Outdoor activities at Phuket!
Sea Canoeing
This is now one of the most popular day tours out of Phuket, and with good reason. There is no better way to appreciate the inner world of strange geographic formations, flora and fauna of Phang Nga Bay than to paddle quietly through its caves and lagoons by sea canoe. Please beware of cheap operators as you only get what you pay for: inferior service, poor information and unsafe canoes will spoil your enjoyment. Enquire at the front desk of your hotel or contact: Pang Ngha Eco Tourism, Tel: 219042, Fax: 234574 or see their webpage www.Seacavecanoe.comBoat Cruising
For the ultimate experience in Phang Nga Bay, take an overnight cruise and enjoy the best times of day - early morning and sunset - in this sea-mountain wonderland. Charter boats are available with captain, crew and meals including fresh seafood from local fishing craft. Major charter agent Thai Marine Leisure (TML) can find you the right boat.Butterfly Farm and Aquarium
If you're interested in the teeming colors of the jungle and sea, this "farm" is for you: butterflies in a large, open aviary; reef fish in the island's best aquarium and insects you're not likely to see, even walking in the forest or mangrove swamps. Situated at the northern end of Phuket Town, this area can be a little difficult to find, so give yourself plenty of time, take a map and follow the signs. Open from gam to 5.30pm, Tel: 215 616.Elephant Trekking
Previously working elephants from all corners of Thailand are now engaged in the tourist industry, and elephant camps can be found on all roads leading out of beach areas. The best trails are south of Kata, where the hills are high, the views spectacular and the people fewer. Because of growing concern as to the treatment of elephants, Phuket based Siam Safari (Tel: 280 116) has become involved in The Elephant Help Project. This involves raising money to provide medical care and keep records of the 172 elephants in Phuket.Learn to Dive
The waters surrounding Phuket are among the clearest, warmest and calmest in the world. Below the surface is a wonderland of colorful coral reefs and marine life. Add world-class instruction at bargain prices and you have one of the best places in the world to learn to dive. If you've ever dreamed of trying out the underwater world, this is the place. Serious Scuba divers know Phuket and the surrounding areas as one of the world's top spots for undersea adventure. A word of caution: if you want to be able to come back again and again, please treat the environment - and particularly the coral - with the respect it deserves, to ensure that it will be waiting to welcome you upon your return. This way you will preserve the reef for generations to come, and make your next visit as enjoyable.Golf
Phuket has four international standard golf courses: Blue Canyon (Tel: 327 440); Banyan Tree (Tel: 324 358); Phuket Country Club (Tel: 321 039) and Loch Palm (Tel: 321 930). All have expert caddies and plenty of refreshment available at the end of the 182" hole.Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Returning captive pets to the wild can be futile, but this rare organisation takes rehabilitating captive gibbons (the smallest species of ape) seriously; and it may well prove to be the world's first successful program. The efforts to teach these graceful, tree-swinging apes to return to, and survive in the wild are commendable. Much of what they do is open to the public. Worth visiting and very well-worth supporting.Self-drive Tours
If you really want to see as much of Phuket as possible, you have to rent a car or motorcycle. The island is large and public transport does not reach many beautiful beaches and places of interest. The first thing to do is to drive along the west coast road and discover Phuket's major (and small, hard to find) beaches. Jeeps, car and motorcycles to rent are easily found, but to play it safe stick to reputable companies.Trekking and Rafting
While there is some trekking on the island, rafting is limited to a few small, fast flowing rivers in adjoining Phang Nga. As the natural jungle of the Thai-Malay peninsula is among the most botanically diverse in the world, it is well worth the effort to get out and experience it. For more information, contact Phuket Trekking Club Co., Ltd. Tel: 341 453, Phuket Sea and Land Co., Ltd (Tel: 222 900), your hotel reception, or a major tour operator.Hat Bang Sek and Hat Khao Lak
Around 75 and 90 kilometers respectively north of Phuket Island lie the beaches of Bang Sek and Khao Lak. Hat Bang Sek is a vast expanse of sandy beach backed by casuarina trees. Numerous small eateries spring up in the high season but are unobtrusive. Many claim that the roasted fish sold on the beach is the best in Thailand. The beach is generally sparsely populated, the sea is very clean and the ambience pleasant.
Hat Khao Lak is a little rocky, but has the advantage of a large, unspoiled offshore reef, suitable for snorkeling, a short boat-ride away. There are some bungalows to rent and many will organize trips to the neighboring Similan and Surin island groups.Krabi
1110' Facing Phuket from the east, this region of soaring rock walls and stunningly beautiful beaches is now famous as a destination in its own right. If you have time, a visit is recommended. To get there, rent a car or take two boat trips via Phi Phi. The most famous portion of Kr abi, a peninsula isolated by sheer cliffs, can only be reached by boat.
Nightlife at Phuket!
Phuket FantaSea
From the creators of the successful Safari World in Bangkok comes a unique cultural theme park. Situated on the west coast of the island at Kamala Bay, Phuket FantaSea takes you on an exhilarating journey through history and time, using elaborate showcases, montages and a spectacular evening show. To say that the experience is a fusion of ancient Thai traditions, cutting-edge technology, circus acts, disappearing elephants, pyrotechnic displays and water effects only begins to describe what's on offer. A ticket buys you access to the full show and dinner at the Royal Feast Buffet; the world's largest, seating up to 4,000 people. For more information visit their Web Page at http://phuket-fantasea.com or telephone them on 076-385000 (60 lines). Most hotels will offer a visit to Phuket FantaSea as one of their available tours, transport included, so enquire at the front desk.Simon Cabaret
World famous night club with beautiful actresses that are not really womans - you will arrive relaxed, but leave confused!Thai Boxing
Thai Boxing is a widely contested sport in Phuket and, as in Bangkok, has become a tourist attraction. Every friday evening are events at Sapan Hin stadion.
Shopping
If shopping for handicrafts, textiles, gems, clothes and just about anything else that interests you, look no further: Phuket is a haven for the ardent shopper. The places to purchase such items are far too numerous to mention, but low-season bargains may be found island-wide, especially in mainstream supermarkets and stores.
Most of above information hase been extracted from famous " Phuket Magazine", published by ARTASIA Press, Tel: +66 2 8613360
www.aapress.net
