Surfing is often the first thing people think of when they think of water sports, especially more so in recent times as the sport has grown exponentially in popularity around the globe since surfing was included in the Japan Olympic games in 2021. Surfing is exciting and challenging and let’s face it, it’s very cool. The pros make it look easy, however, if you’ve never even managed to stand up on a board before, the surf schools on Phuket will have you popping up within a day and that first time you ride a wave all the way in is exhilarating. Phuket is not widely known for its surfing, however, it’s a badly kept secret that’s getting out there as the surf on Phuket is a great place to learn, but make sure you use an experienced instructor and someone who knows the local wave conditions.

You may have seen SUP advertised and wondered what it was. It stands for Stand Up Paddleboarding, a sport which has become more and more popular over the recent years. There are many surf schools around the island that can teach you SUP, or, if you’re already an aficionado, you can just rent a board and take to the sea. It’s a great way to get on the water for all ages and abilities, and other activities can be combined with it such as fishing, racing and even yoga. It can be done on your own or in a group, an adaptable and fun way to spend some time on the Andaman sea. A wonderful way to view the amazing crystal clear waters of Phuket.

Phuket’s waters are teeming with life and there are many amazing reefs close to shore or just a short boat ride away. If you’ve never tried snorkeling, Phuket is a great place to try it with warm, sparkling clear water and an abundance of things to look at. If you’re a nervous swimmer, snorkeling is a great way to build confidence especially here in the calm seas of the Andaman. You can hire equipment from many places including the surf schools dotted along the western coast beaches. You’ll see all manner of fish, from clown fish, lionfish, schools of barracuda and many colours of coral, but remember not to touch anything and cover up, it’s easy to forget how long you’ve been engrossed with the view and get a touch of sunburn.

Kayaking is an amazing way to see some of the more out of the way bits of Phuket’s coastline, there are some amazing hidden caves, spectacular karst outcrops and secret beaches. Kayaking is a great way for whom surfing or paddle boarding looks a little bit too adventurous. Although you can get a great upper body workout from some more strenuous paddling, Kayaking can be quite leisurely. Kayaks can be rented from many places along the beaches of the island, either hourly or daily. You can book yourself onto a Phang Nga Bay & James Bond day trip which will take you out to explore Phang Nga bay, you’ll get to kayak around the famous James Bond Island and the lagoons near Krabi, a great day’s adventure. Be sure to get a life jacket, wear a hat and take some water with you.

Phuket has some world class dive sites and is among the top ten diving destinations around the globe. If you’re already qualified, then you’ll no doubt have heard about what’s on offer here but if you’ve never dived before, it’s the perfect place to learn. You can do an ‘introduction dive’ initially, which means going with a certified dive instructor on a one-to-one dive then progress to a two day course which will mean you can then be able to dive anywhere in the world. There are many dive schools on the island, be sure they are PADI or SSI certified and ask around, cheapest is not always best when it comes to diving.

Most people travel to Phuket during the high season, the dry season of November to April for sightseeing & laying around the beaches. However, these months can also be a great time for the more adventurous as that’s the best time for kitesurfing. It’s a thrill ride like no other as you get to ride the waves powered by the wind, a really exhilarating sport, and Phuket is a great destination for kitesurfers and wanna-be kitesurfers alike, with several certified kitesurf schools on the island.

SUP Yoga is the ultimate challenge for balance and poise. It’s basically yoga but practiced on a stand up paddleboard (SUP). As you can imagine, this is best done on calm waters, it’s caught on with popularity over the last couple of years and has now become quite ‘a thing’. For those who enjoy yoga and want an extra challenge, it could be just the thing for you.

There is probably no better way to look at the glorious scenery of Phuket than from the air and parasailing lets you do just that. For many people it’s the absolute highlight of their holiday, the icing on the cake for their honeymoon, especially if done at sunset. A truly spectacular way to make the memories of a lifetime. The best season for parasailing is between November – April however, it is sometimes available outside of these times. Don’t forget to take a camera, they’re the best shots you’ll get all holiday!

An eFoil is a hydrofoil surf board with an electric motor. It’s the water equivalent of an electric scooter, the motor is silent and the batteries are rechargeable. The fact that the board is powered means that you don’t have to be constantly pumping your legs to keep moving, just get going and enjoy the ride. It’s controlled through a handheld wireless remote with a Bluetooth connection, clever eh? It’s like having your own, personal mini-powerboat. Great fun and not too difficult once you get the hang of it.

You may not have heard of wing foiling but if you’re into kitesurfing or windsurfing, you’re going to love it. It bridges the gap between the two and brings a whole new way to be thrilled on the water. The beauty of it is that the hydrofoil lets you glide above the water whether there’s waves or not, expanding the possibilities for thrill seekers on the waters around Phuket. There are several spots on the island for you to try it but be warned, once you’ve flown through the water with one of these boards, you’ll be hooked.

Flyboarding is a whole new way for thrill seekers to take to the water, or the air above the water; an extreme sport that looks like something from a James Bond movie. Towed behind a jetski, the flyboarder can reach heights of up to 15m using jets of water controlled by their feet. Flying, hovering, somersaulting, spinning, it’s an amazing adrenaline rush but not for the faint hearted. There are several places you can try this on Phuket but make sure you go with a reputable company. Enjoy the ride!

Windsurfing is one of the most exhilarating of all the watersports, it harnesses the power of both the wind and the waves to give you an incredible ride. Basically, it’s a board similar to a surfboard with a sail attached. It’s not for the faint hearted and you have to be pretty fit and strong but if that sounds like you, you can learn here with a qualified instructor.

The glorious tropical waters around Phuket are home to a multitude of marine life and offer the perfect opportunity to indulge in some sportfishing, a highly leisurely watersport with a competitive edge. Fish such as Blue and Black Marlin, Trevally, Sailfish, Reef Sharks, Dorado, Razorfish, Rainbow Runners, Dog-Tooth Tuna, Mackerel, Jacks, Swordfish and several varieties of Bottom Fish can be found here. Charter a boat or join a fishing trip, the choice is yours.

Wakeboarding is like skateboarding or snowboarding but crossed with water skiing, and is tons of fun for those who have learnt the skill. You’ll need to be able to swim and have a pretty good sense of balance but if the sound of being towed behind a speedboat riding the waves on a board sounds exciting, Phuket is the place to give it a go.

Skimboarding is riding a board in the breakwater, people often think it’s easier than surfing because it’s done in the shallows, and it might be initially, but it’s tougher to master. When it’s done well, it looks easy but be prepared to take a few tumbles but what better place to learn than Phuket’s warm seas.

Bodyboarding has a much easier learning curve than surfing as there’s no need to ‘pop-up’ on the board. The board is shorter and specially shaped to make it possible to ride the waves, the smaller boogie board is also good to learn on. Experts on bodyboards ride the waves in a similar way to surfers, however, the smaller boogie boards are a great way to get kids in the water.

Water skiing is a thrill ride. As the name suggests, it’s skiing on water. Your propulsion is a speedboat which tows you along while you do your best to keep upright, once you’ve got your balance, you can start having some real fun. It’s not only great to do but it’s great for your friends to watch from the boat.