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Known for its natural beauty, Khao Lak offers the perfect natural setup for adventures like white-water rafting. Here’s a guide to help you understand the basics of white-water rafting in Khao Lak.
White Water Rafting in Kaho Lak
It’s one of the most thrilling adventures you can enjoy anywhere, but in Khao Lak, you can experience it without putting your safety at great risk.
Khao Lak is filled with pristine natural beauty, which is one of the many reasons why white-water rafting in Khao Lak is popular with tourists. You’ll be navigating the rapids, surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife.
The area offers a varied set of routes, from easy ones for beginners to more challenging rapids for experienced adventurers.
No matter how thrilling and exciting an activity is, safety should be your priority. You have nothing to worry about in that regard, though; white-water rafting in Khao Lak is completely safe, as expert guides lead the tours. They will instruct you on how to paddle and handle the rapids the right way.
Best Time for White Water Rafting in Khao Lak
The rainy season, from May to October, is the best time for white-water rafting in Khao Lak. This is when the rivers are at their fullest, and the rapids are the most exciting. Also, the water levels are higher than at other times, so you can be sure of a thrilling adventure.
However, if you’re a beginner, you might prefer a calmer experience. The dry season, from November to April, is ideal for you. The rivers are still flowing, but the rapids are much gentler. Plus, it’s a great time for other outdoor activities.
The dry season is also perfect for bamboo rafting, which is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak and is offered by resorts such as Avani+ Khao Lak Resort.
White Water Rafting Tours
A typical white-water rafting tour begins with a pick-up from your hotel. There will be an English-speaking instructor to guide you throughout the day. You’ll receive an introduction to white-water rafting and how to navigate the rapids.
Some tours also include additional activities for even more fun. Around lunchtime, you’ll stop at a local restaurant for a delicious Thai-style lunch.
White-water rafting tours are perfect for families, couples, and adventure lovers, but they’re not recommended for children under three or adults over the age of seventy.
Also, if you have heart conditions, it’s better to avoid activities like white-water rafting – don’t let it disappoint you; there’s so much more you can do in Khao Lak.
Wear the Right Clothes
Even if you intend to stay in the boat the entire time, you’ll get soaked. So, it’s best to wear waterproof clothes. Cotton clothes aren’t ideal, as they take a long time to dry, so you should stick to synthetic materials.
As for shoes, go for closed-toe shoes and save flip-flops for the beach.
Don’t Forget Your Helmet
Your safety is the utmost priority, so always remember to wear your protective gear. Besides, in Khao Lak, the guides won’t allow you in the boat without a helmet.
Rivers often have hidden rocks, logs, and branches; wearing a helmet will help prevent any potential accidents.
Learn to Swim
You don’t need to be an Olympic-level swimmer to try white-water rafting, but it’s best to learn to swim before you try the activity.
Life jackets and floating devices will keep you afloat in case you fall in the water, not to mention the guides who will lead you towards the boat or the shore. However, it’s better if you’re comfortable in the water.
Know What to Do
Your guide will do their best to make sure you don’t fall out of the raft, but if you do happen to fall, you need to know what to do:
- Swim towards the raft and catch the safety line. Shout out to your friends on the raft and wait for someone to pull you back in. Keep your life jacket on, as it will help the guide grab you.
- In case you can’t reach the safety line, call out to your friends and get them to throw you a rescue bag or pass you a paddle to hold onto.
- If you can’t grab either the rescue bag or paddle within a few seconds, lie on your back with your feet pointing downstream. Your guide will reach you.