Surfing in Phuket – Complete Guide to Beaches, Season, Lessons & Rentals

Is There Surf in Phuket?

Yes, there is surf in Phuket. While Phuket should not be rated among the top surfing destinations in the world, it can still offer fun waves in friendly and uncrowded conditions. A few good surf sessions can easily turn an already great holiday into an even better one.

Phuket is especially good for beginners, casual surfers and longboarders. Instead of heavy reef breaks and intimidating crowds, you get warm water, sandy beaches and easy access. For many people, that makes Phuket one of the best places in Asia to start surfing.

Best Time to Surf in Phuket

The best time for surfing in Phuket is usually from May to October, when the southwest monsoon starts sending swell to the west coast beaches. The best months are often at the beginning and end of the season, especially May, June, September and October.

From November to March, the west coast is mostly small or flat. During that time, areas around Koh Samui and along Thailand’s east coast are usually a better bet.

If you are checking conditions during your trip, keep an eye on the Phuket surf report and Phuket tide charts.

Common Questions About Surf Season in Phuket

There are always exceptions, and some years can produce surprise swells outside the main season. As we said, you might still get lucky.

Best Surf Beaches in Phuket

Phuket is probably the unofficial leader of the Thailand surfing scene, and the number of local Thai surfers is increasing every year. More and more surf spots are being discovered in Phuket and on the nearby mainland.

The west coast of Phuket has many beautiful beaches and headlands, with a mix of well-known surf spots and others that only work in certain conditions. The east coast is mostly made up of muddy mangrove areas and is protected from swell, so almost all of Phuket’s surf spots are on the west coast.

Some of the better known surfing beaches in Phuket are:

Use the links above, the Phuket surf spot map, and the surf report Phuket page to work out which beaches may be best during your stay.

Learn to Surf in Phuket

One of the biggest reasons Phuket has become more popular with surfers is that it is such a good place to learn. Warm water, forgiving beach breaks and easy access make it ideal for first-timers and casual holiday surfers.

Recently there has been an increase in people wanting to learn to surf in Phuket. Lessons are available depending on the season and conditions in areas such as Kata, Karon, Patong, Bang Tao and Surin.

Book Surf Lessons in Phuket

Surfboard Rental in Phuket

If you already surf, renting a board is the easiest way to get in the water during your holiday. The main centres for renting surfboards have traditionally been around Surin Beach, Kamala Beach and the Kata Beach area.

For longer rentals and a more reliable shop-based option, see our Surfboard Rental Phuket page. We offer rental options suited to Phuket’s waves and can help point you toward the right beach for the conditions.

View Surfboard Rental Options

Longboarding in Phuket

Beaches like Kamala Beach, especially at the northern end, can have slower waves that are ideal for longboarding. That said, many people also ride shortboards to get across the faster beach breaks.

Longboards have a strong place on Phuket’s beaches. They are especially good at the beginning and end of the surf season, when the waves are clean and smooth but too small for many shortboards. Longboard surfing in Phuket can be very popular, and on some days there are more longboards in the water than shortboards.

Waves and Conditions in Phuket

The swell that creates Phuket’s surf usually comes from the Indian Ocean, bending around the tip of Sumatra before reaching the Andaman coast. As the monsoons shift between April and September, the surf can become much bigger, although stronger winds can also affect conditions.

Exploring further north is sometimes a good idea because there are days when the waves miss Phuket or work better on the mainland. Local knowledge always helps.

Phuket Surfing Contests

In 1999 Quiksilver started running surfing contests at Kata Beach. Phuket has since hosted surfing contests during the season, generally between June and September. Kamala Go Surfing Club has also been running an annual contest since 2005.

The standard of surfing has improved a lot over the years, which has helped local surfers compete in events around Asia and internationally.

Photo: Blast from the past – award ceremony, Quiksilver contest 2000

Surfing and Tourism in Phuket

Surfing is now part of Phuket’s green season appeal, especially for people new to the sport and for visitors who enjoy Phuket’s other attractions as much as the surf itself.

A lot of visitors are here for other reasons such as honeymoons, family holidays, time with friends, corporate meetings or just a general holiday, but still like to go surfing when the waves are on.

Phuket’s attractions, such as diving, Patong nightlife, shopping, Thai food and the Thai people, are a big part of why people come to Thailand. Even if you do not come to Phuket just for the surf, it is still great to go for a paddle with the locals.

Buying a Surfboard in Phuket

Surfboards in Phuket can sometimes be less expensive than equivalent surfboards in Europe, the US or Australia, 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 carries a range of surfboards, bodyboards, stand up paddleboards and hard-to-find accessories.

About Phuket

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea in the south of the country. The island is mostly mountainous, with a range running from north to south along the west side. Around 70% of the island is covered by forest.

More information on Phuket