Thailand's surf competitions
These competitions are run as fun events and are not really taken too seriously. The beauty is the ambience that is provided during these events. They are getting stronger each year with more support from sponsors and traveling surfers.
What to pack on surfing trip in Thailand
Phuket has a large variety of waves; it rarely gets big, over two meters high. Surfer must bring own surfboard as most boards are not permitted to leave their local beach. If a surfer wants to rent a surboard, try and cut a long term deal, board prices start around 100 baht an hour. Also needed is plenty of sun cream, a rash shirt and tropical water wax. The water never drops below 28 degrees so a wetsuit isn't needed. Surfing in board shorts is what surfing in Thailand is all about.
How to get there
By Air :
- Thai Airways International
The airline operates several daily flights Bangkok-Phuket, with a flight time of 1 hour. For more information please tel. 0 2280 0600, 0 2628 6000, hotline 1566, Phuket office tel. 0 7625 8240 or www.thaiairways.com - Bangkok Airways
Flights from Bangkok, some via Ko Samui, are operated by Bangkok Airways. For more information please tel. 0 2265 5555, hotline 1771, Phuket office tel. 0 7622 5033-5 or www.bangkokair.com - Air Asia
Call 0 2515 9999 or www.airasia.com - Orient Air
Call Center 1126 or www.orient-thai.com - Nok Air
Call Center 1318 or www.nokair.co.th - Phuket Air
Tel. 0 2679 8999 or www.phuketairlines.com
By Bus :
Air-condition and non air-conditioned coaches leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily. Please contact 0 2435 1199 for more information or www.transport.co.th
By Car :
It is 862.km. By road from Bangkok to Phuket, the drive taking about 12 hours.
By Rail :
There is no direct rail link to Phuket. The nearest railway station is Phun Phin in Surat Thani from where bus services connect with the island. For more information, please contact the Travel Service Unit of the State Railways of Thailand. Tel. 0 2220 4334, hotline 1690. Website: www.railway.co.th
Equipment, Rentals, Surf shops
Surfing through Thailand, may want to bring a surfboard with and may not. The popular surf spots such as Phuket and Ko Samui have surfboards for hire. Prices vary from place to place.
There are many surfboards for rent shops located on the beach at Kata Beach. The longest running is Da Surf. They can be found at two locations, opposite the Boathouse Hotel entrance or at the southern end of Kata Beach.
- Da Surf Shop
235/1 Koktanode Road, Muang, Phuket 83100 Telephone: 66 7633 3055
There are two other surf shops that can be found in Phuket.
- Palm Surf Shop
owned and operated by Rick can be found at Chalong. This surf shop is located on the same road that travels down to the Jetty.
1/11-12 Chao Fa Road, Moo 9, Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130 Telephone: 66 7638 1065 - Saltwater Dreaming
Saltwater Dreaming is located at Surin
108/3 Moo 3, Surin, Beach, Choengthalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Telephone: 66 7627 0549
Online Surf Shop
Other Surf Destinations in Thailand
Khao Lak
Khao Lak is in Phang-nga province and is the gateway to the Similan Islands, approximately 80 kilometers north of Phuket airport and is a relatively easy drive. There is access by bus or hire a car from Phuket Town. Khao Lak is blessed with many stunning beaches and reefs. Khao Lak Beach, Sunset Beach, Nang Thong Beach, Bang Niang Beach, Khuk Khak Beach and Pakweeb Beach are all within walkable distance from accommodation and most are protected by rocky out crops which provide wind protection and also help to gather sand and produce nice wave shape. The best time to surf is early morning as Khao Lak has its own unique local ecosystem; cool breezes wisp off the mountain tops producing clean offshore winds before the morning trade wind starts from the south west. These beaches are best surfed at low tide around half to two meters high. Khao Lak has no surfboard rental availability.
Hotels & Resorts in Khao Lak
Ko Samui
The most consistent months here are October through to December. Chaweng Beach is the most popular withgreat fun rides around half to one and a half meters high. There are also many surfboards to rent if you do not feel like lugging your surfboard all the way. Other than the beach break also there is a long left hand reef break that is rideable at mid to high tide and over one meter high. This wave is rarely ridden as it can get very shallow. (For experienced surfers only). There are many other beaches on this Island that can have some fun waves. Go and look and see what is around the next corner, you just never know.
Hotels & Resorts in Koh Samui
Ko Pha-ngan
This Island is very popular for the full moon parties and if you are very lucky you may catch a wave as well. The waves here seem to lack power but at times can be rideable. Surf the low in coming tide for best results.
Hotels & Resorts in Koh Phangan
This content is provided and copyrighted by Tourism Authority of Thailand
