Top 3 Adventurous Activities in Phuket

Calling all adrenalin junkies… are you seeking heart-stopping fun on a trip to Thailand? If you are, look no further than Phuket! This little island offers a plethora of high-voltage sports to please every taste and budget. From ziplining through the forest to swimming past schools of fish and revving through the jungle, Phuket has something thrilling for everyone.

Thus, here are three adventure activities in Phuket that are guaranteed to awaken the adventurous spirit in you.

1] Ziplining

Ziplining is an absolute must-try adventure in Phuket, especially if you’re a nature lover. The thrill of flying across one tree-top to another is exhilarating. Best of all, as the entire island is one big forest, you don’t have to travel far to find a great zipline course. Most of the courses also have stunning mountain and beach views.

While each set-up and package are slightly different, most courses will offer between 10 and 20 ziplines, along with sky bridges, spiral stairways and abseiling walls. Not to mention, many will also include a wilderness walk, round-trip hotel transfers and lunch.

Whichever company you go with, you can rest easy that they will provide training and a high standard of equipment such as a full-body harness, helmet, safety pulley and un-detachable carabiner.

The top five zipline companies operating in Phuket are as follows: Cable Jungle, Flying Hanuman, Patong Zipline Adventure, Jungle Xtrem Adventures Park, and Tarzan Adventure. While each of them offers something slightly different, a basic tour will usually last two hours and includes insurance, an English speaking guide, souvenirs, drinking water, a cold towel and fresh fruit. You will need to bring along sportswear (i.e., shorts and light T-shirt), sunscreen, hat, light shoes, a camera and a small amount of cash. Valuables can be left in a locker during the activity.

2] Scuba Diving

If you have not yet discovered the joys of scuba diving, get ready to fall in love with Phuket. The island is a great place to get your PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certificate and start exploring the underwater world. With its abundant marine life, coral gardens, impressive rock formations, great underwater visibility and safe environment, Phuket is an all-year dive destination.

If you’re already a skilled diver and merely seeking your next diving experience, you’ll find Phuket’s cool blue sea waters and numerous world-class dive sites very alluring. Indeed, Phuket is ranked as one of the world’s top 10 diving destinations.

While there are a few local dive sites which can be reached directly from the beach or with a longtail boat, the most beautiful places are slightly further away and only accessible by boat. That is why most dives are done as a day trip. For example, Racha Islands and Phi Phi Island offer great dive options for both beginners and experienced divers. Some highlights include swimming with Leopard sharks at Shark Pont and exploring the King Cruiser wreck on the Anemone Reef. For those after something a little more challenging, a liveaboard trip over a few days is the way to go. Typically, these will take you further afield, to Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea.

However, keep in mind that the Andaman sea is usually between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius all year round. Even during the winter times of February and March, it never gets any colder than 25 degrees.

3] ATV Driving

Take a break from the bustling city and head out into the wilds of Phuket aboard a self-drive All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to discover the natural beauty of Phuket. Adventure sports don’t get much better than this - imagine driving through the forest navigating narrow or non-visible paths on four wheels amidst the sea breeze, waterfalls and rivers. An ATV tour certainly makes for a memorable day out a unique way to explore the island as you will stumble upon Phuket’s untamed forests, local villages, lush plantations and hidden beaches. Best of all, this is truly an all-year-round activity; you won’t need to mind the Rainy Season as riding in lots of squishy mud only makes it more fun!

A typical two-hour tour will include in-depth training (how to start, drive and brake) and drills (figures of eight, how to speed up, slow down, emergency break, etc.) at the start. Regardless, as all the bikes are fully automatic, you will find them easy and safe to drive. Once on the road with your English-speaking guide, you’ll be stopping along the way to admire flora and fauna, and there is usually a ten-minute break on the hour. It’s recommended you wear rough-and-ready clothing (nothing fancy), closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops) and take along protective suntan lotion and mosquito repellent.

Some of the top tour companies operating on the island include ATV Phuket Tours, Phuket ATV Safari Adventure and ATV Adventure Tours. And if all that is not enough, you can also combine at ATV tour with white water rafting and elephant trekking!