A surfer’s guide to Phuket

Phuket’s surf culture is still young, which is one of the reasons Dew absolutely loves it. 

‘The best part is the community,’ she shares, honing in on the inclusivity as a key component to surfing in Phuket. ‘Everyone supports each other and there are more ladies in the water here than in a lot of other countries.’ 

It should then come as no surprise that Thai friendliness is not landlocked, and is noticeable offshore too. ‘In some countries, if you didn’t grow up there, you might not even be allowed to surf that beach,’ she adds. ‘In Thailand, we’re lovely that way.’ 

And although waves don’t really get big – often hitting a ceiling at two to three metres tall – the easy-for-beginner waters are one of the things that make surfing in Phuket perfect for beginners, and a great place to take your longboarding up a level.

Yet with greater popularity comes larger crowds. For Dew, the sudden growth of interested surfers is both a blessing and a curse. ‘Before, I used to know everyone – now I’m surfing with strangers most of the time,’ she exclaimed – echoing the sentiment of many local surfers who are both happy with the growing community but perhaps a little concerned about overcrowding. 

As it stands, anyone can head to any Phuket beach and find a beginner-friendly, open vibe – especially at the beaches where surf schools have found homes over the years, such as Bangtao and Kata Yai beaches. And although getting busier, Dew still loves the vibe and says it’s better than other places thanks to the good-natured Phuketians.

Needless to say, the surf scene is surging in Phuket – be it because of the culture or because of the bigger storms. In and out of the water, you can find those same friendly people at Phuket’s regular surf festivals, which tend to pick up during the mid-monsoon months. These events can often be three-day, two-night events packed with DJ sets, speciality food and drink stalls, artisan surf gear and a bunch of other surfers, with some of the festival participants representing their respective countries internationally.

‘Surfing is all about rocking up yourself and meeting new friends while you’re out there. In Thailand, that part’s easy,’ she says. So, with good vibes guaranteed, here are her go-to spots to catch a wave in Phuket, but not before you get the lingo down first – you’ve got to talk the talk if you’re to walk the board. 

Before you dive in, it can be helpful to speak the language. Here are a few terms you’ll want to know if you actually want to understand what that tanned stranger with the battered board and salt-cured hair is trying to tell you.

‘Lefts’ or ‘Rights’: A reference to the direction the wave is breaking, from the perspective of when you’re out in the ocean facing the beach. If you were to catch a ‘left’ successfully, you would be turning left to escape the break towards the beach.

Green waves: A green wave refers to the part of the wave that is unbroken, the pocket that surfers aim to stay in where they can build power and have more control over their ride. These are different from a ‘white wave’ or ‘white wash’, which are waves that have already broken.

The peak: This is where you want to catch the wave from and is (unsurprisingly) the highest point on the wave. Remember: whoever is closest to the peak has right of way on the wave, and it is up to other surfers within the water to move out of the way.

Longboards: A longboard is usually around eight feet or more in length. The volume packed along with the length means that when dealing with shorter waves, you can often create longer rides needing far less momentum for a fun surf. A favoured option for locals and recommended for beginners.

Shortboards: Generally, anything under seven feet is considered a shortboard. With less volume and length, the board requires more force to ride and generally a taller wave with a steeper slope. However, once you’re up, expect a dynamic and mobile ride that can build power and traverse the bigger waves.

Twinny: or ‘Twin Fin’, refers to the set-up of the fins on the board. Parallel twin fins provide that bit more stability than the single fin, whilst still staying mobile, but potentially losing some of the glide and feel that a single fin set-up can give.

Thrusters: A three-fin setup. Providing powerful and active turns, the three fins can often drive a more aggressive surfing style whilst allowing you to stay stable, potentially losing some of the flow, especially when riding smaller waves, but giving you more versatility and control over a wider range of waves.

While the surf scene is growing fast in Phuket, it’s the real OG surfers who know where the best spots are. When asked, Dew responded with ‘Probably the least crowded ones.’ Luckily, we did the research. 

Kata Beach

This is the island’s most popular surf beach – and for good reason. Kata has consistent swell, a surf school every 20 metres along the beach and a long, gentle beach break perfect for foamies. It can get crowded, especially mid-season, but it’s ideal for beginners looking for their first green wave. With restaurants dotted across the beach and their local surf shops, it has the surf beach vibes you’re looking for.

