LATEST NEWS: Maya Bay Will Close Again in 2024.
Full Details Here MAYA BAY CLOSING 2024
James Bond Island and Phang Nag Bay Private Boat Tour
Phang Nga bay is a popular Private Phuket Boat Tour including the iconic James Bond Island. The 5 Star Marine Phuket boat tour into Phang Nga Bay from Phuket takes you into some awesome limestone caves and stunning hidden lagoons as well as kayaking up close to the limestone Kasts and visiting the amazing floating football pitch in Koh Panyi at Phang Nga Bay, Thailand, and of course going to James Bond Island, the island used in the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”
Before you get to see the amazing James Bond Island, whose name in Thailand as Ko Ta Pu, (Also known Khao Ping Kan, BUT that is a different island, don’t worry I will explain all later), take your time to enjoy the spectacle that is Phang Nga Bay. This stunning bay offers you so much to see and do. The hundreds of caves alone could take you months to explore and that’s not to mention the stunning hidden lagoons and beaches or the stunning limestone Karsts that rise up from the emerald waters which you can explore up close by kayak. Phang Nga Bay is part of what was once a huge coral reef that covered much of what is now Southeast Asia.
One of the other amazing sights to visit when you head out for a Private Phang Nga Bay boat tour is the world’s only floating football pitch. This amazing floating football pitch is at Koh Panyi, which is a fishing village in Phang Nga Province, Thailand, notable for being built on stilts by Malay fishermen. The football pitch was built by children who rather than spend the day fishing, wanted to play football. So, they found some old buoys and slowly made their very own floating football pitch.
James Bond Island is one of the must do’s when you are on holiday in Phuket, as I mentioned earlier it has many names. So, the island that most people take their selfies in front of is what is called Ko Ta Pu, translated into English, which means Nail Island. This was the island that in the James Bond Movie “The Man with the Golden Gun” was the backdrop when James Bond and Scaramanga had their duel. The island that your private boat will drop you off is called Khao Ping Kan, but both are more commonly known as James Bond Island.
If you are looking for a real epic day trip, checking out the awesome spectacular scenery that only Phang Nga Bay can offer then book up a Private Phang Nga Bay Boat Tour. You will not be disappointed.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Ko Ta Pu, was also used in another James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies, BUT it was said to be in Vietnam.
YouTube host Jay Leshark and camera man, and awesome 5 Star Marine Phuket tour Guide Alex head out to spend a day exploring Phang Nga Bay. They float into caves, and find hidden lagoons, before kayaking and getting up close with the stunning limestone rock formations, and then they finally get that perfect Instagram picture at James Bond Island. Oh yes and Jay gets to check out the amazing floating football pitch at Koh Panyi. Must remember to take a football next time.
Private Boat Tour Phuket – Recommended Departure Times
We take our customer satisfaction seriously; this means that we regularly run staff training. Only yesterday we had our Guide Team in training and planning sessions for the upcoming high season.
One of the things we like to do as a company is run our private boat tours to avoid the crowds. After discussions yesterday we would like to update our recommended departure times.
The recommended departure times for our Private Boat Tours are not set in stone, you have the flexibility to select a different time; however, with that said, our Guide Team feels that the best way to avoid the crowds is to depart from your hotel at the following times:
06:30 AM – Beat the Crowds
This departure time means that we depart from the pier before the large group tours, and just after the sunrise tours. This should allow our Guide Team to build a program that avoids most of the crowds and creates a unique experience for you.
10:30 AM – Behind the Crowds
This departure time means that we depart from the pier after all the large group tours. This ensures we time our tour to go to the best spots after all the group tours have left them. It should also allow us to have clear water on the tour.
Both of these suggested departure times will allow our teams to create the perfect program for you, avoiding the crowds, in all tide conditions. When booking your next private boat tour with us consider these two departure times for the very best experience.
