James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay | Traveler by Unique
Phang Nga Bay can be found between the Island of Phuket and the Peninsula of Malaysia’s mainland. The area is a first-class worldwide attraction for a number of reasons and achieves to attract millions of tourists every year who wish to admire its unique natural beauty. Phang Nga Bay is known for hosting a vast variety of marine and wildlife spices, unspoiled rivers and many hidden caves. It has to be noted that, the great majority of the area is protected as it was declared as the AO Phang Nga National Park.
James Bond Island
Despite the fact that the Kingdom of Thailand has many unspoiled and beautiful locations, Phang Nga Bay saw its popularity increasing dramatically due to the impact that the cinema industry had. In fact, many cinema fans around the world, perceive Phang Nga as the mecca of dramatic and imposing sceneries. In particular, in Phang Nga bay, there is one limestone that is a must-see attraction, namely the Kho Tapu. With is needle shape, the limestone arises above the water and offers a jaw-dropping view to visitors. This limestone is also known as the James Bond Island as it was featured in the Hollywood film, The Man with the Golden Gun. In addition, the bay was also featured in the Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
James Bond Island or Koh Tapu has a mythical story explaining its shape. According to the local myth, a fisherman used to be fishing and catching fishes there every day. One day, the fisherman caught a piece of nail within his nets and immediately he threw it back in the sea. After that, the fisherman was not able anymore to catch any fishes. As revenge, the fisherman took the nail again and hit it with a heavy and sharp object, and by that time, half of it was thrown again back into the sea. That half nail led to the rising of the imposing Koh Tapu.
Due to the fame that the Island took from the James Bond movie, authorities declared the island as a part of the National Park in an effort to protect it from the masses of tourism. Moreover, in 1998, a law was enforced that was forbidding tourist boats to get close to the island. That particular measure was taken in order to stop the erosion of the limestone rock that was partially collapsed.
National Parks in Phang Nga
The AO Phang Nga National Park was established in 1981 and includes spectacular locations from two different districts. Nowadays, this beautifully preserved setting is also known as the Andaman Sea where some of Thailand’s most beautiful and charming islands can be found. The National Park includes also many imposing limestone tower karst islands, which are similar to the James Bond Island. Their size, as well as their breath-taking shape, is a pole of attraction for many visitors who wish to observe and admire their beauty. It also has to be noted that, AO Phang National Park hosts one of the largest mangrove forests in Thailand.
Within that area, visitors are also able to explore the Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park which, in 2002, was officially listed as an area of wetlands with high international importance. This particular National Park includes 42 islands and is known for having shallow waters and forested wetlands. Its high importance is due to the fact that it hosts 28 different types of mangroves with coral reefs and beds of seagrass, as well as many other animals that are under threaten.
Activities near Phang Nga Bay
For those who choose to stay close to Phang Nga Bay, there are many exciting and fascinating things that they can do in order to enjoy pleasurable and enjoyable holidays. As an area of unique natural beauty, the spectacular beaches are ready to satisfy your cravings for exotic and relaxing landscapes. Crystal clear and emerald waters, as well as white sands, are among the basic characteristics of the many bays that visitors are able to enjoy.
For those who wish to enjoy some more adventure and adrenaline boosts, the ideal is considered as a top destination for scuba diving or snorkeling. Coral reefs and a great variety of tropical fishes are what visitors should except for the bottom of the sea. Moreover, due to the geological formation of the broader area of Phang Nga Bay, rock climbing is a must-try activity. The imposing views that climbers are able to enjoy are truly unique.
More importantly, the area of Phang Nga Bay is the ideal spot for island hopping. Many ferry boats and private yachts prefer the area as it hosts some famous and lavishing tropical getaways. Among them, visitors can enjoy cruising in the cosmopolitan and extravagant Phi Phi Islands. Stopping by these magnificent islands will revitalize your senses and pamper your needs due to the great variety for elegant dining options and luxurious accommodation.