Samet Nangshe and James Bond Island in One Day

Most James Bond Island tours stay on the water and never go up to Samet Nangshe; the viewpoint is on a hill on the shore, and the Phuket boats work from piers on Phuket island. A few days do both. The one that puts you on the hill for the sunrise is Phuket Let’s Go’s Sunrise in Phangnga with Off-Peak James Bond Island Visit, from US$135 a person (checked November 2026): pickup between 3:30 and 4:00 AM, the viewpoint at first light, then James Bond Island by longtail at an off-peak hour, with canoeing and lunch.

It runs with at least 4 people, and free cancellation runs until 24 hours before.

Why most bay tours skip it

The big Phuket days leave from piers on Phuket island: The Thai Tourism Company Limited’s van goes to Ao Po Pier, 62 km by road from the viewpoint, and the boat spends the day among the islands. Going up Samet Nangshe as well would mean another 62 km by road, a car park and a truck ride. Of the tours on this site, five put both in one day: the three below, and two small private longtail days further down.

Itineraries from each tour, checked November 2026. The private day’s price is for 26 November 2026 (one or two passengers) and 20 January 2027 (one passenger).

Which one fits

Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.

The sunrise day is the only one of the three that is on the hill at first light. Reviewers between December 2023 and July 2025 describe walking the last stretch, about 20 minutes, with a truck for anyone who prefers it; the tour is sold with a 4x4 ride to the top. Of its 350 newest reviews, 317 are five-star.

The early start reaches the viewpoint after an hour by speedboat, so it is a daylight view, not the sunrise. A January 2026 reviewer called Samet Nangshe “spectacular” and found the ride from Khao Lak long; another that month found the minivan cramped. It is not for children under 3 or adults over 70.

The private day saves the viewpoint for last. A reviewer in April 2024 described the truck ride up as “VERY steep”, on a dusty track. The car’s driver speaks a little English and is not a guide; the boat’s captain speaks basic English.

Two smaller private longtail days start the other way round, at the viewpoint. Royal Mariblue Co.,Ltd.'s private longtail day goes up Samet Nangshe first, then cruises to James Bond Island, Ko Panyi and Ko Hong with a picnic lunch on board, priced for a group of up to 4; the park fee, the viewpoint’s fee and the optional canoe are paid in cash. Phuket With Local's evening longtail runs from 1:00 to 10:00 PM: 45 minutes at the viewpoint, James Bond Island in the evening, dinner at Ko Panyi and canoeing after dark, back to the pier at Hin Rom, with the park fee and dinner included. They had 10 and 9 reviews on 10 November 2026.

The two-day way

If you have two days, the cheaper plan is to split them: drive up Samet Nangshe for one sunrise (90 baht for the truck, 30 to walk), and take an ordinary bay day on another. The Thai Tourism Company Limited’s James Bond, Phang Nga Bay and Hong Island Tour from Phuket is priced from US$48 on promotion, usually US$51 a person (checked November 2026; the big boat US$50.57 and the speedboat US$59.55 on 26 Nov 2026, 20 Jan and 24 Mar 2027), plus the 300-baht park fee at the pier, and canoes at Panak and Hong Islands before Khao Phing Kan.

If you already have a car for the morning, that costs less than the sunrise day and gives the bay a full day of its own. Without a car, how to get to Samet Nangshe lists the tours that only go up the hill.

Good to know

• The park fee. The sunrise day and the early start include it. On the private day the island’s fee, 300 baht an adult and 150 baht a child, is paid on the day, as is the optional kayak (300 baht a person).
• Who they are not for. All three list people with back problems. The sunrise day and the early start also list pregnant women and people with heart problems; the private day lists children under 2, people prone to seasickness and people with mobility impairments.
• Dress. The private day visits a cave temple: shoulders and knees covered.