Surfing in Thailand - In-depth Review of Surf Spots

Surfing in Thailand, a country bordered by warm tropical seas and with a very long coastline is a very popular beach activity. And not only among tourists but also among the indigenous population. The popularity of surfing is spurred by the fact that the best season for this sport is the period from April to October. High waves and frequent, though brief, downpours scare away all fans of leisurely relaxation on Thai beaches, so at this time of year in Thailand there is a significant decline of tourists. Prices for accommodation, food and entertainment are almost halved.

Factors

Seasons

Jan/Feb

Mar/Apr

May/June

July/Aug

Sen/Oct

Nov/Dec

Best season

★

★★★

★★★★

★★★

Wave height

Air temperature

32°C

35°C

33°C

32°C

31°C

30°C

Water temp

27°C

29°C

30°C

29°C

28°C

27°C

Precipitation

19 mm

50 mm

190 mm

180 mm

270 mm

55 mm

Surfing schools in Thailand are available in almost every resort town. There are three surfing areas in the country where the sport is regulated – the prices are roughly the same, the safety and the comfort. But the most widespread surfing on the waves on the boards islands, such as Phuket, Tao, Chang, Samui, Samet. In this article, we tried to place a detailed review of surf spots for fans of this kind of extreme.

Phuket

Surfing in Phuket is the most widespread and developed. This is due to the fact that in different parts of the island you can find the best conditions to suit the professional level of the athlete. In rainy season the height of the waves reaches about three meters and their length varies from 50 to 150 meters. According to professional surfers, this is just what is required for both safe learning and extreme riding.

Phuket beaches are good because there can be several kinds of spots within the boundaries of one. So the most popular beaches are Karon Beach and Kata Beach, where the coastline is the longest.

According to professionals, you should go here in early May. This is a time when the wind and rough sea is almost every day, so in just a week you can get a year’s worth of adrenaline and get hooked on surfing in Phuket for the rest of your life. The rest of the months can see a change in the weather and a lull in the intensity of the downpours.

Samui

Surfing on Koh Samui will appeal to those who don’t want the ultimate extreme, as the nature of the place itself lends itself to it. It is one of the most quiet islands in Thailand, and the sunsets on it are mesmerizingly beautiful. Its beaches are built with villas and hotels, and during the rainy season there are few tourists. The west coast of Samui is not suitable for beginner surfers, because there are most of the coral reefs. You can even see them at low tide in February.

The choppiest sea forms off the north coast, but the most popular is Chaweng beach. It’s sandy, and the beach break is the best kind of spot for beginners. The coastline is seven kilometers long, so even with the relative crowds, you can find a free spot. The spot on Lamai Beach belongs to the category of reef break, the bottom there is stony, and the high wave consistently rises in the same place, so it is more popular with advanced surfers. The best time to surf on Samui is early March or September.

Pattaya

The waves on the northern coast of the Gulf of Thailand are not at all as high and steep as those off the Malacca Peninsula, but this city also has twenty surf schools, and the range of sport stores is sure to have boards. Surfing in Pattaya focuses on Jomtien. There is also an opportunity to join kitesurfing. There are schools and a windsurf station near the Ambassador Hotel. All kinds of water activities are better from November to May in Pattaya.

Rayong

This is a beginner’s paradise. The waves are calm and low, it’s not scary or painful to fall. On top of that, Samet Island is surrounded by crystal clear sea. It’s quiet and peaceful, you can be secluded to the sea and ride a board without disturbing the passing boats and bathing tourists (as there are practically none here).

The abundance of soft waves formed by the free wind, as well as the beautiful beaches and the prospect of learning are factors that have made surfing in Thailand enjoyed by people of absolutely different levels of fitness. It is here, in addition to the typical Thai vacation, you can become a professional of the sport!

Surf spots

Quality

Direction

Type

Frequency

Experience

White Send Beach (Ko Chang)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Bang Niang Rivermouth

★★★★★

Right and left

Rivermouth

–

All

Bang Tao

★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

Experienced

Pacarang Cape

★★★★★

Right and left

Rif Coral.

—

Experienced

Chaweng Beach (Samui)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

—

All

Kalim Beach (Phuket)

★★★★★

Right

Rif rock.

–

The experienced

Kamala Beach (Phuket)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Karon Beach (Phuket)

★★★★

Right

Beach break

—-

All

Kata Beach (Phuket)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Kata Noi Beach (Phuket)

★★★★

Right

Beach break

—-

Newcomers

Kao Lak

★★★★★

–

All

Ko Samet

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

Newcomers

Clong Dao Beach (Ko Lanta)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Haad Rin Beach (Phangan)

Right and left

Beach break

Newcomers

Ko Prayam Island

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Ko Yai Mak Island

★★★★

Right and left

Rif rock.

The Experienced

Le Meridien (Phuket)

★★★★

Right

Ref Coral.

–

Experienced

Laem Sing Beach (Phuket)

★★★★★

Left

Sand-bar

—-

All

Pansea Beach (Phuket)

★★★★

Left

Point break

–

Experienced

Patong Beach (Phuket)

★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

—

Newcomers

Rampueng Beach (Rayong)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

–

All

Surin Beach (Phuket)

★★★★★

Right and left

Beach break

—

All

Some surf spots on a map of Thailand

Use the arrow keys to navigate.