Non-touristy excursion to Phang-Nga?
 

We're staying in Khao Lak & want to do a day boat trip to Phang-Nga Bay that includes snorkeling, perhaps guided kayaking, no hiking (I am mildly handicaped) & no caving... but don't want to do the James Bond beach giant tourist boat thing.
Any advice?

The least touristy is John Gray Hongs by Starlight...least touristy because it goes out when the other 28 boats are coming in. The trip does not include snorkeling or hiking. The boat holds about 24 people. There are 3 sets of steep steps on the boat, one to the top roofed area where you sit and eat, a set up from there to an open deck as well as a step up and out to the front of the boat, and a steep set down from the boarding level to where you climb into the kayaks.

The kayak guides are well trained and excellent. He does custom trips, but they are not inexpensive. But considering what you want to do and your limitations, a custom trip might suit you best.

John Gray picks up in Khao Lak, no problem.

I'm interested in the Hongs by Starlight as well. How far in advance do we need to book it?

Hi AskOksana

My wife Megumi and I have been working in the scuba diving and adventure tourism industry in Phuket for the last 11 years now. In my personal opinion after having tried anual inspection tours with all of the alternatives I think that the "Hongs by Starlight" is still the best tour of it's kind being offered. Professional staff training, good English skills of the guides, strong environmental awareness of the whole crew, and by far some of the best food that many will eat durring their whole holiday here.

Do I sound a bit biased here? You bet and I have done the tour no less then 9 times and still remain impressed.

Regards From Phuket

Richard & Megumi

Richard,
I appreciate your advice (and Kim's) but John's boats are totally inaccessible to me due to all the ladders & stairs... I have been in direct, extensive contact with John Gray... his big boats are IMPOSSIBLE for me... I can't climb those ladder/stairs to the viewing deck...

His day trip is the custom one & we can't afford $900 for a custom longtail boat trip... so at this point, I am thinking about self-driving in our rented SUV to the KL side of Phang-Nga, going to the big pier & hiring a longtail boat driver for the two of us for a few hours. A KL regular, who lives in UK did it last year & he paid 1800 BHT for the two of them for 2--3 hours... and told the driver 'No James Bond'... this same man said that his petite wife who has arthritis had a of difficulties w/ Gray's big boats & sent me photos... and those ladder/steps to the upper deck are for athletic people, not handicapped ones.

John was lovely & put me in touch w/ KL based divers who I'm going to contact about a Surin Islands day snorkel trip... on a safe boat.