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Patong is a great base for exploring the surrounding area with
with easy access to the main roads leading off the island, and also
to the boat jetties. The range of options is huge. Kayaking in Phang
Nga, elephant trekking in Khao Lak, half day snorkelling to local
islands, Phuket island sightseeing...
Many tours go to the same destinations. The difference in price
often depends on the transport, the number of people, timing, quality
of food, and equipment included. Most sightseeing tours have English
speaking guides. Specialist tours like fishing and sea kayaking
tend to be a bit more expensive, but you're paying for experienced
guides and smaller numbers and a unique tour. For a quick guide
to what's on offer see below.
Sea Kayak Tours
Most sea kayaking tours go to Phang Nga. An area of great natural
beauty north of Phuket island, famous for its strange shaped islands
and caves that lie within the unusual limestone scenery. Within
some of these islands, collapsed cave systems have created "hongs"
or "rooms", open to the sky, revealing secret lagoons
and a unique interior eco-system. The hongs are only accessible
by kayak, when the tide is just right.
Local operators have so far gained access to dozens of hongs between
Phang Nga and Krabi to the south. Each hong has its own distinct
character, and it's easy to spend days, even a week, simply exploring.
Limited numbers of people are taken out at a given time; and guides
accompany every boat, not just to lead the way and to provide commentary,
but also to advise on ways to conserve these precious natural resources.
Sea kayaking tours are also available at night, to different destinations
with day tours available year round. See our list of Phuket
Kayaking Tours .
Scuba Diving
Patong is where most of the island's dive operators are based.
Consequently you'll find some of the best-value certificated courses
and trips on offer. Whether its PADI- and/or NAUI-certificated diving
courses, half-day and day-trips to local reefs, live-aboard cruises
to far reaching islands, or introductory dives, they are all, within
easy walking distance in Patong.
Compare prices, check equipment and talk to the staff before signing
up for any course. Check if the company is a member of Divesafe
Asia, and eligible to use Phuket's new hyperbaric centre and decompression
chamber. During the late-October to mid-May peak season, there are
comfortable liveaboards trips from around 4-8 days to the Similan
Islands, - one of the world's top 10 diving destinations. Incredible
visibility, spectacular reefs, rock formations plus a huge variety
of marine life area the reasons for its appeal.
Never Dived before? Discover the underwater world in unique
conditions
- Underwater visibility often exceeds 30 metres, and can extend
to 45 metres.
- The water is warm enough to make wetsuits unnecessary.
- There are hundreds of varieties of hard corals, reef fish, and
other reef creatures.
- This is one of the best places in the world with the opportunity
of swimming with whale sharks and manta rays.
- There are dozens of scenic island destinations within range of
daytrips and - liveaboard cruises from Phuket.
- Weather permitting, daytrips and shorter liveaboards are possible
all year 'round.
See our selection of diving
daytrips and liveaboards cruises with special discounts!
Sightseeing and Other Tours
Phang Nga Bay with its strange limestone scenery, beautiful Phi
Phi Island, Khao Lak with its natural forest, are all accessible
in a day. Take an eco-tour
by elephant, go rafting,
or visit the local temples.
Junk Tours & Cruises
Phang Nga Bay, around Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands offer perfect
destinations for cruising. Sunset cruises, day charter or longer
cruises on a beautiful Chinese style Junk. Let the crew do the work
while you relax, passing through some of the most stunning scenery
in Thailand - magical Phang Nga Bay, the amazing Krabi coastline
and idyllic Phi Phi Island. There's no better way to relax. The
ideal escape in southern Thailand. Several companies also operate
sunset dinner cruises which leave every evening, along Phuket's
east coast. Please check the Chinese
Junks cruises available...
Golf
Phuket has four fine golf courses, which have been designed to
take full advantage of the island's tropical landscape. Many visitors
come solely for golf, but accompanying family members rarely complain
about being left to laze by the pool or on the beach. Standards
are high and there are enough challenges to stretch players (the
Blue Canyon Country Club hosted both the 1994 & 1998 Johnnie
Walker Classic Golf Tournament and the Honda Invitational. Read
more about Blue
Canyon Country Club...
Just outside Patong, only 20 minutes away, are two excellent
courses... Perfect for an early morning round.....
The Loch Palm Golf 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. Follow the
road out of Patong heading towards Phuket Town. The course are clearly
signposted. There's also a driving range. Read more about Loch
Palm Golf Club...
Further afield in the north end of Phuket island, The Banyan
Tree Golf Club has a resort style 18 hole golf course located
within the Laguna Phuket development. Situated on the exclusive
Bang Tao Bay on the western shore of Phuket Island, this par 71
layout stretches 6,850 yards from the championship tees. Read more
about Banyan
Tree Golf Club...
The Best Time to Play is the early morning or late afternoon
for golfers unused to a tropical climate. However it's common to
hire multiple caddies (almost always young ladies), and one of them
can be assigned parasol duties. Remember sunblock, wear light-coloured
clothing that breathes, and drink lots of fluids.
See all the Phuket
golf courses information...
Fishing
The deep blue waters of the Andaman Sea are ideal for game fishing.
The region is on the migratory paths of classic fighting fish such
as marlin, Dorado and barracuda. At certain times of the year, the
Sailfish fishing compares with anywhere in the world. You can charter
a boat between friends or join a trip.
Boating & Sailing
Hire a speedboat from Patong, for short scenic trips around the
island or to other locations off the coast of Phuket. Costs vary
according to the speed and size of the vessel. For a leisurely boat
trip around the islands, there are a number of operators running
boat trips - half day, full day and extended tours of the area,
most include swimming and snorkelling stops at secluded beaches,
and for full day tours, provide lunch.
If you are more serious about your boating, there are numerous
boat charter agencies through which you can organise a few days
sailing, fishing or cruising around the area, with or without crew.
Fishing expeditions are extremely popular in these waters where
the marine life is abundant and colourful, offering wonderful sport
for fishing enthusiasts. |
