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10 Breathtaking Places to Go Kayaking in Phuket
Kayaking has become the fastest-growing water sport lately, and the good news is Phuket, with all its pristine white beaches, is filled to the brim with kayaking destinations. The million-dollar question: Are you ready to go?
In this post, we’ll let you in on the best locations for kayaking in Phuket. That’s because, after due diligence, we’ve found top beach contenders that will make you want to jump on a kayak, so better read up!
Nai Harn Beach
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Address: Nai Harn Beach Road, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Distance from Phuket Town: 18 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Unlike the famous Kata Beach or Patong Beach, the undeveloped Nai Harn Beach doesn’t draw as much crowd. And that’s precisely why it remains naturally pristine and beautiful, making it a remarkable spot to go kayaking in Phuket.
Unfortunately, local laws prohibit establishments on the beach, so you’ll only find stores and restaurants on the other side of Nai Harn Road. The only exception is the Nai Harn Beachfront Hotel on the northern end.
If you’re staying in this hotel, you can rent a clear kayak to explore Nai Harn Beach’s crystalline waters and watch the underwater life. Best of all, you can ride your kayak to Yanui Beach or the secluded Ko Man Island to find a captivating snorkeling spot.
Pro Tip:
Plan your time carefully before kayaking in Nai Harn Beach because the waves here get bigger when the winds are strong. That’s an added risk if you’re a beginner, as the kayak may flip over when a wave hits you.
Yanui Beach
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Address: หาด ม.6, Rawai, อ.เมือง Phuket, Thailand
Distance from Phuket Town: 19.3 km
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:40 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Fee: Free
Yanui Beach is a small roadside cove famous as a stopover for tourists traveling from Nai Harn Beach to Promthep Cape or vice versa. Restaurants and small seaside shops selling or renting beach beds and kayaks await you here.
This beach is surrounded by rock formations that you can observe or take photos of while you’re kayaking. You’ll also notice that most people renting kayaks in Yanui Beach use them to reach the nearby Ko Man Island, where it’s more peaceful.
Regardless, Yanui Beach is an excellent kayaking spot because it has all the kayaking gear you’ll need. Plus, the calm waters surrounding this small beach cove are beginner-friendly with small waves, so it’s perfect if it’s your first time kayaking.
Pro Tip:
If you’re taking your kayak to Kon Man Island, don’t forget to bring snorkeling gear. This small island is a great spot for observing corals.
Patok Beach
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Address: Racha Island, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Distance from Phuket Town: 34.4 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
The shining jewel of Racha Island, Patok Beach (or Batok Beach), is surrounded by calm and crystalline water that makes it the perfect spot for kayaking in Phuket. To rent a kayak, head to the nearby Water Sports Center of The Racha Resort.
You don’t have to be a beach resort guest to rent their kayaks and paddleboards, but staying here entitles you to use them for free during the first hour. Don’t worry; an hour of kayaking should be enough to enjoy the sights around Racha Island.
What makes Patok Beach a superb spot is its crystal clear waters, allowing you to observe the rich underwater life even without a clear kayak. Plus, this place is a safe location to kayak because it’s enclosed with rocky terrains from each side.
Pro Tip:
The rocky shorelines on each side of Patok Bay are tricky to traverse with a kayak, but if you’re careful enough, it allows you to watch the island’s wildlife. Monitor lizards, in particular, are known to wander on the shorelines of Racha Island.
Phi Phi Islands
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Address: Andaman Sea, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Phuket 83100
Distance from Phuket Town: 44 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: 400 & 200 baht (Adults & Children)
If you’re looking for an enchanting kayaking spot in Phuket, you can find it on the famous Phi Phi Islands. A hotspot in every sense of the word; expect a flock of tourists when you reach this paradise island because it’s always packed with visitors.
Not only is the island full of stunning and massive rock formations, but you can explore them best when you’re in a kayak or canoe. But do be careful paddling, though, since there are some rocky areas underwater.
Keep in mind that navigating these sea caves takes skill, so it’s best to book a guide with your island tour package if you need help paddling. Plus, kayaks are included in most Phi Phi Islands tours, so you don’t need to go to Loh Dalum Beach to rent one.
Pro Tip:
Aside from the usual monitor lizards, Phi Phi Islands is home to a wild population of monkeys. You can watch these monkeys if you take your kayak to Monkey Beach, west of Loh Dalum Beach.