 Kamala Beach 

A favourite with longboarders and cruisy shortboarders, Kamala offers long, rolling waves – but only when the conditions line up. The southern end of the beach tends to be best for surfing, while the northern end stays calmer. As a family-friendly beach, with a boardwalk lined with cafes and restaurants, be wary of kids in the water and too many snacks between waves.

Nai Harn Beach

Tucked in the island’s south, Nai Harn is one of Phuket’s most scenic beaches and offers occasional clean waves and fun surf peaks during the monsoon season. The beach is framed by mountains and a large lagoon, making it a peaceful and picturesque spot to paddle out. Less crowded than Kata or Kamala until the swell hits, expect a vibe that is chilled out and local, perfect for developing that laid-back surfer mindset.

Bang Tao Beach

Water here stays flat all dry season, but this massive stretch just about transforms in the monsoon. Wide waves mean there’s space to spread out, and the outside sandbars give rise to some powerful water walls when the swell’s up. When conditions align, you might even find solid rights and lefts peeling along the sandbanks. It’s less crowded than Kata or Kamala, and the combination of upscale beach clubs and resorts, as well as hostels and surf camps, makes it an attractive option. Wander your way down the shoreline and find Talay school on the southern tip, where mellow waves roll in consistently. Perfect for beginners.

Nai Thon Beach

Tucked between Bang Tao and Nai Yang, Nai Thon is a quiet, undeveloped stretch of sand backed by steep hills and lush jungle. The beach is part of the Sirinat National Park, which keeps things laid-back and largely untouched. During monsoon season, it occasionally picks up clean, chest-high sets, making it a welcome escape when more popular beaches are crowded.

The break here is mostly beach break, with a soft takeoff that’s friendly for beginners on smaller days, though it can get dumpy and close out when the swell’s too big. There aren’t many rentals or schools here, so come prepared if you’re bringing your own board.

Ideal for solo sessions, mellow paddles, and those chasing quiet water time, Nai Thon is for the surfer who enjoys simplicity, scenery, and a slower pace. Just be mindful of strong rips on heavier days, and don’t expect a crowd to save you if you get into trouble.

Surin Beach

 Surin is beautiful, but be cautious when surfing. This beach has a reputation for heavy shore breaks and strong rips, especially during big swells. It’s not the place for beginners, but experienced surfers sometimes chase short, punchy rides here when the conditions clean up with some of the tallest breaks on the island. Otherwise, it’s more of a bodyboarding and beach-hanging spot during surf season. That said, the scenery is stunning and the sunsets are some of the best on the island.

Kalim Beach

 Just around the headland from Patong, Kalim is one of the few reef breaks in Phuket – and a favourite for local shortboarders when the swell gets big. It has fast, shallow waves that break over coral, meaning it’s strictly for experienced surfers. Kalim rarely works without the right tide and solid swell, but when it does, expect a punchy take-off and a quick ride. The reef is just offshore, and you’ll usually find a tight group of locals parked out there for all the hours the tide allows. Not for the faint-hearted, but a real gem when it’s on.

Nai Yang Airport reef break 

Tucked away near the airport and just inside Sirinat National Park, the reef break at Nai Yang is a surfer’s delight under the right conditions. Typically, mid-to-large southwest swells are found here, especially with the right tide. Note that this is a reef break – the wave peels over a coral reef, delivering long, carving walls ideal for confident shortboarders. Access is easiest by paddling out from Nai Yang Beach, but it’s a fair distance offshore, and without serious riding experience, it would be better to get to grips elsewhere first. Timing is everything, but it’s rarely crowded – partly due to its remoteness, partly because most travellers don’t even know it exists.

Khao Lak 

About 90 minutes north of Phuket, Khao Lak is technically ‘off island’, but the surf is absolutely worth it. The spot offers a more low-key surf experience with wide open beaches and far fewer people. Nang Thong and Pakarang are the main breaks – sandy-bottomed and beginner-friendly, though Pakarang can surprise you with punchier peaks if the weather is right. The local surf scene is steadily growing here too, with a few shops, rentals and even a yearly surf festival in the wet season. If you’re up for a road trip, it’s well worth escaping Phuket’s crowds for a surf day up here.

Waves in Thailand aren’t punchy like in Indonesia or Hawaii. Dew recommends boards with more volume. 

