Roger Gary
Frequented by honeymooners and beach lovers, Phuket is one of Thailand's most engaging vacation hubs. From diving to elephant treks, here are some must-do activities on a tour of the paradise isle.
Tipped to be one of Thailand's best snorkelling hubs the clear, tranquil waters of Phuket make it a snorkelling haven all year round. With its seabed teeming with colourful marine life official snorkelling season kicks off from November to April when conditions are ideal for the activity. Snorkelling equipment is available for hire along most beaches of this sun-kissed paradise. Visitors based in luxury Phuket resorts such as the Anantara Phuket Villas will enjoy easy access to fantastic snorkelling hotspots in the island.
Frequented by avid surfers and novices alike Phuket's western shorelines are some of the most coveted surfing areas in the country. Known as the top venue to engage in wave riding in all of Thailand Phuket is also the venue of choice for not one but three surfing competitions that attracts world class surfers from around the world.
With the Andaman Sea at every direction one could hardly conceive of a more perfect location to dive beneath the ocean's surface than Phuket. Ranked among the top 10 diving hubs in the world the clarity and warmth of Phuket's waters and its stunning coral reefs make it a prime habitat for a wide variety of marine life.
As one of only a handful of Thai holiday heartlands with truly world class golfing greens Phuket is the best place to tee off with friends or family and enjoy a memorable game of golf. Offering golf enthusiasts a plethora of engaging clubs and well-maintained golf courses hitting the sweet spot is a veritable guarantee in Phuket's lush greens.
Available in the area close to Kathu Waterfall cable skiing and wakeboarding are some of the most popular water sports activities in the island. Phuket's freshwater lakes are also on hand to try a variety of other water sports including water skiing, wakeboarding and knee boarding. Accessible to novices and seasoned water sports enthusiasts lessons in these particular disciplines are also available through resorts.
Home to more than 19 elephant camps it is little surprise elephant trekking is a staple tourist activity on Phuket Island. Although the gentle giant are not native to the island but hail from the country's northern reaches the well-maintained camps provide visitors the rare opportunity explore the island's jungles atop the magnificent creatures.
Ideal for adrenalin junkies and zip-lining fanatics the Flying Hanuman experience allows visitors the thrilling opportunity to zip-line at break neck speeds 40m above the forest canopy. Available to visitors touring Kathu this eco-friendly and completely safe adventure sporting activity allows participants to marvel at the jungle landscape from a bird's eye view.
amed as the finest water park in the southern reaches of Thailand the Splash Jungle Water Park offers families and individual travellers a fantastic day of revelling in liquid based attractions. Home to thrilling water based rides, water slides and other theme park fixtures this sprawling splash centre located in Mai Kao Beach is a top highlight in Phuket.
As a martial art form that is unique to Thailand visitors vacationing in Phuket can also experience the thrills and spills of Muay Thai by attending a local match venue on fight night. A live Thai boxing encounter is a must-have experience in Phuket which is home to a large number of male and female boxing training camps.
Situated between Kata Beach and Karon Beach Dino Park is an 18-hole mini golf course littered with dinosaur statues where mini-golf fans can tee-off and enjoy a meal at the venue's Flintstone inspired restaurant.
