The John Gray Sea Canoe tour in Phuket is one of the most unique and unforgettable day trips out of Phuket. It is a unique Eco Sea Canoe tour that offers tourists a chance to experience a day exploring the caves around Phang Nga Bay.

John Gray, originally from Hawaii, is the man behind this concept who first discovered the beauty of the Phang Nga limestone caves in January 1989 and started the eco-tourism trips for tourists all around the world. Today, John Gray runs 4 different trips – Phang Nga Caves & Hongs by Starlight, Day in the Islands, Explore the Bay in just one day Hornbill Island Coastal Paddle and Expedition Express overnighter.

I went for the highly recommended Phang Nga Caves & Hongs by Starlight. Read my review below!

The Hongs by Starlight tour starts only in the afternoon and a van will come around to your hotel to pick you up around 12 noon which is great as you get to sleep in during the morning! :) Be sure to inform the tour agent you book with your hotel and they will make all necessary arrangements. It is then an hour long trip as they go around picking up other guests and making their way to Chalong Bay where you set sail on their boat.

Upon arrival on the boat, you will be welcomed by tropical fruit, briefed by the captain, shown the toilet (2 onboard downstairs), soft drinks and mineral water which is readily available in a cooler and included in your package price. Only beer is chargeable. And you’re off!

A quick and simple lunch of fried noodles and spring rolls is provided together with a briefing of where you will be headed today and the caves you’ll be exploring. Then its time to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery and boat ride.

As you approach the Phang Nga Caves, you will be assigned a guide who will be your kayak guide for the day. They will provide you a nice little waterproof bag to protect your important things such as cameras and sunglasses and its time to make your way to the deck and hop into your inflatable kayak! Each kayak fits 3 people, together with your guide and is perfectly safe as long as you don’t make sudden movements and ensure your weight is evenly distributed.

Your guide will start paddling into the limestone caves which offers an amazing experience! “Hong” means room in Thai to name the spaces within the caves. The experience really starts when he starts to paddle into pitch black caves with just a torch to light the way. Pay attention to him when he tells you to lie flat as it means you are passing under stalactites which are so low hanging they almost touch your face! Do not touch the limestone either as you pass them for human hands contain oils which over time, will end up destroying them.

Suddenly, the darkness and gloom of the caves will give way to a beautiful little lagoon with crystal clear water and amazing peace and tranquility. Sit back and admire the soaring limestone peaks or look out for little fish and other wildlife all around the lagoon. These pretty little lagoons are accessible only by the kayak and through the caves so remain largely unspoilt and polluted.

The tour covers approximately 3 caves and then it is back to the boat to enjoy some hot coffee or tea and cakes. You guide will then help you in making your very own Loy Kratong which is a traditional Thai offering to the waters. Indulge in this glimpse of Thai tradition as you enjoy the sunset over the waters.

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The John Gray Sea Canoe tour promises the best dinners on board and they definitely do not lie! A smorgasbord of delicious food and spicy tom yam soup is laid out on the table for the guests to enjoy. Indulge in some of the freshest fish and prawns and delicious chicken together with fried rice. It is really the best dinner I had ever eaten on a Phuket tour!

After dinner, in the dark, it is time to hop back into your little kayak and the guide will once again take you through a little cave into a quiet lagoon to light your Loy Kratong and set it afloat with your wishes. It is a beautiful little ceremony which we enjoyed tremendously. Look out for the luminous flashes of light in the water as the paddle rows through which is made by little plankton and the highlight of their Hong by Starlight tour. Transfers back to your hotel are provided and you will usually reach at approximately 9pm or slightly later, depending on your location.

It’s a fantastic tour! :) However, if you suffer from claustrophobia you might not enjoy it as a large part of the tour involves going through dark caves and tiny spaces just big enough for your kayak to go through.

The John Gray Hong by Starlight tour retails for THB3,950 (RM400) per person for the whole day which covers all food and drinks, transfers and the tour. You can purchase it easily from the many tour booths that dot Patong area or online. There are a number of other companies that offer similar type of tours but do be sure you go with the original John Gray for that unique experience with nature and the fantastic seafood dinner!