Emerald Waters of Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is located between Phuket and Krabi and empties into the Andaman Sea to the south. The Bay is most noted for beautiful limestone karst islands that rise vertically out of the crystal clear emerald-green water.  James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are two of the more famous islands within the Bay. Due to their reputation and local tourism marketing these areas tend also to have tourist crowds, but their beauty is worth putting up with the crowds. 

James Bond Island became famous by providing a beautiful backdrop for the 1974 James Bond movie 'The Man With the Golden Gun' staring Roger Moore. This famous landmark local name is Koh Ta-pu ('Nail Island'), and can get quite crowded with tourists.  Try to be patient and take the less traveled paths on the island to get the best photos. 

Koh Panyee is the home of a remarkable fishing village that is built adjacent to karst cliff of the island and extends over the water on a large pier structure into the emerald water of the bay.  Many tourists are brought here from James Bond Island to eat tasty fresh seafood and shop for local handicrafts.  After the tourists leave, the community closes up its restaurants and trinket shops and transforms back into a working fishing village.