No, it's not a person, it's a boat. Looking to book a day cruise on Phang Nga bay. Sawadee.com & others do bookings for this boat trip. I've been pleased with Sawadee.com for hotels (same as the r24 site Bob recommends) and sent an e-mail to book the boat, but have not received a response. We're leaving for Bangkok in a week. Does anyone know if we can book this when we get to BKK or in Phuket. I haven't seen a phone number & the only way to book it seems to be through internet sites like Sawadee.com, passionassia, circleofasia, etc.

How long since you emailed Sawadee? I can give you some Phuket places you can try but no point if it's only a day or so since you emailed, if it's been a while I can give you some local Phuket places that should be able to sort for you.

Thanks, James. It's been a couple of days, but it is the week-end in Thailand so maybe I will hear tomorrow - Sunday here, Monday there. If not, I'd be happy for some referrals. Thanks.

May I suggest doing a sea canoe trip instead? The bay is lovely, and crusing around it is nice, but in the sea canoes you actually get to go inside the hongs...there are teeny tiny opening in many of those rock formations and the kayaks can fit through them when no other kind of boat can. Inside is absolutely stunning.

There are 17 companies offering kayaking excursions. We chose John Gray Sea Canoe, and did the Hong by Starlight trip. We went out in the afternoon, had lunch on board before the first kayak trip. Then visited 3 different hongs in the kayak, had time for kayaing around on our own and swimming, make loy kratong and after dark we lit them and floated them inside one of the hongs in the pitch black darkness...stunning with many stars overhead and candles flickering. The loy krathong are collected afterwards so as not to pollute the hong with a mass of them from day after day. We had an amazing dinner on board. The big advantages that I could see in doing this trip were the later departure...we were the last boat out of the harbor...but when we got back, there were many, many boats there. We met up with only one other group...and they were on their way in as we were just beginning. The day trips you see lots of other tourist boats and miss the peacefulness of the hongs completely I think. And the food was excellent. Big variety, something for everyone. The kayaks were top notch, not at all scary or tippy, and the guides were great..friendly, knowledgable, funloving. I'd do that trip again in an instant.

Whatever type of trip you choose, you can book it once you are there if you are flexible I think. I do know that John Gray sells out almost daily, so we reserved ahead. There is no shortage whatsoever of day trips, with the many, many companies, but honestly, I'd recommend the kayak trip over a boat cruise.

Some years ago now but I went on this trip - nice day. We booked from the hotel in Phuket but it was low season so no problem getting on. I'm pretty sure they have their own website - have you searched? They also do a longer trip of 4 or 5 days on another boat so I expect you could book straight with them on the net.

Just found their own website - http://www.asian-oasis.com/june.html# or just www.junebahtra.com will take you there.

Thanks, Kim. Wish we were in better shape (and 20 years younger!) and we would do the Sea Canoe. But, we're not - husband has a bad back - so thought this would be a fun day.
Mary, appreciate the reference to their website, but at this point since we are so close to departure rather than waiting to hear back on e-mail, I'd like to be able to just call direct & reserve either from here or when we get to Thailand since it is high season.

You don't have to be in any sort of good shape to do the sea canoe. The guide paddles. All you do is sit there, and when going through the entrances to the hongs, lie back in the kayak. They are very comfy...low sides support you,, and they don't tip at all. There was a couple on our trip where the wife was very out of shape and claustrophobic as well, and her husband was in his 70s with limited moibility. They loved it and had no trouble. The only thing you need to be able to do is climb a set of steep stairs on the boat...about 6 steps, not a ladder, but steeply set, with railings on each side. The staff helped the man who needed assistance with a smile. Getting in and out of the kayak is a non-issue. Of course, I can only tell you about the experience we had with the company we went with...others may be different, don't know.

There was a phone number for their office on the website.

I don't mean to push you...I just want you to understand that the kayak trip like we did requires really nothing of the guest in terms of exertion or physical ability. It was our easiest day..much easier than a day of shopping/temple sightseeing.

Kim, I don't think your pushy at all! I love your posts and appreciate your suggestions and think you have a lot of the same ideas and enjoy the same things we do in travel. The problem with the kayaks for my husband (who is in his 50's & otherwise in good shape) is that there is no back support. Sitting in the kayaks will be uncomfortable for him.

Mary, Finally found the phone number on the June Bahtra web site. Their direct rates are much more expensive than through Sawadee or other discount internet sites. I think I'll wait to hear from Sawadee & then if I don't will take my chances & try to negotiate directly with them when we get to BKK next week.

I would give it a few days to get a reply ( excluding the weekend ) as they are probably waiting on a reply from them. The real peak season begins to drop off now except though that this weekend is Chinese New Year but that probably won't effect that cruise so much.