Phang Nga Bay National Park, a 1/2-hour drive north of Phuket, hosts great day trips by sea kayak. The scenery is stunning, with limestone karst towers rising from the bay of more than 120 islands. These craggy rock formations were the backdrop for the James Bond classic The Man with the Golden Gun. Sadly, due to unfettered commercialism, they are completely overrun with teeming tour groups dropping litter and packing the narrow paths. Sea kayaks are a perfect way to avoid these crowds and explore the many breathtaking caves and chambers that hide beneath the jagged cliffs. All tours include the hour-plus ride to and from Phang Nga, the cruise to the island area, paddle-guide, kayak, and lunch. John Grey Sea Canoe (124 Soi 1 Yaowarat Rd., Phuket Town 83000; tel. 07625-4505; www.johngrey-seacanoe.com) is the most respected, low-impact, eco-tour operator and a pioneer of sea kayaking in the region. The company is much imitated, but is by far the best choice for day trips through island caves to hidden interior lagoons (called hongs). The standard day trip runs 3,500B (US$100/£54) per adult (1,750B/US$50/£27 per child), with two persons sharing an inflated boat. A guide will paddle you dexterously in and out of the caves -- which is frustrating if you actually like paddling -- but the caves are stunning, and there's free time for paddling on your own later. Multiday and more adventurous "self-guided" tours are also offered.
The folks at Paddle-Asia (9/71 Rasdanusorn Rd., Tambon Rasada, Phuket 83000; tel. 07624-0952; fax 07621-6145; www.paddleasia.com) make Phuket their home and do trips throughout the region, with a focus more on custom adventure travel, not day junkets. They have great options for anyone from beginner to expert, and on any trip you'll paddle real decked kayaks, not inflatables. A highlight is their trip to Khao Sok National Park, a 3-day adventure in which you may even spot amazing jungle wildlife. Due to recent tragedies in this park in rainy season, Thai authorities are considering closing it during storms, so stay abreast of the weather, especially in monsoon season. In Phuket, Paddle Asia can arrange offshore trips to outlying islands, kayak-surfing on Kata Beach, or custom-made adventures ranging as far as Laos.
