Activities in Andaman Coast
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Scubafish
One of the best dive operations on the island is located at Baan Laanta Resort on Ao Kantiang; there's also a small second office at the Narima resort. Unlike some of the large and impersonal operators based in Ban Sala Dan, Scubafish runs personal and personable programs tailored to one's needs, including the Liquid Lense underwater photography program. The three-day dive packages (9975B) are quite popular.
reviewed
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Sovrana Spa
At first blush it looks like just another local massage salon. Then you’ll notice the gallery is stocked with all-natural aromatic oils, soaps and creams, which seems like reason enough to indulge in a massage, facial or both.
reviewed
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Adventure Club
Our favourite diving operation on the island runs an excellent assortment of educational, ecofocused diving, hiking and snorkelling tours. You won't mind getting up at 6am for the much-loved shark-watching snorkel trips on which you're guaranteed to cavort with at least one reef shark.
reviewed
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Wicked Diving
An exceptionally well-run and environmentally conscious outfit that runs diving and snorkelling overnight trips offering a range of live-aboard options including Whale Sharks & Mantas, Turtle & Reefs and Sharks & Rays conservation trips, run in conjunction with Ecocean. It does all the PADI courses, too.
reviewed
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Time for Lime
On Hat Khlong Dao, this place has a huge, professional kitchen with plenty of room to run amok. It offers cooking courses with a slightly more exciting selection of dishes than most cookery schools in Thailand; five-hour courses cost 1800B with substantial discounts if you take more than one class. Profits from the school help finance Lanta Animal Welfare.
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Krabi Thai Cookery School
About 10km from Ao Nang between Wat Sai Thai and Ao Nam Mao, this school offers one-day Thai-cooking courses from 1000B; transfers are included in the price.
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Blue View Divers
Focuses on community involvement and beach clean-ups (its latest effort cleared up 700 tonnes of rubbish) and is the only shop to offer dives from a long-tail.
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B
Phuket Scuba Club
This ecologically sensitive outfitter has a shop here and another on Karon. It can arrange day trips to Racha Yai and Racha Noi Shark Point et al, as well as live aboards to the Similan Islands, and it’s the only shop in the area to offer two beach dives from Hat Karon daily (11am and 3pm). The visibility isn’t as magical as more distant reefs, but there are interesting fish around, plus it’s close, so you’ll be able to slip underwater and be back with the family in no time.
reviewed
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Amazing Bike Tours
Phuket’s best new adventure outfitter leads small groups on back-road bicycle tours through incredibly scenic countryside. In addition to its half-day rides through Thalang, which take in the Khao Phra Thaew National Park, it offers terrific day trips through Ko Yao Noi and the overlooked yet gorgeous beaches and waterfalls of Thai Muang in nearby Phang-Nga province.
reviewed
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Phi Phi Scuba
One of the largest operators on the island, churning out dive certifications by the boatload. There’s a sociable and professional atmosphere, although nervous newbies might feel as though they aren’t getting enough handholding.
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Dino Park
Jurassic Park meets minigolf at this bizarre park on the southern edge of Hat Karon. It’s a maze of caves, lagoons, leafy gardens, dinosaur statues and, of course, putting greens. Kids will dig it the most.
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Ao Nang Princess
You can do day tours to Ko Phi-Phi on the Ao Nang Princess. The boat leaves from the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park headquarters at 09:00 and visits Bamboo Island, Phi-Phi Don and Phi-Phi Leh.
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Paddle Asia
Caters to beginners and those who don’t enjoy being surrounded by noisy tour groups. Groups are small (two to six people) and multiday tours are offered.
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Rock Climbing
With nearly 500 bolted routes and unparalleled cliff-top vistas, it's no surprise that Railay's dramatic rock faces lay claim to being among the top climbing spots in the world. There are so many climbing options, ranging from beginner routes to challenging advanced climbs, that you could spend months climbing and exploring - and many people do.
The newest buzz is about deep water-soloing where climbers free-climb ledges over deep water - if you fall you will most likely just get wet so even daring beginners can give this a try. Most climbers start off at Muay Thai Wall and One, Two, Three Wall, at the southern end of Hat Rai Leh East, which have at least 40 routes graded…
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Sea Dragon Dive Center
Specialises in live-aboards and is one of the few centres to reliably offer trips year-round. It has an impeccable reputation.