‘I ride a nine-foot one-inch single fin log, a seven-foot single fin, or a six-foot-six-inch twinny depending on conditions,’ she explains. ‘If it’s clean and big, I’ll take out my seven-footer. If it’s stormy, I’ll go for my twinny for more manoeuvrability. I don’t ride thrusters – but that’s  just my style.’

For those new to the scene, here’s a translation: longboards for shorter waves, shortboards for taller waves, and thrusters if you're lazy and need the fins to do all the work for you.

‘The best surfers will ride the right board in the right conditions,’ she says, so it may be worth asking your instructor or guide what’s best for your experience, based on the conditions. 

Thankfully, Phuket has a growing number of independent surf shops that go beyond just selling gear. Here you can pick up equipment, learn how to speak ‘surfer’,  share techniques and even sign up for lessons or clubs.

Everything you could need to go full-time.

Up to date with the season’s collections, ‘they never run out of essentials.’ Freedom Boardsports has been in the business of watersports in Thailand since 1989. The experienced brand has everything you need. Find board bags, SUP boards, surf racks, leashes, traction pads, and all the accessories, it really is the all-in-one store on the island.

Longboards, surf culture, and great coffee.

An outdoor lifestyle store, with a surf concept offering boards, artisan crafts and coffee all within a beautiful, chic interior-exterior. Although they’re known for their varied collection of surfboards, their sustainable fashion pop-ups, DJ sets and sun-drenched yoga classes make them stand out from amongst the crowd.

A cosy local spot near the sand.

On the beach, Surf Step at Kata beach is step one of the two-step plan of getting in the water and giving surfing a go. Board rentals, lessons, accessories and community. Join the wave straight out the shop and find people on the beach who can tell you everything you need to know. A staple of the Kata surf community.

Well-curated gear and boards with soul.

If you find yourself up surfing the waves of Khao Lak, then Better Surf and The Board Factory are the places for you. Distinct gear, with everything you need, from boards to tees that can up your surf-style, community hubs and places to meet people, be sure to check in – even if just for a coffee.

Female-run online shop that is well stocked, if you don’t mind waiting for delivery. 

If you’re looking to either shop online or support women within the industry, Thalasommer ticks both boxes.  For those who just need a couple of little things or would rather have items delivered straight to their doorstep, Thalasommer stocks everything from indie board wax brands, signature surf-style apparel, sun protection, screws, necklaces and of course, surf boards. With a more than eclectic collection of things, it has a strong, distinct style that is about looks as much as it is about function. 

Phuket may be the country’s most visible surf hub, but it’s only the beginning of Thailand’s coastline story.

Dew learned to surf in Rayong, with the Laem Yah Surf Club – a grassroots crew based at Mae Rumphueng Beach. ‘It’s a great beginner spot, especially for Bangkokians,’ she says. The waves are gentle, the line-ups are friendly and it’s far less crowded than southern Thailand. Many instructors here also compete at a national level, so the standard of teaching is strong even if the waves are soft.

From there, Thailand’s surfable coastline stretches hundreds of kilometres in both directions – north toward Myanmar and south all the way to Malaysia. And with each monsoon season, more spots are being discovered, documented, and quietly ridden by a passionate handful of locals and visiting surfers. Following pages like Phuket Surfing Club is a great way to find out the next hot surf spot in Thailand, and be sure to keep informed on surfline or other wave apps, but keeping your ear to the ground and hearing the voices of other surfers will pay back tenfold in the long run. 

Some of the up-and-coming or under-the-radar areas that are gaining interest this year include Ranong, with a rugged coastline still largely unexplored; Chantaburi, said to have some good wind swells; Hua Hin, great for beginners; as well as Chumphon, Koh Phayam, Koh Chang, Pattani and Songkhla.  

With a surf culture still in its youth, Thailand is wide open for adventurous surfers who value community, curiosity, and softer, more soulful rides over the competitive crush of global hotspots. 

Phuket’s waves might not rival Bali or the Mentawais, but that’s part of the charm. ‘Thailand is the perfect place to learn,’ Dew says. ‘The waves are softer, and everything else, and there’s still so much coastline yet to be explored for surf.’ 

Whether you're paddling out for the first time or chasing monsoon peaks with a twinny under your arm, the Thai surf scene has something for you – if you know where (and how) to look.