James Bond Island
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Address: Andaman Sea, Krasom Subdistrict, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga 82130
Distance from Phuket Town: 74 km
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Fee: Free
Like Phi Phi Island, this paradise island outside Phuket rose to popularity after being featured in a famous Hollywood film bearing its name. And why not? James Bond Island features magnificent rock formations that are a blast to explore.
The best way to explore the enchanting island is aboard a kayak, allowing you to pass through narrow spaces between its rock formations. But the best thing about James Bond Island is its sea caves, which you can only access during low tide.
Sea cave exploration isn’t good for beginners, but you can always book a tour guide to help with paddling. Also, note that kayaks aren’t available to rent on-site, so booking a James Bond Island tour is necessary to enjoy this activity.
Pro Tip:
James Bond Island is small, but it gets plenty of visitors daily, so you must visit it early in the morning to avoid the crowd. This way, you can also start kayaking around the island peacefully when there are fewer tourists around.
Coconut Island
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Address: Andaman Sea, Ko Kaeo, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Distance from Phuket Town: 11 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Less than a kilometer off the coast of eastern Phuket, Coconut Island is a nearby hideaway you can easily reach from Laem Hin Pier. No need to board a longtail boat to the island as you can immediately use a rental kayak to go there.
But if you plan on staying the night at Coconut Island to enjoy a full day’s worth of exploration, check in at the five-star Barceló Coconut Island Hotel. This way, you can rent a kayak on-site and relish the experience to your heart’s content.
Not only will you see the beaches around the island, but you can also stop by the nearby islets along the way. If you love adventures and taking photos, these little side quests will turn kayaking on Coconut Island into an unforgettable experience.
Pro Tip:
You don’t need to board a longtail boat to get to Coconut Island before kayaking. Instead, you can rent one from The Village Coconut Island Hotel in Laem Hin Lagoon Pier.
Coral Island
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Address: Tambon Rawai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100
Distance from Phuket Town: 21.6 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: 100 to 150 baht
What makes Coral Island the perfect spot for kayaking in Phuket is the option to choose between its three private beaches. The Coral Beach Club and Banana Beach are the ones you want to visit since they have clear kayaks for rent on-site.
Of course, you can also go kayaking along Kahung Beach with the rental kayaks from the other beaches or through an island tour agency. Aside from kayaks, rental paddleboards and parasailing packages are available on the three beaches.
The reason this island is good for kayaking lies in its idyllic location, four kilometers south of Koh Lon. It serves as Coral Island’s natural defense against strong waves and currents, making it pretty calm for kayaking.
Pro Tip:
Once you’re done, you can head to the island’s beach restaurants, each serving fresh seafood dishes. Also, don’t forget to book a guided nature tour on the island, allowing you to watch and feed the local hornbills living on Coral Island.
Sirinat National Park
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Website: https://www.thainationalparks.com/sirinat-national-park
Address: 89, Sakhu, Thalang District, Phuket 83140
Distance from Phuket Town: 31.1 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Contact Number: 076 328 226
Admission Fee: 200 & 100 baht (Adults & Children)
If you’re a nature lover, Sirinat National Park is the perfect kayaking spot in Phuket. Covering the area from Mai Khao Beach to Nai Thon Beach, this massive wildlife sanctuary is popular among tourists for its abundant flora and fauna.
You can kayak in the long river through the park’s mangrove forest while watching and learning about the local animals and plants. If you visit from November to February, you might even spot hawksbill and leatherback turtles laying eggs.
Remember that these animals are endangered, and the park is a protected area, so try not to spook wildlife. Also, you can’t rent kayaks on-site, so you can only book a tour from a hotel or tour agency that includes a visit to this mangrove forest.
Pro Tip:
If you only want to explore the beachside of Sirinat National Park, you can access it from Naiyang Beach without paying an admission fee. But remember that you can’t enter the protected mangrove forest.
Patong Beach
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Address: Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Distance from Phuket Town: 20.7 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
As one of the province’s famous beaches, it’s not surprising that Patong Beach is also an excellent kayaking spot in Phuket. Not only can you explore the waters around its busy shoreline, but you can also paddle to reach nearby beaches/islets.
Best of all, finding a shop that rents a kayak is a breeze because they’re everywhere, which includes the hotels in the area. What’s more, there are endless activities on this busy beach, so you won’t run out of things to do after kayaking.
It makes Patong Beach one of the best kayaking spots in Phuket since the water conditions allow you to bring kids with you on your rides. Just be sure to kayak near the shorelines to get quick access to the land if you get tired while paddling.