James Bond Island Speedboat Tour & James Bond Island by Speedboat
One of our most popular day trip destinations is the world-renowned James Bond Island Speedboat Tour, which takes you to Phang Nga Bay. On this luxury day trip, James Bond Island by Speedboat, you will get to enjoy famous sights along with more active pursuits such as exploring caves in the area or taking a canoe out to experience the eye-catching rock formations up close.
Whilst on our James Bond Island Speedboat Tour you will discover stunning and vast karst limestone seascapes which jut out of the emerald-green water, giving the Phang Nga Bay area a truly unique and visually stunning location to explore.
Of course, our experienced teams will get you to the famous Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) when you select our private James Bond Island by Speedboat, to enjoy the scenery of the most notorious spot in Phang Nga Bay. Boats are not allowed too close, as this is a protected marine area, but you can take photos of the famous sight from Koh Ping Ghan; an island with an immensely tall leaning rock and some small caves to explore.
Since the mid-1970s, James Bond Island has been popular with tourists after it became a major attraction following its appearance in the Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun; where it provided the hideout for Bond’s antagonist – Scaramanga. This famous film has been the catalyst for many happy guests to select 5 Star Marine’s James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.
In fact, this destination has continued to prove so popular that it has helped support the locals, shops, restaurants, and the floating Muslim community of Koh Panyee; where huts, restaurants, and even a floating football pitch are built over the water. This is part of the experience on the James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.
Visiting James Bond Island by Speedboat is certainly something that should be on your bucket list, especially now as it is quieter than ever before. This James Bond Island Speedboat Tour has something for everyone; whether you want to experience stunning seascapes, partake in canoeing, caving or explore famous locations.
James Bond Island Speedboat Tour Highlights
Selecting to go to James Bond Island by Speedboat, 5 Star Marine will work with you to accommodate your desires for the day. Our experienced captains and crew will help you beat the crowds and give you a day to remember. Some of the stops you might want to make on your James Bond Island Speedboat Tour include:
- Stop by Panak Island to float along gently inside one of the hidden caves surrounded by mangroves, before enjoying a peaceful golden bay all to yourselves.
- Move onto Ko Kudu Yai to take in the exquisite beauty of the clear turquoise water in this stunning lagoon.
- At lunchtime why not make your way to the small island community of Koh Panyee; where huts, houses, and restaurants are built on stilts over the water?
- Then get your Bond Instagram to pose ready as you make your way to James Bond Island, which is viewed from Koh Ping Ghan.
- Continue on your James Bond Island Speedboat Tour with some sea canoeing or cave exploring before making your way back to base.
- Make a final sunset stop at Koh Pear, a small strip of an island that looks and feels like you are walking on water – a perfect end to the day.
James Bond Island Speedboat Tour Inclusions:
We look forward to welcoming you on board a luxury 5 Star Marine speedboat to experience a truly memorable James Bond Island Speedboat Tour.
Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
Private Speedboat Phuket
For the ultimate, luxury experience, why not hire a Private Speedboat in Phuket with 5 Star Marine? Gather your friends and family together and create memories that last a lifetime. Explore stunning seascapes, tropical islands, and limestone karsts around Phuket and the surrounding islands; the choice is yours when you opt for our Private Speedboat Phuket option.
All of 5 Star Marine’s Private Speedboat Phuket tours leave from their pier in Boat Lagoon. Consider a multi-night experience, which the expert crew can help plan with you, to see more of the surrounding islands; or alternatively book your Private Speedboat Phuket for a day trip, with so much to see around Phuket you will be spoilt for choice
Your Private Speedboat in Phuket is 100% flexible, so you have the ability to customize your day or multi-night trip with the help of our experienced crew and captains. After understanding your requirements, 5 Star Marine will be able to put together a suggested itinerary, giving you an experience, which is exactly what you are after
With your Private Speedboat Phuket tour, you get to carve out your bespoke and unique itinerary and can enjoy your collaborated itinerary planning on the day, for the perfectly balanced experience.
