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Phuket Beach Sports and Activities
Snorkeling, Parasailing, Waterski
If you've come or are planning to come to Phuket for water sports you've certainly chosen well. Pretty much every west coast beach has facilities for generalised water sports such as snorkelling and wind surfing while beaches such as Nai Yang, Layan and Friendship Beach on Phuket's southeastern corner specialise in kite surfing. Seasonal sports such as surfing and Hobie Cat sailing can be loads of fun; and for the children and the child in you there are two waterparks - one actually riding the waves of Patong Beach. Sailing can be practised all year round but during the squally season from May - October it's generally practised to the east of Phuket in sheltered Phang Nga Bay. You can even indulge in water sports inland on Phuket Island at the Kathu cable ski centre.
Parasailing
Parasailing is a fun choice of activity for those who like a dare while on holiday. In Phuket you will find a handful of operators on the most popular beaches providing the service but the major centre for parasailing here is Patong Beach. Prices vary depending on who you talk to. On average, people pay about 800 up to 1,300 baht per ride which lasts only about five minutes max.
Some operators might try to use the terms ‘short rope’ and ‘long rope’ to make the prices higher, so you might need to practice some bargaining skills before committing to any length of rope. Riders will get a brief about safety procedures as well as ‘getting dressed’ in a lifejacket and hooked up to a parachute.
Before being pulled out to the bay by a speedboat, a support person (aka the ‘Monkey Man’) will come along and perch above you without any security gear whatsoever. His main job is to guide the parachute and help you to land safely. The Monkey Man expects a tip for a good landing but it is totally up to you, the rider. Please bear in mind that it is unlikely that your travel insurance company will cover you if anything goes wrong.
Phuket Cable Ski
Cable skiing is one of the most fun and challenging activities in Phuket. It is located in a man-made freshwater lake 410 metres long, 110 metres wide and two metres deep. The cable speed varies from 28-58 kph and participants are closely supervised by experienced instructors. Wakeboards, gloves, vests, waterskis, helmets, and lifesaving gear can be rented while basic lessons are provided free of charge by staff members. Phuket Cable Ski also has special team building activities and can handle groups of up to 40 people.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 – 18:00Location: Near the Kathu waterfalls
Tel: +66 (0) 76-202525
Price Range: 1,000 THB/hour
Windsurfing in Phuket
Of the 16 beaches on the west coast of Phuket, at least 8 offer windsurfing facilities. Patong, the most developed of these, has seven or eight windsurfing shops along the beach. Lessons are available for beginners. The quality of equipment of instruction is sometimes better at the big hotels, although some of the independent operators offer fine service as well.
Phuket is a decent destination both for confirmed windsurfing enthusiasts and for people who want to try it for the first time. During the November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular, steady winds together with flat seas combine with clean, clear water and superb scenery to make this an intensely rewarding experience.
Peak season for winds is November-February. From mid-May till late October, heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes make the sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.
Aqua Zone Water Park Patong
This is a 150sqm aquatic playground located in the sea just off the Patong Bay Garden Resort near the end of Soi Bangla. From December to April each year the sea is calm enough for these giant inflatable toys to float gently in the waves and for visitors to frolic, bounce and play on the different toys such as a trampoline, climbing ‘mountain’ and much more. Safety-minded, in shallow water that is a jet-ski free zone, a reasonable flat fee will give you all-day-long access to Aqua Zone.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 18:00
Hobbie Cat
Learning to sail is easy -- not as easy as operating a water scooter but, it might be suggested, far more satisfying. Try one of the beach operators on all of the major beaches, if your hotel doesn't have cats or dinghies.
The November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular, provides steady winds with flat seas and clean, clear water. Peak season for winds is November-February. From mid-May till late October, heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes make the sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.









