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Water-Skiing & Para-Sailing
 On
Phuket, skiing is seasonal, with the May-October southwest monsoon
discouraging the sport on the exposed western beaches. Weather
permitting, though, skiboats on Patong Beach may occasionally
venture out even in the this season.
From mid-November on till May, however, the seas are generally
calm and the surf slight -- ideal for skiing.
And now water-skiers can enjoy the sport at any time of year.
Phuket Waterski and Cableways Park (tel 202 525 or 214 734) is
operating on a small lake near the Kathu Waterfall. You don't
need a boat and you don't have to worry about inclement sea conditions.
Up to 15 skiers can enjoy cable skiing at any one time.
Para-sailing is not recommended, unless you are confident that
the boat, equipment, and most importantly the crew are safe and
professional. Check out what happens with other customers first.
Dinghy Sailing
Learning to sail is easy -- not as easy as operating a water
scooter but, it might be suggested, far more satisfying. Try one
of the beach operators on all of the major beaches, if your hotel
doesn't have cats or dinghies.
The November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular, provides
steady winds with flat seas and clean, clear water. Peak season
for winds is November-February. From mid-May till late October,
heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes make the
sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators
are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.
Windsurfing
 Of
the 16 beaches on the west coast of Phuket, at least 8 offer windsurfing
facilities. Patong, the most developed of these, has seven or
eight windsurfing shops along the beach. Lessons are available
for beginners. The quality of equipment of instruction is sometimes
better at the big hotels, although some of the independent operators
offer fine service as well.
Phuket is a perfect destination both for confirmed windsurfing
enthusiasts and for people who want to try it for the first time.
During the November-May northeast monsoon season, in particular,
steady winds together with flat seas combine with clean, clear
water and superb scenery to make this an intensely rewarding experience.
Peak season for winds is November-February. From mid-May till
late October, heavy seas off the Indian Ocean and squalls sometimes
make the sport ill-advised for all but the most experienced. Operators
are reluctant to rent out equipment when there's a heavy surf.
Surfing
During the monsoon season , when conditions are at their prime,
there are a number of beaches where local and visiting surfers
can now regularly be spotted making the most of southwesterly
winds and prevailing on-shore surf (See Beaches).
Phuket even hosts it's own surfing competition - the Phuket Quiksilver
Surfing Contest - at Kata
Beach. So if you feel like catching some waves - check out
some of the local beaches during the months of June to October.
For information on the contest, lessons in surfing, and all surfing
supplies, contact Aloha Surf Sports Company. Tel: 344 504
Snorkelling
Anyone can enjoy snorkelling with a minimum of equipment and
preparation. Both Phuket itself and many of the islands within
range of Phuket have lots of shallow coral that makes for excellent
snorkelling. Many of the exotic marine creatures that inhabit
the coral reef are accessible to skin-divers, and the shallow,
sunlit waters show colours off to their best effect.
Click here to see our special Snorkeling Offers
Be sure to wear a T-shirt and lots of sunblock -- it's easy to
become totally fascinated by this submarine world and forget about
the tropical sun overhead.
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