Sea Canoe Co. Ltd.
Sea Canoe Co. Ltd.
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Sea Canoe Co. Ltd.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
253 reviews
Excellent
226
Very good
20
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Three S
Dallas, TX135 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
For starters, we were picked up exactly on time at 8:15am. Guide Tom speaks excellent English. As previous reviewers have noted, we were taken to the pier by a van, placed in a clean boat with only 7 others, taken to 3 caves, had free time to paddle and swim, and were treated to a delightful lunch, several different fruits, and cookies. The driver who picked us up and dropped us off was careful. But that's where it starts.
What made this trip first rate for my husband and me:
Supports ecology of area. This company does NOT burn incense inside caves (deleteriously affects bat population) or floating Loy kratong boats (adds debris to the environment).
Does NOT visit James Bond island due to high number of tour boats that go there.
Has smaller number of passengers. We had only 9 while other boats were much larger with 30 or more!
Does NOT use noisy speedboats.
Does NOT charge exorbitantly. We had looked at the company rated #1 in TripAdvisor and they charged so much more despite having so many more passengers. The price we paid ($95 US/person) for an all day experience with pick-up and drop-off was reasonable.
DOES have very friendly kayaking staff that take you through the caves: as noted by others, one was so tight that I almost felt that my nose would scrape the cave roof...but never did. Tom and crew are experts navigating very dark, very narrow passages with ease. As he says, "trust me." And you can.
DOES respond to questions openly and with great humor.
DOES make every effort to avoid other tour groups.
DOES provide interpreters with kayaking expertise. For example we had 5 Japanese passengers in our group so the company provided a Japanese guide who's lived in Thailand for 15 years, is a scuba diving teacher and speaks fluent Thai and English, too!
Most of all, my husband and I were awed by the stunning natural scenery inside the caves, in the lagoons, and in the island-filled bay. Every scene competed for camera time. We're so grateful for the chance of seeing this spectacular piece of our planet. Thanks to Tom and staff for this unique experience. We will treasure it always.
What made this trip first rate for my husband and me:
Supports ecology of area. This company does NOT burn incense inside caves (deleteriously affects bat population) or floating Loy kratong boats (adds debris to the environment).
Does NOT visit James Bond island due to high number of tour boats that go there.
Has smaller number of passengers. We had only 9 while other boats were much larger with 30 or more!
Does NOT use noisy speedboats.
Does NOT charge exorbitantly. We had looked at the company rated #1 in TripAdvisor and they charged so much more despite having so many more passengers. The price we paid ($95 US/person) for an all day experience with pick-up and drop-off was reasonable.
DOES have very friendly kayaking staff that take you through the caves: as noted by others, one was so tight that I almost felt that my nose would scrape the cave roof...but never did. Tom and crew are experts navigating very dark, very narrow passages with ease. As he says, "trust me." And you can.
DOES respond to questions openly and with great humor.
DOES make every effort to avoid other tour groups.
DOES provide interpreters with kayaking expertise. For example we had 5 Japanese passengers in our group so the company provided a Japanese guide who's lived in Thailand for 15 years, is a scuba diving teacher and speaks fluent Thai and English, too!
Most of all, my husband and I were awed by the stunning natural scenery inside the caves, in the lagoons, and in the island-filled bay. Every scene competed for camera time. We're so grateful for the chance of seeing this spectacular piece of our planet. Thanks to Tom and staff for this unique experience. We will treasure it always.
Written July 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sverige D
Maputo, Mozambique5 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
If you are planning to do a sea canoe/kayak trip in Phang Nga and into the caves and lagoons that make it so famous, be very aware of the following: as with the rest of Thailand, the tourism industry around Phang Nga is overdeveloped, overexploited, so you have to be double or triple smart when doing tourism in order to have a pleasant and, YES, SAFE experience!. So, here the key tips:
1. Go with either private vessel and guide or with a company like SEACANOE, which organizes tours with manageable groups, 10 people MAX: With a private guide and vessel you can organize your schedule in order to avoid the notorious hordes of tourists that invade Phang Nga around 9 or 10 am and until 2 or 3 pm (and YES, even in LOW SEASON).
