Posted 27 December 2022 in Travel wanderlust

The way of the water: 7 Water sports worth enjoying in Phuket

Phuket is the largest island of Thailand and is located in the southern part of the country in the Andaman Sea. This lively island is one of the most favourite tourist destinations in Thailand and attracts lakhs of tourists every year.

The province is defined by greenery, exotic and pristine beaches, nightlife, delicious food options and a number of water sports for adventure enthusiasts. Phuket is also famous for its temples, amazing culture, glorious history and Thai massages. In all, Phuket is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts.

Tourists who wish to do exciting water sports in Phuket won’t be disappointed. Water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, yachting, parasailing and jet-skiing are famous. Several other water sports include kite surfing, sea canoeing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and deep-sea fishing.

Some of the popular water sports in Phuket are:

1. Snorkelling

Snorkelling is a popular water sport that offers you a chance to swim with the fish in the sea. It is a fun sport for adventure enthusiasts. Depending on your stamina and how much you know swimming, this is an easy to moderate water sport. However, swimming knowledge is not required for snorkelling.

As you snorkel in the waters of the Andaman Sea in Phuket, you will come across colourful marine life and stunningly beautiful coral reefs. Make sure to wear a pair of fins and a snorkel mask before entering the sea. For the best experience, put on a life jacket. With these things on, you need not worry. Just slip in the emerald blue sea and sail with hordes of colourful and beautiful fishes.

Paradise Beach is the best for snorkelling in Phuket. You will get a chance to see some of the rarest corals in the Andaman Sea while enjoying one of the best water sports in Phuket. The best season to do snorkelling is from November to April. The cost of this water sport starts from INR 6000 per person.

2. Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving is one of the best and most popular water sports in Phuket. Also, Phuket is on the list of top 10 destinations for scuba diving in the world. So, get ready for an exciting experience diving in the Andaman Sea in Phuket.

One basic prerequisite for this water sport is swimming. You should know swimming or the basics of it before trying scuba diving. If you know swimming, Phuket is the best destination for you for scuba diving as the island has several certified diving centres that make it look easy. One can also get their PADI certificate from these centres.

Scuba diving will give you a totally different experience as it allows you to swim with beautiful fishes and several other marine creatures in the deep sea. Wearing well-fitted gear is a must before diving.

Scuba diving is not difficult if you know swimming. Patong Beach in Phuket is the best destination for scuba diving. The best time to do scuba diving is from December to April. The cost of this water sport starts from INR 7900 for an individual.

3. Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking is one of the easiest water sports as compared to other water sports and probably this is the reason it is one of the top water activities in Phuket. For people who are not comfortable with adventure water sports, sea kayaking is their option.

Sea kayaking enables you to explore sea caves, limestone caves, mini-islands and karst outcrops while calmly kayaking through the crystal-clear waters of Phuket. Get some stunning clicks on the way.

Some of the best places to do sea kayaking in Phuket are John Gray’s Sea Canoe and Phang Nga Bay in the Mueang district of the island. Swimming knowledge is not required for this leisure water sport. The best time to go sea kayaking is from October to March. Sea kayaking costs INR 1900 per individual.

4. Surfing

Surfing is one of the challenging and thrilling water sports. Belonging to the moderate to difficult category on the adventure level, surfing needs swimming knowledge. At least, basic swimming knowledge is a prerequisite for this adventure water sport.

If you know how to tame the wind and waves, surfing is your kind of water sport. The water sport is not yet popular in Phuket but it is gaining momentum slowly. You shall glide through the emerald-green Andaman Sea.

The best places to do surfing in Phuket are Kalim Beach, Kamala Beach, Kata Beach and Surin Beach. There will be experts to guide and train you at the beach. Never go surfing without a mentor.

The best time for surfing is from April to October. Surfing would cost you INR 300 for renting a soft board per person.

5. Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is one of the most challenging and daring water sports of all. The popular water sport stands out as it is nothing like any other adventure water sport. In kitesurfing, you glide on a soft board on the crystal-clear water with a dirigible kite attached to the board.

