Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for a heart-pumping water-based adventure, or just wishing to splash about in the sea, Phuket is your one-stop destination. Home to several water sports, the Pearl of the Andaman will leave any adventure lover satisfied.
Here are 10 of Phuket’s most popular water sports that are guaranteed to be a hit with all adventure enthusiasts.
1. Scuba Diving
If you’ve ever wanted to explore a world beyond the usual, scuba diving is the thing to do. With its crystal-clear waters and exotic tropical fish, the underwater world in Phuket offers incredible marine beauty.
Spot everything, from turtles and stingrays to barracudas and giant manta rays. So, let the mermaid in you come out and explore the underwater treasures that very few people get to experience.
Where: Super Divers and Aussie Divers Phuket at Patong Beach
Cost: Rs 7,900/ US$ 124 for three dives
2. Jet Skiing
Jet skiing may have been around for decades, but its popularity has only grown recently. Not only is it simple to partake in, but also offers a thrilling experience. So ride the waves and splash water all around, while cruising through the ocean.
Although you don’t need to know how to swim to try this fun sport, basic knowledge on riding a scooter will always come in handy.
Where: Jet skis are accessible on pretty much every beach in Phuket.
Cost: A 30-minute session will cost you Rs 1,500/ US$ 24
3. Flyboarding
Flyboarding is a new activity that has recently become a rage in the world of water sports. Here, a powerful jet spray attached to your feet lets you hover in the air like Iron Man, and helps you dive gracefully into the water, like a dolphin.
And once you get the hang of it, you can perform gravity-defying manoeuvres like backflips and somersaults in the air. Aren’t you dreaming of trying it already?
Where: Since it’s relatively new in Phuket, it is available only at Patong Beach in Kathu.
Cost: Rs 6,400/ US$ 100 for half an hour.
4. Sea Canoeing
Canoeing is a leisurely activity that attracts people from all walks of life, with age being no bar. While the water will do all the hard work of taking you around, you need to paddle to change direction.
This is one of the best ways to experience the famed limestone cliffs at close quarters, discover hidden caves, or just canoe aimlessly in the mighty blue sea.
Where: John Gray’s Sea Canoe in the Mueang district of Phuket.
Cost: Rs 1,900 to 3,800/ US$ 30 to 60
5. Snorkelling
Snorkelling is the least expensive water sport to make it to this list, but is as good fun as the others. It is like scuba diving without the equipment.
With just a snorkel mask and a pair of fins, you can glide through the turquoise waters, swim around vibrant corals, and discover the ocean’s exotic marine life. The underwater world will remind you of a creative child’s colour book – all you have to do is keep swimming!
Where: Super Divers at Patong in Kathu.
Cost: You can do a snorkelling trip (including gears) with a dive shop for less than Rs 3,200/ US$ 50
6. Parasailing
Do you envy birds because they can fly? You need not do that anymore. If the idea of flying and hovering over the sea, getting a bird’s-eye view of the shore, and (in some cases) surfing on the sea water barefoot while clinging to a speedboat sounds exciting to you, then you will fall in love with parasailing.
Where: Pretty much every beach in Phuket offers parasailing activities.
Cost: Rs 1,600/ US$ 25 for a flight that lasts up to five minutes
7. Surfing
Surfing is a highly addictive sport, thanks to the unparalleled rush it provides. The idea of riding monster waves at breakneck speed is extremely exciting, to say the least.
Although not very popular in Phuket, there are a few places where you can go surfing. One can rent surf boards at cheap rates and expect good waves during the months of August and September.
Note: A basic knowledge of swimming is essential to enjoy this sport safely.
Where: The best places for surfing in Phuket are Kata Beach and Kalim Beach.
Cost: Renting a surfboard will cost you Rs 300/ US$ 5 per hour
8. Windsurfing
Unsure whether you want to sail or surf? We’ve found you a middle ground – windsurfing.
Adrenaline junkies will love the high-voltage action that windsurfing offers. All you need is the right board and a good breeze, and you will be zooming through the ocean at insane speeds. Nothing is as invigorating as the rush you experience while cruising through the water, with the wind caressing your face.
This sport requires proper training, as it utilises the body’s core strength to maintain good balance on the board.
Where: Phuket Windsurfing School on Rawai beach.
Cost: A one-day course costs about Rs 7,500/ US$ 120
9. Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is the most extreme sport on this list. For daredevils who want to soar to new heights, quite literally, kitesurfing is the perfect adventure.
Having evolved from various extreme sports, kitesurfing uses a large steerable kite to launch you over the water, and the winds decide the speed and, well, how high you go.
Once you learn to ride the waves, you will be able to leap high in the air, while holding your kite. Professionals can jump to heights of 60 feet and float in the air for up to 10 seconds when the conditions are right. Sounds insane, right? That’s exactly what it is.
Where: Kite Zone Phuket at Muang Phuket.
Cost: Renting the equipment would cost you Rs 2,400/ US$ 37 for an hour.
10. Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is another water sport to have recently caught the eyes of thrill-seekers around the world. It’s basically a hybrid of water skiing and surfing.
Here, you simply grab onto the cable tied with a speedboat and zoom through the sea whilst having the time of your life. Once you learn the basics, you can take it a notch higher by trying stunts on a series of slides and other obstacles around a lake.
You don’t need to be a professional to enjoy this sport. At the Phuket Wake Park, you can just strap on a life jacket, a helmet and get started in a man-made lagoon.
Where: Phuket Wake Park in Kathu.
Cost: Rs 650/ US$ 10 for a two-hour session.