Seacanoe did a reasonably good job to avoid the crowds, but as I told the crew, they can do better and hopefully they listen to our suggestions. Actually, they are the reason why I rate the Phang Nga experience as high as I do, but if I had been with one of the larger boats/groups we saw, my experience would have been plainly disastrous!.
2. If you don't listen to the suggestion above and end up in a 100+ people ferry trying to access tight and dark caves along with 50 other canoes, please note that you will be getting into a potentially dangerous situation where panic could cause plenty harm due to the lack of space to move and breath. Crowds of human beings in tight places are avoided as the plague in any other normal circumstance, but this common sense is not applied at Phang Nga and there is no order/organization at all when entering/leaving caves. BE VERY AWARE and do not expose yourself or your kids to a situation as the one described above, 50+ canoes entering a small cave at the same time, unsustainable tourism at its most EXTREME representation. The Seacanoe crew managed to get us into the caves before the crowds arrived, but they did not succeed in getting us out in time and at the exit came chaos, a really scary situation that could have been avoided if better communication between the boat crew and the canoe/kayak guides had been ensured (a good set of walkie talkies or good radios seems to be a must!, to warn the guides in the lagoon when the masses of tourists are arriving and to ensure that one clears the cave before they start to come in!)
As my overall experience in Thailand tells me, if you want to enjoy the beauties of nature in this country and do it safely, avoid crowds at all costs! and that means waking up very early, YES, 4 am to get ready and be out before the sun rises, and going with conscious, smart private guides or very small/manageable tour groups instead of the large, desensitised tourism companies that abound. Seacanoe should consider this and organize trips that leave the Ao Po Pier very early in the morning, not at 9 am or so as they do now for their day trips, that is just too late as the buses and and big groups have already started to arrive. And I do understand that the access to the caves is dependent on the low tide and that all the companies scramble to make the most out of their time, but Seacanoe has to ensure the pleasant experience and the SAFETY of its tourists ABOVE ALL, and never expose its clients to potentially harmful situations as the one we experienced at the exit of Mangrove Cave. If that particular Cave is not safe to visit at mid-day due to crowds, then Seacanoe should look for a good alternative site to visit and leave Mangrove Cave only for those days where the low tide is at very early morning (before crowds arrive) or late in the day (on sunset trips) when most of the large tour boats have left. If I went again, and I would like to, I would definitely time my trip with a low tide at the end of the day or with a low tide really early in the morning, hoping that Seacanoe by then would accept starting their trips much earlier than they do now. For the sake of their business and the safety of their clients, it shouldn't be too long before they make the necessary adjustments I believe.
Traveling smart in Thailand does not mean necessarily that it will be more expensive, but that you have to work harder at planning and building up the right solution for you. Happy and safe travelingll!
1. Go with either private vessel and guide or with a company like SEACANOE, which organizes tours with manageable groups, 10 people MAX: With a private guide and vessel you can organize your schedule in order to avoid the notorious hordes of tourists that invade Phang Nga around 9 or 10 am and until 2 or 3 pm (and YES, even in LOW SEASON).
Seacanoe did a reasonably good job to avoid the crowds, but as I told the crew, they can do better and hopefully they listen to our suggestions. Actually, they are the reason why I rate the Phang Nga experience as high as I do, but if I had been with one of the larger boats/groups we saw, my experience would have been plainly disastrous!.
2. If you don't listen to the suggestion above and end up in a 100+ people ferry trying to access tight and dark caves along with 50 other canoes, please note that you will be getting into a potentially dangerous situation where panic could cause plenty harm due to the lack of space to move and breath. Crowds of human beings in tight places are avoided as the plague in any other normal circumstance, but this common sense is not applied at Phang Nga and there is no order/organization at all when entering/leaving caves. BE VERY AWARE and do not expose yourself or your kids to a situation as the one described above, 50+ canoes entering a small cave at the same time, unsustainable tourism at its most EXTREME representation. The Seacanoe crew managed to get us into the caves before the crowds arrived, but they did not succeed in getting us out in time and at the exit came chaos, a really scary situation that could have been avoided if better communication between the boat crew and the canoe/kayak guides had been ensured (a good set of walkie talkies or good radios seems to be a must!, to warn the guides in the lagoon when the masses of tourists are arriving and to ensure that one clears the cave before they start to come in!)
