Active Pursuits

Golf

Probably the most popular activity in Hua Hin and Cha-Am is golf, and the town boasts some fine courses. Reservations are suggested and necessary most weekends. Many of the hotels run FOC (free of charge) shuttles, and most clubs can arrange pickup and drop-off to any hotel.

• Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club, 1444 Petchkasem Rd., Cha-Am (tel. 03252-0800), just north of Hua Hin, is a picturesque course set among rolling hills and jagged escarpments (greens fees: 2,500B; daily 6am-6pm).

 

• Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Damnoenkasem Road, near the Hua Hin Railway Station (tel. 03251-2475), is Thailand's first championship golf course, opened in 1924. Don't miss the many topiary figures along its fairways (greens fees: 2,500B; daily 6am-6pm).

 

• Springfield Royal Country Club, 193 Huay-Sai Nua, Petchkasem Road, Cha-Am (tel. 03247-1303), designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1993, is in a beautiful valley setting -- the best by far (greens fees: 3,700B; daily 6am-6pm).

Watersports

While most of the larger resorts will plan watersports activities for you upon request, you can make arrangements with small operators on the beach (for significant savings). Most resorts forbid noisy jet skis, but the beaches are lined with young entrepreneurs renting them out for 2,000B per hour. Kiteboarding is also becoming popular on the beach to the south of town; the season runs from November to April and a 3-day beginner's course costs 11,000B. Contact Kiteboarding Asia (Soi 75/1, just south of the Marriott resort; tel. 0815-914-593; www.kiteboardingasia.com) for more details.

Western Tours (tel. 03253-3303; www.westerntourshuahin.com) can arrange snorkeling trips to nearby islands for about 2,700B per person. Their office is at 11 Damnoenkasem Rd., in the city center.