Whether you’re an adventure junkie or a nature enthusiast, water sports will surely lure you to Pattaya. With a gamut of adventurous activities to choose from, Pattaya is the ideal place for an adrenaline-pumping vacation. We’ve handpicked 12 of the best watersports the town has to offer.
1. Scuba Diving
Diving beneath the beaches of Pattaya to explore the underwater world is an excellent option for all the water babies out there. The zoomed-in view of the exotic marine life will leave you awestruck.
Roam around the beaches of Pattaya and you’ll spot tons of operators offering day trips to cool diving sites. There are about 20 of them around the coral islands near Pattaya.
You don’t need to be a good swimmer, or even know how to swim, to scuba dive – simply don your flippers, goggles, and oxygen tanks, and dive into the clear waters.
Where: Real Divers and Mermaids Dive Centre at Jomtien Beach
Price: Prices start from Rs 5,900/ US$ 91 per person for two dives (including the rental diving equipment)
2. Flyboarding
Have you ever dreamed of diving into a vast stretch of water like a dolphin? Or flying in the air like a bird? What if we say you can combine them both?
Flyboarding is the newest adventure sport to have become a rage with thrillseekers. It involves a powerful water jet attached to your boots that propels you in the air and lets you high dive into the water.
Once you get used to it, you can try 360-degree loops, flips, or any other stunt that catches your fancy. This is one sport that tops the awesomeness quotient.
Where: Flyboard Station Pattaya at Chonburi
Price: Rs 6,000/ US$ 88 for a 20-minute ride. Video filming costs are extra.
3. Sailing
This one’s for all the brooding explorers out there. Sailing happens throughout the year, but more so in the months from November to April. Depending on your interests, you can either do one-day sailing trips or go for certified sailing courses.
Where: Sailing is extremely popular on Jomtien Beach.
Price: A day sailing trip might start at Rs 4,900/ US$ 76
4. Kite Surfing
This is one of the coolest ways to bask in the true spirit of adventure – all you need is the right equipment and a steady breeze over the ocean.
A large steerable kite is used to launch you over water and, with accelerating wind speed, you start zipping over the waves. When the wind is blowing fiercely, you can go as high as 50 feet while kite surfing.
There are numerous kite-boarding schools in Pattaya that can teach you this sport in as less as three days.
Note: The months from November to April are ideal to kite surf in Pattaya.
Where: The Blue Lagoon Kite Surf School in Chonburi
Price: One hour of kite-surfing costs about Rs 2,150/ US$ 33, while courses range from Rs 7,800/ US$ 120 to Rs 21,500/ US$ 330, depending upon the duration.
5. Snorkelling
Witness the vibrant coral reefs and swim with a shoal of fishes by snorkelling in Pattaya’s turquoise blue waters. This sport is similar to scuba diving, but involves far less equipment. No wonder then that so many travellers favour it.
Where: Real Divers and Mermaids Dice Centre, at Jomtien Beach
Price: From Rs 1,960/ US$ 30 (including snorkelling gear)
6. Ski Boarding
Mount a ski board and ride the waves, as you get dragged by a speedboat at breakneck speed. Make sure to hold the cord tight as you enjoy the water splashing around.
Note: You should know basic swimming for this sport.
Where: Thai Wake Park in Chonburi
Price: Rs 1,000/ US$ 15 for a half-hour ride
7. Wakeboarding
A blend of skiing and surfing, wakeboarding is basically skiing on a surfboard. The sport has recently gained immense popularity in Pattaya, due to its low prices and high degree of thrill.
Wakeboarding requires you to balance yourself on a board while clutching a cable tight, as a speedboat drags you at insane speeds. Once you get a hang of it, you can even try some stunts while sliding over the water.
Where: Thai Wake Park in Chonburi
Price: Rs 600/ US$ 9 for two hours of wakeboarding
8. Windsurfing
This adrenaline-pumping sport combines the best of surfing and sailing – and it certainly guarantees some high-voltage action.
You ride the waves on a windsurf, as the breeze propels you into the water. This sport requires proper training, as it utilises both the force of wind and the buoyancy of water for the board’s movement. It also needs the rider to maintain a very good balance.
Where: Na Jomtien Beach
Price: Around Rs 7,800/US$ 120 per day to learn windsurfing
9. Jet Skiing
A jet ski ride is one of the most fun ways to experience the ocean at close quarters. You don’t need to know swimming for this sport, but basic knowledge of driving a bike will always come in handy.
Where: Almost on every beach of Pattaya
Price: Approximately Rs 1,400/ US$ 21 for a 30-minute ride
10. Parasailing
If you want to experience a bird’s-eye view of the landscape while soaring high in the clear skies, then parasailing is the right choice for you.
Here, you get to witness the beautiful coastline, the vast expanse of water, and the surrounding jungles, all while being harnessed to a parachute.
Where: Jomtien Beach
Price: Around Rs 800/ US$ 12 for a ride
11. Banana Boat
A Banana Boat ride is a whole lot of fun, sure to create lots of giggles and laughter.
Here, a huge inflated boat, shaped like a banana, carries 5-6 people right in the middle of the ocean. A speedboat drags the Banana Boat at high speeds and suddenly turns, tossing everyone in the water – a cool splash when you least expect it.
Where: All beaches in Pattaya
Price: Around Rs 1,400/ US$ 21 for a half-hour ride for six people
12. Under Sea Walk
The Under Sea Walk lets you walk on the ocean bed with a school of fishes swarming all around you. Here, you are taken to a depth of 20-25 metres to experience the marine life. Bread packets are then cut loose to attract fishes and, if they like you, they might just eat off your hand.
Where: Coral Island
Price: Rs 3,000/ US$ 46 (Including the entire watersport package)
