Phang Nga Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand, famous for its dramatic limestone karsts, emerald-green water and iconic sea stacks rising out of the ocean. If you’re visiting Phuket, a trip to Phang Nga Bay is an absolute must.
We visited Phang Nga Bay while staying in Phuket and chose to base ourselves at the Rubber Hotel Phuket which is a quiet, family-friendly hotel away from the busy tourist areas. It turned out to be the perfect base for exploring the area, including an easy day trip to Phang Nga Bay.
In this guide, I’ll share:
- What Phang Nga Bay is like
- How we visited from Phuket
- Why we chose the Rubber Hotel Phuket
- And why it worked so well for a family trip
What Is Phang Nga Bay?
Phang Nga Bay is located between Phuket and mainland Thailand and is known for:
- Towering limestone cliffs
- Calm, shallow waters
- Hidden caves and lagoons
- And the famous James Bond Island
Most people visit as a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, usually on a boat tour that takes you through the islands, caves and viewpoints.
It’s one of those places that genuinely looks like the photos and feels very different from the busy beaches of Phuket.
How to Visit Phang Nga Bay from Phuket
Phang Nga Bay is very easy to reach from Phuket.
You can:
- Book a boat tour that includes hotel pickup
- Or take a taxi to the pier and join a tour from there
From where we were staying, it was:
- A simple taxi ride to the departure point
- Very straightforward with kids
- And much less stressful than trying to get there from one of the busy beach areas
Most tours run for half a day or a full day and include:
- Boat trips through the bay
- Stops at caves and lagoons
- And usually James Bond Island
We simply took a taxi to the departure point and ended up on a boat just us. It was amazing.
Where We Stayed in Phuket: The Rubber Hotel Phuket
We stayed at the Rubber Hotel Phuket, and honestly, it was a great choice especially as a family.
Why We Chose It
We didn’t want to stay in the middle of:
- Patong
- Or the super busy beach areas
Instead, we wanted:
- Somewhere quieter
- More local
- But still well connected
The Rubber Hotel Phuket is:
- Out of the main tourist chaos
- But still very easy to get around from
- Close to shopping, food and transport – street market for food essentially right outside!
What We Loved About The Rubber Hotel Phuket
🏨 Spacious Family Rooms
We stayed in a family setup with:
- Two separate bedrooms
- Interconnecting rooms
- Plenty of space for everyone
This made a huge difference compared to squeezing into one hotel room.
🏊 Semi-Indoor Pool
The semi-indoor pool was a really nice touch:
- Great for relaxing after day trips
- Shaded from the sun
- And perfect for kids
This was also like a fab communal spot – we met some super interesting people here from all around that world that we spent late evenings chatting with!
🍳 Breakfast Nearby
Breakfast was served in:
- A small café area just around the corner
- Simple, easy, and convenient before heading out for the day
🛍️ Shops, Mall & Street Food Nearby
Within walking distance we had:
- A shopping centre
- Local markets
- Street food stalls
Which made evenings:
- Easy
- Relaxed
- And much more “real Thailand” than tourist strips
🚕 Perfect Location for Getting Around
From the hotel it was:
- An easy taxi ride to Phang Nga Bay departure points
- Easy to get to Phuket Airport
- Easy to get around Phuket in general
For us, it was the perfect practical base.
Is Phang Nga Bay Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
It’s:
- One of the most beautiful landscapes in Thailand
- Very different from beaches and cities
- And a great contrast to Phuket’s busier areas
Even if you’re short on time, it’s one of those trips that’s 100% worth it.
Final Thoughts: Where to Stay in Phuket for Phang Nga Bay
If you’re looking for:
- A quieter area of Phuket
- Family-friendly rooms
- Easy access to Phang Nga Bay
- And good transport links to the airport
The Rubber Hotel Phuket is a really solid, practical choice.
It’s not a luxury resort but it’s:
- Comfortable
- Spacious
- Well located
- And perfect as a base for exploring.
You can find out here how we manage to get our hotel stays cheaper too, by up to 70%: How we travel so often (and YOU can too!)
Leave a Reply