As my overall experience in Thailand tells me, if you want to enjoy the beauties of nature in this country and do it safely, avoid crowds at all costs! and that means waking up very early, YES, 4 am to get ready and be out before the sun rises, and going with conscious, smart private guides or very small/manageable tour groups instead of the large, desensitised tourism companies that abound. Seacanoe should consider this and organize trips that leave the Ao Po Pier very early in the morning, not at 9 am or so as they do now for their day trips, that is just too late as the buses and and big groups have already started to arrive. And I do understand that the access to the caves is dependent on the low tide and that all the companies scramble to make the most out of their time, but Seacanoe has to ensure the pleasant experience and the SAFETY of its tourists ABOVE ALL, and never expose its clients to potentially harmful situations as the one we experienced at the exit of Mangrove Cave. If that particular Cave is not safe to visit at mid-day due to crowds, then Seacanoe should look for a good alternative site to visit and leave Mangrove Cave only for those days where the low tide is at very early morning (before crowds arrive) or late in the day (on sunset trips) when most of the large tour boats have left. If I went again, and I would like to, I would definitely time my trip with a low tide at the end of the day or with a low tide really early in the morning, hoping that Seacanoe by then would accept starting their trips much earlier than they do now. For the sake of their business and the safety of their clients, it shouldn't be too long before they make the necessary adjustments I believe.
Traveling smart in Thailand does not mean necessarily that it will be more expensive, but that you have to work harder at planning and building up the right solution for you. Happy and safe travelingll!
Written June 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciaron M
Seaforth, Australia37 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Wanted to paddle ourselves and found this company. Small group (8) compared to the +50s on the other boats.
Led by the one and only Tom Cruise. Ex navy and great knowledge of the area.
Caves are awesome if a little scary at times! As you were in a small group were able to enjoy were as the big tours were a cattle market
Recommend for the adventurous
Led by the one and only Tom Cruise. Ex navy and great knowledge of the area.
Caves are awesome if a little scary at times! As you were in a small group were able to enjoy were as the big tours were a cattle market
Recommend for the adventurous
Written January 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil M
London, UK9 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
It's difficult to write an honest review especially when the experience itself was so enjoyable. Separating the fact that area itself is simply spectacular and the experience one of a kind, from actually reviewing the company itself.
DO the trip. it's worth it and I'd do it again, just with a bit more research. The first problem was 'Captain Jack' himself. When we joined the group he immediately stopped us and very rudely said 'no you can't come with us - you aren't booked on this tour.'
I can think of NO reason why he would single my wife and I out from the rest of the group - but I was quite upset. I don't want to put it down to racism against South Asians - but I have heard this is a problem in Thailand. Either way he was rude and abrupt. I replied 'uh no - why dont you check our tickets first' At which point he gave a curt and quick apology.
Although it left a bad taste in the mouth, I'm all for bygones. But he then stuck us with a tour guide who know almost absolutely NO english - strangely one of the thngs we had heard this group does not do. So our entire tour was made up of this man pointing at things and sayng words we did not understand - while tom hiimself gave detailed explanations to the couple he was showing around. He told us later - hope you dont mind that i gave you the guy who doesn't speak english. I was flabberghasted.
When joking around it felt more tired and as if Tom was reading from a script that he repeates every single day - with a forced smile. I know this appealed to some of the other reviewers but if it's not authentic I am not particularly interested. I like real conversation.
To be honest he was quite rude for much of the trip ... not somethng i expect to pay for. The food - don't expect anything great. There is better food to be had off stalls or most restaurants in thailand - the meal onboard has been catered to appeal to the most wide variety of passengers and so is bland, flavourless and at least on the day we were with them, undercooked.