On your Private Speedboat Phuket charter, you might select to explore hidden bays, canoe through caves, relax on deserted white beaches, experience exotic marine life in crystal clear waters or even adventure up to breath-takingly high viewpoints.
Private Speedboat Phuket Inspiration:
A few examples of tropical journeys you can make with 5 Star Marine on your own bespoke Phuket Private Charter include:
James Bond Island Private Tour
360 Viewpoint
Pileh Lagoon
Coral Isalnd Private Tour
- Phang Nga Bay to visit the infamous James Bond Island
- Phi Phi, including getting photos of Maya Bay from the boat- the location of The Beach film
- Racha Islands soft white sandy beaches and abundant marine life
- Dolphin spotting at Koh Mai Ton
- Coral Island with full beach club, massage and restaurant amenities at Banana Beach Club
- Krabi, Hong Krabi lagoon and the 360-degree viewpoint
- Koh Ha and Ko Rok for something a little more exotic and lesser-known
- Easy to access and family-friendly shallow snorkelling at the Khai Islands
- Tropical paradise in Koh Lipe
Private Speedboat Phuket Inclusions
We like to look after all our guests, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your Private Phuket Speedboat charter will include the following:
Explore the best destinations around Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and beyond in ultimate luxury, with your very own, bespoke Private Speedboat Phuket day or multi night tour.
Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
The Beach, Maya Bay Closing AGAIN and Other Phuket News and Weather MAY 2022
After a big reopening early in 2022, Krabi’s Maya Bay, at Phi Phi, is to temporarily close again on the 1st August for 2 months to allow time for the Thailand authorities to check the impact of the last few months of the bay being open, after allowing tourists back on to the beach, and also giving the bay time again to let the wildlife and environment breath.
Owner of 5 Star Marine Shaun Stenning and host of the 5 Star Marine YouTube Channel host Jay Leshark from Shark 13 Productions discuss the closure of Maya Bay as well as talk about other Phuket News stories and also talk about the Phuket Weather during the Low season, or Rainy season, or Green season. It has many names.
Maya Bay is the most notable “Beach” in the Phi Phi Island group, made famous by the 2000 film “The Beach’. The Beach is an adventure drama film directed by Danny Boyle, from a screenplay by John Hodge, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Alex Garland. In the movie, Richard, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of an odd map that is rumored to lead to an island paradise. Accompanied by a few friends, he sets out to find it.
Since the reopening, almost 100,000 people have visited Maya Bay, bringing in over 20 million baht of income, according to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
Maya Bay’s 3-year closure was very successful at bringing back plant and animal species that had disappeared due to tourist overrun. The most notable animal to return to breed in the bay is the blacktip reef shark. In March, a park ranger told NPR that before the park closed, when there could be over 6,000 tourists a day, no one would ever think of seeing the local sharks. He said now, on a good day, 160 sharks can be seen.
Phi Phi Island & Maya Bay Private Boat Tour
Enjoy 5 Star Marine’s Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour, where you and your select group of friends can experience the ultimate and iconic scenery on your very own luxury day trip. Discover this world-famous location in style, onboard a 5 Star Marine VIP and upgraded speedboat.
Maya Bay
The renowned Bay reopened to day trippers earlier this year, on 1st Jan, after being completely closed to tourists for almost 3 ½ years (by order of The Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation).
However, for purposes of natural rehabilitation, Maya Bay will once again close for 2 months from August this year. However, fear not – this does not mean you cannot enjoy Maya Bay on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour. As per the original closure period, you can still take in the beauty of the Bay from our private speedboats, yet you simply cannot walk on the actual beach during this short rehabilitation time.
Maya Bay still remains one of the most iconic areas you should visit on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour; whether the beach is open to walk on or not.
5 Star Marine will ensure that you enjoy the beauty of Maya Bay, whilst practicing responsible tourism to help keep the area protected and allow it to continue regenerating; all this can be part of your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour.
The Marine Park have worked tirelessly to get Maya Bay back to its previous paradise condition; so, we ensure that our tours adhere to the new rules and help demonstrate respectful tourism.
