As anyone who has ever stayed in a Phuket resort near Patong, the island’s notorious party capital has plenty of diversions to offer. From nightclubs, restaurants and bars to zip lines, go-karting and shopping, Patong has virtually anything you can think of doing on holiday. However, what we’re talking about here is stuff to do in the bay – the glistening bit of the Andaman Sea, which swishes up and down the soft white sands of Patong Beach every day.

 

Jet Ski

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. One of the more infamous scams in Thailand is associated with jet ski operators. It’s a distasteful topic to mention, but it is better to be forewarned than to fall victim to it. The most common version of the scam is that the operators will blame you for damage to the jet ski which was there before you even clapped eyes on it. Naturally, the easiest way to avoid the scam is to closely inspect the vehicle before boarding it, pointing out every bump and scrape.

 

 

This done, it is entirely possible to have a lot of fun, blasting up and down the Bay at high speed, buzzing past your Phuket resort near Patong. Be sure to keep a safe distance from other water users while you enjoy putting these high-performance watercraft through their paces!

 

Parasailing

You thought the water looked pretty as you rode over the hill into town, on your way to your Phuket resort near Patong? You’ll love viewing the bay from a parasail! Basically a parachute attached to a speedboat, this ride sees you soaring high over the sea. It offers unique and breathtaking views of the beach and the town and, despite seeming like quite an extreme activity, is really very safe – perfectly suitable for kids.

 

Swimming

Yes, we’re kind of pointing out the obvious here but, unsurprisingly, the most popular thing to do in Patong Bay is to go for a swim. It’s an unbeatable way of cooling down after an intense sunbathing session. It is worth noting, though, that the water off Patong Beach is pretty busy, so we strongly recommend sticking to the roped-off areas. It can also get pretty rough during the green season (about April to November), so you should be a little bit more cautious around that half of the year.

 

 

Snorkelling

As its such a busy beach, the snorkelling off Patong Beach is pretty dull at best, pretty risky at worst. However, the smaller bays like Paradise Beach to the south and Nakkerd Bay to the north are much nicer, with rocky reefs just a short distance off-shore. A Phuket resort near Patong, such as Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, gives you direct access to just such a spot.

 

Surfing

Phuket isn’t exactly known as a surfing hotspot, but Kalim Beach (just north of Patong) used to host regular competitions and is a pretty reliable spot for good waves. Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, being conveniently situated just along the road from Kalim, is a great choice for those interested in water sports, such as all of those mentioned above.