Surfing Surin Beach
Updated for 2026
Surin Beach is one of Phuket’s stronger surf beaches, with fast waves, shifting banks, and a few rocky sections that need respect. It can be excellent on the right day, but when the swell is up it is not the easiest place for beginners.
Surin Beach Surfing Conditions
| Winds | Light winds are best |
|---|---|
| Tides | All tides, depending on swell size and banks |
| Swell | 0.5 to 2 metres |
| Waves | Beginner to experienced, depending on size |
| Other | Sand bottom, rocks in the middle, strong currents when bigger |
Surin Beach Overview
A kilometre north of Laem Sing Beach is the popular Surin Beach. The middle of the beach used to have about a dozen Thai beach-style mini restaurants serving seafood. There were also some major developments along the boardwalk esplanade. These have now been removed, and Surin Beach is much more open than it was during the old beach club days.
You may still find temporary food stalls, small vendors, sunbeds or simple services around the back of the beach depending on the season and local rules, but it is no longer the old strip of permanent beachfront restaurants and beach clubs.
Surfing Surin Beach
Surin Beach has been mentioned in older travel lists as one of the better-known surf spots in the region, and it is still regarded as one of the heavier waves in Phuket.
Surin Beach is regarded as one of the heavier waves in Phuket and surfing here when it is big can be a real challenge. On better days, the waves barrel and get quite fast.
Surin Beach offers some good surfing opportunities at both ends of the beach. There are good waves on the high tide when the swells are big, or on small swells on low-mid tide.
Beware of a group of large rocks, which are located in the middle of the beach. Most days they are visible. The last rock at the northern end can create a great sand bank with a fast left hander.
Local Note
Surin can be one of Phuket’s better waves, but it is also one of the beaches where things can get serious quickly. The rocks in the middle of the beach are easy to forget about when you are watching the waves, and the currents can be strong when there is swell. If you are learning, pick a small clean day or choose a more forgiving beach.
Best Banks at Surin
Right in front of the Surin Beach car park there are also some nice banks that break on mid tide. In front of the car park always has the best banks and is usually where you will see other surfers. Best in smaller swells, but up to double overhead waves are still makeable on a higher tide. Take care as Surin Beach has strong currents.
Other Surin Beach Tips
You can still find many lower priced Surin Beach guesthouses and hotels to stay at in the area, or if you want something a bit more upmarket there are hotels at Surin Beach that will cater to your needs.
Learning to Surf Near Surin
Surin can be suitable for confident beginners on small clean days, but it is not always the easiest place to learn. The waves can get heavy, the currents can be strong, and the rocks in the middle of the beach need respect. If you want a more protected place to learn, Bang Tao Beach is usually the better option, especially around the southern end. There are also surf lessons available at Kata Beach during the surf season.
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