Phi Phi Islands Private Tour Highlights
- Start your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour by heading to Maya Bay at Phi Phi Ley, where you can (August / September 2022) experience this beautiful and famous cove from the comfort of your 5 Star Marine speedboat.
- Cruise around to Loh Samah Bay; a small bay on the other side of Maya Bay which offers some beautiful marine life and makes for a good snorkelling stop.
- Enter into Pileh Lagoon to swim in the clear turquoise waters. Another famous stop on your Phi Phi Private Tour as this lagoon also featured in “The Beach” when Leonardo DiCaprio dived off into the stunning aquamarine waters.
- Explore Small Monkey Beach, where you can see these cheeky little creatures sitting on the karst rocks and relaxing on the beach.
- Your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour could take you to Wong Long Bay, which we can still access despite the narrow entrance.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch, including Thai sharing dishes that we can arrange for you (at an additional charge), on a sandy cove with shallow bay at Big Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don.
- Experience snorkelling at Ao Nuoi and discover rich corals and marine life together with a picturesque beach setting.
- Complete your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour by taking in the beauty of Bamboo Island – a stunning setting, with shallow clear blue waters and a picturesque beach. Enjoy some snorkelling in this area and you might even spot a black tip reef shark.
Phi Phi Islands Private Tour Inclusions:
Our experienced captains and crew know just how to miss the crowds on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour, so you can sit back and relax knowing you are in safe and capable hands.
During your tour you will get the chance to enjoy the stunning coral reefs around Phi Phi which are bursting with colourful marine life, as well as experiencing the natural beauty of the area. Take your time swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear tropical lagoons as our captains guide you around the area.
To book your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
James Bond Island Private Tour
One of our most popular day trip destinations is the world-renowned James Bond Island Private Tour, which takes you to Phang Nga Bay. This luxury VIP speedboat Private Tour allows you to enjoy famous sights, along with more active pursuits such as exploring caves in the area and taking a canoe out around the formations.
Whilst on our James Bond Island Private Tour, you will get to discover the stunning and vast karst limestone seascapes which jut out of the emerald-green water, giving the Phang Nga Bay area a truly unique and visually stunning location to explore.
Of course, our experienced teams will get you to the famous Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) to enjoy the scenery of probably the most notorious spot in Phang Nga Bay. Boats are not allowed too close, as this is a protected marine area, but you can get snap happy at the famous sight from Koh Ping Ghan; an island with an immensely tall leaning rock and some small caves to explore.
Since the mid-1970s, James Bond Island has been popular with tourists as it became a major attraction following its appearance in the Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun; where it provided the hideout for Bond’s antagonist – Scaramanga.
In fact, this destination has continued to prove so popular that in the pre-pandemic days there were near on 1 million people per year coming to the area. Of course, this helped support the locals, shops, restaurants, and the floating Muslim community of Koh Panyee; where huts, restaurants, and even a floating football pitch are built over the water.
However, Covid-19 brought with it a harsh blow to the community with barely any visitors; on the other hand, it provided the peace and quiet that this area needed so very much. In turn, with more or less no tourists and far fewer boats venturing out to the area, this famous landmark and surrounding areas got their first chance in over 40 years to recover and recuperate.
The James Bond Island Private Tour is certainly something that should be on your bucket list, especially now that it is quieter than ever before. This Private Tour has something for everyone; whether you want to experience stunning seascapes, partake in canoeing, caving or explore famous locations; in more peace and quiet than in the last 40 years.
James Bond Islands Private Tour Highlights
Your James Bond Island Private Tour will accommodate your desires for the day. Our experienced captains and crew will help you beat the crowds and give you a day to remember. Some of the stops you might want to make on your day trip include:
- Stop by Panak Island to float along gently inside one of the hidden caves surrounded by mangroves, before enjoying a peaceful golden bay all to yourselves.
- Move onto Ko Kudu Yai to take in the exquisite beauty of the clear turquoise water in this stunning lagoon.
