Snorkeling
Rent a speedboat with friends (not as expensive as it sounds) and
go snorkelling around the small coves and beaches around the Patong
Bay area, or go further up the coast to the small offshore reefs.
Rates vary with the season, the time of day, the number of people
and your destination. For best results clearly state your destination
and bargain with a smile.
Click here to read more about Phuket
Snorkeling Tours
Parasailing
Stroll along the beach and you'll see parasailing - a thrilling
5 minute parachute ride pulled by a powerful speedboat, over Patong
Bay.
There are two or three operators on the beach and some will accompany
you on your flight if you don't feel comfortable on your own.
Not recommended on windy days for safety reasons.
Jet Skis
Can be rented almost anywhere on the beach. As with any vehicle
hire, make sure you agree on the price, the time and check the state
of the vehicle, before you use the machine.
Most operators provide you with a life vest and its always a good
idea to wear one. On Patong Beach swimmers are cordoned off. Outside
of these areas jetski pilots are free to enjoy life on the fast
wave.
Sailing and Windsurfing
Small Catamarans and windsurfers are available for rent. Generally,
winds are weak although between December to February you can catch
a good breeze and pick up some speed.
Note that the windsurf Boards (and sails) are not always the newest
models... good for beginners though.
Scuba Diving
Learn to dive. Patong has almost as many dive shops as restaurants
with PADI courses in all languages.
If you're already a diver, you wont' be diving off Patong beach,
but you can arrange day diving or longer liveaboard trips to some
of the better and more remote dive sites. Click here to read more
about Phuket
Scuba Diving
Swimming
Patong is considered one of the safest beaches for swimming in
Phuket. During the high season (November to March) the sea is calm
and flat. During August, September and October, seasonal changes
create a small surf which is strong enough for boogie boarding and
body surfing. During this monsoon time, swimmers should be aware
of slight currents, although the beach is well patrolled. Swimming
areas are cordoned off from watersports activities, so everyone
can enjoy the beach.
Bungy Jumping
Should get you going. Located just outside Patong on the road to
Phuket town. Set beside a lake, there's a good place to sit and
drink if you resist the urge to jump. Follow the signs to Phuket
town and look for the Jungle Bungy Jump sign. For the the highest
Bungy jump in southern Thailand - 60 metres (equal to a 21 floors)
head for Nutty Park. Located on Sai Namyen Road at the back of Patong.
Open Daily 10.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m.
Bowling
Next to Nutty Park is "Rock & Bowl" a tenpin bowling
alley With 16 world standard lanes. Good package deals which include
food and drink. Check on arrival. Located on Sai Namyen Road at
the back of Patong. Open daily from 10.00 a.m. – 02.00.
Go Kart Racing
Wannabee Michael Schumachers can try this figure of eight circuit
which covers a distance of around 600 metres.
There are 16 Go-Kart ranging from 100cc to 230cc Double seaters
and smaller Go-Karts available for children. Cost 800 baht for 30
minutes. Located about 2 km from Patong Beach on the main highway
to Phuket Town.
Golf
Just outside Patong, only 20 minutes away, are two excellent courses...Perfect
for an early morning round.....
The Loch Palm Golf Club
Spreads over a lush, rolling 400 rai (160 acres) hilly plateau.
This 18-hole, par 72 course has been masterfully designed to blend
beautifully with the natural terrain. Nestled below a panoramic
range of peaks, the layout surrounds the largest lake on any golf
course in Phuket, Crystal Lake. With more than 1,400 towering palms
lining the fairways, you'll find yourself playing in the midst of
serene surroundings that harbour many challenging hazards amid its
lush greens. Click Here to read more about Loch
Palm Golf Club.
Phuket Country Club
Established in 1989, is the first and one of the finest golf
courses built in Phuket, and lies on a reclaimed tin mine site.
The stunning beauty and elegance of the course, together with the
typical Thai charm and hospitality will make your golfing joyful
and memorable. A 9 hole course is also available here. Click Here
to read more about Phuket
Country Club. Follow the road out of Patong heading towards
Phuket Town. The course are clearly signposted. There's also a driving
range.
Mini-golf
Nutty Park on Sai-Namyen Road, at the back of Patong has a 9 hole
tropical mini golf course with the last hole out in the swamp! Part
of a complex which includes "Rock'n Bowl" and the World
Bungy Jump. Open Daily 10.00 a.m. – 09.00 p.m. Outside Patong
in Kata Beach is the Dino Park. Mini golf meets Jurassic Park in
this themed mini-golf course with dinosaurs, waterfalls and an erupting
volcano.
Water-skiing & Wakeboarding
Cable Skiing is a relatively new sport, which seems more difficult
to get the hang of than traditional water-skiing from behind a boat.
However, lessons are available and even relative beginners can start
to perform spectacular aquatic maneuvers. You can also try Wakeboarding,
requiring a slightly different technique. Both are available at
Katu (not to be confused with Kata) Cable-ski park which offers
great value and instruction at reasonable rates. Small restaurant
where you can watch the action.. Take the road out of town to Phuket
and turn left at the big intersection. Follow the signs to Katu
Waterfall. Phuket. Open 9 am to 9 pm. Tel. 076 202 525. Another
option is to ski from behind a boat which is actually easier - check
out the Wake Up Villa, 10/2 Chaofa Rd., (Kwang) T.Wichit, Phuket.
Telephone 076 264031. Alternatively, you can make arrangements with
one of the boats on Patong Beach.
Muay Thai
One of the most popular spectator sports in Thailand, and now gaining
world recognition, is the martial art of Muay Thai. Exciting enough
on TV - the furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks
and artful feints are even more exciting when seen live. Witness
the passion and drama of one of Thailand's historic sports amidst
crowds of onlookers whose cheers blend with the strains of Javanese
clarinets, drums and cymbals that accompany the fight from beginning
to end.
You can see Thai Boxing matches at the custom built stadium on
Soi Bangla, no cover charge for the boxing but it's expected you
will buy drinks if you want to watch the action. After each fight,
the boxers walk around and shake hands with the spectators and collect
tips. You can also have your picture taken with them for a small
fee. Open every evening.
Fitness Training
Recover from the evening's excess with a good workout followed
by a sauna or Jacuzzi. Many major hotels have a fully equipped gym
with scheduled aerobics and fitness classes. Professionally trained
fitness instructors guide you through the fitness equipment. Non-hotel
guests are usually permitted to use gym facilities and have fixed
daily fees for casual visitors. If you're planning to use the facilities
regularly, discuss the possibility of a short term membership of
1 or 2 weeks.
Patong Gym - Tel: 341-792
Novotel Phuket Resort, Kalim - Tel: 342-777
Sportathlon
at Le Meridien - Tel: 340-480-5
Paintball
Rambo still rules! Jungle style paintball at the Top Gun Paintball
in Chalong. You can play in selected areas or use the whole site.
Depending on how many people you have. There are different scenarios
to play so you can keep coming back to the same place and have a
new experience every time. Lockers and shower available after that
heavy attack from your friends. Price around 500 Baht includes uniform,
mask, paintgun, paintballs (40 rounds) and referees. If you want
to buy 40 extra rounds, it costs 250 Baht. Open daily 9 - 6 pm.
Phuket Shooting Range
Two shooting ranges specially designed for those experienced in
using hand guns and rifles. Available are hand guns and rifles of
varying calibre. All ammunitions used are special range bullets.
The cost varies according to the gun models and quantity of bullets
spent. Located on 82/2 Patak Road, 800 metres from the Chalong traffic
circle. Open 09.30 to 6.00 pm. Price include target, use of gun,
insurance and ammo. |
