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. The Hua Hin Golf Center (www.huahingolf.com; tel. 03253-0476) rents clubs (around 700B per day), offers information on which courses are top-rated, and can assist with reservations. Expect to pay around 350B for a caddy and 650B for a golf cart.


    • 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).

 

    • 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: 3,500B; 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 quite 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) or North Kiteboarding Club (www.northkiteboardingclub.com; [tel] 083438-3833).

Active Tours

Pedal pushers with a penchant for history will enjoy the curated tours offered by Huan Hin Bike Tours (www.huahinbiketours.com; tel. 081173-4469). Half-day tours cover a lot of ground, stopping at Hua Hin’s main sights with an English-speaking guide. Other tours are longer and visit national parks, beaches, wineries, and more. There are multi-day options (including a ride to Bangkok) and tours range from easy to challengin. This is also the place to come for high-quality bike rentals (around 500B per day) and suggestions for routes.

Active kayaking tours through the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Parkshould be booked with the professional and friendly team at Hua Hin Adventure Tour (www.huahinadventuretour.com; tel. 03253-0314). They also lead guided hikes to waterfalls in the region and wildlife watching trips, but avoid their excursions that include elephant rides, which includes harmful rides atop a carriage on the elephant’s back. Tours start at 1,700.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.