- At lunchtime why not make your way to the small island community of Koh Panyee; where huts, houses, and restaurants are built on stilts over the water.
- Then get your Bond Instagram to pose ready as you make your way to James Bond Island, which can be viewed from Koh Ping Ghan.
- Continue on your James Bond Island Private Tour with some sea canoeing or cave exploring before making your way back to base.
- Perhaps you might make a final sunset stop at Koh Pear, a small strip of an island that looks and feels like you are walking on water – a perfect end to the day.
James Bond Islands Private Tour Inclusions:
Phi Phi Island Private Tour
Enjoy our Phi Phi Islands Private Tour, where you get to experience the ultimate and iconic scenery on your very own private day trip. With 5 Star Marine, you can discover this world-famous location in luxury, onboard one of their VIP, upgraded speedboats.
Our experienced captains and crew know just how to miss the crowds on your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour, so you can sit back and relax knowing you are in safe and capable hands. During your Private Tour, you will get the chance to enjoy the stunning coral reefs around Phi Phi which are bursting with colourful marine life, as well as experience the natural beauty of the area. Take your time swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear tropical lagoons as our captains guide you around the area.
Hello Maya Bay
Maya Bay only just reopened in January 2022 (and is definitely one of the most iconic areas you can visit on your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour); made famous after being featured in the 2000 movie, “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
This widely-known bay was completely closed to tourists for 3.5 years, by order of The Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation. This was necessary after sadly mass tourism destructed the coral life, reefs and marine ecology.
However, during this time the whole Maya Bay area underwent a significant and impressive rehabilitation project, which included planting new corals on the reefs over more than 4 acres in and around the bay. Parts of the beach were regenerated and protective walkways were constructed.
5 Star Marine will ensure that you enjoy the beautiful sandy Maya Bay, whilst practising responsible tourism to help keep the area protected and allow it to continue regenerating; all this can be part of your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour experience. The Marine Park has worked tirelessly to get Maya Bay back to its previous paradise condition; so, we ensure that our tours adhere to the new rules and help demonstrate respectful tourism.
Phi Phi Islands Private Tour Highlights
- Start your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour by heading to Maya Bay at Phi Phi Ley, where you can now actually walk on the “beach”, and experience this beautiful and famous cove for yourself.
- Cruise around to Loh Samah Bay; a small bay on the other side of Maya Bay that offers some beautiful marine life and makes for a good snorkeling stop.
- Enter Pileh Lagoon to swim in the clear turquoise waters. Another famous stop on your Phi Phi Private Tour is this lagoon also featured in “The Beach” when Leonardo DiCaprio dived off into the stunning aquamarine waters.
- Explore Small Monkey Beach, where you can see these cheeky little creatures sitting on the karst rocks and relaxing on the beach.
- Your Phi Phi Island Private Tour could take you to Wong Long Bay, which we can still access despite the narrow entrance.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch, which can include Thai sharing dishes that we can arrange for you, on a sandy cove with a shallow bay at Big Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don.
- Experience snorkelling at Ao Nuoi and discover rich corals and marine life together with a picturesque beach setting.
- Complete your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour by taking in the beauty of Bamboo Island – a stunning setting, with shallow clear blue waters and a picturesque beach. Enjoy some snorkeling in this area and you might even spot a blacktip reef shark.
Phi Phi Islands Private Tour Inclusions:
Bookings and Enquiries:
Shaun
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
And That’s A Wrap
We are excited to remain open for the entire Christmas and New Year period, and are looking forward to welcoming you on board for a tailor-made and festive private speedboat tour with us during this time!
Reflecting on the last 12 months, we would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for the level of support we received from all of our wonderfully loyal, local customers, who have helped us during the past 20 months. Without you, we would not still be operating as we are today, and for that our company, team, captains, and tour guides are immensely grateful.
