National park · Thailand
Ao Phang Nga National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา
Spend a day in Ao Phang Nga: pay 300 THB entry, hire a 3‑hour boat for 1 500 THB (max 4 pax) or kayak for 1 200 THB (2 adults), avoid the crowded Dec–Jan period, and stay in Tha Dan or Ko Panyi if you need a night.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Area reported as 500 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Ao Phang Nga National Park protects a karst seascape of over 40 islands, extensive mangroves and iconic limestone formations such as James Bond Island, offering boat, kayak and limited land experiences.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1981
Area reported as 500 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
Why go
- Limestone karsts and over 40 islands make dramatic scenery.
- Largest remaining mangrove forest in Thailand, reachable by kayak.
- James Bond Island and Ko Tapu are iconic rock formations.
- Sea‑canoeing lets you explore hidden caves and quiet beaches.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecAvoid
- JanPeak tourist crowds on James Bond tours.
- FebCool, less crowded.
- MarDry, good sea conditions.
- AprDry, warm, ideal for kayaking.
- MayStart of short rains, some tours limited.
- JunRainy season, rough seas.
- JulHeavy rain, many boat tours cancelled.
- AugMonsoon peak, unsafe for sea‑canoeing.
- SepRain eases, but sea still rough.
- OctDry, calm seas, fewer tourists.
- NovDry, pleasant temperatures.
- DecHoliday surge of visitors to James Bond Island.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangrove birds (herons, kingfishers)Nov–Apr · Best seen in dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Monitor lizards in mangrovesMar–Jun | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Sea turtles (nesting on remote islands)May–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Phuket
Bus or minivan to Phang Nga town, then songthaew to Tha Dan (≈ 1 h).
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Krabi
Bus to Phang Nga, then songthaew to Tha Dan.
2–3 h
From Phang Nga town
Songthaew (shared taxi) directly to Tha Dan park office.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tha Dan headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, boat pier, and short mangrove trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| James Bond Island (Ko Khao Phing Kan) | Iconic limestone islet, boat stop. | Boat tours only. |
| Ko Panyi village | Stilt‑village, night‑stay option. | Accessible by boat; accommodation available. |
| Mangrove kayaking zone | Northern mangrove channels, kayak launch. | Kayak hire at pier. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for each feature.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | THB 300 (≈ US$10) | person | Check official rate. |
| Boat hire (3 h, up to 4 pax) | THB 1,500 (≈ US$50) | boat | — |
| Kayak (2 adults, 2 children) | THB 1,200 (≈ US$40) | group | Check for larger groups. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ฿300≈ US$10
- ฿1,500≈ US$50
- ฿1,200≈ US$40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Thainationalparks.com – Ao Phang Nga National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited in the park.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permit from park authorities.check
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Boat operators
- Must follow designated routes; avoid landing on restricted islands.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tha Dan guesthouse
Simple rooms close to the park gate.
In the park
Ko Panyi homestays
Stilt‑village accommodation, basic amenities.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Strong currents high
Monsoon storms high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car; short walks suitable for limited mobility.
- Kayak and boat tours involve steps and uneven decks; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators that follow the park’s permitted routes and do not dump waste.
- Avoid buying souvenirs from vendors on James Bond Island; support local markets in Ko Panyi.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ao Phang Nga National Park?
Adult entry is 300 THB per person; children under 12 are free. Boat hire for a 3‑hour tour is 1 500 THB (max 4 pax) and kayak rental is 1 200 THB for two adults.
What are the best hikes in Ao Phang Nga National Park?
The park is mainly explored by boat; the most popular land activity is a short mangrove trail from the headquarters. For longer treks you need a guide and must stay on designated routes.
When is the best time to visit Ao Phang Nga National Park?
Dry season November to April offers calm seas and good visibility. Avoid the peak tourist rush in December–January and the monsoon months June to August.
Can I stay overnight in the park?
Yes. Options include guesthouses in Tha Dan and homestays in Ko Panyi village. Most visitors stay a night in the nearby towns of Phang Nga, Phuket or Krabi.
Are drones allowed for photography?
Drones require a permit from park authorities; otherwise they are prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ao Phang Nga National Park
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