the closest marina to Phang Nga Bay. In a straight line it is about 20 km (roughly 11 nautical miles) from there to Ko Tapu.

This is an approximate straight-line distance, not an exact navigational figure — the actual route on the water is always somewhat longer. For a motor yacht the crossing usually takes about 30–45 minutes depending on the boat, the weather and the sea state; a speedboat is quicker. The exact timing and departure point are confirmed when we plan the trip.

Ao Po Grand Marina is the closest departure point for Phang Nga Bay, so we measure routes in that direction from there. Your exact pier depends on where the boat is berthed and is confirmed when you book.

How do you get to James Bond Island?

By water only. Most visitors arrive on group tours aboard longtail boats and shared speedboats, which is why the rock is crowded in the middle of the day — a queue for that one photograph is normal.

A private boat solves this with a single decision: you leave earlier or later than the main flow and find Ko Tapu quiet. The route is yours as well — how long to stay at the rock, whether to take a canoe into the lagoons, where to have lunch.

What else is on this route?

James Bond Island is almost never the only stop. A day in Phang Nga Bay usually combines several places:

• Hong Island — a hidden lagoon inside the limestone, entered by canoe when the tide allows.
• Koh Panyee — a fishing village on stilts with local restaurants, the usual lunch stop on this route.
• A bat cave by the mangroves.
• Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi — quiet islands on the way back to Phuket.
• Koh Pak Bia — if you want to extend the day towards Krabi.

When should you go?

November to April is drier and calmer on Phuket — the high season and the best window for the bay. But Phang Nga is closed off from the open sea, so the route also works in summer when the west coast is rough: the captain confirms departure on the day's actual conditions.

The rule about time of day is simple: the earlier you leave, the fewer people at the rock. The morning light is softer for photographs too.

How long does the trip take on different boats?

James Bond Island is about 20 km from Ao Po Grand Marina (about 53 km from Chalong Pier), and that distance sits differently on different hulls.

Boat	Cruising speed	One way
Speedboat	25–35 knots	~25 min
Motor yacht	9–28 knots	30–45 min
Power catamaran	8–18 knots	~50 min
Sailing catamaran	5–7 knots	~2 h

Times are calculated and run a little longer in practice: the captain eases off in swell and close to shore.

A day on a private yacht: Phuket to James Bond Island and back

A typical day runs like this: a morning departure from the marina, a crossing through the bay past the limestone towers, a stop at Khao Phing Kan with a landing on the beach and photographs of Ko Tapu, then the lagoons and caves at Hong by canoe, lunch at Panyee or on board, and an unhurried return towards sunset.

The captain orders the stops around the tide and how busy each place is — which is precisely the advantage of going privately.

Which boat suits this route?

The bay is sheltered and the crossing is short, so almost any boat works. What differs is the day you get.

• Speedboat — fastest, best for a small group that wants to fit in more stops. From ฿21,000.
• Motor yacht — shade, an air-conditioned saloon and lunch on board. From ฿33,900.
• Power catamaran — wide deck and stability at anchor, good for larger groups. From ฿39,115.

Our own yachts, Technema 89 "Say Yes" and Beluga 88, both run this route.

What does a trip to James Bond Island cost?

The price is per boat per day, not per person: from ฿21,000 for a speedboat for 4–12 guests, from ฿23,000 for a sailing catamaran for 8–40, from ฿33,900 for a motor yacht for 6–50, from ฿39,115 for a power catamaran, from ฿214,000 for a luxury yacht. The group shares one sum.

Fuel for the distance — about 40 km there and back — is added to the rate, plus fees where the route incurs them. Season moves the base rate by roughly a quarter: low season May to October, high season November to April, peak from 20 December. Full tables are on the yacht charter prices page.

What to bring

A hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a light long-sleeved shirt for the middle of the day — it protects better than any amount of cream. Swimwear worn under your clothes saves the changing routine. Cash in baht for fees, if the route incurs them. A dry bag if you take a phone into the water.

Towels, masks and fins, water, soft drinks, ice and life jackets in adult and child sizes are already on board. On full-day trips most boats include lunch.

Where do boats to James Bond Island depart from?

Routes into Phang Nga Bay and to the Krabi side are measured from Ao Po Grand Marina in the north-east of Phuket: from there it is about 20 km to James Bond Island against 53 km from Chalong. The hour of running saved stays on the islands themselves. The boarding point depends on where the particular boat is berthed and is confirmed at booking. All Phuket marinas.

Other destinations nearby

• Hong Island, Phang Nga — about 13 km from Ao Po, a lagoon inside limestone walls
• Koh Yao — about 16 km from Ao Po, inhabited islands
• Koh Pak Bia — about 26 km from Ao Po, a sand spit

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called James Bond Island?

The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here in 1974 with Roger Moore; the island held the villain Scaramanga's hideout. The real names are Khao Phing Kan for the island and Ko Tapu for the rock.

Which film was shot on James Bond Island?

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), the ninth Bond film, with Roger Moore as 007 and Christopher Lee as Scaramanga.

Can you land on the Ko Tapu rock itself?

No. Mooring against the rock and climbing it are forbidden — it is protected from erosion. Guests land on the beach of neighbouring Khao Phing Kan, which is where the classic photograph is taken from.

How do you get to James Bond Island from Phuket?

By water only. On a private speedboat or yacht it is a single day from Phuket, usually combined with Hong Island and Koh Panyee. Group tours run too, but they are tied to a shared timetable and reach the rock all at once.

Is the route suitable for children?

Yes — Phang Nga Bay is sheltered from ocean swell and the sea is calm. Ask the manager about child-sized life jackets.

How long does the trip take?

A full day. The crossing from Ao Po Grand Marina to the rock takes about 30–45 minutes; the rest of the time goes on the lagoons, Panyee and the stops. The exact departure time is confirmed when we plan — it depends on the boat, the tide and what is in the route.