Thailand is the largest surfboard builder in the world, producing 75,000 boards per year. The west coast has enough waves, decent enough to attract surfers looking for a cheap holiday and the famous and warm Thai smile and hospitality. A mix of Thai and foreign locals from the expat community can be found on the water, Phuket hosts annual competitions and supports a growing and enthusiastic surfing fraternity. The “Land of Smiles” should not be rated as a destination suitable only for surfing, but, all who pass it, have the opportunity to have fun sessions on the water in friendly and uncrowded conditions. Called “The Pearl of The South” by the tourism industry, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is mostly mountainous with 70% forest. The west coast has 27 soft white sand beaches while the east coast beaches are muddy and waveless. Don’t hesitate, book your Phuket surf vacation now!
Flying to the Phuket airport, check out Airport Reef , a long curve of outer reef reachable with a 15-minute paddle that usually offers fun rides. Nai Thon is a secluded cove with rocky headlands that give a bit of shape at both ends. The 8km of Bang Tao beach is popular for windsurfing contests and the swells never get too good. Best is Pansea Beach , a small beach of 250m with excellent sandbars; sometimes the headland to the north near Chedi Resort offers a right pointbreak recommended for experienced surfers only. The waves seem to grow in size and speed before breaking completely into the reef… so be careful. Surin Beach can have good waves at high tide when the swell is large, or during mid-low tide when the swell is smaller. The last rock in the north end can create an excellent sandbar with quick right-handers. Kamala Beach Sandbanks stabilize with reefs and attract fewer crowds than Kata or Kalim. Waves get quite big and slow when they are big. When everywhere is too big, Kalim is one of the best breaks in Phuket, where right-hand reefbreaks unfold over shallow coral, with the occasional leftover. The ride lasts for about 50-100m and the seabed towards the end is very shallow. Even when it gets crowded, the line-up remains very friendly. Patong is famous for its shopping and nightlife and its waves are often close-out. After obtaining a day permit, Relax Beach is expensive and private for the Meridien Resort, but it might be excellent at the south end near the headland, where lefts facing S-SW can be turned on. The 3km of sandbanks in Karon Beach can give good waves, especially during small swells with no or weak wind (it is the favorite spot for surf schools). Kata Beach is the most popular spot as the waves are very powerful and fast and sometimes giant at the south end near Kata Beach Resort. Quiksilver organizes a competition every year. Further south is Kata Noi Beach with brilliant waves right off the headlands where respect for the locals is demanded. Nai Harn Beach can keep bigger waves and get very nice.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | The Color Kata | CC S Hideaway Hotel | Hotel Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | Double | |
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 105 | € 200 | € 441 |
Notes
The west coast of Thailand, south of Ranong, boasts the best potential for surfing and, considering the dominant W-SW swells and the shadow effect of Sumatra, the maximum is in the north. Despite this, the wind exposure and coastal topography force surfers to head south to Phuket. SW swells can enter through the channel between Great Nicobar Island and the north end of Sumatra. During the SW monsoon, 6ft of stormy seas are typical. Surfing in this area usually comes from a combination of the windswells from the storms in the Andaman Sea with the swells from the southern part of the ocean. In reality, the conditions for surfing are quite constant during the monsoon, with 2-3.5ft most days from June to September. The tides are semi diurnal with spring heights up to 8ft.
How to get there : Many visitors obtain a 1 month visa upon arrival. There are flights from Bangkok to Puket every day. Thai Airways sometimes charges for boards on board. Book your transfer to the Hotel at the airport.
Getting around : Other than airport taxes, there are no real taxes in Phuket. There are instead tuk-tuks and local buses. Tuk tuks are very affordable but you have to pay for the wait while surfing. Renting is cheap but hectic and dangerous in traffic. Renting a Jeep costs $ 30 per day. Motorcycle $ 10-20.
Accommodation and food : During the monsoons, prices are mid-peak season. A double room in a 4-star hotel costs around $ 150 (high season). A room with A / C in a bungalow costs around $ 15- $ 30 (high). Papaya salad (a popular meal) costs $ 1. Stay around Kamala or Kata as there is the widest choice of beaches here. Visit the Tube Surf Bar & Restaurant.
Climate : Thailand experiences 3 seasons: the dry and cool season in the months of November-February with moderate humidity and occasional rains with 25-30 ° C. The hot season from March to mid-May with temperatures above 35 ° C with moderate humidity and no rain. Finally, the rainy season from late May to October, characterized by a high level of humidity, many clouds and daytime temperatures around 30-35 ° C. During the evening of rainy days, temperatures reach 25 ° C.
Nature and culture : It is a diving paradise as the Gulf of Thailand has the best visibility during the SW monsoon. Don’t miss the Thai Boxing, the “Fantasea” shows, the snake shows, the Thalang Museum, the Wat Chalong temple and Chalong Big Buddha. 1 hour of Thai massage costs around $ 10.
Dangers and annoyances : The waves are often quiet and small but the currents can be unexpectedly strong as the waves increase in size: tourists drown every year. There are some shallow rocks in some spots. Be on the lookout for pickpockets and new friends who might slip a sleeping pill into your drink.
Practical advice : It is possible to rent boards. Try: Phucket Surf Shop live at Kata Mama restaurant (mainly NSP and BIC boards) in Kuta Yai Beach; From Kata Shop School; Surin Beach surfshop (here you will find all types from 5’6 ”up to 10’2 ”). Prices ($ 19 / day, $ 105 / week) Surf lessons: 2h ($ 47); private courses cost around $ 95.
Exchange rate1 EUR = 1.08 USD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Duration: 8 days / 6 nights
from € 242 - Excluding flights
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