Heading out to explore the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay
The sun can’t shine every day in Phuket, but you can have an adventure any day. That was our motto for a rainy week on one of Thailand’s most popular islands. Thus, we signed up for the Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Tour from Phuket and vowed to enjoy it, rain or shine.
Our pick-up time was at 11 a.m., a civilized hour which allowed us the luxury of sleeping in and the unexpected bonus of dodging the big crowds for the day.
A tantalizing Thai-style lunch
After a pleasant shuttle ride, we arrived at the pier and were greeted by our tour guides who, after introducing themselves, helped us board the spacious vessel, walked us through our itinerary and laid out a tantalizing Thai-style buffet lunch. We filled up on spring rolls, fresh fruits and noodles while our guides, who were charming and witty (impressively so, considering the fact that they were speaking a second language), entertained us with an educational background on the ecology of the area.
Having spent lots of time in Thailand, I am well-versed in its turquoise seas and jutting islands, but I was delighted to learn of potential encounters with reptiles, amphibians and monkeys in store! Phang Nga National Park, besides being an uninhabited archipelago, is home to more than 200 species of mammals and boasts the largest remaining primary mangrove forest in the entire country.
Exploring one of the sea caves, or hongs
After lunch, we were paired with our personal paddle guide for the day. He proved to be a valuable asset as he instructed us when to lay back or duck as we entered the narrow entranceways to the caves, or “hongs.” While his English was limited, he made up for any language barriers with pure enthusiasm.
“Hong” is Thai for room, which becomes apparent as you float into the enclosed lagoon. These hongs are only accessible for a short time of the day due to changes in the tide, which adds a fun element of immediacy to the tour. With our guide taking care of the manual labor, we were free to take photos or relax and soak up the scenery.
A monkey, one of the more than 200 species in Phang Nga National Park
Once we had our fill of the hongs, we paddled back to our big boat and set sail for another set of islands. Upon arrival, we teamed up with our guide for another paddling adventure. It was here that our guide’s experienced eye became a blessing, as he pointed out monkeys and crabs we might otherwise have missed. The monkeys were especially entertaining, and if we didn’t know better, we would have thought they were in cahoots with the tour operator, as they frolicked before our lenses.
Paddling in Phang Nga Bay
Next up was free time. Our guide boarded the big boat and gave us the chance to flex our kayaking muscles, and we paddled around the caves at our leisure. After our arms tired, we floated back toward the big boat and were greeted by an impromptu aqua-obstacle course set up by the guides. They had overturned five kayaks and tied them together so we could take a running start and see who could navigate their way to the end. Between the children, the guides and us, it’s hard to say who had the most fun.
A lovely, hand-crafted kratong
For the final chapter of the tour, our guide showed us how to make a “kratong.” In Thailand, kratongs are made for Loi Kratong, a rainy season holiday during which lanterns are released into the sea to honor Mae Kongkha, the water goddess. Crafting a kratong involves artfully weaving bamboo, banana leaves, flowers and candles into a buoyant lantern, which is said to carry away bad luck as one floats it out to sea. Our guide showed us some basic techniques before leaving the project in our hands; it was a fun surprise to see everyone create a unique lantern.
While we were crafting, the staff laid out an impressive dinner platter which included a seafood BBQ, massaman curry, chicken cashew nut with veggies and noodles galore. After several helpings, there was still plenty left over.
Posing with our kratong
By this time, the sun had set, so we boarded our kayaks for one final ride. Our guide led us into a cave and showed us the proper way to light our kratong before releasing it into the sea. As an environmental precaution, the tour operator collects the lanterns before returning to the mainland — a sign of bad luck in Thai culture, but we were willing to let it slide in the name of conservation.
On the way back to the boat, our guide had one final surprise up his sleeve. He instructed us to place our hands in the water and, before we knew it, we were treated to a light show from the bioluminescent plankton just below the surface.
While the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, we enjoyed some delicious Thai food, explored the natural wonders of Phang Nga Bay and learned the ancient art of the kratong. The staff both ensured our safety and helped us learn as much as we could about the area. They did an exceptional job, and it seemed more like they were spending the day having fun with us rather than working away at their daily routine. With literally dozens of available tours in Phang Nga Bay, I think you would be hard-pressed to top this one. We returned to Phuket in darkness, the moon and stars lighting our way.
Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Tour From Phuket from Thailand Things to Do