So although i appreciate most of the reviews on this board (heck I took their advice and booked with sea canoe) I am firmly convinced that Tom has a mean streak in him - if not a racist one. If you aren't South Asian, this might work in your favour :P who knows.
However the trip itself? fantastic - but hey - that's the sea caves and wildlife - not the company.
DO the trip. it's worth it and I'd do it again, just with a bit more research. The first problem was 'Captain Jack' himself. When we joined the group he immediately stopped us and very rudely said 'no you can't come with us - you aren't booked on this tour.'
I can think of NO reason why he would single my wife and I out from the rest of the group - but I was quite upset. I don't want to put it down to racism against South Asians - but I have heard this is a problem in Thailand. Either way he was rude and abrupt. I replied 'uh no - why dont you check our tickets first' At which point he gave a curt and quick apology.
Although it left a bad taste in the mouth, I'm all for bygones. But he then stuck us with a tour guide who know almost absolutely NO english - strangely one of the thngs we had heard this group does not do. So our entire tour was made up of this man pointing at things and sayng words we did not understand - while tom hiimself gave detailed explanations to the couple he was showing around. He told us later - hope you dont mind that i gave you the guy who doesn't speak english. I was flabberghasted.
When joking around it felt more tired and as if Tom was reading from a script that he repeates every single day - with a forced smile. I know this appealed to some of the other reviewers but if it's not authentic I am not particularly interested. I like real conversation.
To be honest he was quite rude for much of the trip ... not somethng i expect to pay for. The food - don't expect anything great. There is better food to be had off stalls or most restaurants in thailand - the meal onboard has been catered to appeal to the most wide variety of passengers and so is bland, flavourless and at least on the day we were with them, undercooked.
So although i appreciate most of the reviews on this board (heck I took their advice and booked with sea canoe) I am firmly convinced that Tom has a mean streak in him - if not a racist one. If you aren't South Asian, this might work in your favour :P who knows.
However the trip itself? fantastic - but hey - that's the sea caves and wildlife - not the company.
Written August 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An0nymuse1983
Cusco12 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
We read the great reviews and were excited to go with this company. First, the tour was good. They pick you up from the hotel and take you to the boat dock and then take you back at the end of the day. Our guide, Toon, was great. The insides of these lagoons are just wonderful.
The food poisoning that came from eating the food wasn't so good. One of us had a vegetarian meal (only vegetarian meal served that day) and pretty soon after she had all the symptoms of food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea all night long, fever, and bad stomach aches. This vegetarian meal was the only meal she had for the day before this all began. We didn't see any outright grossness with the food, but fair warning: ask the company how they have changed the hygiene standards in the kitchen and how clean your food will be. I had the regular buffet meal and it was good and I'm fine, but we are really upset with what happened with her. She is just now starting to feel a little better (but still doubled over with stomach aches) and we got about 4 hours of sleep with the vomiting and diarrhea every one or two hours.
Hopefully the company will change their hygiene practices for future guests. Be careful.
The food poisoning that came from eating the food wasn't so good. One of us had a vegetarian meal (only vegetarian meal served that day) and pretty soon after she had all the symptoms of food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea all night long, fever, and bad stomach aches. This vegetarian meal was the only meal she had for the day before this all began. We didn't see any outright grossness with the food, but fair warning: ask the company how they have changed the hygiene standards in the kitchen and how clean your food will be. I had the regular buffet meal and it was good and I'm fine, but we are really upset with what happened with her. She is just now starting to feel a little better (but still doubled over with stomach aches) and we got about 4 hours of sleep with the vomiting and diarrhea every one or two hours.
Hopefully the company will change their hygiene practices for future guests. Be careful.
Written February 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuliaHubbel
Eugene, OR837 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
When the earthquake in Nepal sidelined my plans to do the Annapurna circut in early May I went sideways to Thailand, where I'd been before some four years prior. I'd skipped Phuket due to the tourist crowds but this was low season. I was up for a kayaking adventure, and keep in mind, when I say adventure, I mean ADVENTURE, meaning epic, get dirty, break nails, come home exhausted and happy, bust tail adventure. Well, let's just say, this ain't it.