Diving or snorkelling day-excursions to the Similan and Surin islands are immensely popular, but if you can, opt for a live-aboard. Since the islands are around 60km away from the mainland (about three hours by boat), you'll have a more relaxing trip as well as be able to experience the islands sans day-tripper crowds if you stay the night or longer. Although geared towards divers, all dive shops cater to snorkellers who can hop on selected dive excursions or live-aboards for a discount of around 40%.
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JYSK Sea Safari
This company stands out for its off-the-beaten-path approach to holiday travel. It takes passengers on an authentic fishing vessel for a four-day adventure around the archipelago with sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment. This isn't a holiday cruise - there's one teeny bathroom and everyone sleeps on thin mattresses on the roof deck, but it's a fantastic way to experience life at sea and to take in the majestic vistas. You can decide where you prefer to end your voyage.
Prices include transport from Bangkok, and these can be renegotiated for those who only want to do the boat portion of the trip.
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Similan Diving Safaris
The speciality here is the high-quality four-day live-aboard (18,800B all-inclusive) that regularly attracts return customers. Knowledgeable staff and amazing food sweeten the deal. As far as live-aboards are concerned, this is probably the best bang for your baht. Day trips are also available.
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Phuket Fantasea Show and Dinner
4 hours (Departs Phuket, Thailand)
by Viator
Spend an evening at Phuket Fantasea, a theme park and entertainment complex the whole family can enjoy. Buffet dinner is included as you sit back and appreciate…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$67.36 -
Phuket Half-Day Safari Tour
5 - 6.5 hours (Departs Phuket, Thailand)
by Viator
It's fun for the whole family on this half day combination tour on Phuket island. Admire the unspoiled scenery from the back of an elephant and canoe the calm s…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$69.13 Advertisement
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Warm Water Divers
One of the top dive outfitters on the island, Warm Water Divers offers all the courses and day trips (Racha Yai, Racha Noi Shark Point, King Cruiser, Anemone etc), but its live-aboard dive cruises to the Similans are a cut above the rest thanks to the stunning Chinese wooden sailing ship The June Hong Chian Lee (aka Respect Wind Travel Forever). It also leads half-day guided kayaking trips to remote and pristine beaches along the west coast, south of Patong.
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Atsumi Healing
Atsumi isn’t just a spa, it’s an earthy fasting and detox retreat centre. Most guests come to fast on water, juice and/or herbs for days at a time. Massages are a part of the program, and the regularly eating public is welcome to book massages here. In addition to traditional Thai, oil and deep-tissue treatments, you can get the signature ThaiAtsu massage (think Thai meets shiatsu). Meditative and gentle yoga classes with a touch of t’ai chi are also available.
reviewed
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Ko Laun
The region's best diving is around Ko Rang. Protected from fishing by its marine park status, this mini archipelago has some of the most pristine coral in Thailand. Visibility here is much better than near Ko Chang and averages between 10m and 20m. Ko Laun is a shallow dive perfect for beginners. This small rocky island can be circumnavigated and has lots of coral, schooling fish, puffer fish, morays, barracuda, rays and the occasional turtle.
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Sea Canoe Thailand
One of a number of companies offering sea-kayaking tours to mangroves and islands around Ao Nang. Popular destinations include the lofty sea cliffs and wildlife-filled mangroves at Ao Thalane (half/full day 1000/1500B), and to the sea caves and 2000- to 3000-year-old paintings at Ban Bho Tho (1500B) – the caves are also filled with layers of archaeological shell formations. All rates include lunch, fruit, drinking water, sea kayaks and guides.
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Ao Nang Group
One of a number of companies offering sea-kayaking tours to mangroves and islands around Ao Nang. Popular destinations include the lofty sea cliffs and wildlife-filled mangroves at Ao Thalane (half/full day 1000/1500B), and to the sea caves and 2000- to 3000-year-old paintings at Ban Bho Tho (1500B) – the caves are also filled with layers of archaeological shell formations. All rates include lunch, fruit, drinking water, sea kayaks and guides.
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