Is there surf in Phuket?
Yes there is surf in Phuket. But it should not be rated among the top world surfing destinations, nevertheless while you're in phuket, a fun surf in uncrowded and friendly surfing conditions could really make your next holiday in phuket the best you've had yet. The best time for surfing in Phuket is from April to September.
See FAQs below for other months of the year
At other times Areas around Koh Samui are your best bet.
Phuket Surfing Overview
Phuket is probably the unofficial leader of the Thailand surfing industry and the number of local Thai surfers in Phuket is increasing every year. More and more surf spots are being discovered, in Phuket and on the mainland.
Some of the better known surfing beaches in Phuket are, Nai Harn, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Kalim, Kamala, Surin Beach, Nai Thon and Nai Yang.
Use the menu at the top of this page to get information on surfing on all Phuket's beaches.
The west coast has many beautiful beaches and headlands and there are many surf spots known and some not so well known. There also islands and reefs just offshore which are surfable in the right conditions. On the east coast of Phuket most of the beaches are muddy mangrove areas and are protected from the swells.
- Longboarding in Phuket
- Beaches like Kamala beach at the northern end has slower waves and is ideal for longboarding. In saying that though, most people are riding shortboards to get accross the fast beach breaks. Longboards have much more of a place on Phukets beaches. Longboards are ideal in Phuket at the end of the surf season when the waves are nice shape and smooth, but too small for shortboards. Longboarding in Phuket rules!
-
Phuket Surfing Contests
In 1999 Quiksilver started running surfing contests at Kata beach. Phuket now hosts surfing contests each year held between June to September.... You can see the latest news on surfing contests in Phuket here.
 Photo: Blast from the past-award ceremony Quiksilver contest 2000Phuket Tourism and Surfing
Surfing Phuket is now becoming a Thailand tourism draw card, especially for people new to surfing and those who find Phuket's other attractions equally important, but still like to go surfing when the Phuket waves are on. A lot of visitors to Phuket are here for other reasons such as, People on Honeymoon, holiday with family and friends, corporate meetings, but can still have the opportunity to go surfing.
Phuket's attractions, such as diving, Patong nightlife, shopping, Thai food and the Thai people, are definitely why people come to Thailand. Although you may not come to Phuket for the surf, it's still good to go for a paddle. Recently there has been an increase in people wanting to learn to surf in Phuket. There are lessons available on Kata, Karon, Patong and Surin beaches.
Buying a Surfboard in Phuket Surfboards in Phuket can be less expensive than the equivelent surfboards in Europe, US, Australia etc. but before you commit to buying, make sure you contact your airline to check for any extra charges for carrying your board home. The Saltwater Dreaming surf shop at Surin beach carries a list of airline charges so you can check before you buy your surfboard. The shop also carries the largest range of brands available in Thailand. More information Surin Beach Surf Shop
- Waves in Phuket
- The swell that creates the Phuket surf conditions comes from the Indian ocean bypassing the tip of Sumatra. Exploring further north sometimes is a good idea as the waves often miss Phuket. As the monsoons head further north during April to September the surf in Phuket becomes much bigger, but so do the winds.
More information on the surf in Phuket Common Questions About Surfing in Phuket - Is there surf in Phuket in September? Sometimes if you are lucky, about 60% chance of getting waves.
- Is there surf in Phuket in October? Sometimes if you are lucky, but generally don't count on it. 20% chance.
- Is there surf in Phuket in November? Sometimes if you are lucky, but generally don't count on it. 5% chance.
- Is there surf in Phuket in December, January, February? Not usually. 1% chance.
In saying that, there are exceptions. Such as this surfing picture below which was taken on th 25th November 2003. As we said....you might be lucky. 
About Phuket
Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea, in the south of Thailand. The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket are the southern end of a mountain chain which starts on the mainland. 70% of the island is covered by forest. More in formation on Phuket
Use the menu at the top of this page for directions to some of Phuket's surfing beaches. |
