John Gray’s Private Hong by Starlight Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover “Tidal Nape Sea Caves” and hidden cliff-lined lagoons found by John Gray in 1989 at your own pace with just your group and the paddle guides. Avoid the crowds and get the most private dramatic experience you can imagine with great nature and wildlife literally inside Phang Nga Bay’s marine limestone karstic islands including the floating of your own self-made flower “Kratong” in a spiritual and spectacular natural light show.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour program is subject to change due to weather & sea conditions
What To Expect
Ao Po Pier
This private sea cave kayaking trip from Phuket starts at midday to avoid the crowds, with a convenient pickup service by luxury air-conditioned minivan from the entire Phuket Island. After a health checkup at Ao Por Pier, you will cruise by a spacious 2-deck tour bout into Phang Nga Bay and will receive a detailed briefing about the nature and geological site. You will also learn how to securely enter the caves and hongs (Thai for room) by the hand-made SOTAR kayaks which are specially designed for this trip.
Phang Nga Bay.
It will then be time to start paddling through limestone caves and lagoons with your highly experienced guide in the dramatic setting of Panak Island. Your professional guide will paddle you and your group through the 'Tidal Nape' sea caves inside Phang Nga Bay’s marine limestone karstic islands. The hidden cliff-lined lagoons are populated with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, mud-skippers, egrets, sea eagles, and brahminy kites. Later, return to the escort boat and move on to the second place named Hong Island - which has two more caves and hongs for you to explore.
Options
Pickup from Phuket Airport
Airport Pickup Pickup included
Hotel Pickup in Phuket
Hotel Pickup Pickup included
What‘s Included
Basic accident insurance
Life jacket
Professional and experienced English speaking guide
National Park entrance fee
Kayak equipment including a dry bag
Hotel round-trip transfer on the entire Phuket island including airport pick-up and drop-off service
Lunch, dinner, bottled water, herbal tea & seasonal fruits
Caveman's SOTAR sea kayaks
Hotel pickup from remote locations in Phang Nga, or from private villas/rentals
Pickup points
Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach By IHG
568 Patak Road, Tambol, Karon Karon Thailand
Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort
44/5 Moo 8 Sakdidesh Road Cape Panwa Thailand
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
683 Patak Road, Karon Beach Karon Thailand
Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort
333 Patak Road, Karon Beach Karon Thailand
Burasari Resort
18/110 Ruamjai Road Patong Thailand
Phuket Intl Airport
Mai Khao Thailand
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing time!
L3990QJlilyd,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time! We had a large group of us go and we had the best time. The staff was great and so welcoming! Our guide Noo was truly amazing. He went above and beyond! He made my friend and I flower crowns and made out day! He was so fun and made the experience amazing!
Amazing time!
camillesN9976FO,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This kayaking tour was easily the highlight of our trip! We got to explore beautiful caves and see incredible scenery that we never would have experienced otherwise. Even though it was raining during our tour, it didn't take away from the experience at all. Our guide, New, went above and beyond to make sure everyone had an amazing time, kept the energy positive, and made the adventure both fun and memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area—it was an unforgettable experience!
Kayaks, Lights, Action!
685dorianl,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were given the details of this trip from a friend at the hotel we stayed at, so glad we went as the Staff were amazing and thoughtful, they put on two delicious spreads for the tour. The tour itself was divine. We went through three separate caves, enjoyed seeing the wildlife (which included monkeys, bats, mud skippers and sea egrets) - the ending at the final cave where we were able to see the bioluminescent plankton. Thank you so much to the amazing Staff - Definitely will do this again.
Best in Thailand
MARISA M,Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unforgettable authentic experience kayaking through the sea caves with your own guide. Staff in abundance, super friendly and accommodating. Not overcrowded like many tours.
Do not miss, most memorable part of Thailand trip!
O9987DUalexa,Mar 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an incredible experience. The entire team from onboard, to the incredible kitchen staff and their wonderful food, to Term our kayak tour guide who went above and beyond with safety, entertainment and explanation, this was a must see, well ran, top experience! Highly recommend!
Incredible adventure and amazing sights!!!
kellihatcher,Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a brilliant day we had!! We were a family of 17 so opted for the Private Charter which was excellent. Cannot fault this trip, Sonny and his crew were incredible and lots of fun, even amazing with the two youngsters aged 22mths and 6 years we had (Sonny if you remember Oliver and Alex!). The guides kept them entertained and the kids thrived with them. The food was the best we all felt we had for the entire week we were in Phuket, thank you to the talented Chef! Experiencing as twilight fell in a cave was magical floating our handmade Kratong (which we ethically returned to boat after ceremony). Sonny and one other guide (apologies I forgot his name) joined in the games we played with the canoes at the beach. Many many laughs were had. Is a long day but was so so worth it, and every moment was amazing. If you have the time would highly encourage a John Gray Canoe tour! Thank you Sonny and Crew!!!
To be recommended absolutely
cinziadK9644XV,Jan 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful experience. The most beautiful hike among those made in two years. Friendly staff, perfect organization, amazing onboard cooked food and dreamy atmosphere.
To do absolutely
Sherpa10219576270,Jan 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible experience that we can only recommend to everyone because different and unforgettable. Delicious staff and superlative food.
Hon by starlight
glagarde,Dec 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant day out, amazing activities and very friendly crew. I recommend this trip to anyone wanting to do something different and respectful for the environment
Absolutely worth it!
demolitiongurl22,Dec 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I were looking for an activity for one of our days in Phuket and I am so glad we found this company! We were collected by at our hotel near PaTong beach at 1030am and driven across the island to the meet point (where there is a wee shop to grab some snacks and beers if you want), considering how many people were there the tour guys were great at keeping things organised and flowing. We were split into 3 groups of around 20-30 people and each group went to our own boat to travel over to the islands. We went around Hong island, James Bond is land and a 3rd I can’t recall the name of, overall we were out for 10 hours and it was fantastic! Each kayak was set up with a tour guide to paddle them through the caves, around the islands, etc. We had Adam who was such a cool guy, really down to earth, super knowledgeable and funny too. Adam took us around all the sights at a super chilled pace, I got to see mudskippers, a range of crabs, monitor lizards, beautiful birds, bats, the bioluminescence plankton (which was a delight for me) and a range of natural rock formations and plants that were breath taking. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this day, from the guys working to the food we were served. I highly recommend an excursion with this company and how it supports the local community. I would say to remember to bring a tip for your guide and the staff as they deserve it! Than you Adam!!
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