First off all my initial request was pooh poohed because I'm traveling alone. When I said I'd pay for two (about $1600, a LOT in Thailand) that got their attention.
What I liked and appreciated: Tom, the guide, has been at this awhile. He's an excellent kayaker and I valued that he understood that I wasn't a rookie and also that I very much appreciated being pushed hard to learn sea kayaking skills (I'm a Rocky Mountain white water girl). So kudos to Tom for his extra effort, and a big tip for doing what I asked; making sure that we went where the tourists weren't. Sometimes this mean a long trip either by kayak (no worries) or by escort boat.
Now keep in mind when I signed up for a three day kayaking trip, to my mind that meant one guide and two kayaks, three days out paddling. Nope. I got a ginormous boat and four staff. Well, a guide and a cook and two useless teenagers who didn't have the time of day to clean the boat or toilets, which makes me wonder what on god's earth they did for the hours and hours we were out paddling. See photo, that's your answer. Needless to say, no tip for junior staff, who made sure that my girl's bathroom had overflowing nasty TP for three days, that's what more than 500 bucks will get you.
Cook worked his patootie off, but he had a combination of bad information and limited food as well as a one track mind. To wit: I sent scads of information about my diet, including, NOTHING HOT. What comes out of the kitchen first lunch? Scalding pepper shrimp, not temp hot, HOT HOT as in spicy. Sent them back, second batch was just as bad. The pans are cured for spice. The management so badly fouled up my instructions the boat didn't have such basics as milk or salad dressing. Really?
Seafood lover, oh well, I haven't eaten crab in twenty years. Tried one, struggled to keep my gorge down. I expressed to Tom, please not again. For the next THREE DAYS crab and shrimp (not those either thanks) in varying disguises showed up on my plate even though cook was told I didn't like them. It got funny, but honestly, I ended up eating primarily yogurt and fruit and a few veggies. Lots of juice and mangoes I had bought.
Tom showed me places that nobody knows about. Maybe fisherman. Best part? You have to struggle through mangrove swamp to find them. They are so far out it's epic to get there. Too much work and trouble for tourists. Perfect. That's why Tom gets five stars. I got to sleep on the deck under a full moon, and do flow yoga while the sun comes up. Do I mind not getting terribly dirty? Well, mangrove mud counts. Not the expedition I expected. But without an escort boat there's no way we could have gotten to the far flung places we did, so I don't mind at all. And besides, we did some epic paddling, which is witnessed by the RockTape currently on my elbows and shoulders.
It ended up being perfect in its own way if I ignore the two excess nonworking staff on board who did nothing to add value to the trip and if anything made a lot more work for Cook and Tom by not helping out and cleaning up. The opportunity to venture to islands seen only by fishing villagers, fight our way back to the boat against the current and a stiff wind (That'll put hair on your chest all right) and rise with the dawn are priceless. Small annoyances come with all trips.
Management, if they had difficulty understanding my emails on food, could easily have requested clarification. As it was we pretty much ran out of food (except for crab and shrimp, which were served up again for lunch today, our last day, by a most hopeful Cook) and the young staff ate my last yogurt.
It would have been hugely helpful for me to have had a better understanding that most of our time was on the escort boat, not adventuring, as it would have changed what I brought. Also, the items you're asked to bring are inadequate. I'd never come without a waterproof windbreaker, for showers happen any time, and you can die from hypothermia in the tropics just as fast as in the artic. Wind and wet will do that.
Seacanoe offers a good itinerary or two, ask for Tom, and I hope they've improved the staff by the time you get there. At least I hope they clean the toilets for you.
