Surfing Nakalay Bay
Updated for 2026
Nakalay Bay sits between Kamala and Patong and is better known for Thavorn Beach Village than for surfing. Very rarely this place can have surfable waves, but most of the time it is not worth checking unless you are already passing through.
Nakalay Bay Surfing Conditions
| Winds | Very condition dependent |
|---|---|
| Tides | Varies around the reef and jetty |
| Swell | Rarely surfable |
| Waves | Occasional reef/jetty waves |
| Surf Details | Coral bay, large jetty, very inconsistent |
Where is Nakalay Bay?
Over Khao Phanthurat Pass heading south from Kamala Beach, you will come to a small bay dominated by Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa. Nakalay Bay sits in between Kamala Beach and Patong Beach. This bay is lined with coral and has a large jetty going out into the middle of the bay.
Local Note
Nakalay is not really a surf beach. Very rarely there may be a surfable wave near the jetty or reef, but it needs the right swell, tide and wind, and even then it is usually more of a curiosity than a proper surf session. If you are looking for real waves, keep driving towards Kalim, Kamala, Bang Tao or Kata.
Surfing Nakalay Bay
Good surfing waves here are rare, but there have been the occasional surfable waves either next to the jetty on the southern end, or at the back of the reef near the northern headland.
The bay is lined with coral, so if there is a wave you still need to be careful where you paddle and where you come in. It is not a beginner spot and not somewhere most surfers would plan a session around.
South Towards Patong
Heading further south from Nakalay Bay towards Patong, follow along the sea cliffs. Along the cliff tops are small restaurants serving cheap local food. It is a good place to eat while you take in the sea views. There is good rock fishing at the base of the cliffs also.
Learning to Surf Near Nakalay
Nakalay Bay is not a learn-to-surf beach. The waves are too rare, the bay has coral, and there is not much reason for beginners to paddle out here. If you want to learn to surf in Phuket, Bang Tao Beach is usually the more protected option, especially around the southern end. There are also surf lessons available at Kata Beach during the surf season.
We have done our best to go surfing in Thailand as much as possible and to include our personal experiences of this beach and other surf spots in Thailand. Since 2000, we are the original Surfing Phuket guide someone’s gotta do it!!
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