Eco tourism at its best-
Kayaking in Phang Nga

For me, the single most exciting tour in Phuket is kayaking in Phang Nga.

The pioneer of this excursion was John ‘Caveman’ Gray. It was in 1989 that John discovered the hongs of Phang Nga. In that same year he set-up his company, Sea Canoe. So successful was John’s concept that he spawned many copycat companies including more than a few Sea Canoes. To avoid confusion John has re-named his company John Gray’s Sea Canoe.

The idea behind the original company was, and is, to bring quality, low volume tourism to the area. John is a life-long environmentalist and as such his approach has always been to put nature first. Hence on his tours he encourages his guests not to speak while inside the hong.

I should explain that ‘hong’ is Thai for room and this is the name that has been given to the inside of the limestone outcrops that dominate Phang Nga Bay. By exploring caves that came into view at low tide in these outcrops, John discovered that some of them lead into an inner sanctum many of which had probably never previously been visited by a human being. All that was there were monkeys and sea eagles.

Nowadays of course that is no longer true but the more environmentally-aware companies, like John’s, are doing their best to keep these places pristine. And the visitor today can still feel as though they are entering a world that time forgot.

I should mention by the way that entering these caves is not for the claustrophobic. Many of the passageways are very low and part of the way you will have to lie on your back being careful not to snag your nose on protruding rocks!

The most popular kayaking in Phang Nga Bay tour is the day excursion. On this tour you do not actually do any kayaking, unless you want to: your guide navigates you through the caves. You travel between sites on a motorised ‘mother’ boat which is also where you dine; and if my experience was anything to go by, you dine exceedingly well. The views from your ‘floating restaurant’ are out of this world.

If you are fit and adventurous you could do a 3 day or even a 6 day tour on which, not only do you discover more about the hongs, but you will also explore mangrove estuaries. You will likely encounter White Belly sea eagles, Bramany kites, Brown Fish Owls, several species of kingfishers, monkeys, Water Monitors, sea otters and more.

John has also introduced a ‘Hong by Starlight’ tour which must be even more magical. I understand that it is very popular: I must try that one for myself.

If for whatever reason you are unable to join one of John’s tours two other companies that I can recommend are SeaCanoe and Andaman Sea Kayak.

For a local travel agent who can take care of your sightseeing tours, including kayaking in Phang Nga, I recommend you contact Diethelm Travel: telephone 00 66 (76) 216 607 or 214 173. This is a long-established company and I have personally known them for more than 25 years.

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