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In case you didn't know it, Phuket's West Coast is gaining a reputation
as a surf destination. Okay, so this is no Waikiki, and surfers
here would be the first to admit that, but the island's West Coast
is the best place for surfing in Thailand.
Here's a brief surfing guide to Phuket's beaches. Click here for
Surf Schools and Surf Board Rentals.
Surfing Competitions in Phuket
There are three main annual surf contests in Phuket. The Phuket
Surfing Contest is held at Kata Beach, and has been running
for the past seven years. It usually takes place in mid-September
but this year it will be from August 31 till September 2.
There are cash prizes of more than 100,000 baht to be won. For more
information, please contact Wallop Nadon at wallopsurfshopkatabeach@hotmail.com.
Scroll to the end for special hotel offers
for the event.
Kalim Beach hosts the Kalim Surf Contest. Organized by members
of the Phuket Board Rider Club, the 2007 contest took place in late
June with 80 surfers participants, cheered on by an audience of
over 200 enthusiasts. This was its third year.
Then there is the Kamala Go Surfing Contest. This year it
will be held from August 25-26 at the northernmost end of Kamala
Beach. This contest will mark its fifth year. Again, it is organized
by locals - members of Kamala Go Surfing Club. For more information on the last two events, please contract Chanin
Aiyarak at info@phuketboardriders.com
Kata Beach is the surfing capital of Phuket. Renowned for its consistent
surf, this is the logical venue for the island's biggest annual
surfing competition. For many, the south end of the beach (outside Kata Beach Resort)
offers the best board riding in Phuket and this is why Kata Beach
can get rather busy at times. Still, the ambience in the waves and
on the beach itself is friendly, international and laid back. Many
surfers join in at the volleyball net afterwards and there is even
a surfer's bar close by.
There is a car park a stone's throw from the main surfing
drag and spectators can watch from under the shade of rocket trees
that line the beach.
The waves are fast but manageable and at times can really buck
high at the sandbar and this, in essence, is what provides the thrill
of catching a break at the south part of Kata Beach. Details: Winds are southwest to northeast. Swell is up to
two metres. There is a beach break at the southern end of the beach.
Here, the good waves are usually off the northern headland and
can be quite fast, but good at times. The right-hander main wave
breaks near the northern headland. Details: Winds are southeasterly to northeasterly with waves
up to two metres. Beach break.
Karon is not so popular with surfers as it is very open to conditions.
With constantly shifting sandbanks it is not a reliable location
and just about anywhere else is better. However, you can surf when
there are small swells and no wind. Details: Karon's shifting sandbanks mean swell from all
directions. Winds are light and changeable and waves are up to two
metres.
At the south end of this beach there is a permanent sandbank that
gives a good and often fast ride, even in the smallest swells. At
the northern end (right next to Le Royal Meridien Yacht Club) there
is a beach-and-reef break in the corner. This break can hold large
swells and can at times get pretty potent. Details: Winds are variable with waves up to three metres.
The best place to surf at Patong Beach is at the north end, where
the waves can be quite good, fast and open to the wind. Details: Slight winds with waves up to a metre and a half
with a beach break.
Kalim Beach Surfing
Kalim Beach is one of the better surf beaches on Phuket and when
other beaches are impossible many surfers head to Kalim as it is
protected from the swell. On wild weather days there are waves to
ride further out towards the headland. The wave ride is about 50-100
metres long and gets very shallow at the end. Quite a busy surfing
location.
Details: Winds are southeast to northeast with swell up
to three metres. Shallow coral reef break.
This north end of Kamala's northernmost beach is a beach break
with stable sandbanks, due to the reefs. Here, there are consistent
waves of up to three metres and they build up the closer to shore
you get.
Details: Variable winds with swell up to three metres. There
is a point break for experienced surfers.
Rock formations along Laem Singh Beach offer some very fast surfing.
Here, you can surf on most tides as each little swell is picked
up.
Details: Protected from winds with swell up to three metres.
Very fast.
Surin offers some good surfing opportunities at both ends of the
beach. There are good waves on the high tide or on the low-mid tide.
Watch out for the group of large rocks in the middle of the beach.
The last rock at the northern end results in a sandbank with a fast
left-hander.
Details: Slight wind with waves up to two metres.
The middle of the beach is protected from the swells and some smaller
waves are eminently rideable. Further north along the beach the
waves get bigger as it is exposed to the wind. Shifting sandbanks
make the going unpredictable, though, but sometimes it is near perfect
here.
Details: Southerly winds with waves up to three metres.
Can get choppy, and care must be taken of the rocks.
Details: Winds northwest to southeast. Swell up to three
metres.
There is a large coral reef a distant paddle from the beach that
can mean great surfing when conditions are right but don't be fooled:
it's a long way out. Low tide surfing is good also with unpredictable
banks and peaks.
Details: Slight wind with swells up to three metres.
Mai Khao Beach Surfing
Very inconsistent surfing here due to a steep drop-off. This makes
for big shore breaks but not a lot more. If you go to where Phang
Nga Bay meets the Andaman Sea there are swells of up to two metres
and varying conditions. Details: Winds northwest to southeast. Swell up to two metres.
Learning to Surf in Phuket
As surfing is not a major sporting pastime in Phuket there are
relatively few places to rent boards or to receive surfing lessons
but the best bet for the aspiring surfer is to head over to Kata
Beach where boards, instructors and - most importantly - waves are
available. You may be able to rent at other beaches such as Patong
but waves are not guaranteed.
At Kata there are two surf shops and seven beach outlets where
you can rent a board. Surfboards cost 150 baht per hour, 500 baht
a day and 7,000 baht a month. Please remember that these are starting
prices and that some outlets charge more.
Private instructors cost 800 baht per hour – 1,500 to 3,000
baht for two hours, depending on which company you are dealing with. For those who don't do things by halves, there is a small
selection of new boards for sale at Cobra in Chalong. |
