Children's activities in Phuket

Phuket…the perfect holiday island, palm fringed shores, crystal clear water and sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine…well not always. There are plenty of days where not even the ‘ol favourite, TV-watching, will take away the boredom of a rainy day.

This is one area that Phuket certainly knows how to combat. Boredom here is spelt as a three-letter word…FUN! There’s so much on offer not only for children but the entire family. From elephant rides to bowling alleys not forgetting the beach, there really is something to do, any time, any weather, any day or night for that matter.

AQUARIUM There are a few aquariums on Phuket, one of which is the Phuket Aquarium, located in Cape Panwa, on the south east of the island. Telephone: 391128. Here, the tanks are well labelled and the drive there or on your return journey, via the west coast of this cape the views are well worth it. Take a map with you, as the scenic route can be hard to find.

BOOGEY BOARD RENTAL is popular on many of Phuket's more tourist orientated beaches and are fun for the kids to paddle around on even if the waves are not running, as is the case in the dry monsoon from the end of November to end of April. In the other months it's not recommended that children use them as the currents that flow along Phuket's coast can be 'murderous' to say the least even with adult supervision.

BUTTERFLY FARMS Butterflies…now here’s one insect even Mum won’t mind landing on her. Did you know that Thailand boasts some of the most varied species in the world? What better way to get acquainted with these fascinating flying rainbows, than to visit one of Phuket’s many butterfly farms? A popular spot is the Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium. Located a the northern end of Phuket town. It’s reasonably well sign posted but you are advised to take a map. Their telephone number is 215616.

BUNGY JUMPING For the older ‘kids’…and that means adults can join in too, flying or is it falling, bungy jumping is the way to play. Loose your stomach stuff…this is definitely a thrill leap into the empty air with a lake beckoning below...waiting for that splash...or is it? It depends which one you choose. There are two bungy jump set-ups, one at Jungle Bungy Jump located in Kathu on the road to Patong. It’s on the left just look out for the crane though its well sign posted. The other is at Tarzan’s Catapult Jump on Soi Sunset, Patong. Come on, Dad and Mum it ain’t that bad…give them a call, Jungle Bungy Jump on 321351, or Tarzan’s Catapult Jump on 01-4641581 or better still, go there.

CYCLING A safe activity, for those able to ride a bicycle, is mountain biking. Phuket Cycling Club organises regular rallies and trips to various destinations in and around the island and Phang Nga. Even if you don’t have the time or the inclination, to join in on one of their regular adventures they can tell you where the best cycling spots are. Give them a call on 216650 or rent a bike and discover the island yourself. There are various rental outlets around the island and many hotels supply bikes, free to guests.

DIVING and SNORKELING It’s recommended that children don’t learn to scuba dive before they are 13 years old but snorkelling can be done by anyone. If you can’t swim, don a life jacket (far safer than other forms of floating apparatus) and join in. You don’t have to cart the family out on an organised trip either just swimming about along the shore-line can also be exciting. Coral Seekers phone 354074 offer snorkelling trips for the whole family and certainly know where the best spots are. Contact them for further information.

ELEPHANT RIDES If you like views, heights and elephants, there’s no better way to survey the jungles of Phuket than atop one of these meandering monoliths. As recent residents of the island these gentle creatures have been brought to Phuket due to the decrease in the logging industry in the country’s northern reaches. Have a ride or join The Elephant Help Project in Ao Chalong at Siam Safari, telephone: 280116. They have some excellent brochures about elephants that will certainly come in useful for a ‘school project’ or ‘show and tell'.

Even if you don’t want a ride, you can buy bananas from the elephant venue and hand feed the animals. Don’t forget to take pictures of the kids and these new found friends to send home to Grand-ma and Grand-pa.

The GIBBON REHABILITATION CENTRE situated on the road leading to Ao Po on the north east coast (turn right at the ‘Twin Sister’s Monument' traffic circle on the road leading out of Phuket going north). Not only can one view gibbons, you can join their club and help save this species from extinction or telephone: 260492 for more information.

GO-CARTING Thrill at the speed as you zoom around the go cart track. Situated on the road between Patong and Kathu you’ll discover the Phuket Go-Kart Speedway. Give them a call on 076+321949 or just go there.

HORSE RIDING is another wonderful activity for the entire family. There are four centres catering to this activity and even the youngest or complete novice can join in. If you’ve never ridden before, livery staff will always lead you or be there to lend a hand. Beach rides are a favourite and the jungle rides are perfect for hotter weather.

Contact the Phuket Laguna Riding Club on the north of Phuket, on 076+324199 or the Phuket Riding Club, in Rawai at the island’s southern end on 076+28821, email: mailto:phuket.mall.prc The other southern riding club is located just beyond the Phuket Riding Club going south called the Rawai Riding Club. There is also a newer establishment in Kathu called the Phuket Country Riding Club who can be contacted on Phone & Fax: 076+323.151

All establishments are open from: 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
All bar the Phuket Country Riding Club offer beach rides and all have jungle rides.

