|
With three coastlines stretching for hundreds of kilometers, and
some of the finest beaches to be found anywhere in Southeast Asia,
Thailand has become a major travel destination for lovers of all
kinds of water sports. A number of excellent resorts offer a full
range of equipment at reasonable rates for anyone interested in
exploring the pleasures of deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, water
skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, or swimming in crystal clear
waters. Major
One of the first and still one of the most popular water sport
centers is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just two hours drive
from Bangkok. The main beach is located on a scenic bay, but facilities
are available along the coast for several kilometers. There are
also more than 30 picturesque offshore islands with a wealth of
coral and many types of tropical fish.
The other major water sport center is the southern island of Phuket
in the Andaman Sea. Here on the west coast there are more than 14
magnificent white sandy beaches, all with warm, clear waters, as
well as a large number of nearby islands that boast diving conditions
to rival the best in the world.
Diving
 Our
long coastline offers some of the finest diving opportunities
not only in Asia but anywhere in the world. Phuket and Pattaya
are both major dive centres, and there are many training facilities
with internationally qualified instructors.
The majority of diving destinations close to Phuket are located
in nearby Phangnga , where hundreds of limestone islands rise
up from the blue waters. Also popular are the largely uninhabited
Similan Islands, recently listed among the world's ten most beautiful
spots for underwater scenery and the spectacular Phi
Phi Islands near Phuket.
On the other side of the peninsula in the Gulf of Thailand is
the Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park, a group of more than
40 beautiful islands off the west of Surat Thani province and
near Koh Samui. In Pattaya,
scuba divers can organize daily trips from the resort to the offshore
islands of Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok.
Fishing
The variety of magnificent scenery, coupled with year round warm
weather and an abundance of gamefish make fishing in Thailand's
seas a popular water sport.
The Gulf of Thailand, in contrast to the Andaman Sea, is less
saline, generally warmer and shallower. Sharks, eagle rays, and
barracuda are just a few of the species to be seen here. During
the cool season from November to January, sailfish can be spotted
in Pattaya and the Bang Saray region, as well as in Chumphon and
in the waters around Ko Samui.
In the Gulf itself, Pattaya and Bang Saray are the major centres
for gamefishing, with plenty of charter boats available.
Among the best fishing areas in the Andaman Sea are Racha Yai
Islands near Phuket and the Similan Islands, northwest of Phuket.
Sailfish season runs from mid-May to November, while marlin and
tuna bite during the months of late November to May. The main
gamefishing centre is Chalong Beach, on the east coast of Phuket.
Canoeing
 Increasingly
popular among ecological-minded travelers is the sport of sea
canoeing, which offers adventure while also conserving the environment.
Sea Canoe Thailand in Phuket, Tel: (076) 212172 and Sea Canoe
Krabi, in Krabi Tel: (075) 637170 ,both offer memorable trips
in nearby bays, through spectacular scenery that includes huge
caves only accessible by water.
The Sarika Canoe Club in Nakhon Nayok offers canoeing trips along
the Nakhon Nayok River, for the beginner and the more advanced
canoeist, with some exciting and dramatic white water attractions.
Contact the TAT branch office at Tel: (037) 312282, 312284.
Kayaking
Specially constructed inflatable kayaks are now widely available
in southern Thailand, especially in Phangnga Bay, where they are
used in expeditions to discover the many extraordinary scenic
features of the limestone islands and mountains that characterize
this region. A number of tour companies offer a variety of expeditions,
some of which last several days with overnight accommodation in
tents on secluded beaches.
|
