Can you Surf in Phuket in 2025?
Wondering whether or not you can surf in Phuket?
You’ve come to the right article as I’m about to provide a complete guide to surfing in Phuket.
Being an island, Phuket seems like a great location for surfing. But Thailand isn’t exactly known for its surf culture, which leads to a common question.
“Can you surf in Phuket?“
As a sea-lover myself, this was a question I had before visiting this beautiful part of Thailand, and after spending some time there and getting in the water for myself, I have the answer for you.
So let’s get into a complete guide to “Can you surf in Phuket?“.
So, can you surf in Phuket? YES
In one word, yes! You can surf in Phuket.
Despite not being the number one thing to do in Phuket, it is definitely an option!
This is amazing news for any surfing enthusiasts out there who are interested in backpacking Thailand.
Surfing is not the most popular of activities in Thailand but it has certainly been becoming more popular over the last few decades.
This part of Thailand makes for some amazing surfing spots, and it’s no wonder that surfing has been growing in popularity in Phuket.
Top Tip: If you are visiting Phuket, you’ll want to learn how to pronounce Phuket. It’s poo-ket, not anything else that might sound rude or funny.
When can you surf in Phuket?
Thailand experiences a monsoon season from May to October. This is why most people start the Banana Pancake Trail in November or December- to make the most of the warmer weather.
The monsoon season is Thailand’s rainy season, and of course, in turn, there are stronger winds.
And then naturally, this creates bigger waves which make for the most ideal surfing conditions.
The BEST months to surf in Phuket are between June and September. Phuket holds surfing competitions and events in these months, and for good reason. This is when the waves are at a yearly high.
What is it like surfing in Phuket?
The Andaman Sea (which Phuket lies in) usually only produces waves about 3 feet tall.
This is not to say that bigger waves cannot happen, but they are rarer.
Unfortunately, this means that big wave surfing won’t be the main type of surfing in Phuket. This makes Phuket a great place to learn to surf as it is not too difficult.
For those experienced surfers, any surfing is better than no surfing, right?
How much does it cost to surf in Phuket?
If you are travelling around Thailand, it is unlikely that you will be carrying your own surfboard with you. Therefore, you will have to rent a surfboard to surf in Phuket.
You can expect the rental to cost about 500 THB for a half-day, which is around $13 USD.
Compared to the rest of the world, this is pretty cheap. I know some places charge more than that for an hour!
Best Places to Surf in Phuket
Phuket has many great surf spots, being an island, there are countless beaches and you can surf pretty much anywhere
That being said, I have compiled a list of the top 10 best places to surf in Phuket.
In no particular order, here are the Top 10:
- Nai Yang Reef (Airport Reef)
Known as Aiport Reef due to its close proximity to the airport, Nai Yang Reef is a great place for surfing in Phuket. Surfing the waves with planes flying overhead as they land and take off- what a feeling! This is one of few places where it is common to have a head-high wave. This makes it a popular spot for more experienced surfers in Phuket.
- Bang Tao Beach
Being one of Thailand’s longest beaches, it’s no secret why Bang Tao Beach makes a great spot for surfing. The beach is great for surfing because of its length, the waves vary in size from the north to the south of the beach. At the north, the waves are about 3 metres high, at the south, they are a lot smaller and calmer. Making Bang Tao beach a great spot for all levels of surfing.
- Kalim Beach
Kalim Beach surfing spot is one for the more advanced surfers. You can sometimes find waves up to 3 metres here, but be aware that the shore is very rocky and can also cause injuries due to its coral reef. But it’s a great place to go surfing nonetheless.
- Surin Beach
This small beach requires you to bring your surfboard with you as it’s not a very touristy area so there is no option of renting. However, it’s a great surf spot. This is your best chance of finding barrel waves in Phuket. Therefore, Surin Beach is another great option for more experienced surfers.
- Karon Beach
Karon Beach is one for beginners. This is an amazing place to learn to surf in Phuket. There are plenty of surf schools along the beach, and there is a mixture of left and right waves. You can expect it to cost around $30 for a two-hour lesson, which again, is very cheap compared to the rest of the world.
- Kata Beach
Kata Beach is arguably the birthplace of surfing in Phuket. It’s where it first rose to popularity. The waves reach about 2 metres and there’s a great surfing community here, with plenty of surfing shops and schools.
- Nai Harn Beach
This is a very popular spot with the locals for surfing. You can get big enough waves at Nai Harn Beach, up to about 3 metres. Unfortunately, it’s quite a remote area again, so there isn’t the option to rent surfboards here, you’ll need to bring them from elsewhere.
- Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is a pretty good spot for surfers of all levels of experience. The waves vary in height depending on which part of the beach you are on. It’s a popular area for surfing and has a great surfing culture, it even has surf-themed restaurants.
Make sure you are careful though as there have been shark attacks in Phuket and one was here. Don’t worry, it wasn’t a fatal accident.
- Patong
Patong is one of Phuket’s most famous beaches, being a hotspot for backpackers. It’s also a nice beach to go surfing at. The waves are pretty small but the surfing experience at Patong is about more than just surfing. It’s a great place to visit and we would highly recommend it!
- Kata Noi
Kata Noi is a very popular spot for surfing in Phuket, its waves are a lot faster than most other places, and much stronger too. This is great for advanced surfers! Again though, it is not possible to rent surfboards here, you will need to locate them elsewhere.
Can you surf in Phuket: Conclusion
Well, there you have it. A complete guide to “Can you surf in Phuket?”
Remember, the answer is yes. You absolutely can surf in Phuket!
Hopefully, you leave feeling more confident about surfing in Phuket. It’s an amazing spot, and despite being relatively small waves, it’s 100% worth doing.
Surfing in Thailand, another country ticked off the list. So get out there and ride the waves!
Have you been to Phuket and gone surfing? I would love to feature some of your content on my page. If you are interested and have sufficient content, please email me at josh@abackpackersworld.com. I would love to feature you!