MINI-GOLF There’s mini-golf like no other to be found where exploding volcanoes spew lava and dinosaurs roam. Putt amongst the eggs or the legs of a monster from a bygone era at the Dino Park in Kata, telephone 076+330625. Watch out Dad, you don’t know the meaning of the words ‘a hole in one’!

PARASAILING is another high-flying sport. Done here with the aid of a powerboat, this is definitely a ‘bigger’ boys and girls activity. Operators for these high-flying views can be found along most of the west coast beaches from November to April. Do check the gear though and remember it’s your life or that of your children’s at stake should anything go wrong.

PAINTBALL and SHOOTING More big boys and girls pastimes, if you are ‘into’ blasting away at your opponent with paint-filled pellets or taking aim at a target then this is the place for you. These thrill seeking activities can be found in Ao Chalong on the road to Kata Beach, telephone: 076+220130 for more details.

ROCK CLIMBING There are a number of areas where the family can enjoy this pass-time. The Wall, in Rawai offers a small 10 mt. man-made wall for climbing, or Phuket Shooting Range in Ao Chalong also has a man-made climbing wall. The Laguna Resort complex's, Quest is another area where climbing can be done. If you are after the 'real' stuff, then your best bet is to make your way to Krabi, where there are numerous cliffs begging to be climbed. Remember to check all gear yourself, to doubly ensure your and your children's safety.

SAILING A slightly different water activity and not often considered by those who aren’t already involved in the sport, sailing is definitely an, ‘all in the family’ pass-time no matter what your children’s ages. From the burbling baby to the teenager, what better way than to really discover Phuket and the surrounding waters, other than on a boat? Skipper-ed or not this is definitely one of the most pleasurable ways to spend your holiday. Contact Thai Marine and Leisure on 076+239111or Sunsail, on 076+239057

On the other hand if you would rather give catamaran sailing a try, many of the resorts and hotels as well as a number of the island’s west-coast beaches offer hobi-cats and similar such smaller sailing boats for rent. There are also a few sailing schools on the island, for more information contact the Ao Chalong Yacht Club c/o the Commodore, Mark Horwood on fallwood@phuket.ksc.co.th or the Phuket Yacht Club Association that hold regular Sunday afternoon events. Great fun for the whole family, give them a call on 076+211470 or email them at yindi@phuket.ksc.co.thyindi@phuket.ksc.co.th

If you would rather spend the day being taken by boat rather than having to play with sails and ropes, there is yet another way to sail in Phuket. East-West Siam telephone: 076+340912 can take you on a wonderful day or overnight cruise to Phang Nga Bay and it’s many islands. Here the whole family, even the tiny one’s, can relax in the shade while one of the junk-rigged boats drifts past an Eden hardly touched by man.

SEA Kayaking, is yet another recreation the older members of your family should experience while in this part of the world. Paddle through sea-caves and along mangrove lined estuaries teeming with wildlife. There are a number of sea-canoe and kayaking companies scattered all over the island. The best known, is Sea Kayak telephone 076+235353.

SWIMMING Although the waters off Phuket are generally safe, they can be downright dangerous in the wet season when on-shore winds pick the waves up to a surf-able size. Not only that but the seas are renowned for strong currents that run along the island’s west coast from the months of May/June to Oct/Nov. Don’t let that put you off, one can still swim with the younger family members but do be aware of the situation and NEVER swim without someone on the beaching watching you and your family.

TEN PIN BOWLING can be found in Phuket town inside the Ocean Shopping Plaza, near Robinson’s Supermarket as well as at the Pearl Bowling Centre near the main post office in Phuket Town as well as at Big C Supercentre located on Chao Fa Nok Road (also known as the Bypass Road.)

TREKKING and RAFTING There is some trekking on the island but most of the rafting activities are done in the Phang Nga area. The jungles of the Thai-Malay peninsular are some of the world’s most diverse and well worth the effort. Definitely for the older kids and their parents.

WATERFALLS At the same location as the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre is one of Phuket’s three waterfalls, Bang Pae Waterfall. There is a lovely climb through the jungle along its sides. If you’d rather relax you can either eat at the little restaurant or picnic in the area. There are two more waterfalls, both with walks up their side’s, one is in Kathu, called Kathu Waterfall. The other Tone Sai Waterfall is off Thepkrasattri Road, going north of Phuket town.

ZOO Another good venue for the whole family is the Phuket Zoo. Half way between Phuket town and Ao Chalong on the Chao Fa Road on the east side you’ll discover this quaint menagerie. Home to a variety of interesting animals including crocodiles and tigers, the latter of which you can have your photo taken with, telephone 076+381227.