Phuket Kayaking Trips

MANGROVE FOREST ADVENTURE

Level: Easy

Season: January/February and from May to November

Features: Pristine mangrove forests in a hidden nature reserve, an abundance of wildlife such as large numbers of colourful tropical birds, crab eating monkeys, mud skippers and monitor lizards, stunning scenery, beautiful white beaches, no tourists whatsoever. 

Duration: A half day trip

Price: 1,600  baht

Includes: Transportation from your hotel and back, snacks and fruit, non alcoholic beverages, a meal at one of Phuket's best Thai restaurants. 

Things to bring: sun block, a hat, sunglasses, a change of clothing, shoes or flip flops that can go in the water.                                       

For a large part of this kayaking adventure we pass through a mangrove forest in a hidden nature reserve. In this beautiful forest it is as if time has stood still, untouched by man this mangrove ecosystem has been able to develop to it's fullest, as our kayaks glide between tall trees rising out of the sea we view wildlife such as crab eating monkeys, giant monitor lizards and an incredible amount of colourful tropical birds that have made this area their home.

Kayaking is a fantastic and eco-friendly way to explore this amazing world, we don't interfere with the environment or make any noise.

MANGROVE FORESTS  

A mangrove is a tropical maritime tree or shrub which has special roots that filters salt and enables it to live in brackish water, brackish water is salty but not as salty as sea water, you can find water like this at places where rivers enter the sea. Some kinds of mangrove trees can however live in very salty water whereas others need more fresh water.

Mangrove forests are teeming with life. Birds, crab eating monkeys, giant monitor lizards, mud skippers and many more creatures have made the mangroves their home.

OUR TRIP

Our trip starts at a small beach in between mangrove forests. We paddle a short way along the shore following the edge of a dense mangrove forest that grows in the sea alongside the coast. We reach an opening in the mangroves and enter, our kayaks glide through between big mangrove trees rising out of the sea, they are widely spaced and easy to pass.

Around every corner is a surprise, a pretty white beach appears with palm trees and tropical vegetation, next to it a small river flows into the sea. Beautifully coloured kingfishers and numerous other birds fly around the tropical vegetation and the mangrove shrubs. This is a birder's paradise.

BIRD WATCHING IN MANGROVE FORESTS

Kingfishers are actually a common sight on this kayaking trip, they are some of the most colourful and beautiful birds in Thailand. Some of the species of kingfishers we see are the stork billed kingfisher, a spectacular blue green bird, the black capped kingfisher, a deep violet-blue kingfisher and the white throated kingfisher which has a brilliant turquoise blue colour.

Besides kingfishers we see lots of other birds in this area, they include the black hooded Oriole, great egrets, little herons, sea eagles, greater ratchet-tailed Drongos and Chinese pond herons to mention just a few. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the rich mangrove forest ecosystems of Thailand. You don't have to be a seasoned birdwatcher to enjoy the pleasures of birdwatching in this tropical wonderland.

WE PADDLE UP THE SMALL RIVER, the water is alive with fish jumping around, mudskippers bounce across the surface of the water. As we move up the river there is a variety of scenery, there is a small white beach with exotic palms, there are big mangrove trees creating nice shady areas and there is jungle vegetation along the way, Great Egrets, big clumsy looking birds flap away as you approach, kingfishers are a common sight.

MONKEYS AND OTHER WILDLIFE

Occasionally we see the shy long tailed macaques or "crab eating monkeys" as they are also called, they are seen on the mudflats when the tide is a bit lower, they are there looking for crabs and other small creatures to feed on. Another resident is the big monitor lizard, these beautiful creatures are sometimes seen sunning themselves.

UPRIVER THE MANGROVE VEGETATION THICKENS and we turn around and head downstream. When we enter the sea again we turn to the side and enter an aquatic forest of big widely spaced mangrove trees. The rays of sunlight shining through the above leaves make it all look surreal, you are in a different world. We pass through the forest and reach a beautiful white beach where we stop for  some snacks, fresh fruit and drinks.

We have a view of the nearby offshore islands.

Upon our return our guests have a choice between different delicious Thai meals at one of the best Thai restaurants in Phuket in a little bay with a great view.

OUR KAYAKING TRIPS ARE EASY AND RELAXING, they are about enjoying nature and the many beautiful sights along the way at your own leisurely pace, we adapt each of our kayaking trips to suit our guests preferences. 

Experienced kayakers are of course welcome too, we can make our kayaking trips longer or shorter to suit your needs.

We keep our groups extremely small so as to make your kayaking adventure a more personal experience for you.

OUR ITINERARIES

Our kayaking trip itineraries are dependent on the tides. Just let us know on WHICH TRIP and on WHAT DATE you would like to go and we can then inform you what time on the day you chose it's best to go regarding the tides.

SEASONS

If you are not sure about which month to come regarding the weather just click here to see our season information, or you can of course also just send us an email. 

Where are we?
Kayaking Phuket: 76/3 MOO 2,  Phuket Rawai 83100.
Tel 076-288258, 081-0903730 or 089-9701797.