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Thrilling island adventures

HOLIDAY FUN   |     18 May 2018   |   0  |  
If you’re looking to add a few thrills to your island vacation there are plenty of exhilarating activities to try out whilst on holiday in Phuket or Koh Samui

A jeep safari is an excellent way to get off the beaten track and explore the jungle

While Thailand is considered by many to be a relaxing tropical haven, the Kingdom offers plenty of exciting activities for those travellers not content to spend two weeks lazing on a beach. In fact, holiday hotspots like Koh Samui and Phuket are blessed with an array of natural treasures that make them the ideal setting for various exhilarating pursuits.

From watersports to jungle adventures, adrenaline junkies have plenty of thrilling pastimes to choose from, so each day on holiday can be filled with as much adventure as you crave.

Engaging in a few of Thailand’s more unusual activities can be a great way to explore a different side to the country.

We take a look at some of the most electrifying activities Phuket and Koh Samui have to offer.

Don’t look down

Krabi has become famous for its spectacular rock climbing sites

 Phuket is a fantastic base for island-hopping adventures. Many visitors even use the island as a launch pad to discover Thailand’s mainland provinces, including Phang Nga and Krabi.

If you’re a thrill seeker, then you’ll be delighted to learn that Krabi is one of the best destinations in Thailand for rock climbing. And if scaling the craggy face of a cliff projecting directly over the sea doesn’t get your pulse racing, then what will?

Krabi’s soaring limestone rock faces attract keen climbers from all over the world. Numerous climbing options are available, including bouldering and higher climbs where you’re connected to a safety harness. Railay and Ton Sai are the best places to go. In fact, Railay boasts more than 1,000 spectacular climbing routes. If you’re new to the sport, several climbing schools operate in the area, most of which are based in Ao Nang. Many visitors choose to take three-day rock climbing courses to master the basics, the majority if which will include equipment hire and insurance.

Make a splash

Wake boarding is the perfect adrenaline pumping water sport

If you love watersports and also have a need for speed, then wake boarding could be the perfect option for you. There are plenty of places to have a go at the sport in Phuket and Samui, including the ocean as well as on lakes. The sport links up the best parts of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing, so your balance skills will certainly be put to the test. Essentially, you’ll be gliding along the water on your very own wakeboard that is towed at speeds of around 30-40 km per hour by a motorboat.

Thailand’s surfing scene is also growing, particularly in Phuket. The west coast of the island is the best place to be if you’re in the mood to ride the waves. In fact, many locals argue that this stretch of coastline is the best place for surfing in Thailand. The surfing season runs from April until the end of November. You won’t find gargantuan waves or spine-tingling tubes here, however, the lack of extreme heights makes Phuket a fantastic location to learn the basics if you’ve never surfed before. Plus, seasoned surfers will still be able to get their adrenaline fix! The north end of Bang Tao beach is a good spot for larger waves, as it’s exposed to the wind. You can expect waves to be up to 3m tall. The northern end of Kamala beach is also popular with surfers, as there are consistent waves of up to 3m.

Off the beaten track

A jeep safari is a great way to experience Thailand’s lush jungle close up

If you’d prefer to experience a thrill ride on dry land, then why not book onto a jeep safari tour? Not only will this experience provide the adrenaline-charged experience you’re after, but it’ll also provide the opportunity to get up close with another of Thailand’s natural gems – the jungle. Phuket and Koh Samui are both covered with a velvety layer of jungle, ripe for exploration. In some areas, the scenery is largely untouched and provides a fantastic haven for the island’s native wildlife.

Booking onto an organised tour will bring the local knowledge of your guide into the experience. He or she will know exactly which creatures to look out for, and where. However, not many island experiences beat the thrill of hiring your own four-by-four and exploring independently. If this is the route you take, remember to get advice on all the essential dos and don’ts, plus any equipment, maps etc.

Rock and roll

Zorbing at Rollerball in Phuket is not for the faint of heart

For a thrilling holiday activity that suits the whole family, zorbing is one of Phuket’s finest options. Invented in New Zealand, zorbing involves strapping yourself inside a giant ball and rolling down a hill. The main ball comprises another, smaller ball surrounded by air, so there will be a significant buffer between you and any boulders or rocks you happen to encounter on en route.

Situated in the hills overlooking Kalim beach, Phuket’s very own Rollerball centre occupies a stunning position for this unusual activity. Participants descend down a 190m track, catching glorious glimpses of Patong Bay from both upright and upside-down positions. The motion of zorbing has been compared to being inside a washing machine – so avoid at all costs if you don’t like feeling dizzy!

Fast track to fun

Go karting is fun for both kids and adults

Another family favourite, in terms of exhilarating activities, is go karting. Phuket and Samui are each home to their own impressive go karting tracks, so travellers with a need for speed can easily get their fix. In fact, this is something that boys and girls of all ages will enjoy, so it’s a great option for when you have an afternoon to kill and fancy doing something a little bit different.

In Phuket, Patong’s Go Kart Speedway offers karts for both adults and kids, so no one needs to feel left out. You can whizz round a 750m track, which encompasses a selection of sweeping curves and bracing hairpin turns. There’s a range of vehicles available depending on your age and driving ability – some of the more powerful karts can travel at speeds of up to 110km per hour!

Koh Samui’s go kart track is located in the quaint seaside town of Bophut. There are ‘fun go karts’ for beginners and kids, which travel up to 40 km per hour along the 500m track. For older guests or those with more driving experience, there are larger vehicles which will hit speeds between 75km and 125 km per hour.

 
 
New perspectives

Exhilarating activities provide the opportunity to explore Thailand from a new angle

One of the best things about engaging in an exhilarating – and perhaps terrifying – activity on holiday, is that you’ll get to experience Thailand from a whole new perspective. If you thought that destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui were all about being a beach bum, you’ll realise how wrong you were as you start to discover some of the island’s more unusual outdoor pursuits. Plus, if you’ve booked onto a jeep safari, you’ll have the chance to experience one of Thailand’s fascinating and diverse ecosystems from up close.

TIPS

Even if you do think of yourself as an intrepid, thrill-seeking explorer, it always pays to be prepared. Here are our top tips on what to pack when you don’t know where the day will take you:

  • If you’re on a jeep safari tour, you may not be near any shops to purchase refreshments so take some water along for the ride
  • Nothing will ruin a holiday like sun burn, or worse, sunstroke. Sun screen or some other form of sun protection are therefore essential.
  • Adventurous travellers never know where the day will take them so take a change of clothes, in case the ones you’re wearing end up getting wet.