Do you feel like you’re done with hill tribe villages, are all templed out, and survived Bangkok’s nightlife? Maybe you’re ready for something different. Hua Hin is located little more than a couple of hours south of the capital, in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, but has a completely different vibe. This once quiet fishing village on the skinny stretch of mainland north of the Malay peninsula was established as a Royal getaway in the 1920s and has since grown into a fashionable resort town. It’s to Hua Hin that Thais and Bangkok weary expats flock to relax, let their hair down and enjoy some amazing watersports activities. Relatively undiscovered by western tourists, Hua Hin makes a fun and fascinating break away from the norm.
Thai holidaymakers enjoy Hua Hin particularly in November to February when the dry weather is perfect for frolicking at the beach without being too hot. At this time the sands are crowded and prices are high. At Low Season Traveller, we recommend a visit in March to April which, although more hot and humid, sees fewer crowds and lower prices. Another great time to travel is during the less popular monsoonal months of September to October, when there is still heaps to do at bargain rates.
Family Friendly Fun
You cannot beat Hua Hin for superb waterparks. Black Mountain Waterpark is great for all ages, with facilities including a spectacular wave pool, lazy river, spa pool and children’s adventure pool. Another favourite is the brilliant Vana Nava Waterpark offering plenty of exciting modern flumes including the incredible Virtual Reality slide, the first of its kind in Asia. Dry off and head to Santorini Park, a theme park with ferris wheel and rides, all decked out to look like a Greek island. Experience a gondola ride on the canals of the Little Venice shopping village, or perhaps you’ll prefer the Moroccan inspired Camel Republic, complete with camel rides, zipwire, and 4D cinema.
Golf Like a Pro
Extremely popular throughout Thailand, golf is a huge draw to Hua Hin, with no fewer than 8 courses in close proximity to the town. Black Mountain in particular is a championship course that has already featured a Ryder Cup team and has top professionals visiting regularly. Stunning Banyan Golf Club offers attractive packages with luxury villa stays, while the Royal Hua Hin, opened in 1924, is the country’s first ever course! The Hua Hin-Cha Am Golf Festival held during August-September is a golfer’s chance to play some amazing rounds super cheaply.
Make a Splash
Get yourself some surf lessons, dude, it’s the new big thing to hit the shores of Hua Don Beach. Kitesurfing is still as popular as ever with a whole host of schools offering coaching with their professional tutors. Waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing are also all vying for the attention of your adrenaline;or for a unique kind of activity, you can indulge in a spot of beach horse-riding, trotting through the surf on the ocean’s edge.
