Ko Tapu (James Bond Island) is an incredible spot in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay. Rising 66 feet out of the sea, this tall limestone tower karst has a unique mushroom-shaped and mysterious history. The island was known locally for centuries as Ko Ta Pu, or Nail Island; local mythology holds that it was formed when a frustrated Thai fisherman threw a nail into the sea-- only to have it return to him-- which he then cut in half with a knife. The resulting tower was later made famous when James Bond's nemesis came to hide out here in the 1974 film The Man With the Golden Gun, dubbing the destination James Bond Island. Today, the heavily photographed site draws thousands of visitors to its breathtaking views and vibrant coral reefs below, making it one of the nation’s most popular places to explore.