9 Water Sports in Phuket You Should Not Miss 

Phuket is an outdoor lover’s dream come true. From the lush interiors to the sparkling ocean, there are endless opportunities for adventures. This is especially true of its coastline, where you’ll find the beaches and seas bustling with people as they snorkel, sail, and swim. 

At Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, we know all about this island’s natural wonders through our Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities. And while we work on land, our team is well-versed in all of the exciting experiences you can enjoy in the water. 

We’ve created this guide to nine water sports in Phuket you should not miss while you’re here, including everything from scuba diving to kitesurfing. Keep reading for our insider tips, or feel free to contact us about tours.

Let’s dive in!

Snorkeling: Explore Phuket’s Underwater Havens

The waters surrounding Phuket are teeming with coral reefs and marine life, making snorkeling one of the most popular water sports on the island. You can simply grab your mask and snorkel and dive in right from the shore! Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Kata Noi with its crystal-clear waters and Paradise Beach with its secluded bay. 

The small islands surrounding Phuket are underwater havens. At the Phi Phi Islands, you can go snorkeling at renowned spots like Shark Point and safely swim with blacktip reef sharks!

The easy accessibility of snorkeling makes it one of our top picks for the 5 Best Kids’ Water Activities and Water Sports in Phuket, perfect for a family-friendly adventure. 

Scuba Diving: Plunge Deeper into Phuket’s Waters

If you want to swim to deeper depths, Phuket is a paradise for scuba divers. You’ll be spoilt for choice, with at least 40 dive sites to choose from including reefs, walls, and shipwrecks. If you’re an experienced and certified diver, you can access many locations yourself with a buddy, otherwise there are plenty of tours which will take you to the sites. 

Some of the most popular sites include Koh Doc Mai, where you can dive among a wall and caves, the Harruby shipwreck home to numerous fish species, and the Kata Reef, where you can spot barracuda, parrotfish, and even the occasional turtle.

Sea Kayaking: Discover Phuket’s Coastal Beauty

Want to explore the ocean without getting wet? Sea kayaking in Phuket is one of the best ways to discover its beautiful coastline. You can launch from the mainland and go paddling in the Andaman Sea, or go sailing among the breathtaking limestone formations of Phang Nga Bay. For a truly spectacular experience, you can even kayak Phang Nga Bay at nighttime, when the waters glitter with bioluminescent plankton.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Find Your Balance in Phuket

For those of you with a strong core and good balance, stand-up paddleboarding provides a tranquil yet engaging water sport. The calm ocean waters in Phuket make for a smooth experience, but you can even go paddling on the rivers to discover Phuket’s natural mangroves. If you’re new to paddleboarding, you can also join a tour where an experienced guide will help you find your footing!

Boat Tours: Discover Phuket Islands 

One of the best ways of discovering Phuket is by taking a boat tour. Sailing through the Andaman Sea, you can visit the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay (home to the famous James Bond Island), Koh Samui, the Similan Islands, and more! At the islands, you can continue snorkeling in the tropical waters or lounge on the picturesque beaches. For a quicker journey, you can also travel by speedboat. 

To find out more about these islands and where else you can visit by boat, check out our blog, Beyond Phuket: Day Trips & Excursions to Nearby Islands.

Jet Skiing: Go Speeding through Phuket

If you’re looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush, you can explore Phuket with a high-speed jet ski! You can rent jet skis and fly down the shorelines at beaches like Patong, one of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket. Or, you can make the most of your speed and go manoeuvring between the islands, visiting numerous points and taking breaks for snorkeling!

Surfing: Catch the Best Waves in Phuket

Whether you’re an experienced surfer or a novice, the waves in Phuket are second to none. In fact, Phuket is known as the surfing capital of Thailand! Kata Beach is considered the birthplace of surfing in Phuket and provides some of the best waves. There are also surf schools here if you want to take up lessons. Other popular beaches include Karon Beach, Kamala Beach, and Bangtao Beach. 

Parasailing: Catch Some Air in Phuket

How about seeing Phuket from both the water and the air? Parasailing provides a thrilling way of experiencing the coastline, trailing you by boat at speed until you’re lifted up into the sky by your parachute! You can go parasailing on many of the mainland beaches such as Patong, Karon, and Kamala Beaches. 

Kite Surfing

Kite surfing is fast becoming one of the most popular watersports in Phuket, which offers prime conditions for experienced kite surfers or beginners. During the high season, between November and April, Phuket experiences winds between 10 and 20 knots, perfect for kite surfing. 

Beginners can try their hand at the sport at beaches like Karon and Nai Yang Beach which have ideal flat waters. More experienced kite surfers will love Rawai Beach and Chalong Bay for their choppier conditions!

Continue the Adventure with our Elephant Activities in Phuket!

The adventures don’t stop when you come back on land. At Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, you can experience our safe and ethical Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities! Meet our rescued elephants and walk with them in the jungle, learning about their conservation along the way. Phuket is an island abounding in nature, and we hope to contribute to its preservation. If you have any questions about our sanctuary or our tours, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. 

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