John Gray’s Sea Canoe Tour
A relaxing and fun trip for the whole family, John Gray’s “Hong by Starlight” sea canoe tour is a great day out for anyone who likes nature and the sea.
Spend a day canoeing around the islands of Phang Nga Bay admiring the beauty of the environment and wildlife. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of tropical islands with sandy beaches and coves, towering limestone cliffs and the emerald waters surrounding Phuket.
Islands in Phang Nga Bay
On this tour you will visit Koh Hong and Koh Panak, two islands in Phang Nga Bay.
The trip starts with the transfer from your hotel to the Phuket Marina by air conditioned van. At the marina, board the large support boat.
Enjoy the scenery of Phang Nga Bay and the cool sea breeze while having Thai lunch on the ship.
Koh Panak Island
In a little over an hour the ship arrives at the first island of the day, Panak Island.
Here you will get in your sea canoe and see the spectacular scenery of tropical islands, sandy beaches, steep karst mountains and caves from up close. You will explore one or two sea caves and hongs, depending on the tides.
John Gray’s Hong by Starlight with Sea Cave Kayaking and Loy Krathong Floating
- Boat ride from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay
- Canoeing in Phang Nga Bay
- Explore hidden caves
- Visit Panak Island and Hong Island
- Kayak in emerald lagoons
- Float a self made krathong under starlight
- See phosphorescent plankton
- Professional guide, hotel transfers, lunch & dinner
- Duration about 10 hours
Koh Hong Island
Then it’s back on the support boat for the ferry to the second island of the day, Koh Hong. Explore two more caves by sea canoe and admire the scenic views of the cliff lined lagoons.
Sea Caves
Both Koh Hong and Koh Panak are beautiful islands with karst mountains rising from the sea. In the limestone rocks are passages, known as “hong” in Thai. On both islands the guide will paddle you through narrow passages into the hongs. Inside several of the sea caves you will find beautiful lagoons surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Wildlife, flora & fauna
Phang Nga Bay has a rich flora and fauna. In the mangrove forests and lagoons you can see animals as water monitors, macaques, mudskippers and birds as egrets, sea eagles and kites.
Float a krathong
At the end of the afternoon witness the beautiful sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Then, when it’s dark, participate in a Thai cultural experience. The guide will show you how to make a krathong, a small basket decorated with flowers and candles. You light the krathong and let it float on the water.
Fireflies and illuminating plankton
When it’s completely dark, head into the cave once again by canoe and watch fireflies and plankton that lights up in the dark.
Free time
There is free time in the itinerary, giving you a chance to relax on the large support boat, swim in the bay or paddle the canoe around the island.
The sea canoes
The John Gray’s “Hong by Starlight” tour uses imported, solid sea canoes. Each canoe carries two people plus a guide. Life jackets are provided.
A guide on each canoe
There is an experienced English speaking guide on each canoe who does the paddling and will also point out animals and give information about the ecosystem of Phang Nga Bay and the history of the area.
Food & drinks
Both lunch and dinner are provided on the large support boat. Healthy and delicious food is cooked fresh on the ship.
Lunch starts after departure from the pier on the way to Panak Island. Seafood and vegetarian buffet dinner is served aboard the ship by the end of the afternoon about 5:30 pm.
Bottled water is available throughout the day.
Deep fried spring rolls
Local stir fried noodles
Salad
Herbal drink
Banana muffin
Local Thai coffee and tea
Seasonal fruits
Massaman curry
Deep fried fish with sweet chili sauce
Chicken tom yum
Fried rice with egg
Stir fried vegetables
Stir fried chicken with cashew nuts
Chicken and shrimp BBQ
Mushroom coconut soup
Stir fried tofu with cashew nuts
Stir friend vegetables
Paddling towards an island
John Gray
The “Hong by Starlight” tour is organized by John Gray, a passionate environmentalist. Recognizing the importance of preserving the natural environment, he promotes the concept of healthy oceans and forests.
Itinerary
This is a daily tour. The itinerary is as follows:
- 11:00 Pick up from Phuket hotel*
- 11:00 Transfer to Ao Po pier by air conditioned van
- 12:30 Trip briefing at Sea View restaurant
- 12:50 Board the support ship
- 13:00 Departure to Phang Nga Bay
- 13:10 Thai lunch
- 14:00 Arrival at Panak Island. Explore one or two caves and hongs by sea canoe
- 15:30 Back aboard the support ship
- 15:30 Departure to Hong Island
- 15:45 Arrival at Koh Hong. Explore two more caves and the hidden cliff lined lagoons
- 16:30 Return to escort boat. Free time to paddle a canoe and swim around the boat
- 17:00 Make your own krathong
- 17:30 Sunset dinner aboard the support ship
- 18:30 Get in your sea canoe and float your self made krathong on the water
- 18:30 Watch bioluminescence plankton in the dark
- 19:00 Departure back to Phuket
- 20:00 Transfer to Phuket hotel by air conditioned van
* Each area of Phuket has its own pick up time. Please contact us after booking to check the pick up time for your hotel.
Timings are approximate. Itinerary can vary depending on tides and weather conditions.
Tour price
Regular prices are:
Child rate: age 7 - 12 years
Infant rate: age 0 - 6 years
More Phuket attractions:
Attractions in Phuket
John Gray’s Sea Canoe Tour
- Canoeing in Phang Nga Bay
- Explore hidden caves and cliff lined lagoons
- Visit Panak Island and Hong Island
- Canoe in emerald lagoons
- Professional English speaking guide
More Island & Sea Trips