For my part, I could have asked better questions of management, and been more clear about the "escort boat." I came ill prepared to tip four staff (( tipped two) and had camping gear I didn't need. I did, however, have the proper gear for wet weather, which we did get one night which caused me to scamper inside and sleep under the table on some wood slats. Which, by the way, was fine when I was twenty. Forty years later, it takes an hour of yoga to undo the damage. But at least, when you do it to a full moon, it's a heck of a lot more enjoyable.
Recommended, with the above provisos.
First off all my initial request was pooh poohed because I'm traveling alone. When I said I'd pay for two (about $1600, a LOT in Thailand) that got their attention.
What I liked and appreciated: Tom, the guide, has been at this awhile. He's an excellent kayaker and I valued that he understood that I wasn't a rookie and also that I very much appreciated being pushed hard to learn sea kayaking skills (I'm a Rocky Mountain white water girl). So kudos to Tom for his extra effort, and a big tip for doing what I asked; making sure that we went where the tourists weren't. Sometimes this mean a long trip either by kayak (no worries) or by escort boat.
Now keep in mind when I signed up for a three day kayaking trip, to my mind that meant one guide and two kayaks, three days out paddling. Nope. I got a ginormous boat and four staff. Well, a guide and a cook and two useless teenagers who didn't have the time of day to clean the boat or toilets, which makes me wonder what on god's earth they did for the hours and hours we were out paddling. See photo, that's your answer. Needless to say, no tip for junior staff, who made sure that my girl's bathroom had overflowing nasty TP for three days, that's what more than 500 bucks will get you.
Cook worked his patootie off, but he had a combination of bad information and limited food as well as a one track mind. To wit: I sent scads of information about my diet, including, NOTHING HOT. What comes out of the kitchen first lunch? Scalding pepper shrimp, not temp hot, HOT HOT as in spicy. Sent them back, second batch was just as bad. The pans are cured for spice. The management so badly fouled up my instructions the boat didn't have such basics as milk or salad dressing. Really?
Seafood lover, oh well, I haven't eaten crab in twenty years. Tried one, struggled to keep my gorge down. I expressed to Tom, please not again. For the next THREE DAYS crab and shrimp (not those either thanks) in varying disguises showed up on my plate even though cook was told I didn't like them. It got funny, but honestly, I ended up eating primarily yogurt and fruit and a few veggies. Lots of juice and mangoes I had bought.
Tom showed me places that nobody knows about. Maybe fisherman. Best part? You have to struggle through mangrove swamp to find them. They are so far out it's epic to get there. Too much work and trouble for tourists. Perfect. That's why Tom gets five stars. I got to sleep on the deck under a full moon, and do flow yoga while the sun comes up. Do I mind not getting terribly dirty? Well, mangrove mud counts. Not the expedition I expected. But without an escort boat there's no way we could have gotten to the far flung places we did, so I don't mind at all. And besides, we did some epic paddling, which is witnessed by the RockTape currently on my elbows and shoulders.
It ended up being perfect in its own way if I ignore the two excess nonworking staff on board who did nothing to add value to the trip and if anything made a lot more work for Cook and Tom by not helping out and cleaning up. The opportunity to venture to islands seen only by fishing villagers, fight our way back to the boat against the current and a stiff wind (That'll put hair on your chest all right) and rise with the dawn are priceless. Small annoyances come with all trips.
Management, if they had difficulty understanding my emails on food, could easily have requested clarification. As it was we pretty much ran out of food (except for crab and shrimp, which were served up again for lunch today, our last day, by a most hopeful Cook) and the young staff ate my last yogurt.
It would have been hugely helpful for me to have had a better understanding that most of our time was on the escort boat, not adventuring, as it would have changed what I brought. Also, the items you're asked to bring are inadequate. I'd never come without a waterproof windbreaker, for showers happen any time, and you can die from hypothermia in the tropics just as fast as in the artic. Wind and wet will do that.
Seacanoe offers a good itinerary or two, ask for Tom, and I hope they've improved the staff by the time you get there. At least I hope they clean the toilets for you.
