 Khao
Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park |
 With
much of the island given over to tourism development, there are
few places left on Phuket for trekking. The only remaining patch
of virgin jungle, Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park, is home to rare
wild animals, such as langurs, porcupines, and macaques, which would
become extinct in fast-growing Phuket but for this nature conservation
area.
The park offers the best trekking in Phuket with a well preserved
natural environment. May through October is the best time for jungle
trekking, when the forest is full of blossoms. The park has a marked
hiking route for visitors to follow.
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Diving
Phuket
Daily
tours are available, making early morning departures and late afternoon
re-turns, mostly to lesser islands to fish for Red Snappers, Rainbow
Runners and other game fish.
This
popular sport is enjoyed at most major beaches. Boards may be rented
by the hour, half-day, full day or week. Expert tuition from Thai
teachers is free.
Popular
at Patong on a half-hour or hourly basis. Automated cable water-skiing
is available at the Phuket Waterski Cableway in Kathu.
This
can be enjoyed throughout the year, and is mostly safe. However,
undertows can be problematic during the Rainy Season.
This
can be enjoyed in sheltered bays all around Phuket. It is particularly
enjoyable at easily accessible reefs at Patong, Karon and Kata beaches.
Enjoyed
mostly at Naiharn, Patong and Kata beaches. Toppers and dinghies
are available at Patong. Catamaran, Hobie Cats and Top Cats are
available at Kata.
One
of the many advantages of biking on Phuket are the many well-surfaced
roads that wind through beautiful green hills, rubber plantations
and tropical rainforest. The scenic road along the coastline from
one white-sanded beach to another is a world-class journey that
should not be missed.
Three
riding clubs, one on Patak Road, on the way to Kata Beach, Ban Sai
Yuan on the way to Naiharn Beach, and Laguna Phuket, Bangtao Beach,
offer facilities for beginners and experienced riders alike.
Take
the plunge, or catapult, and view life from a completely different
angle, with insurance! There is only one Bungee jump/Catapult in
Phuket on the Kathu to Town road.
This
form of eco-tourism is available in several forms, as popular one-day
tours, or more extended tours involving overnight camping on island
beachs, and occurs principally in the neighbouring Phangnga Bay
and Krabi, where mangrove swamps and island grottoes are accessible
only by canoe.
Phuket
Island still has one sizable tract of virgin rain forest, as well
as lots more secondary tropical forest growth.
Camping
is permitted on both Mai Khao and Nai Yang beaches in the Sirinat
National Park. They are the longest beaches on Phuket and are quiet
and serene, apart from the occassional landings and take offs at
the nearby Phuket airport. The beaches are located on the northwest
part of Phuket. The Park's Visitor's Center, located near the south
end of Mai Khao, rents tents and provides some minimal facilities
for campers. There are also some inexpensive bungalows for rent
on Nai Yang.
