Getting Active in Phuket

Phuket is a destination where people come to relax and soak up the year-round sunshine on the idyllic sandy beaches, but there are many opportunities for getting active on and around the island. The crystal clear Andaman Sea is a playground for lovers of water sports, where as the lush jungle and hills of Phuket and surrounding islands provide exciting challenges all of their own with some stunning vistas as rewards. With a host of adrenaline activities to boot, active souls will be fulfilled on a trip to Phuket.

Here's a rundown of exhilarating activities to fill your time on the island;

The National Park of Sirinat is located in the north west of the island, close to the international airport, and encompasses three different beaches; Nai Thon, Mai Khao, and Nai Yang. As well as miles of sandy beach, the park is also made up of lush tropical jungle and a tangle of mangroves making it a haven for wildlife. Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtles choose the Mai Khao stretch of sand to lay their eggs and are well protected. The jungle contains a plethora of species including macaques of the black and white varieties, different types of squirrel, chameleon, snake, frog, gecko and skink to name but a few, and an abundance of insect life. Up in the trees there are also many species of bird including the majestic Hornbill. There is a small entrance fee to pay to enter the park but once inside you are free to explore. Try kayaking through the mangroves to get a closer look at the wildlife that makes its home here.

Snorkelling can be a great addition to a lazy day at the beach and an opportunity to enjoy the colourful aquatic life that the Andaman Sea is so famous for.

Some of the best beaches to test out your snorkelling gear are Ya Nui in the south (the further out the better), Ao Sane; also in the south, and great for parrotfish and clownfish, Paradise Beach; just south of Patang with a coral reef 100 metres off-shore, and Laem Ka near Rawai; home to many species of crab.

Boat trips to surrounding islands also present some great snorkelling opportunities, particularly the Phi Phi Islands where many tropical fish and vibrant coral can be found.

There are many diving centres located around Phuket where trips to the best spots can be arranged. Paradise Beach, south of Patong, with its sheltered beach managed by the Paradise Beach Phuket Club offer diving as well as a host of other water sports. The best diving, however, is to be found around the many islands that surround Phuket. Here is a small selection of the top sites;  

Similan Islands: offer some world-class diving experiences with the best time to visit between late October and May.

Racha Noi Islands: Have multi-level dive sites with giant granite boulders and rocky pinnacles. Currents can be strong.

Hin Muang and Hin Daeng: Often listed in the top diving sites of Thailand, these areas have good visibility all year round.

For an exhilarating experience and some incredible views of the island, take to the skies and float like a feather on a paragliding excursion.

There are many hills and ridges suitable for launching, Promthep Cape in the south west being the most popular, but beginners can also take tandem flights with a tow-launch straight off the beach. 

Along the coastline of Phuket there are water sports of all types to try out. Kayaks and small sailing boats are always in demand, along with kite surfing and wakeboarding. Surfing is even growing in popularity although the conditions are not as favourable as Asian islands further south.

Whatever your desire, there will be an activity to suit you.

The jungle canopies of Phuket provide an excellent location for ziplining, allowing thrill seekers to sail through the air with a bird's eye view of the island. 

There are many centres around the island with ziplines and multiple platforms, and many offer additional activities such as jungle skywalks, abseiling and jungle 'rollercoasters'; high-speed roller ziplines that reach speeds of around 40km per hour.

A lot of centres will offer hotel pick-up and drop-off so it's worth checking what's included when you book.

Although there are no fast-flowing rivers on the island of Phuket, it is possible seek out some white water rafting on a day trip to Phang Nga Province where it's possible to ride on 5, 7 or 9km courses. Local tour companies will provide basic training to get everyone ready no matter what their previous experience is, so that the ride can be undertaken safely whilst enjoying the lush jungle scenery all around. 

There are a handful of sites where mini-golf can be enjoyed on Phuket.

Phuket Adventure Mini Golf is an 18 hole course set in a lush tropical garden, and there is also a Petanque lawn, restaurant and bar. 

A love of mini golf and dinosaurs can be combined at Dino Park where the 18 hole course is brimming with life-size replicas of prehistoric beasts. There is also a restaurant on-site. 

Football Crazy Golf is a fun and energetic hybrid of golf and football where the ball is kicked around a special 18 hole course. There are different levels of difficulty and plenty of hazards to keep everyone challenged and entertained.