Trekking and Elephant back trekking

Many tour operators provide you with a challenge to explore the lush forest in the interior including the national parks and jungles in the neighbouring provinces, e.g. Phang-nga and Krabi.

Canoeing

Some islands in Phang-Nga Bay and the sea off Krabi, have caves accessible through small openings which are immersed in sea water at high tide but are just a few feet above water when the tide is at the lowest. The world inside these underwater caves is amazing. The water is relaxed and clear, the sand white and powdery, and the mangroves grow better than anywhere else.

Several tour operators provide blow-up canoes to explore these caves which cannot be accessible by long-tail boats. The canoe is always paddled by a skilled group of people assigned by the tour agency. You can also paddle it yourself, not to get into a cave, but to get a close look at the rocks and plants of the islet.

Diving

1 of the main assets of Phuket as a booming destination is its variety of diving sites, featuring a marvelous underwater world of colourful fishes and coral formations, so fascinating and brilliant. From Phuket, all sorts of dive tours are arranged lasting from half a day to 2 weeks. The nearest are off the west coast where you can experience soft and hard coral reefs, with a wide range of tropical underwater life.

More popular are trips to the islands located to the south and east of Phuket Island which include Coral Island (Ko He) along with its stunning peaceful surrounding; Ko Racha, with diving spots of up to 30 metres; Shark Point, a favourite sleeping site of leopard sharks and stingrays; Ko Dok Mai featuring an attractive wall dive and cave dives; and Ko Phi Phi where there are white-tip sharks, stingrays and moral eels.

The truly first-class diving spots are farther away which include Ko Similan, Ko Surin, Ko Tarutao and the Burma Banks. All the first 3 island groups are marine national parks which have majestic coral gardens. A number of big diving operators have extended 3 to 7-day trips on live-aboard dive boats to these diving sites.

Phuket, surrounded by the Andaman Sea, offers a wide selection of diving operators, most of them are situated at Patong, Kata and Karon beaches. Others are in Phuket Town and Chalong Bay area.

All dive operators have the introductory course and the full range of PADI courses for learners. They have qualified instructors who are members of PADI or NAUI, and provide all sorts of modern equipment which are available for rent.

The ideal diving months are during December and May.

Golfing

Thailand has become 1 of the major golfing destinations in Asia, boasting over 100 golf courses around the country. A number of them are just opened with lush settings and grandly furnished clubhouses. The booming of golfing facilities in Thailand has been attributed to various factors which include the suitable weather conditions all the year round and the low green fees and caddy fees.

Phuket and its nearby provinces of Phang-nga and Krabi have many first-class golf courses. Some are designed by renowned international architects and golfers. The courses are set amidst lush mountains and many have views over the crystal Andaman Ocean. Some of the courses provide accommodations.

There are 4 large 18-hole golf courses in Phuket; Banyan Tree Club at Bang Thao Beach, Blue Canyon Country Club in Thalang, Loch Palm in Kathu District and Phuket Country Club. Constructed on the former tin-mine sites, they all have their natural beauty and also offer a cheerful walk for non-golfers.

Sailing

Phuket is the newest addition to the most important yachting regions of the world. The annual King's Cup Regatta, first held in this island in 1987 as a 60th birthday tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is a gold medal sailor himself, has taken place on this island with great success and is present 1 of the prime yacht-racing fixtures in Asia.

Sailing activities in and around this island have been developed because Phuket has its natural beauty, the warm climate all the year round, the readiness of equipment and facilities for the sport, and many attractive tourist spots in Phuket for the sailors.

Yacht charter operators are located at Chalong Bay, Patong Beach and in Phuket Town. They all provide both bareboat and crewed charters. Day trips normally include boat, crew, lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear.

Gamefishing

There are many fighting fish species available in the Andaman Sea around Phuket as well as the ones to be found in a game fisherman's handbook. They include marlin, tuna, sailfish, giant trevally, king mackerel, wahoo, cobia, barracuda, rainbow runner, dolphin fish, queen fish and african pompano.

The fishing areas in the Phuket stretch far beyond the neighbouring waters, to Krabi, about 75 kilometres to the east of Phuket, the 2 Phi Phi Islands and the Similan Islands. Charter companies have increased quickly in Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi in the last few years, featuring boats and equipment for hire, as well as professional flying-deck boats.

Horse Riding

Riding clubs have been established in Phuket with instructors available for novices. Advanced riders can walk their horses to relax and enjoy Phuket's peaceful, natural surrounding, or seek adventure by riding at a canter through the forests, along the beaches or in the hills.

Mountain Biking

There are many well-surfaced roads that wind through scenic hills, green jungle and plantation on one side and, as often as not, blue sea on the other.

Rock Climbing and Abseiling

Quest Laguna Phuket invites you to excitement of the Quest high wire challenge course.

Climb to the top of a 15m tower then abseil back to earth! The Quest climbing tower offers challenges for beginners to the advanced climbers on its 15° wall, sheer slab or gravity defying incline wall. Professional instructors will teach you the ins and outs of rock climbing and abseiling.

Bungy Jumping

This is an adrenaline-pumping plunge for the adventurous types who live for challenges.
The jump tower is set over a pond, formerly the site for tin-mining activities, but now a location for experiencing big-time thrills. The site is the only licensed one in Thailand and the only insured site in Asia.

On the road leading from Patong to Phuket Town look for Jungle Bungy Jump at the bottom of the "big hill" near the major intersection on the town side.

Go-Karts

The Patong Go-kart Speedway is open every day from 10.00 am to nightfall within easy reach of Patong. You can reach high speeds as you race against others on a real challenging 600m racing track. Single and double karts are available and there's even floodlighting for evening races. A car park and restaurant with refreshments and snacks are also available.

Phuket Water Ski Cableways

This ia an inland water skiing course on a man–made lake. Skiers are pulled round the track at speeds of up to 30 kilometres per hour by overhead cables. Instruction is free for novices.

At 86/3 Moo 6 Soi Nam Tok Kathu, near Kathu Waterfall, Northeast of Patong. Telephone: +66(0)76 202 525-7; open 10.00 am to 7.00 pm daily.