Caves on Phuket Tours: Sea Caves, Cave Temples and a Singing Cave

Which sea caves can I visit?

In Phang Nga Bay, the sea caves and hidden lagoons reached by kayak on the James Bond island day — some passable only at certain tides. The Ice Cream Cave on Panak island, stalactites shaped like scoops, entered at low tide on the eleven-islands day and Five pearls. The caves of the bay by longtail on the skywalk sunrise trip. Canoes through mangroves and caves at Talu on the speedboat runs. Both ways into Phang Nga Bay, the longtail day and the speedboat run, are compared on James Bond island by speedboat or longtail. Our take on that whole day is is the James Bond island tour worth it. The caves are a water-level day; for the bay from above as well, see Samet Nangshe and James Bond island in one day. On the route that is the Hong stop in Phang Nga Bay; which Hong island is on a James Bond tour separates it from the Krabi island of the same name.

On Phi Phi Leh, the Viking Cave, where swiftlet nests are still collected — seen from the water.

Which cave temples are on the programmes?

Suwan Kuha in Phang Nga — stalactites, bats, monkeys and a reclining Buddha — at 09:00 on both rafting days, 09:20 on the Khao Lak safari, 10:30 on the Phang Nga days. The Tiger Cave temple in Krabi at 13:20 on Secrets of Krabi, with 1,260 optional steps and a cave monastery below. See Suwan Kuha and Tiger Cave temple. On the Phang Nga skywalk day the cave comes straight after the glass bridge at Samet Nangshe. That glass bridge, and how it differs from Beyond Skywalk, is explained on Samet Nangshe or Beyond Skywalk. The rafting days stop at Suwan Kuha at 09:00, before the river; what they include at the elephants is on does the rafting, elephant and ATV tour include elephant bathing. If you can't decide between an elephant ride on the safari and the hot springs on the Avatar day, read Khao Lak safari or Avatar world. The Tiger Cave temple day in Krabi is weighed up, early start and all, on Secrets of Krabi: is it worth it.

What is the singing cave?

Klong singing cave in Krabi, the last stop of Secrets of Krabi at 17:00: musical stalactites and the acoustics that give it its name. Cave entrance tickets are included; the card recommends water shoes for the cave.

And the Princess Cave?

At Phra Nang beach, next to Railay, on day one of Four pearls at 13:50 — the only one of our trips that reaches Railay. See Railay beach.

Why do the tides matter?

Because many sea caves only open at certain water levels. The Ice Cream Cave needs low water; some Phang Nga caves pass only at particular tides; Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi needs high water. The guides reorder stops to catch them, which is why times on the cards are a guide rather than a timetable.

Which cave trip is best for children?

The James Bond island day: the kayaks are paddled by a guide, the water in the bay is calm, and there is no pre-dawn start. The Suwan Kuha cave temple on the land days is fun for children too — monkeys at the entrance, bats high in the roof — but keep small hands away from the monkeys. Booking it with children takes one message; how to book a James Bond island tour lists what to send. Days that travel by road rather than by speedboat are collected on land tours from Phuket.

Which caves need the least effort?

The Viking Cave and the Phang Nga caves seen by longtail on the skywalk sunrise trip: you stay in the boat. Suwan Kuha is a short walk from the minibus. The sea caves by kayak need you only to sit still. The Tiger Cave's 1,260 steps are the demanding one — and they are optional, with the cave monastery below as the alternative. The sea caves of Phang Nga Bay come by kayak with a boatman; whether that and the park fee are in the price: canoeing and park fees on a James Bond tour.

Can I combine several caves in one day?

Yes. The eleven-islands day has the Ice Cream cave, the Talu mangrove caves by kayak and the Viking Cave in one run. Secrets of Krabi has the Tiger Cave temple and the singing cave. The rafting days have Suwan Kuha and the caves in the lakeside park after it.

Do I need a torch?

Not on the guided stops: the sea caves are entered by daylight from the kayak, and the guides lead the way in the cave temples. A phone light helps if you want to look into dark corners at Suwan Kuha or the singing cave. Keep to the paths the guide shows.

Are there cave stops on the sunrise trips?

Yes, two. On the skywalk sunrise trip, after breakfast on the bridge, the longtail goes through the caves and uninhabited islands of Phang Nga Bay at 08:00. On Phi Phi at sunrise, the Viking Cave comes at 09:10 as a short stop from the water. Both of those early starts are also on Phuket tours for couples, next to the sunset catamaran and a night on Phi Phi.

What is inside Suwan Kuha?

Stalactites, bats high up in the dark, and a reclining Buddha, with monkeys waiting at the entrance. It is the first stop on the rafting days, early enough that the cave is cool. Cover-ups can be hired if your shoulders or knees are bare. The rafting, elephant and ATV day is weighed up on rafting, elephants and ATV in one day: is it worth it.

What should I wear?

For sea caves: swimwear, a hat, a dry bag for the phone. For cave temples: shoulders and knees covered — cover-ups can be hired for a small fee. For the Krabi caves: water shoes. Keep bags zipped near the monkeys at Suwan Kuha.

Questions people ask