For my part, I could have asked better questions of management, and been more clear about the "escort boat." I came ill prepared to tip four staff (( tipped two) and had camping gear I didn't need. I did, however, have the proper gear for wet weather, which we did get one night which caused me to scamper inside and sleep under the table on some wood slats. Which, by the way, was fine when I was twenty. Forty years later, it takes an hour of yoga to undo the damage. But at least, when you do it to a full moon, it's a heck of a lot more enjoyable.
Recommended, with the above provisos.
Written May 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meida J
Denmark16 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We were the only 2 in the group of 20 on the self paddle itinerary and it was great because we explored everything alone with the guide. Peace and tranquility without the crowds. Guide was experienced, pointed out interesting things, gave us time to jump into lagoons for a swim, carried snacks for us and even acted as camera man! Great day out in the sun, not too tiring if you're of average fitness and we slept really well that night.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
basejump123
basejump104 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
We went on a one day self paddle to the sea caves and had a great day. Pick up from hotel was on time in a nice air-con van; it is a bit of a long drive from Karon to the wharf but that is the case with all of the different companies so something to be aware of. We were quickly transferred to our boat but then had to wait for half an hour while they organised gas for a second boat (due to extra numbers, they decided to take out a second boat to ensure everyone had a good experience and to aviod overcrowding - i thought this was very professional and a sign of a good operator so was happy to wait.
One underway, we were given lovely fresh fruit and there were plenty of free water and ice cold drinks - all included - there is no alcohol on the boats which also makes for a great day for all.
The kayaks and canoes were in good condition and the caves and islands were very nice. The guide worked hard to ensure we had some time away from the crowds and other tour groups which was no mean feat.
These guys are very committed to the enviroment - they brief the customers on caring for the places we visited and left no footprint. We drop a full water bottle from our canoe and they stop and dived and found the bottle. They also collected rubbish when they saw it.
The lunch was in a word - amazing. Freshly cooked sea food - heaps to eat and of a high standard - shrimp, bbq fish, salads, fruits.
If you have some basic fitness i would recommend the self paddle option as the group is smaller and you get to see more.
One underway, we were given lovely fresh fruit and there were plenty of free water and ice cold drinks - all included - there is no alcohol on the boats which also makes for a great day for all.
The kayaks and canoes were in good condition and the caves and islands were very nice. The guide worked hard to ensure we had some time away from the crowds and other tour groups which was no mean feat.
These guys are very committed to the enviroment - they brief the customers on caring for the places we visited and left no footprint. We drop a full water bottle from our canoe and they stop and dived and found the bottle. They also collected rubbish when they saw it.
The lunch was in a word - amazing. Freshly cooked sea food - heaps to eat and of a high standard - shrimp, bbq fish, salads, fruits.
If you have some basic fitness i would recommend the self paddle option as the group is smaller and you get to see more.
Written April 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chizzel
Perth, Australia2,499 contributions
Jan 2011
Having travelled to Phuket (Patong) three times, you would think that you would get sick of doing the same things but this is one activity I would probably do again.
This has been the highlight of our trip every time we have visited. It is a family friendly activity and we have encouraged all our friends to do it, all feeling grateful that they did. Barter at a street booth for around 1000 - 1500 baht each including transfers (depending upon seasons). This is very safe even for people who can’t swim and young children. It’s nearly always flat calm as its nestled amongst the many islands.
Out of all of the tours, this is by far the best. We were collected from our hotel and conveyed to the boat and whilst they took us to our first stop off at the first island (Hong) for a canoe paddle, the crew prepared a sumptuous banquet in the lower deck of the boat. The trip involved canoeing through many caves and into the lagoons inside the islands. We saw bats, wild monkeys and a multitude of other animals and features inside the caves. They provide someone to steer the canoe, all you have to do is enjoy the trip.
I cannot praise this enough. Amazing scenery, sumptuous meal, and fantastic staff made for a memorable trip. If there is only one tour that you do, I strongly recommend this.
Enjoy..
This has been the highlight of our trip every time we have visited. It is a family friendly activity and we have encouraged all our friends to do it, all feeling grateful that they did. Barter at a street booth for around 1000 - 1500 baht each including transfers (depending upon seasons). This is very safe even for people who can’t swim and young children. It’s nearly always flat calm as its nestled amongst the many islands.
