Phuket sea canoe and kayak trips

Sea Canoeing in Phang-Nga Bay

Phang-Nga Bay is unquestionably one of the great scenic attractions in the world. The coastal area of the bay is a complex network of river estuaries, tidal lagoons, and dense forests of mangrove that support an amazing array of exotic birds, and wildlife including monkeys, monitor lizards and eagles.

Protecting the shoreline is a series of sheer-sided limestone mountains and other artistic rock formations that soar up to 300m (980 feet) out of the sea like an eerie army of stone monoliths.

The unusual geology in Phang-nga Bay makes it a sea kayaking paradise. Capable of reaching places inaccessible by any other means, the sea canoe (or sea kayak) is the ideal craft for a close inspection of this unique landscape. Sitting two people to a canoe, your guide will paddle you through tiny sea caves and along narrow tunnels under huge limestone hills rising from the bay. Hidden in many of these odd rock formations are caves, tunnels and lagoons, better known as "hongs" (Thai for room), eroded by natural forces over millions of years and can only be entered via the tunnels when the tide is just right. Many visitors claim that being paddled in a canoe through the side of a limestone mountain that emerges into a pristine tidal lagoon isolated from the world and surrounded by sheer rock evokes a surreal experience of going back in time a million years. This is clearly one of the most remarkable journeys you will ever make. The appeal is universal, it's the perfect all-season, all-weather outdoor adventure, ideal for everyone in the family.

Often described as today's finest adventure travel product. Sea Canoe (a trademarked name) founder John Grey pioneered entries into Asia’s tidal sea caves and cliff-lined lagoons. Today, Sea Canoe is an internationally acclaimed leader in "EcoTourism) and known for applying innovative economic and management principles to conservation. Developing a unique and informative method to allow visitors to examine the natural wonders of the limestone karst formations is a classic example of a win-win situation. When done properly tourism can actually have a positive economic impact on the region, and a negligible impact on the local environment. Unfortunately, Sea Canoe operates in unregulated Asia, where shameless "copycats" abound. Numerous companies have formed under similar names - and actually claim to be Sea Canoe when questioned. Many local travel agents will make a concerted effort to book you on one of the new local competitors because they usually pay a higher commission. If the local companies who desired to compete in this activity were willing to invest the time and money into training and equipment, and pay their staff a living wage, all would be fine, but that is usually not the case. Rather than developing the expertise required for exploring the bay and discovering new sites to handle the increased number of visitors it is so much easier and a lot cheaper to just play "follow the leader". Due to a lack of supervision and control by the local authorities "traffic jams" are known to occur at some sites particularly on the one-day route.

It is recommended that you take a trip of at least three days to fully appreciate this unique travel adventure but as that is not possible for many visitors, taking the one day trip is better than missing this opportunity all together. The following is a comparison of the one day trips offered by three of the twelve or so companies that offer this one day adventure.

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Sea Canoe International

367/4 Yaowaraj Rd. Muang
P.O. Box 276
Phuket 83100 Thailand
Tel: +66-76-212252
Fax: 212172  
http://www.seacanoe.net

Daily Schedule
(Example only - we adjust your itinerary to flow with the tides.)
0730         Hotel pick-up, daily, rain or shine
0815         Arrive Ao Por pier
0830         Depart Ao Por by motor boat
0930         Arrive Phang Nga. Basic instruction and "Put-In"
1000-1230 Paddle first Island
1300         Motor to second Island, Seafood buffet lunch
1400-1500 Paddle second Island
1500         Motor to third stop
1500-1600 Explore coastline by sea canoe and foot
1700         Return to Ao Por for transfer to hotel
1730         Hotel drop-off

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Andaman Sea Kayak

20/75 Maeluan Road
Muang, Phuket  83000
Tel:235353
The Late Morning Adventure Program
09.00    Departure from your hotel
10.00    Arriving to Po Bay. Greeting and briefing.
11.00    Arriving to Phang-Nga bay, explore Panak Island and Hong Island.
14.00    Superb buffet lunch onboard, and then cruise to Naka Island.
15.00    Leisure at the beach.
16.15    Departure for Phuket.
16.45    Arriving at Po Bay, and transfer to your hotel.

Sea Cave Canoe

Phang Nga Exploration Co. Ltd.
2/1 Chumporn Road, Muang
Phuket 83000, Thailand
Tel: +66 76 210-434, 234-419
Fax: +66 76 214-249
E-mail: seacave@phuket.ksc.co.th
http://www.phuket.com/seacave

Daily Program
08.30    Transfer from hotel by air-con bus
10.00    Depart on cruiser for Phang Nga Bay
10.40    Arrive Phang Nga Bay and proceed to explore caves and hongs
12.30    LUNCH
13.30    Depart for Lawa Island for recreation or relaxing
15.00    At this time the 1 day program returns to Phuket Island.