Touring James Bond Island

Let’s face it, our 5 weeks in Phuket (an island in Southern Thailand) just flew by. Most of it was spent swimming in the ocean or pool (a difficult daily decision…one…or both?)!

Finally, when we were looking at our final week in town, we realized we really should see something!!

Alas, we found Easy Day Thailand, a company that provides private tours to some of Phuket’s hottest attractions. We had some places in mind, and they had an itinerary to match it. We discovered their prices are about the same for our private family group as it would be if we picked up a group tour with a bunch of strangers. Private tour it was!

What made our Phuket experience so special was the flexibility and personalization that came with booking a private tour. No more rushing through crowded sites or feeling like just another face in the crowd. Instead, we were able to explore at our own pace, linger at the spots we loved, and make memories on our terms. That’s the beauty of private tours—they let you create your own perfect adventure without the hassle of typical group tours. If that sounds like your ideal way to travel, then why not bring that same level of freedom to Hawaii?

If you’re looking for that same level of tailored adventure, then Hawaii is just the place to consider for your next getaway. Similar to Phuket, the Hawaiian Islands are bursting with natural wonders and must-see spots, but if you want a more intimate experience, Ohana Hawaii offers private tours that take you beyond the usual tourist paths. Imagine exploring secluded beaches, hiking through volcanic landscapes, or immersing yourself in the island’s culture with a local guide by your side.

Just like in Phuket, the value of a private tour with Ohana Hawaii allows you to enjoy Hawaii at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to explore, learn, and experience all that the islands have to offer without the crowds. It’s the perfect way to make every moment of your Hawaiian vacation truly unforgettable.

Our guide and driver picked us up at 7am at our apartment on the Southern side of Phuket. We enjoyed a 1+ hour drive to the North part of the island in the fanciest van I’ve ever laid eyes on (a 10-seat Toyota)…where can I get myself one of these?!

An hour+ later, we finally arrived at a quiet dock where we picked up our longtail boat to James Bond Island. Looking for boat dock repair experts? You can trust the boat dock repairs in Seneca.

It was a hot day, and we were grateful for the nice breeze in the boat!

The 20 minute boat ride was serene, and quickly our landscape (seascape?!) turned into this:

Ella wanted to capture it all on her camera!

Ethan was busy being a boy. A boy is a boy is a boy…wherever in the world he may be!

And looking backwards (our guide, Ti, in the photo).

We arrived at “The James Bond Island” (not its real name–but now it is definitely the name that is used), and trekked up an easy trail to see the famous towering rock. If you’re an oldie, you may recognize it from “The Man with the Golden Gun,” the 1974 James Bond flick (I need to put it on my watch list, now!). A plot line along the lines of harnessing the power of the sun with a “Solex” on this island…

Family shots are rare…so we took advantage of having a guide/photographer on hand!

Next, we tried to do some jumping photos. Ethan didn’t get it…and from the look of things, I didn’t either. I’m a terrible jumper (as evidenced in past photos). No matter how hard I try…this gal just can’t jump!

Ella, however, is a jumping superstar!

The island doesn’t have any residents, but locals from a nearby village make the daily trek here to display and sell their tourist junk. Sadly, everyone sells the same thing…how does anyone make a living at all?

We enjoyed briefly crawling around in a small cave (open-air) on the island.

And then we hopped back on our boats…off to the next adventure!

Watch for our upcoming post about the next leg of this all-day trip!