Pro Tip:
If you’re looking for a challenge, you can try paddling your kayak from Patong Beach to Kata Beach. The journey will take at least 30 minutes, so don’t do this if you’re a beginner.
Paradise Beach
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Website: https://paradisebeachphuket.com/
Address: Muen-Ngern Road, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Distance from Phuket Town: 18 km
Operating Hours: 24/7
Contact Number: +66 (0) 962 708 664
Admission Fee: 200 baht
Although more famous as a party spot, the pristine and calm waters around Paradise Beach are also ideal for water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. Plus, rental gears are all available at the beach’s activities centre.
With your kayak, you can explore nearby beaches like Freedom Beach and Patong Beach. It’s your only option since the beach management won’t let you kayak in the shallow area near the shore as it’s for swimming and snorkeling only.
Here, you’ll only kayak in the open waters so it won’t be challenging even for beginners. Paradise Beach is also not known for being an excellent surfing spot, so you don’t have to worry about waves crashing as you paddle to your heart’s content.
Pro Tip:
Kayaking from Paradise Beach is an ideal way to reach the secluded Freedom Beach without hiring a longtail boat. You only need to paddle approximately three kilometers for this, so it’s doable even for beginners.
Must-Try Kayak Tours and Agencies in Phuket
Paddle Asia
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Website: https://www.paddleasia.com
Address: 18, Rasada, 58 Thanon Rasdanusorn, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket 83000
Distance from Phuket Town: 4.1 km
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 893 6558
Costs: 4,450 baht
Paddle Asia is a highly-rated tour agency that will take you to the best kayaking spots in Phuket and Phang Nga Bay. With their day tour, they’ll guide you through a unique itinerary and help you avoid the massive crowds that flock to tourist hotspots.
This way, you can enjoy the breathtaking sea caves, islands, and mangrove forests in Phuket and Phang Nga Bay. Another perk you can enjoy with Paddle Asia is their sit-inside kayaks, offering more stability and better protection against the elements.
Their day trip itinerary includes a visit to Koh Roi, Koh Kudu Noi, Koh Kudu Yai, and Koh Batang, stunning islets with hidden inner lagoons. You might even spot interesting wildlife like sea eagles, macaques, kingfishers, and water monitor lizards.
Pro Tip:
To get the best kayaking experience with Paddle Asia, you should book their six-day tour package. This package is a bit expensive, but it lets you explore everything there is to see in Phang Nga Bay.
CC’s Hideaway
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Website: https://www.ccshideaway.com/
Address: 84, Patak Road, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Distance from Phuket Town: 16.3 km
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. & 12 p.m. (Check-in/Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 76 333 222
Costs: 3,550 and 2,660 baht (Adults & Children)
A four-star hotel 1.25 kilometers east of Kata Beach, CC’s Hideaway offers the renowned “4 Waters Eco Adventure” that includes hiking, swimming, and kayaking.
In this tour, you can paddle through Sirinat National Park’s mangrove forest.
Kayaking in this national park takes thirty to forty minutes to complete, with the option to self-paddle upon request. Know that some parts of the mangrove forest have low-lying branches and air roots that require you to lie down to get through.
Since Sirinat National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, expect many opportunities to spot local birds and plants while kayaking. If you allow their guide to paddle, you can observe the wildlife better and take photos along the way.
Pro Tip:
The 4 Waters Eco Adventure tour requires kayaking in the narrow mangrove forests, which isn’t beginner-friendly, so we recommend requesting a guide to paddle for you.
V. Marine Tour
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Website: https://vmarinetour.com/
Address: 63/202, Moo 2, Thepkasattri Road, Thalang District, Phuket 83200
Distance from Phuket Town: 13 km
Operating Hours: 5 a.m. & 5 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 415 3549
Costs: 3,500+ baht (Phi Phi Islands) and 3,000+ baht (Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island)
Nestled in Royal Phuket Marina, V. Marine Tour is a top-tier boat tour agency offering kayaking and canoeing trips to Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island. Because you board private speedboats, traveling to your destination is faster than other tours.
Expect to have more time for exploring the beauty of Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island, and Phang Nga Bay. V. Marine Tour’s day trip entitles you to a pickup service, an English-speaking guide, drinks, fruits, seasick pills, and lunch.
Pro Tip:
You can avail of a boat tour offered by V. Marine Tours that also includes a visit to Hong Island. This island is another superb kayaking spot near Phuket, with various enchanting sea caves to explore.
