Phang Nga Bay: Two Nights in a Fishing Village near Phuket
Two nights with a fishing family on the edge of Phang Nga Bay: paddle through mangrove tunnels, watch the sun rise over the limestone islands from a longtail and eat what the boats bring in.
Tour overview
An hour north of Phuket, a small Muslim fishing village stretches along both banks of a mangrove canal opening onto Phang Nga Bay. The families here still live from the sea and the forest, and they welcome guests into their homes and onto their boats while keeping their own rhythm of fishing, prayer and village life. You stay two nights in a family homestay by the water. You paddle a canoe through mangrove tunnels, go out with a fisherman to the fish cages and the crab bank, dye a scarf with colours made from mangrove bark, and take a longtail across the bay to the limestone islands and a village built on stilts over the sea. Meals are home-cooked from the day's catch. Your English-speaking guide stays with you and translates.
Scheduled stops
- •Homestay with a fishing family
- •Canoe through mangrove tunnels
- •Sunrise over the bay by longtail
- •Natural dyeing with mangrove bark
- •Phang Nga Bay islands and a stilt village
- •Fish cages and crab bank
Three-day programme
Times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, queues, temple access and local conditions. The order of visits may be adjusted when necessary to provide the smoothest experience.
Pickup in Phuket
About one hour to the village, then check-in with your host family.
Mangrove canoe
Paddle through the mangrove tunnels with a local boatman and look for crabs and mudskippers.
Dinner at home
A home-cooked dinner of local seafood with your hosts.
Sunrise by longtail
A longtail at dawn to a viewpoint on the bay, coffee as the sun comes up, then breakfast at home.
Natural dyeing
Tie-dye a scarf with colours from mangrove bark with the village women.
Phang Nga Bay
A private longtail to the limestone islands, Khao Phing Kan and a fishing village built on stilts, national park fees included.
With the fishermen
Out to the fish cages and the crab bank that the village looks after.
Farewell
Lunch with your hosts, then the drive back to Phuket, arriving around 13:00.
Photo gallery
Photos: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Deror Avi (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Glen MacLarty (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) · Robert Haandrikman (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Frequently asked questions
Is the stay private?
Yes. The guide, the car and the programme are only for your group (1–8 people). In the village you stay with a local family who may also host other guests in other rooms.
What is the price?
The price depends on the season, the number of guests and the rooms available in the village. Send us your dates and group size and we will send you a personalised offer.
What are the rooms like?
Simple, clean rooms in a family house by the canal, with fan or air conditioning depending on the house. Tell us if you need a private bathroom.
Is there anything to know about the village customs?
It is a Muslim village: please dress modestly in the village, and alcohol is not served. Meals are halal.
What is included
- Licensed local English-speaking guide for the three days.
- Private transfers from and to Phuket airport or your hotel.
- Two nights with a host family, breakfast included, and two home-cooked dinners.
- Mangrove canoe, sunrise longtail, dyeing workshop, Phang Nga Bay longtail with park fees, and the fishing morning.
- Basic travel insurance for every customer, the guide and the driver.
Tour price inclusions and exclusions
- Price on request: we send you a personalised offer for your dates and group.
- Other meals and drinks are not included.
- Price for the whole private group, VAT included.
Practical tips
- Bring clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the village, plus swimwear for the boat.
- Sun cream, a hat and insect repellent for the mangroves.
- On a Sunday, the local community market nearby is worth an early visit.