Phang Nga Bay

The waters sparkle in all their emerald glory while limestone karsts seem to form a protective canopy over them. The sun starts to play a game of hide and seek and the winds decide to take the evasive course. You canoe your way around the mysterious yet breathtakingly beautiful setting and cannot help but be amazed by the gifts Mother Nature has to offer. This is the Phang Nga Bay in a nutshell. A part of the Strait of Malacca, this 400 kilometre square bay is blessed with lush forests, impressive geological formations, vital archeological sites and hundreds of islands. The bay bore the brunt of the devastating tsunami of 2004, but as time heals everything, its charm has successfully been restored.
The James Bond Island is the most popular aspect of the Phang Nga Bay and attracts most of its tourists. The nearby Ko Panyee village, which stands entirely on stilts is also quite noteworthy. The Same Nangshe Viewpoint, on the other hand, has arresting panorama of the limestone formations and the teal waters. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of travellers and the presence of touts looking to make a buck or two, the authenticity of these places seems to have taken a backseat. Nonetheless, a side trip from Phuket should cost you around 3000 Baht for the entire day.