James Bond Island by Private Charter from Phuket

Khao Phing Kan and the needle-shaped Koh Tapu in Phang Nga Bay shot to fame after The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here in 1974. Fifty years on, the towering limestone karsts rising straight out of the emerald water remain one of the most photographed sights in Thailand.

On a private charter you cruise the bay at your own pace instead of following a tour schedule. Paddle a sea canoe through the hongs, the hidden lagoons walled in by vertical cliffs that open up at low tide. Visit Koh Panyi, the Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts over the water, and anchor off quiet beaches the big tour boats skip entirely.

The bay is sheltered year-round, making this route suitable for every season. Your captain reads the tide tables to hit the hongs at the right moment and position the boat for the best light on the karsts.