Explore the island:
There are many companies who offer island tours and these are a convenient and inexpensive way of seeing more of your holiday destination. However, if you have the time why not rent a motorcycle or car, and do a little exploring on your own? Your hotel or tour guide will be able to give you a road map, but you can’t really get lost. This is an island so if you keep going you’ll eventually get back where you started! Follow the winding coast roads and discover isolated beaches which you can have all to yourself. Head inland and visit small farming communities where people still live in much the same way as they have for hundreds of years.

Please remember that you must wear a crash helmet on a motorcycle. For those of you who are visiting from Europe or the United States please also note that we drive on the left here!

Motorcycle rentals start at 150 baht per day and small jeeps are available from 900 baht per day. If you rent for a week or longer you’ll be able to negotiate a better rate. (See page 23 for details).

Snorkelling:
Crystal clear waters, beautiful coral reefs and a prolific marine life; it’s an underwater paradise. Snorkelling can be done all-year-round, but the best time is between November and April, when there’s very little rain, and the sea is calm. Freedom Beach, Laem Sing Beach, Ao Sane Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Paradise Beach and Tri Trang Beach all offer good snorkelling. Coral Island, Racha Island, Kai Island, Phi Phi Islands and the Similans, can each be visited in a day. For some you’ll need an early start, and a fast boat, that’ll set you back about 1,500 baht for the round trip.

Parasailing:
Ever wish you could fly like a bird, soaring and diving effortlessly with the wind in your face, and experience views of this beautiful island from a new and exciting perspective? Phuket now offers you the chance to do exactly this. It’s called parasailing. The parasail is a specially designed parachute which you wear, and which is then towed behind a speedboat; suddenly you’re airborne and looking down on mere mortals.

There are several operators on Patong Beach, and prices start at 2,000 baht.

Phuket Aquarium at Cape Panwa:
Whether you confine yourself to a walk along the beach or engage in swimming, snorkelling and scuba-diving there’s no doubt that marine related activities are one of the prime attractions for visitors to Phuket.

For those who are inclined to do their research in a more leisurely style or who would like to know more about Phuket’s surrounding waters and its marine life, the Phuket Aquarium is a must-do.

The Aquarium which is also a Marine Life Research Centre is located right on the tip of Cape Panwa and is a thirteen kilometre drive from Phuket City. There’s a local bus service to the Aquarium which leaves Ranong Road daily from 9.00am to 3.00pm, every hour.