Out of all of the tours, this is by far the best. We were collected from our hotel and conveyed to the boat and whilst they took us to our first stop off at the first island (Hong) for a canoe paddle, the crew prepared a sumptuous banquet in the lower deck of the boat. The trip involved canoeing through many caves and into the lagoons inside the islands. We saw bats, wild monkeys and a multitude of other animals and features inside the caves. They provide someone to steer the canoe, all you have to do is enjoy the trip.
I cannot praise this enough. Amazing scenery, sumptuous meal, and fantastic staff made for a memorable trip. If there is only one tour that you do, I strongly recommend this.
Enjoy..
Written September 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
Pickering, Canada73 contributions
Jul 2011
We went for this canoe trip because of a travel guide we read and we did not regret it! Our host Tom was fantastic and his English was great. He went around and chatted to everyone on board and taught us about how the limestone was formed and about the different animals and formations. We had Peter as our guide and he was amazing! His English was awesome as well and he really took his time paddling and we got the best tour of the caves and the area.
It was really scary to go through the cave first! We had the best time ever. The lagoons were great and the wildlife we saw was awesome.
You should go with this tour because it is small (we only had 10 people on our trip), they genuinely care about the area (they were cleaning up any garbage we came across in the lagoons or at sea), they were knowledgeable, spoke English very well, and provided a great lunch (I don't eat Thai food but I found something to eat). We saw other tours and they had a million people with them and they were so noisy and you couldn't enjoy the beauty in silence. Can't recommend them enough!
It was really scary to go through the cave first! We had the best time ever. The lagoons were great and the wildlife we saw was awesome.
You should go with this tour because it is small (we only had 10 people on our trip), they genuinely care about the area (they were cleaning up any garbage we came across in the lagoons or at sea), they were knowledgeable, spoke English very well, and provided a great lunch (I don't eat Thai food but I found something to eat). We saw other tours and they had a million people with them and they were so noisy and you couldn't enjoy the beauty in silence. Can't recommend them enough!
Written August 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the difference between the sunset self paddling tour and the sunset tour that you have a guide? Do you do the same things and visit 2 caves on both of them?
Written April 20, 2019
Fearless462532
Philippines
I'm interested in this tour. Please message me. Thanks!
Written January 17, 2019
I am looking for a dragon boat team in Phuket to join in a practice when I visit in Jan 2018. any suggestions?
Written August 9, 2017
Did anyone get charged a 3.25% credit card fee when booking??
Written May 24, 2017
Yes. Customary with almost every purchase in SE Asia. Inconvenient, but you'd lose that in the fee for converting anyway. The price you pay for convenience.
Written May 24, 2017
How did you book the tour? Before you went to Phuket or once you were there? We arrive in Patong 9am and leave 6pm. What time does the tour leave/finish? Can't be late or will miss the cruise ship!
Written January 7, 2017
Hi Tracy
Sorry for delay in responding (we have just moved and have limited access to internet). We booked through an agent at the hotel where we were staying. It was off season when we went so we had no trouble booking with just a few days notice. Not sure of the times now but the Sea Canoe team were very organised in regard to pickup times etc. Enjoy your holiday😀
Written January 21, 2017
i have enquired about sea canoeing from their website, but there are many websites from the same name. I have received the confirmation mail from Sea Canoe (Thailand) Co., Ltd. "The Original or The Native Operator" Since 1989"
125/461 M. 5, T. Rassada, A. Muang, Phuket 83000, THAILAND. Would you please help me if this one is original to whom you are taking about.
Written October 3, 2016
Hi! Yes that sounds about right. We went on the sunset dinner trip and I think they are the only operator of the sunset tour. if you are on their website go to trips and you will find it. look at the second photo on that page our fantastic informative guide is second from the left :) the cost is 3750thb. I know there are a few copy cat tours but it's not allowing me to include the web address. hope this helps have an amazing trip!
Written October 3, 2016
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