Phuket Things to Do Tips by Cathy&Gary

This place is amazing.

There also happens to be 2 gorgeous White Palmed gibbons there Charley and Lum Yai, who are free to do whatever they like when they come in from the jungle.

The Centre is located in the Kata Nai Harn Hills at the Southern end of Phuket Island.

Once you are on the Kata Viewpoint road, about 1 kilometer south of the viewpoint, 50 meters after the elephant crossing road sign just before you begin climbing the hill to the summit you will find the Centre.

The Kata Viewpoint is marked on Phuket maps

The easiest way to see this place is to contact Richard on: richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com this is his personal email and is also the email for the Dive and Adventure Company that he and Megumi own.

There is a more detailed report on the centre here with info on prices for the Elephant trek, Transfer costs, photos, how to contact Richard etc:

Kok Chang Safari

Lots more photos at; Cathy's Photo Pages

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The 9 of us chartered a fishing boat for the day at a cost of 1333Baht each which included transfers, lunch and unlimited soft drinks and water.

It was the best day and we caught 68 Tuna. I have done a bigger report on this activity here

Fishing & Snorkelling

Phuket Richard did all the organising for us. Contact him here: richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com

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Phone: 01-893 4686
Address: richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com
Website: www.phuket-scuba-diving.com

Two of our group didn’t do this tour, but Phuket Richard did it with us (and organised the day for us), so we were a group of 8.

The tour cost 2,600 baht per person and as normal including everything. Now we are a group of 45 to 58 year olds (with one 35yr old). I actually had my 50th while we were on our holiday. Everyone was very excited and keen to do this tour, everyone except me. I was very nervous and not at all excited to be doing it. Boy did that soon change!!

We were picked up at our hotel at 11.00am and taken for what seemed like miles away to Muang (I think). Once there we were given cold drinks, fruit and an introduction to ATV tours plus shown a DVD which covered how to ride the bikes, safety etc, then we were kitted up in helmets and gloves.

You follow a lead guide and there is also another guide bringing up the rear. This guy was needed quite a few times for breakdowns due to the guy’s hooning thru water etc.

This tour was such great fun, after about 15 minutes (and crashing twice into trees) I started thinking, this is ok, I can do this.

So my frozen position on the bike started to change, no longer was I hanging on for dear life, I relaxed and could even look behind me or let go and wave, instead of just putting along I wanted to go fast ha-ha, if someone in front of me was going slow it annoyed me, so look out, when there’s enough room I’m coming through.

Read more about this tour here: ATV Tour

Cathy's Photos

This tour can be done in any sort of weather, rain or shine, its a great way to explore local villages and the environment in Phuket and Phang-Nga.

Learn about the Mangrove forests, the Pitcher Plant (Monkey condoms), and see how locals do rubber tapping and transform it into rubber sheets.

Website for ATV Phuket

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Address: 20/31-32 Boat Lagoon Marina Moo2 Koh-Kaew Muang
Website: www.ATVphuket.com
Other Contact: richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com

We have been on Sea Canoe Tours 3 times on previous trips with various companies (which we thoroughly enjoyed) but this was our first time with John Gray Tours and there was definately that little something extra on the John Gray Starlight Tour.

The tour cost 3,250 per person and pickup was about 12.30pm. Lunch as well as a seafood dinner is included in this tour.

First thing we noticed that was different is that there is a lot of emphasis on safety, we were impressed with this.

Both meals supplied were very good, with lots of choices.

At the end of the tour the Lead Guide after thanking everyone etc didn’t ask the passengers to make sure they tip their guides well. (This has happened every time we went with other companies) Of course we did tip our guide, but it was nice not being told to.

The guides are very environment friendly, picking up any rubbish they see in the Hongs. Was surprising the amount of plastic bags they picked up.

Of course the making of Kratongs?? with our guides then going into the caves at night was very special.

Though I still don’t enjoy the extremely tight squeeze we had to get through for one of the caves, actually I hate that part, it seems to take so long, and slowly slowly you are inching forward thru what seems like a hole of a few inches then whoosh you’re propelled thru with a burst. I always say I’m not doing it if it’s like that again but I do.

There is only ever a maximum of up to 24 people on this tour, all the guides are highly trained in cave-kayaking, natural history, lifesaving, first aid/CPR and they can all swim and are trained lifeguards.

It’s a great tour with some spectacular scenery and well worth every cent. We absolutely recommend doing the John Gray Starlight Tour.

