Panyee Island is usually the starting point for all groups visiting Phang Nga Bay, especially those wanting to see James Bond Island. This small island is home to a village built largely on stilts, entirely dedicated to tourism. Half of the floating village consists of large restaurants catering to tourist groups and a souvenir market selling mainly jewelry and clothing. Two homestays on the island offer a good option for visiting the bay, and especially James Bond Island, before and after the peak tourist season. The small, traditional fishing village has changed considerably since the filming of "The Man with the Golden Gun" in 1974, although fishing remains an important industry for the local population, which attracts many tourists, particularly during the high season. Generally, tour guides take visitors to the school and its small maritime museum, often neglecting to mention the extraordinary story of Panyee's football pitch (see here).

For excursions from Khao Lak or Phuket, you should negotiate the price and contact several agencies to compare offers. Prices for the same service can vary significantly. Those wishing to stay overnight in the bay will find two host families on Panyee Island. An unforgettable experience! It's best to get up early to enjoy the area before the large tourist crowds arrive.

Alternatively, you can organize your visit yourself. In this case, you can travel to Phang Nga on your own and rent a longtail boat for approximately 1500–2000 baht (plus 300 baht entrance fee per adult and 150 baht per child for the national park). The price depends on the activities you choose. However, the quality of the trip is somewhat unpredictable, as it largely depends on the individual captain.

How to get there

How do you get to Koh Panyee? Alternatively, if you prefer to organize your trip yourself, you can travel to Phang Nga and hire a longtail boat for approximately 1500–2000 baht (plus 300 baht per adult and 150 baht per child for national park entry), depending on which additional activities you book besides visiting James Bond Island. However, the quality of the trip depends heavily on the individual captain.