As a company, we managed to take time to regroup and focus on reprioritizing our efforts, and this meant rolling up our sleeves and getting busy. We keep continuing to support the vulnerable communities and the people around us via our charity efforts, with 5 Star Marine involved in all packing and delivery efforts of essential food relief parcels and bags. We focused on the upside wherever we could see or create one. We wanted to look at where we could add value to our community and what we should be doing during this time.
Living Waters Phuket Foundation was born from this desire to help and continue to support our community; it was set up to build brighter futures for communities in need and provides financial grants for projects around relief areas including sustainable food security, education requirements, renewable energy, and environmental issues. We are excited to report that already in only 6 weeks, 4 major funded projects have been completed and many, many more have applied for funding and are undergoing our impartial review process for approval.
Find out more on the website You can also watch our YouTube video on some of our latest grants:
We were thrilled to see many new destinations open back up for our day tours, and now offer over 11 stunning destinations including the Similan Islands, Phi Phi, Racha, Phang Nga Bay, Coral Island, Krabi tours, Mai Ton Dolphin Spotting plus many more tailor-made options to ensure you had the perfect day out. We saw a rise in popularity of our dual tour to Phi Phi and James Bond Island which literally has something for everyone; plus, we are awaiting the much-anticipated opening of Maya Bay on 1st January 2022.
You can watch more on Maya Bay and Shaun’s personal thoughts here:
Our YouTube channel has gone from strength to strength and we appreciate all the love and support we are getting. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe and follow here:
5 Star Marine was lucky to welcome so much interest and publicity from bloggers and news reporters – we are grateful for the coverage and interest in our community efforts. Chris Parker, (from Retired Working For You), joined to see our food packing and delivery efforts first hand to see exactly what goes on behind the scenes of each vital life bag.
We also gained and appreciate hugely the support of local and international media, including but not limited to:
During the last year, we also had a chance to more than double the size of our fleet; we now have 15 Private VIP Speedboats and a VIP Luxury Cruiser which is a proud extension to our current speedboat fleet and offers a truly unique experience on the water. In addition, to accommodate our growing fleet size, the domestic market support, and prepare for the return of international tourists, we moved piers and into a new office at Boat Lagoon, Phuket. We love our new glass-fronted office which has been a more welcoming environment for all our loyal VIP customers.
So, to wrap it up – it has been a year of highs and lows, of challenges and new opportunities. We are thankful, grateful, and happy to be where we are and we will continue to help those in the community who need it most; and will always be grateful to our loyal customers for making 2021 the year it was for us.
Thank you,
Shaun and the entire 5 Star Marine Team
Shaun Stenning moved to Thailand in the early 2000’s after successfully exiting a business in Sydney, Australia. After moving to Thailand he based himself in Phuket, Thailand right on Bangtao Beach.
During the first 6 months that Shaun was in Phuket, he started exploring the islands by hiring private boats from beach vendors. Shaun Stenning instantly fell in love with the islands, snorkeling, and boating, and started researching the market.
Shaun did not have any real boating experience. In his earlier days, he used to Ski on the Murray River and owned a Jet Ski while in Australia, but he did not have experience operating a large-scale Private Boat Charter business.
Prior to investing in his first boat, Shaun Stenning rented over 1,000 private boats for himself, friends, family, and clients. In this process, Shaun discovered what he wanted in a boat he was going to purchase.
This led Shaun to his first-ever boat purchase which was Lucus 1. This was a 39-foot private speedboat. In the early days of owning Lucus 1, Shaun Stenning went on every single private tour training his team and staff on how he wanted his private charter business to operate.
After successfully operating Lucus 1 and learning more about the private boat business in Phuket Shaun purchased Lucus 2. This was his first step into operating multiple boats on a single day that he owned.
Shaun Stenning found that he loved doing this and as such moved towards purchasing, renovating, and operating more Private Boats. This is where 5 Star Marine now operates and is the business that Shaun Stenning loves the most out of the assets in his portfolio.
You will meet Shaun and his wife Lisa on the pier at departure and return from your tour and Shaun still regularly goes out on tour with his crew.