Lots More Photos

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Website: www.johngray-seacanoe.com

The Friday night all-you-can-eat BBQ is at the "Rawai Mini Golf" in a rural jungle community about 100 meters down the road and across the street from "Don's Mall" in the Southern end of the Island.

The western style Friday Night BBQ dinner is only 150 baht and 100 baht for jugs of Chang beer with the dinner beginning at 6:00 PM.

This restaurant, bar, mini golf is in the middle of nowhere and so busy you have to reserve your spaces early the day before.

When we make the reservations we work out the transfer routes with 6-7 guests sharing the same cars and it only costs about 100 baht each for the return trip each, depending on what area of the island you are coming in from.

After dinner at 8:00 PM we are ferried down to the "Sunshine Bar" for some hopping and bopping with some great improvised entertainment around the "Pole"!

Because of families and many who have tours or activities planed for the next day the return transfers are arranged for 10:00 PM.

For those of you and your families that would like to have a good feed and some fun with the people you are talking with on the forums then feel free to get in touch with Richard on 081-893-4686 or richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com before 6:00 PM every Thursday night.

We need a minimum of one full days notice in advance to confirm the reservations.

This is a very kid friendly place and there have already been several posts from those who have attended with their children.

There is Lots more info here on this great night out, plus comments from forum members and more photos.

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Whats on the menu at the all you can eat BBQ?

One of the biggest feature items on the menu for the evening are the potato
dishes served at the Friday Night BBQ. Thailand only has one potato crop a year and
they can only be grown in the colder areas in the far north of the country.
Locals and visitors find potato dishes here as expensive as back home
because during the off growing season all produce in the country has to be
imported.

French Fries, baked potatoes, potato salad and potato gratin also known as scalloped potatoes are all served during this all-you-can-eat dinner for only 150 Thai baht.

Falling-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, chicken steak, pork steaks and pepper steak along with Swedish meat balls and sausages are hot off the grill all evening.
Kebabs with prawns, egg rolls with sauce, asparagus with bacon wrappers also make an interesting addition.

The salad bar and fresh seasonal fruit round off your dinner and no matter how hungry you are nobody leaves this restaurant hungry.

Jugs of Chang "Elephant" beer for only 100 baht are offered with the normal assortment of beverages and they even have reasonably good white and red house wines by the glass.

While the adults socialize while waiting to be transported to the "Sunshine Bar" the kids keep themselves entertained on the mini golf course that surrounds the restaurant.

This restaurant is located in the Rawai area in the far South of the island
and is so popular that reservations must be made a day in advance for the
Friday night dinner.

So come along and meet other forum members and have a great night out.

To add your name to the transfer and reservation list you can e-mail Richard at richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com or call him on his local mobile number at 081 8934686 once you arrive on the island.

Read lots more on this great night out here

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Phuket Island has long been recognized as the regional center for daytrip
scuba diving, liveaboard diving and scuba diving courses on the
"Andaman Sea " coast of Thailand.

Both beginners and experienced divers enjoy the aquarium style underwater
scenery while diving at the local Phuket and Phi Phi world class dive sites.

The 85 meter long "King Cruiser Ferry" wreck close to "Anemone Reef'"
and the exciting "Shark Point" that is named after the harmless
Leopard Sharks who bask on the sandy bottom are just a few of the
exciting locations visited by the boats departing daily from Chalong Bay.

Wall diving, drift diving, deep diving, night diving and some fantastic
opportunities for normal and macro underwater photography are available
in the area.

Daytrip scuba diving from Phuket, the Phi Phi and the Racha Islands dive
sites operate throughout the year offering a choice of 2, 3 or 4 dives per
day for a single day's diving and many overnight trips are available.

The size of the average Phuket dive boat is about 22 meters in length
and they are designed to carry divers safely and comfortably to the
local dive sites with full meals served on board depending on the
number of dives offered during the day.

Departures are generally early in the mornings, however now there are
options available that allow for guests to sleep in and enjoy the hotel
buffet breakfasts and do their diving from small high speed boats and less
divers in the groups then the larger boats.

For more information, dive site descriptions and schedules click here.

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Phuket has been a center for " Liveaboard Scuba Diving" safari
trips in the" Andaman Sea" since the late 1970's and can now
boast liveaboard vessels that match the quality of any in the
world, taking customers in comfort and safety to some of the best
diving areas in South East Asia.

Enjoy scuba diving adventures year round at world class destinations,
dive with Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Turtles and even Whale Sharks.

