Phuket’s best watersports away from the beach

Asia-PacificFamily TravelPhuketSports and Recreation

Phuket is well-known for miles and miles of beaches, islands and ocean that stretch around the country. In case of rough waves or inclement weather, you can head back to the beach bar at your Phuket hotel… OR you can experience some fun land attractions in Phuket that serve up water just as fun as the ocean.

Learn to surf

On Kata Beach, 25 minutes’ drive south of Patong, Surf House Phuket is a great place to learn to surf. If the ocean is too rough, or there are no waves, you can hone your skills here within view of the beach. The “Double FlowRider” provides a consistent wave for perfect riding conditions – just jump onto your board in the custom pool and practice your moves.

If you just feel like hanging out, you can do that, too – a party soundtrack plays all day and there’s a restaurant which serves burgers and crab sandwiches, alongside traditional Thai dishes like Surf House massaman curry.

All-day play at Phuket water parks

Phuket’s water parks are a great place to escape the daytime heat. King Kong Party Club, near Kathu Village, is a gorilla-themed water park during the day and an adults-only pool party club after sunset. A large central pool caters to both energetic guests and those that have come to relax: you can whizz down the 15-metre-high slide or chill out in a whirlpool. There’s a bar and restaurant with swim-up tables and chairs so you can enjoy your burger or som tam salad without having to get out of the water. Kids are welcome from 10am–6pm, when entry includes free access to the sauna and steam room.

Splash Jungle water park, overlooking Mai Khao Beach and fringed by jungle, offers more in the way of family fun. You’ll find Aqua Play and a Kids’ Pool for the little ones, wave pools and thrilling slides, with lifeguards on duty at all times. On the Boomerango, cling to your inner tube as you plunge down a steep drop before being propelled up a vertical wall. You can slip down an Aqua Tube before being launched into the “Superbowl”, spinning around the bowl-shaped chamber wall before you drop into the pool below.

Go Zorbing at Rollerball Phuket

Rollerball offers 190 metres of downhill fun just off Patong Beach. After you climb inside the three-metre inflatable ball – alone or in pairs – you tumble down a slope head-first, feet-first or upside down. There are two chutes to choose from and the staff can throw an extra 40 litres of water in with you for even more slippery fun.

Go wakeboarding on a lake

Set along the road to Kathu Waterfall, Phuket Wake Park offers wakeboarding lessons and high-speed rides in a freshwater lake. It’s equipped with two cable systems that run overhead, fitted with lines which you grab to be towed around. Wake boards, life vests, gloves and helmets are all available to rent, and lessons are provided by professional instructors.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to learn some tricks: obstacles at the park include a box, long pipe, a transition rail and a “rooftop” that you can jump, glide up or slide off.

Swim some laps

If you just want to swim some laps away from the crowds, you’ll find a 50-metre swimming pool within the sports stadium complex at Saphan Hin Park. Occasionally classes from local school will appear for a half-hour lesson and then disappear just as suddenly, leaving you with the entire pool to yourself.

There’s also a pool near Wat Chalong at the Phuket Country Home development. The pool is good for laps and there are a few low step-like diving platforms, plus a shaded children’s pool at one end. If you get peckish, there’s a snack cafe onsite, as well as benches and a few scattered sun loungers for relaxing after your dip.

Whether you want to cool off, chill out or practice your surfing moves, you’ll find watersports galore just off the beach or hidden away in Phuket‘s tropical jungle. It’s time to get out there and start exploring.

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