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Check out the watersports
action off the beach, and find out how to reach the many tiny islands,
calm bays and dazzling snorkel sites near Phuket. There's lots to
see and several ways to see it - by yacht, by speedboat, by sea
canoe - the choice is yours.
The strange and beautiful limestone scenery of Phang Nga has hundreds
of tiny islands, many uninhabited, which contain hidden caves, tunnels
and interior lagoons - known locally as "hongs."
Exploring the area by sea canoe/kayak is a safe and peaceful way
to see this fascinating world, with minimum disturbance to the natural
habitat. (Read more...)
With an abundance of colourful marine life, warm waters and easy
access, Phuket and its nearby islands are ideal for snorkeling.
Swim among parrotfish, clownfish, needlefish, damselfish and surgeonfish,
and you may even spot an octopus or two peeking out from under a
rock. (Read more...)
During Phuket's monsoon season (May-October), the normally placid
sea churns up enough to give surfers and boogie boarders a nice
ride.
All of the action is found along the west coast beaches. Local
surfers say Kalim (just north of Patong), Kata and Nai Harn are
the best surfing beaches, while some try their luck at Kamala, Surin
or Nai Yang beaches. Board rental available at some beaches. (Read more...)
Off Phuket's beaches, waterskiing and wakeboarding are seasonal,
with the May-October southwest monsoon discouraging the sport on
the exposed western side. Weather permitting, though, skiboats on
Patong Beach may occasionally venture out even in this season. From
mid-November on till May, however, the seas are generally calm and
the surf slight -- ideal for skiing and boarding. Check with the
speedboat operators along the beach for equipment and boat rental.
For year-round skiing and boarding, Phuket Waterski and Cableways
Park (tel: 076 202 525-7) is operating on a small lake near the
Kathu Waterfall. You don't need a boat and you don't have to worry
about inclement sea conditions. Up to 15 skiers can enjoy cable
skiing at any one time. Equipment rental available on site. (Read more...)
Hobie Cat Sailing
Phuket's sheltered bays provide great conditions for learning to
sail with the small Hobie catamarans. 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. (Read more...)
Windsurfing
Of the 16 beaches on the west coast of Phuket, at least 8 offer
windsurfing facilities. Rawai Beach is known to have steady winds
during December and January.
Patong has one windsurfing rental on the beach, facing the Holiday
Inn Phuket. Lessons are available for beginners. The quality
of equipment of instruction is sometimes better at the big hotels,
mainly in Bang Tao Beach, although some of the independent operators
offer fine services as well. Phuket can be a good destination both for 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 a rewarding experience. From mid-May till late
October, high winds and heavy seas may make conditions too rough
for all but the most experienced windsurfers.
Kite Surfing in Phuket
The daring sport of kite surfing has now made its way to Phuket,
and the spectacle of superfast surfers gliding across the bay and
launching themselves into the air is an exciting addition to the
usual sights offshore. With several shallow bays and many days with
consistent wind speeds of 10-20 knots, especially in the high season,
Phuket is a good place to learn the sport. Some of the more open bays such as Nai
Yang provide challenging conditions for intermediate to advanced
kide surfers. Instruction and equipment rental available. (Photo
taken in Kata Beach in August)
Jet Ski & Parasailing
Available for hire at most of the major beaches, jet skiing and
parasailing are fun and popular activities. However, beyond providing
life jackets there is little regard for safety and, on Patong Beach
in particular, speedboats and jetskis can be seen navigating dangerously
close to swimmers.
At best this is an annoyance, but there are a
number of people who have had their holiday fun cut short by a serious
accident. Unless you are confident that the boat, equipment and,
most importantly, the crew are safe and professional, jet skiing
and parasailing are not recommended. Costs 600-700 Baht per session.
Phuket is one of the premier sailing destinations of Asia. Chartering
anything from a small bare-boat through to luxury crewed vessels
in the hundred feet range is possible.
Relax and sunbathe on the
decks and let expert sailors take you to their secret locations,
or be adventurous and discover the area on your own using the guides
provided. Safe anchorages are numerous in Phang Nga Bay and among
the islands southeast of Phuket. (Read more...)
Game fishing in Phuket is an exciting, year-round activity. The
Andaman Sea has an abundance of deep sea fighting fish including
dorado, tuna, sailfish and marlin, while sea bass, barracuda, giant
trevally, queenfish and mangrove jack are found closer to shore.
Fishing multi-day liveaboard trips and one-day excursions are available,
and can be arranged to suit any skill level or budget. (Read more...)
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