The water sport gives you a chance to ride the waves and face the challenge. Kitesurfing will give you an experience of a lifetime. While kitesurfing is thrilling and exciting, never do it without a certified trainer or mentor. Swimming knowledge is a prerequisite for this adventure water sport.

Kitesurfing comes under the difficult category on the adventure metre. The best places to do kitesurfing in Phuket are Kalim Beach, Kite Zone Phuket and Kata Beach in Muang district. The best season to do kitesurfing is from June to September as the waves are high during the rainy season. The cost of kitesurfing in Phuket starts from INR 2400 for an individual.

6. Jet Skiing

Jet Skiing is one of the popular and loved water sports as it does not require swimming. Experience the thrill on a bike in the Andaman Sea while jet skiing in Phuket. Feel the strong and cool breeze of the sea while riding a water scooter in the middle of the sea.

The water sport offers an exciting and incredible experience. Jet Skiing comes under the moderate category on the adventure metre. The best places for jet skiing in Phuket are Patong Beach, Kamala Beach and Kata Beach. While these three beaches are the best for jet skiing, almost all the beaches in Phuket offer this water sports opportunity.

Wear your gears properly before riding the bike. The best season for jet skiing is from September to April. Jet skiing costs INR 1440 per individual.

7. Parasailing

If you want to fly high above the sea, parasailing is for you. Parasailing is one of the popular and thrilling water sports loved by adventure enthusiasts. Swimming is not required for this water sport. You just need a life jacket and you are ready to fly. In parasailing, you will be flying high in the air with a parachute while being attached to a speedboat, which will take you through the water body.

You will have an experience of a lifetime when you will look down for an amazing view of the surroundings. It is one of the best water sports for couples. The best time for parasailing is from June to September. However, it can be done the whole year.

The parasailing price in Phuket is INR 1600 for a person. It comes under the easy to moderate category of difficulty level. The best places to try parasailing are Patong Beach Surina Beach and Kamala Beach.

Travel tips

Thais hold the royal family of Thailand in their highest regard. Never disrespect the royal family.
Stand during the Thai National Anthem and Royal Anthem when in Phuket.
Show respect for local culture and laws.
Thai people hold the temples in the country in high reverence. Tourists should cover themselves up while visiting any temple in Thailand.
Follow every protocol related to COVID and get vaccinated for the virus before visiting any other country.

How to reach?

By air: Phuket International Airport is the international airport that serves the island. It is situated 31 km from the centre of Phuket. The airport is well-connected to major domestic and international locations of the world. IndiGo offers direct flights to Phuket from Delhi with continuous connections to other cities of India. Another way to reach Phuket is from Bangkok. Arrive at Bangkok and then take another flight to Phuket. IndiGo offers 14 flights in a week from Kolkata to Bangkok along with easy connectivity from all major Indian cities.
By train: There are no direct trains to Phuket. However, one can reach Phuket by boarding a train from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Station to Phun Phin near Surat Thani. Phun Phin is a 5-hour drive from Phuket. You can take a bus or a cab to Phuket from Phun Phin.
By road: Phuket has well-connected roadways. One can reach nearby cities from Phuket on a bus. One can take a bus from BKS Terminal in Phuket to cities like Bangkok, Krabi, Surat Thani and Phang Na. Several AC and non-AC buses run through the cities.

Best time to visit Phuket

The best and ideal time to visit Phuket is from November to February as the months are the best to explore the island and enjoy water sports. November to February is also the peak season in Thailand. The monsoon season from May to October is rainy and, hence, typically avoided.

Climate/temperature of Phuket

Phuket has a tropical climate. March is the hottest month in Phuket with an average temperature of 28.5°C whereas the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 27°C.

Conclusion

Phuket is one of the most beautiful cities in South Asia. If you are looking for a beach destination for your vacation, Phuket is just what you need with crystal-clear turquoise water and lively nightlife. The island is also an ideal location for experiencing some of the thrilling and exciting water sports.