Hong by Starlight John Gray's Sea Canoe

I went on this day to night tour with my husband and two children (aged 9 and 13). We had a wonderful family day of adventure. I will never forget laying flat on my back on a canoe to squeeze into the entrance of a sea cave, my courage rewarded by a treasure trove of wildlife in the caves and lush hidden lagoons: hundreds of little bats roosting secretly in the dark, bioluminescent plankton, a large elegant monitor lizard, a crab surfing a floating mangrove pod, many egrets. The Thai food was delicious and various dietary requirements were well catered. What a great touch to get creative with flowers to make the Kratong. This part was a good insight into Thai culture and I felt a little emotional as I attempted to connect personally with the meaning and significance of the ritual. We had to put a lot of trust in our guides ‘Louie’ and ‘Sun’ (Thai spellings/ names unknown to me) but we really felt our safety was of utmost concern to them and they steered the canoes with a lot of skill and experience. ‘Sun’ was great fun and we really felt he put a lot of effort into enhancing the experience as much as he could for us. One thing we forgot to bring on this tour were some Thai Baht though; we were gutted not to be able to tip our guides at the end. Overall a great day combining creativity, nature, adventure, spiritual connection and lovely to remember ‘Man with the Golden Gun’ whilst seeing the James Bond Island in the flesh!

This was hands down one of the most incredible experiences we had in Phuket! The Hong by Starlight tour with John Gray’s Sea Canoe exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, everything was well-organized, relaxing, and magical. Our guide Adam was absolutely phenomenal—funny, knowledgeable, and super attentive. He made us feel safe the entire time and shared so much interesting information about the caves, wildlife, and local culture. His passion for the environment and his job really came through and made the tour even more special. The scenery was breathtaking—the limestone caves, hidden lagoons, and bioluminescent waters at night were like something out of a dream. The food on board was also surprisingly amazing—fresh, flavorful, and with lots of variety. Paddling through the caves at sunset and lighting the krathong under the stars was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Truly peaceful and spiritual. We can’t recommend this tour enough. If you’re in Phuket, this is a must-do, and if you can request Adam, even better!

This was hands down my favorite part of the trip. Our guide was seriously the best person we could’ve asked for — kind, funny, and incredibly thoughtful. He didn’t just take us on a tour; he brought us to places that felt personal, like hidden gems meant just for us. Every stop felt intentional and full of meaning. He truly went above and beyond to make sure we felt welcome, comfortable, and connected to everything around us. The crew was just as incredible — so kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the beauty and history of the national park. Their energy made the whole experience unforgettable. And the one meal we shared? It was absolutely perfect. Full of flavor, made with care, and enjoyed in the middle of such peaceful, natural beauty — it felt like a moment out of a dream. Everything about this part of the trip — the views, the people, the atmosphere — reminded me to slow down, take it in, and just be. Truly an experience I’ll never forget.