OTHER SERVICES : Attractions Near Patong Beach

During the day, the beach is the centre of the action in Patong with people relaxing, throwing a Frisbee, swimming (areas are cordoned off to separate swimmers from water sports) or simply chatting with new found friends...

If you're bored with being a beach bum you could hire a jeep and explore the island, or take a local tour to Phang Nga or Phi Phi Island. There are also eco-tours which include canoeing, elephant trekking or snorkelling if you want more then simply sightseeing, or visit some of the local attractions nearby.

Within a 30 minute drive or taxi ride from Patong, are a number of local attractions which provide an entertaining alternative to the beach.

Thousands of multi-coloured butterflies fluttering on flowers and plants with lots of info. about their butterfly life-cycles and their vital contribution to the natural environment.

Go bug exploring next door. Super Insectarium with a large collection of tropical insects including some scary looking beetles and a scorpion pit.

A comprehensive and increasingly valuable collection of seashells from all over Asia. Some very rare and unusual shells are also on display including the world's largest golden pearl, a shell that weighs 250 kilograms and giant clams and fossils dating back 380 million years! Located in Rawai Beach, Phuket.

Located in a tranquil, lakeside setting of an old tin mine, the shows present a comprehensive sample Thailand's cultural life with an emphasis on Phuket and the South. Impressive sword fighting, bamboo fighting and Thai boxing. Also a selection of Thai dances from every part of Thailand, an depiction of the Shrine Decoration Ceremony, the Manorhra Dance, and the finale, a colourful Thai wedding ceremony.

After the show, the elephants show how to handle huge teak logs and local artisans give a demonstration of southern crafts, plus a demonstration of tin mining and rubber tapping. The village has restaurant pavilions, children's playground, handicraft shops and workshops where you can buy the locally made goods. Close by the Orchid Garden has over 40,000 beautiful orchids that may be purchased and shipped home as gifts. Located in Sam Kong, not far from Tesco Lotus. Two shows daily, 11 am and 5:30 pm Tickets 220 baht, children 110 Baht.

Definitely worth a visit. Fascinating and adrenaline pumping - especially if you're on the front row! To see the snake handler kiss a cobra on the head will take your breath away. You'll learn a lot about snakes, find out what to do in case of a snake bite and get to feel the squeeze of a python.

Located in Patong near the Phuket Palace Hotel, at the corner of Soi Nanai and the road to Karon/Kata. Any tuk tuk driver or motorbike taxi will know where it is.

also has a similar show, entertaining and in excellent English.

Follow the directions to the Phuket Shooting Range in Chalong.

Locally revered and of historical importance in the reign of King Rama V. The temple is visited by many tourists every day.

Themed mini-golf on the Jurassic Park theme. Lots of sound and light special effects, and well designed course with dinosaurs, waterfalls and an erupting volcano. Best to visit in the evening when it's cooler and you can see the full effects, especially the the volcano. An 18 hole course. Hamburger stand with bar and music in the evenings. Family entertainment. Green fee 200 baht for 18 holes. Located next to Marina Cottage in Kata Beach.

Kalim Beach - a continuation of Patong, around a rocky headland at the north end, is much quieter, less developed and a little more private. At low tide, the wide part of the beach, reveals a coral reef - a regular haunt of local beachcombers looking for shellfish. A few upmarket restaurants are located along the rocks giving great views over Patong Bay.

Tours & Activities from Patong Beach

Patong is a great base for exploring the surrounding area with with easy access to the main roads leading off the island, and also to the boat jetties. The range of options is huge. Kayaking in Phang Nga, elephant trekking in Khao Lak, half day snorkelling to local islands, Phuket island sightseeing...

Most sea kayaking tours go to Phang Nga. An area of great natural beauty north of Phuket island, famous for its strange shaped islands and caves that lie within the unusual limestone scenery. Within some of these islands, collapsed cave systems have created "hongs" or "rooms", open to the sky, revealing secret lagoons and a unique interior eco-system. The hongs are only accessible by kayak, when the tide is just right.

Local operators have so far gained access to dozens of hongs between Phang Nga and Krabi to the south. Each hong has its own distinct character, and it's easy to spend days, even a week, simply exploring. Limited numbers of people are taken out at a given time; and guides accompany every boat, not just to lead the way and to provide commentary, but also to advise on ways to conserve these precious natural resources. Sea kayaking tours are also available at night, to different destinations with day tours available year round. See our list of Phuket Kayaking Tours.

Patong is where most of the island's dive operators are based. Consequently you'll find some of the best-value certificated courses and trips on offer. Whether its PADI- and/or NAUI-certificated diving courses, half-day and day-trips to local reefs, live-aboard cruises to far reaching islands, or introductory dives, they are all, within easy walking distance in Patong.

Compare prices, check equipment and talk to the staff before signing up for any course. Check if the company is a member of Divesafe Asia, and eligible to use Phuket's new hyperbaric centre and decompression chamber. During the late-October to mid-May peak season, there are comfortable liveaboards trips from around 4-8 days to the Similan Islands, - one of the world's top 10 diving destinations. Incredible visibility, spectacular reefs, rock formations plus a huge variety of marine life area the reasons for its appeal.

• Underwater visibility often exceeds 30 metres, and can extend to 45 metres.
• The water is warm enough to make wetsuits unnecessary.
• There are hundreds of varieties of hard corals, reef fish, and other reef creatures.
• This is one of the best places in the world with the opportunity of swimming with whale sharks and manta rays.
• There are dozens of scenic island destinations within range of daytrips and - liveaboard cruises from Phuket.
• Weather permitting, daytrips and shorter liveaboards are possible all year 'round.

Phuket Fantasea

Located on Kamala beach, Phuket Fantasea is dubbed as the ultimate nighttime cultural theme park of Phuket. It has won several awards from the TAT, among the distinctive ones are Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award (for the years 2000 to 2003). This large-scale night time amusement center is spread out over an area of 140 acres near the village of Kamala Bay, or just 4 kilometers north of Patong. Attractions include the Culture-Illusion Stage Show, Fantasy of the Kingdom, a spectacular buffet restaurant Golden Kinnaree Restaurant, shopping village the enchanted Festive Village, Cultural Parade & Street Shows, Traditional Games and Carnivals, Handicraft Demonstrations & Live Performances (performed in Palace of the Elephants). Phuket Fantasea's stage performance is exceptionally extraordinary and beyond just a spectacular show. It is indeed a perfect blend of Thai cultural traditions and the latest modern Las Vegas style technology. Visitors can see magic elephants disappearing into thin air, gymnastics, musical fountains, and a circus. Tickets (including buffet dinner) cost 1,600 baht for adults and 1,100 baht for children, while tickets without buffet dinner cost 1,100 baht for adults and 800 baht for children. Call 076 385111 to reserve your seats or browse www.phuket-fantesea.com for more information. The park opens from 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. daily except Thursday. Show time is 9.00 p.m.

Located on Kamala beach, Phuket Fantasea is dubbed as the ultimate nighttime cultural theme park of Phuket. It has won several awards from the TAT, among the distinctive ones are Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award (for the years 2000 to 2003).

This large-scale night time amusement center is spread out over an area of 140 acres near the village of Kamala Bay, or just 4 kilometers north of Patong. Attractions include the Culture-Illusion Stage Show, Fantasy of the Kingdom, a spectacular buffet restaurant Golden Kinnaree Restaurant, shopping village the enchanted Festive Village, Cultural Parade & Street Shows, Traditional Games and Carnivals, Handicraft Demonstrations & Live Performances (performed in Palace of the Elephants).