Southeast Asia White Water Rafting and Kayaking
Southeast Asia has a huge collection of rivers where monsoonal rains mean some excellent white water with rapids ranging anywhere from grade one to five. Although there are grade six rapids in parts of Southeast Asia, they are considered unnavigable and far too dangerous.
Southeast Asia is chiefly made up of a vast amount of islands and dramatic coastlines, particularly so in Indonesia, which also means the scope for kayaking is immense.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are the chief white water rafting and kayaking destinations in Southeast Asia, while Laos and even Burma have some remarkable spots to go paddling. As far as kayaking goes, it’s hard to beat Ha Long Bay in Vietnam and Pha Nga Bay in Thailand.
Padas River - Borneo, Malaysia
The Padas River in Sabah arguably has the best rapids in Southeast Asia which go up to grade four with waves of up to two metres. The Padas River is located in the southwest of Kota Kinabalu National Park and is only accessible by train.
Wa River, Thailand
Located in Nan province to the north of Bangkok, the Wa River is one for white water rafters and kayakers with its gushing rapids. For an adrenaline rush, head up river in June or July where rapids are graded between three and five.
Sadan River - Sulawesi, Indonesia
Several companies run multi-day raft trips down the Sadan River in Sulawesi which is a grade three/four in season. One can raft the river at any time of year, however, although November to March has the best rapids.
Ayung River - Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s Ayung River features 13kms of rapids, numerous waterfalls, steep canyons and gorges and untouched tropical rainforest. Although the rapids don’t quite reach the serious grades of other islands in Indonesia, the Ayung is lots of fun and easily accessible.
Maykha River, Burma
The Maykha River has Burma’s best white water rafting, running through stunning scenery including snowcapped peaks in Kachin State. Farther down the river, where the Maykha meets the Irrawaddy, it all opens up and the area is beautiful.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay in Vietnam’s northeast is the country’s premier kayaking destination, even more so than the stunning Mekong Delta in the south. Ha Long consists of thousands of karsts and several hundred islands and the water is generally shallow, calm and crystal clear making for perfect kayaking.
Mae Tang River, Thailand
The Mae Tang River in northern Thailand is another of the country’s foremost white water rafting sites where rapids approaching grade three and four are in evidence after the rainy season. Several companies offer tours, with Siam Rivers being one of the most reliable.
Pai, Thailand
Pai has been on the tourist and trekking circuit for a number of years; a somewhat isolated hill tribe town deep with the mountains of Mae Hong Son Province. The Pai River swells after monsoon rains and several companies offer white water rafting trips combined with elephant riding and bamboo rafting.
Nam Ha, Laos
Laos is criss-crossed with rivers and although not as developed as other Southeast Asian nations, there are opportunities to go white water rafting and kayaking. The north of the country has the best action, with the Nam Ha River featuring white water thrills and gentler kayaking.
Pha Nga Bay, Thailand
Located to the north of Phuket on the Andaman, Pha Nga Bay (not to be confused with Koh Pha Ngan Island in the Gulf of Thailand) is one of incredible karst scenery which is perfect for kayaking. Tours go from Phuket and Krabi as well as from the village of Tha Dan nearby.
