ANDAMANDA WATERPARK PHUKET

Andamanda Waterpark

Admittedly, thai1on.net is here to give you nightlife options; and that will be the primary focus. However, Andomanda Waterpark in Phuket is a popular destination that deserves to be reviewed. Located conveniently to, inter alia, Patong, Phuket Town, Kathu, and Rawai, the recently completed waterpark has much to offer visitors of most ages...but it comes at a price.

After parking or drop off, there is a short walk to the bag inspection (security) to ensure that you are not bringing in food, beverage, weapons, or other contraband. See the website for more specifics, but be advised that the website does not specify everything. Upon completion of your bag inspection you will queue for the cashier/ticketing. There are a few price levels depending on age, height, and add-ons, but for the majority of people the cost is 1500 Baht (about 50 USD depending on the exchange). Tickets can be booked online in advance. After you pay for your admission ticket, the friendly clerk will give you an electronic, waterproof rubber wrist band which is used to make purchases in the waterpark: meaning you must top up the band using cash or other accepted method. We topped up by scanning using my local Thai bank account app.

Once you complete the initial issues regarding coin, you can proceed to the waterpark. There are toilets and lockers in a large room just outside the entrance/exit. Lockers are for rental (if you did not get the advanced admission ticket for 1700Baht, which includes a towel and locker.) Because I was intending to review the venue, I wanted a more VIP experience, so I rented a daily use cabana for 2000 Baht. It is good for up to four people, but I thought it was really comfortable for just two. There are bigger huts available as well.

Inside the park there are many options to suit the spectrum of thrill seekers. I tried to get more video while on the rides, but the attendants did not permit me to bring my GoPro on most of the slides, even though I had it secured with the mountaineering harness and retainers. I actually checked the website prior to see if it was prohibited. There was no mention. I also checked the Disney website for comparison, which seemed to permit the use of the GoPro kit I brought. No worries. I concealed it on a couple of rides to get a first person perspective for the video, which is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBQ76bU9nss

Because outside food and drink is not permitted, you must purchase it in the park using your electronic wrist band. They are expensive. A small water is 50 baht, soda is 75 baht, beers start at 150 baht (only Chang and Chang Cold Brew are available), and mix drinks start at 250 baht to 330 baht for cocktails. Food starts at 60 baht for miso soup and climbs exponentially from there. Food and Beverage service is good and, generally, there are many staff about the park and many lifeguards everywhere. I felt safe at every nook in the park.

But what about "entertainment value"? Is the food really worth it? Is Andamanda worth the price? Each can make their own assessment. I passed on the food because it just did not look appetizing to me. Instead, I spent the afternoon on the water slides and drinking 250 baht GnT along with a couple of Chang Cold Brew ( even though I do not like Chang beer). The total damages for a six-hour afternoon are as follows:
Admission 1500 baht x 2 thai1on.net editors= 3000 baht
Initial top up 3600 baht ( this covered the 2000 baht cabana, water, and drinks for 2)
Additional top up= 200 baht (the 1600 baht balance after the cabana did not last)
Total 6,800 baht and we did not eat food in the park. Additionally, we had our own transport, so we did not have to pay additional baht for transport from and back to Patong. Was it fun? Yes, but I do not think it is a very good value for entertainment. It's too expensive, especially for Thailand. Yes, I could have found seating in the hot sun and hired a locker in lieu of the cabana. But I do not think it would have made for better value. Unless, I am a guest of someone, I think this excursion is a "one and done."