What to do in Phuket when you're not diving

There's more to Thailand than just diving. Here are some other things to do in Phuket and beyond.


Sea Kayaking: Phang Nga bay is the best place for a day Sea Kayaking (they call it sea canoe) and it's an ideal add on to a dive trip. Kayak through hongs (inner lagoons within the rocks) and see long tailed macaques, monitor lizards, snakes, spiders, bats, sea eagles and more. Anyone can do it, you don't need to be fit. Some trips are all about the kayaking, others combine kayaking with an afternoon snorkelling on a quiet beach, others include kayaking at night. More details >> If you want to see Phang Nga Bay (and James Bond Island) without the kayaking ask us about our one day trip by minibus and longtail boat that includes a wonderful floating restaurant in Phang Nga Bay.

Phuket Island/City Tours: We organise our own tours of Phuket for private groups. The itineraries are flexible depending on the groups needs. A typical tour might include Chalong Temple, the Big Buddha viewpoint, Cape Panwa, Old Phuket Town, a few beaches and somewhere good for lunch that most tourists wouldn't find. We won't make any unscheduled stops at gem factories etc (unless you want to). Ask us for more details >>

Elephant Trekking: Several options are available from a few hours in Phuket's hills to a multi day Mahout training course in Chaing Mai. Elephant riding tours can be combined with other activities like bamboo rafting, white water rafting, zip lining or quad biking.

ATV/Quad bikes: These are popular on Phuket now with specially made trails. A good way to let off steam for a few hours. Combine it with an hour at the shooting range and unload an AK47.

Mountain Biking: A nice way to see the countryside and interact with local Thai's. An old diving mate of ours now runs guided mountain biking tours around Phuket and further afield in Phang Nga (Koh Yao Noi/Yai), Krabi and Khao Sok National Park. You can do half day, full day or multi day trips. Highly recommended on your non diving days. More details >>

Phuket Cable Ski Lake: This place is becoming really popular lately. It's got kickers, slide rails and ramps for the experts. There is guidance available for newbies. There are wakeboards, skis and knee boards available. It's fun for all ages. The lake is located just 10 minutes drive from Patong beach close to Kathu waterfall.

Phuket Bungy Jump: I did this several years ago when I was young and stupid. If you are still lucky enough to be young and/or stupid and you want to throw yourself off a crane with what is basically a big rubber band tied to you ankles we'll happily arrange it for you. The bungy is a short drive from Patong beach in a nice jungle setting.

Sailing: We can arrange sailing from Phuket. How about joining in one of Phuket's Sunday regattas onboard a racing catamaran? Or charter a cruising yacht and explore the many islands. Our favourite route? Phuket-Phang Nga-Krabi-Phi Phi-Phuket.

Golf: Thailand has some great courses. We don't play ourselves but we can see the appeal because they have beer stops at every hole. Does anyone ever complete the full 18? If you want to add a round in at the end of your diving holiday let us know and we'll get you the prices. More details >>

Kitesurfing: Our mate Yote owns the first kitesurfing school in Trang. He can teach you in Trang or Phuket when the wind is blowing right. More details >>

Sea Fishing: Troll for game fish off the local islands. Marlin and Sail fish are possible catches (catch and release). More likely is that you'll catch tuna which you can take off the boat with you and bring round to our house for a BBQ!

Rock Climbing: Krabi and Phang Nga are the best places for this. One day intros are good fun or you can take longer and learn the proper climbing techniques.

Thai Cooking Classes: Several upper end hotels in Phuket (such as the Boathouse in Kata) run cookery classes. Or come and meet Ingo's wife Gung who'll teach you how to cook real Thai food. (And then we'll help you eat it).

SPA/Massage: You can get a massage on the beach for about 300 baht but if you want a little pampering then luxury spas abound on Phuket. Tell us where you are staying and we'll give our recommendations for the best spa nearby. Enquire

Khao Sok National Park: Worth a visit from Phuket or Khao Lak. A stunningly beautiful area to explore. We run a wonderful private tour staying at a jungle resort with the option to go tubing or kayaking. Ask us for details.

Phuket Shopping: If you need a bit of relail therapy Phuket has plenty to offer you. Try Jung Ceylon shopping mall in Patong or Central Festival mall in Phuket town for starters. There is a weekend market on Saturdays and Sundays in Phuket Town plus souvenier stalls everywhere. Top brand products are cheap and copies of those brands are cheaper.

Phuket Shows: The most popular shows in the evening are Phuket Fantasea, Siam Niramit or the lady boy shows like Simon Cabaret. Fantasea in Kamala beach is a light and sound extravaganza with crazy animals running all over the place. Siam Niramit is great if you want to learn about Thai culture. The ladyboy cabaret shows are good for a laugh. More details >>

Phuket nightlife: For the uninitiated Phuket's nightlife, Particularly in Patong beach is a cultural experience like no other. A stroll down Bangla road with it's girly bars and agogos should not be missed but may be leave the kids in the hotel. It's not all sleazy in Phuket. There are some hip discotheques in Patong sthat attract top name DJ's including Hollywoods and Seduction. Banana disco is an old favourite on the beach road and Tiger Disco is always rammed late on. Not all Phuket's beaches are noisy by night, most just have a few beach restaurants where you can relax with a cocktail as the sun sets. Surin beach is becoming popular with young trendy types who like it's chilled out bars. Need help organising a group night out, we can help.

Beyond Phuket

Chiang Mai: Combine a diving holiday to the attractive mountain city of Chiang Mai in north Thailand. Enjoy the cooler climate and the slower pace of life, the beautiful Lanna architecture and the hill tribe culture.

If you are into trekking you could spend weeks in Chiang Mai but it is also a good choice for a short 2/3 night add on to your holiday. You can walk around the old walled city by da or visit Doi Sutep. You can enjoy the night bazaar and the northern Thai cuisine in the evenings.

Chiang Mai is a good place to meet Thai people and learn about their culture. It's the education centre of Thailand. It's also a lot cheaper than tourist centres like Phuket and Samui.

We go there regularly and can arrange custom packages for you. There are daily direct flights from Bangkok and Phuket.

Another great town to visit is Kanchanaburi just a couple of hours drive from Bangkok. This is another area that we know well, we like to go there at least once per year to relax at a floating hotel up river in Sai Yok. We love tubing down the river with a cold beer.

A trip to Kanchanaburi would be incomplete without a ride on the death railway over the River Kwai.

Again, you'll be amazed how cheap Kanchanaburi is compared to more touristy parts of Thailand. We can arrange custom packages based on your requirements.