Phuket Beach Guide

Beach based Sports and Activities

Water-Skiing & Para-Sailing

On Phuket, skiing is seasonal, with the May-October southwest monsoon discouraging the sport on the exposed western beaches. Weather permitting, though, skiboats on Patong Beach may occasionally venture out even in the this season.

From mid-November on till May, however, the seas are generally calm and the surf slight -- ideal for skiing.

And now water-skiers can enjoy the sport at any time of year. Phuket Waterski and Cableways Park (tel 202 525 or 214 734) is operating on a small lake near the Kathu Waterfall. You don't need a boat and you don't have to worry about inclement sea conditions. Up to 15 skiers can enjoy cable skiing at any one time.

Para-sailing is not recommended, unless you are confident that the boat, equipment, and most importantly the crew are safe and professional. Check out what happens with other customers first.

Dinghy Sailing

Learning to sail is easy -- not as easy as operating a water scooter but, it might be suggested, far more satisfying. Try one of the beach operators on all of the major beaches, if your hotel doesn't have cats or dinghies.

The November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular, provides steady winds with flat seas and clean, clear water. Peak season for winds is November-February. From mid-May till late October, heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes make the sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.

* Windsurfing

Of the 16 beaches on the west coast of Phuket, at least 8 offer windsurfing facilities. Patong, the most developed of these, has seven or eight windsurfing shops along the beach. Lessons are available for beginners. The quality of equipment of instruction is sometimes better at the big hotels, although some of the independent operators offer fine service as well.

Phuket is a perfect destination both for confirmed windsurfing enthusiasts and for people who want to try it for the first time. During the November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular, steady winds together with flat seas combine with clean, clear water and superb scenery to make this an intensely rewarding experience. Peak season for winds is November-February. From mid-May till late October, heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes make the sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.

Snorkelling

Anyone can enjoy snorkelling with a minimum of equipment and preparation. Both Phuket itself and many of the islands within range of Phuket have lots of shallow coral that makes for excellent snorkelling. Many of the exotic marine creatures that inhabit the coral reef are accessible to skin-divers, and the shallow, sunlit waters show colours off to their best effect.

Be sure to wear a T-shirt and lots of sunblock -- it's easy to become totally fascinated by this submarine world and forget about the tropical sun overhead.