10 Hidden Gems in Phang Nga That Most Tourists Miss
While most travelers to Phang Nga beeline for James Bond Island and the floating village of Koh Panyee, this stunning Thai province holds countless treasures that remain blissfully uncrowded. As someone who’s spent months exploring this region’s lesser-known corners, I’m excited to share these hidden gems that will take your Phang Nga adventure beyond the typical tourist trail.
1. Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Everyone photographs Phang Nga Bay from sea level, but few make the effort to see it from above. Samet Nangshe Viewpoint offers a breathtaking panorama of the bay’s limestone karsts rising from the Andaman Sea like prehistoric giants.
Why it’s special: Visit at sunrise to witness the morning mist swirling around the karsts as the first light paints the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. For the truly adventurous, camping overnight is possible (tents can be rented on-site), allowing you to catch both sunset and sunrise.
How to get there: Located about 30 minutes from Phang Nga Town, it’s accessible by motorbike or car. A moderate 15-minute hike up concrete steps brings you to the viewpoint.
2. Sa Nang Manora Forest Park
While tourists flock to overcrowded waterfalls elsewhere in Thailand, Sa Nang Manora remains a peaceful haven frequented mostly by locals. This forest park features a series of cascading falls flowing through lush jungle, with natural pools perfect for swimming.
Why it’s special: The multi-tiered waterfall creates several swimming areas of varying depths, from shallow pools ideal for children to deeper sections where you can swim right up to the falling water. The surrounding forest is home to diverse bird species and butterflies.
Local tip: Visit on weekdays for the most peaceful experience. Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the designated areas near the falls.
3. Koh Kadu (Little Island)
While tour boats crowd around the famous islands, Koh Kadu sits quietly in Phang Nga Bay, largely ignored by mass tourism. This small island features a hidden lagoon accessible through a low cave passage that can only be entered during low tide.
Why it’s special: The interior lagoon is completely enclosed by towering limestone walls, creating a natural cathedral of stone. The emerald waters are often completely still, reflecting the dramatic cliffs like a mirror.
How to visit: You’ll need to hire a private longtail boat from any of the main piers. Be sure to check tide tables and time your visit accordingly, as the cave entrance is submerged at high tide.
4. Ban Natok Community
Tourism in Thailand often focuses on beaches and temples, overlooking the rich cultural experiences in local communities. Ban Natok, a small village in Phang Nga’s interior, offers authentic insight into rural Thai life through their community-based tourism initiative.
Why it’s special: Visitors can join workshops on traditional batik making, learn to cook southern Thai specialties with local families, try rubber tapping on a small plantation, or help plant rice during the growing season. The income goes directly to supporting the community.
Authentic experience: Stay overnight with a host family to truly immerse yourself in village life. Evening gatherings often include impromptu music performances and storytelling.
5. Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary
While Khao Sok National Park draws crowds, neighboring Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary offers similar natural beauty with a fraction of the visitors. This protected area features dense rainforest, rushing rivers, and diverse wildlife including hornbills, gibbons, and colorful butterflies.
Why it’s special: The sanctuary is home to one of Thailand’s best white-water rafting experiences on the Khlong Song Phraek River, with class II-IV rapids surrounded by pristine jungle scenery. The area also features hot springs and easy hiking trails.
Adventure tip: Combine rafting with an ATV tour through rubber plantations and forested hills for an action-packed day away from the beaches.
6. Koh Rai (Rai Island)
Located near the more famous Koh Yao islands, tiny Koh Rai remains virtually unknown to foreign tourists. This small island is home to a traditional fishing community that has maintained their way of life for generations.
Why it’s special: Koh Rai features a unique stilted bamboo walkway that stretches far into the sea, used by local fishermen to reach their boats during low tide. The island also has beautifully preserved mangrove forests that can be explored by kayak.
Cultural experience: The island’s small restaurant serves some of the freshest seafood in the province, prepared in traditional southern Thai style with intense, aromatic flavors.
7. Phung Chang Cave
While many tourists visit the more accessible cave temples in Phang Nga, Phung Chang Cave (Elephant Belly Cave) offers a more adventurous experience. This extensive limestone cave system can only be explored by bamboo raft, floating through its illuminated chambers.
Why it’s special: Stalactites and stalagmites create otherworldly formations inside the cave, with lights positioned to enhance their dramatic appearance. The cool air and gentle sound of water dripping create a meditative atmosphere away from Thailand’s tropical heat.
Visitor information: Local guides are required for the cave exploration (for safety reasons), and the bamboo rafts are poled by skilled local operators. Wear shoes that can get wet and bring a dry bag for cameras.
8. Little Amazon of Takua Pa
The mangrove forests of Klong Sung Nae in Takua Pa district have earned the nickname “Little Amazon” for their dense greenery and winding waterways, yet they remain off the radar for most international visitors.
Why it’s special: The narrow waterways twist through tangled roots and overhanging branches, creating tunnel-like passages reminiscent of the Amazon. The ecosystem supports diverse wildlife including monitor lizards, kingfishers, and crab-eating macaques.
Best experience: Early morning kayak tours offer the best chance to spot wildlife and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before the day heats up. The guided tours also explain the critical ecological role of mangrove forests.
9. Bang Pat Fishing Village
While tourists crowd Koh Panyee floating village, Bang Pat remains authentically local. This traditional fishing community sits on stilts over a peaceful bay, connected by wooden walkways and surrounded by mangroves and limestone mountains.
Why it’s special: Without the souvenir shops and tourist restaurants of Koh Panyee, Bang Pat offers a glimpse into genuine coastal Thai life. The village is known for producing high-quality fish sauce and dried seafood products using traditional methods.
Foodie tip: The village’s single restaurant has no menu—they simply serve whatever was caught that day, typically prepared as spicy soups, stir-fries with fresh herbs, or simply grilled with dipping sauces.
10. Sanong Hot Springs
Hidden within the jungle of Kapong district, Sanong Hot Springs remain largely unknown to international visitors despite their therapeutic mineral waters and beautiful natural setting.
Why it’s special: Unlike some of Thailand’s developed hot springs, Sanong maintains a natural feeling with pools of varying temperatures set among tropical foliage. The mineral-rich waters are believed to help with various ailments from muscle pain to skin conditions.
Local experience: The springs are especially popular with Thai visitors on weekends, offering a chance to chat with locals who often bring picnics to enjoy after their soak.
When to Visit These Hidden Gems
While high season (November-April) offers the best weather, visiting during the early or late shoulder seasons (May and October) can provide an even more exclusive experience at these already uncrowded spots. The rainy season brings lush landscapes and flowing waterfalls, though some locations may have limited accessibility.
Getting Around
Renting a scooter or car is essential for reaching most of these hidden gems, as public transportation is limited. For island destinations, arranging private boat charters from local piers is more affordable than you might expect—especially if traveling with a small group.
Where to Stay for Exploring Hidden Gems
Rather than basing yourself in touristy Khao Lak or Phuket, consider staying in Phang Nga Town or the Takua Pa area for better access to these off-the-beaten-path attractions. Small, locally-owned guesthouses not only provide more authentic experiences but often offer invaluable advice on finding these hidden spots.
Final Thoughts
Phang Nga’s famous attractions are popular for good reason, but the province’s true magic lies in these lesser-known corners where nature’s beauty remains pristine and local culture thrives authentically. By venturing beyond the standard tourist circuit, you’ll not only discover incredible places but also support communities that benefit from more sustainable forms of tourism.
These hidden gems offer a chance to experience the Phang Nga that locals know and love—one of stunning natural diversity, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality away from the crowds.
