Surfing in Thailand was popular in the 1990s. Thailand has grown in popularity in recent years and has become a fantastic place for both beginners and pros to jump in the water and ride waves. Best of all, there are far fewer crowds than in popular spots, meaning the entire beach can be yours. In the past, its shores were known for their beauty, not their waves. You can see why: Islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand consistently have flat waves ideal for solo swimming.
But the story would be different if you were to move to the other side of the continent overlooking the Andaman Sea. Sumatra and the Nicobar Islands may block some of the southern waves coming to Thailand, but you’ll still find your fair share of surf-perfect waves.
Best Beaches for Surfing in Thailand
Kata Beach
Kata Beach is the most famous surfing beach among all beaches in Phuket. Known for being the epicenter of surf culture in Thailand, Kata Beach is home to surf bars, surf schools, rental shops, and a new artificial surf park. It hosts the annual Phuket surfing competition, which has had significant organizers like Quiksilver. It usually takes place in September, which is the peak surfing season. Surfers worldwide travel to Indonesia to compete for over THB100,000 in cash at this international extreme sports event.
Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao Beach is a relatively long beach that offers its intermediate surfers decent surfing challenges. The central section of Bang Tao Beach has smaller but manageable waves. The north of the beach has more giant waves as it is more exposed to the winds. This exciting part of Bang Tao is also relatively tricky and unpredictable due to the moving sandbars.
Surin Beach
Surin Beach presents its professional surfers with big waves at high, low, and high tides. The middle part of Surin Beach has many big rocks. It isn’t easy to guess that the wave breaks on the northern part of the coast, from Surin Beach. The north tip proves to be fatal for inexperienced swimmers. Surin Beach was even included in CNN Travel’s list of the 50 Best Surf Spots in the World. In recent years he has become famous for bodyboarding or boogie boarding.
Koh Lanta (Klong Dao)
For those willing to make the journey, the island of Koh Lanta is located almost 250 kilometers from Phuket in the Andaman Sea. Unlike Phuket’s waves blocked by Sumatra, Koh Lanta sees big waves promising a good ride. Unfortunately, these waves could be more consistent, so it’s a waiting game. The island’s Klong Dao Beach is a 2-kilometer stretch of flat bottom that makes it perfect for both novice surfers and longboarders alike. The best time for surfing in Koh Lanta is June and July.
Pansea Beach
Pansea Beach is a small secluded beach between Bang Tao and Surin Beaches that is an excellent spot for professional surfers and a well-known left-hand break. Despite being one of the smallest beaches in Thailand, the waves at Pansea get up to the reef quite quickly. It’s a must-see spot, kept secret for the best surfers.
Best Time for Surfing in Thailand
The best waves are observed in May and November, which is not the peak tourist season in Thailand. When the monsoon season begins in May, the tourist season ends, and most islands are deserted. Surfers can travel to Thailand cheaper than most of the year and enjoy the beach without the crowds. You’re less likely to bump into people in the water with fewer crowds. It frequently rains every day, and the beach is hostile to bathers.
In June, waves are warm and consistent, reaching 3 meters (9 feet) high. Then the island is full of surfers looking to conquer those waves. The surfing season in Thailand starts in June. Until October. It is considered the least dangerous area for surfing as the seabed is sandy.
Unlike other surf spots with reefs or rocky areas, Thailand’s sandy beaches mean there is less risk of injury. The marine life is friendly, and there is little chance of encountering rays, sharks, or jellyfish in these waters.