North of Phuket Island is the Similan and Surin Islands located in
Thailand's National Marine Parks, the famous "Richelieu Rock" close
to the Burmese boarder or the "Mergui Archipelago" beyond.

Rated in the worlds top 10 dive locations see huge underwater
boulders and contrasting coral gardens providing a home to
variety of marine life.

Divers have many options for their liveaboard diving safaris beginning with a
single daytrip for 2 or 3 dives or overnight trips with 4 dives a day including
night diving.

An average trip last 4 days & nights, or trips as long as 10 days are
available including combination trips visiting the Phi Phi Islands and
the world class Hin Deang & Hin Muang in the South, then
continuing on to the Similan Islands and other Nthn locations.

Accommodation choices begin with fan or air conditioned shared cabins
with bunk beds & shared facilities, semi private double & single beds
with private bath or private cabins.

Divers who prefer more comfort and privacy can choose queen size bed
& private air conditioned cabins with en-suite hot water baths, TV/Video
etc.

Many boats now offer mixed diving gases ( Nitrox ) and the experienced
multi-lingual Divemasters & Instructors offer additional diver training
courses onboard during the cruise.

If you want a world class diving adventure, snorkeling, upgrade your
diving skills with "PADI" continuing education courses or simply enjoy the
relaxing way of life on the open seas, click on the link below for schedules, prices, boats etc.

Liveaboard Diving

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Phuket Sail Tours have one day and overnight tours through some of the most beautiful and uninhabited islands of Phang Nga Bay.

Nothing is more relaxing than the tranquility of sailing around these magnificient islands on board the Sakai.

You will also visit beautiful islands, go swimming and explore caves.

The Sakai is a shallow draft vessel which means that she is able to enter places that larger vessels cannot and Phuket Sail Tours avoid overpopulated areas, instead concentrating on remote peaceful places to give you that extra special experience.

One of the highlights of the day is the food. Fresh seafood is bought directly from the fishermen during the trip.

All of the food served is fresh, and as much as possible, prepared onboard or cooked on the beach for a relaxing picnic. You definately will not go hungry on this trip!!

You can also buy drinks on board at very reasonable prices.

There is plenty of room for up to 10 passengers and a crew of 3 for day trips.

For overnight trips, the Sakai can accommodate up to 6 passengers plus a crew of 2, with tents for sleeping ashore for another 4 passengers.

There is a report on the tour from Simon under Things To Do Tips, Phuket Sail Tours (Part 2).

For lots more info and prices have a look at Phuket Sail Tours website or send Mark an email at: captainmark@phuketsailtours.com

Phuket Sail Tours Co., Ltd.
20/8 Supamart, Ban Pakhlok
Thalang, Phuket 83110
Telephone from Thailand: 07-8970492, 01-6064456;
Outside of Thailand: 66-7897-0492, 66-1606-4456

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Website: http://www.phuketsailtours.com/

Thankyou to Simon for sending me his photos and info on their day out with Mark Phuket Sail Tours.

Noi our Thai Captain took us by dinghy out to the Sakai where we met Yah (our cook) and Mark who is a fantastic down to earth Aussie who knows so much about the area.

We spent the first few hours sailing along Phang Nga Bay and having a few beverages. Yah then brought out plates of delicious fried chicken pieces and every plate went back empty.

Our first stop was next to a small hong on Koh Phanak, where we all had a swim.

We went around some of the island with Mark pointing out things of interest before dropping us off at a tiny beach. Here we climbed up a ladder and entered a cave that went on for ages and then opened up into another lagoon. This place was amazing and just so beautiful.

Once we were back on board the Sakai, Noi headed off in the dingy and bought a huge bag of prawns from a fisherman. Mark then took us to a small beach where we set up for lunch.

Behind us were a couple of hundred metre high limestone cliffs, it’s very hard to describe this place as I cannot think of words to tell you how beautiful it was.

We sat on the beach and lunch was a feast! Prawns cooked in garlic, Mussaman curry and rice. The food was simple but delicious and we all went back for more.

After lunch Mark took the boys to a cave which is only accessible at low tide. The girls stayed behind to have a swim.

It was amazing; the water had made all these formations with the rocks which were hollow. The cave was a Pirate’s cave where it was rumored there was treasure.

Bck on board the Sakai, Yah served cheese and biscuits, we had a few more beverages and arrived back at about 7.30pm.

I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for something different or unique, you will visit places that the main tour companies never set foot on.

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