Koh Phayam surf is the best-kept secret of the Land of Smiles. Welcome to an island with an open beach rich in sandbanks that faces the whole of the Indian Ocean.
An introduction to Koh Phayam surf
Koh Phayam surf is surprisingly fantastic. Yep, who woulda’ thought that one of the lesser-known isles of the Andaman Sea was capable of throwing out such quality beach breaks for a relatively long season? We’d even go as far as to say that Phuket, Thailand’s most popular surfing hub by a long way, can’t even match this one on its best days.
The pull here is really one long stretch of sand on the southwestern shoreline of Koh Phayam. All hail Aow Yai Beach. When there’s a good SW push in the compass and you get light offshores, the spot here can be a loggers heaven to rival some of the best. Some alchemy needs to be working for that to happen, but when it does, there’s an abundance of intermediate down to beginner peelers that cruise through a stunning beach.
Granted, Phayam simply can’t match Phuket or other Southeast Asian surf destinations when it comes to variety and consistency. However, the water’s super clear, the setting is stunning, and it’s not too busy. Perhaps this is the learner haven of the Land of Smiles? Just be sure to get there before the crowds come!
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Thailand
Koh Phayam surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Koh Phayam surf?
Where is Koh Phayam?
Koh Phayam is a fragment of land that sits at the northern end of the Andaman Sea in western Thailand. That’s an important location when it comes to the surf since it means there’s one half of the island that looks directly southwest into the Malacca Strait, where it can hoover up the swell from the middle of the Indian Ocean. Getting to Koh Phayam isn’t such a cinch as getting to, say, Phi Phi or Koh Lanta. However, there are now direct ferries from the port at Ranong – they take between 40 minutes and 2 hours, though, in our experience, delays are common.
A guide to the Koh Phayam surf spots
There’s really just the one stand-out surf spot in Koh Phayam. It lies on the more exposed southwestern side of the island, which is to be expected since that’s where the bulk of the SW swell lines come through. Here’s a more detailed look at what’s on offer…
Aow Yai Beach
Aow Yai Beach is the only reason we’re sitting here writing a guide to Koh Phayam surf. Seriously, it’s the sole spot of this upcoming beginner haven in the Thai Andaman and we can see why. An almost tailor-made SW orientation means that there’s plenty of action in the summertime (wet season in Thailand) from the southern depths of the Indian Ocean. Basically, you get the same swell that powers up Ulus and Padang Padang over in Bali, but it’s tempered a little after weaving and bending its way through the Malacca islands nearer Malaysia.
The beach itself is 1.8 miles long, leaving PLENTY of space for learners to spread out and take those first waves at their own pace. Talking of waves, the action here is largely individual beach peaks that rise on the sandbanks that form on the inside of the bay. They’re good fun, usually mellow, and rarely peek above a meter, usually sitting at something around 1-3 foot for the whole wet season./If all that makes this sound like a logger and SUP spot proper, that’s because it is!
Generally speaking, the northern side of the beach gets the bigger hit of swell. Up there, it can occasionally – very occasionally – hollow out and even get steeper for one or two cut backs. There’s now a single surf camp and rental spot on the beach itself.
Khao Lak
Khao Lak is a resort region that runs to the south of the upper Andaman and the bigger island of Phuket. It’s okay for surfing, offering a couple of longer beaches interspersed with some reef points that can hold size in the monsoon. The downside? The resorts reign supreme in these parts, so bagging a shoreline that’s as remote as Phayam is going to be tricky.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Khao Lak
Where to stay when surfing in Koh Phayam?
We’ve picked out three great accommodation choices in Phayam below. Our rule was to focus on the places that are close to the main Koh Phayam surf on Aow Yai Beach on the far southwestern end of the island. That will put you within walking distance of the waves and the surfboard rental spots. Oh, and it means some particularly fantastic sunsets come the evening to boot!
Frog Beach House
Frog Beach House is our choice of the hotels that string along Aow Yai Beach. It’s certainly the most stylish and comfortable of the bunch here, sporting Balinese style architecture and polished concrete villa stays with aircon and balconies between the palms. We also like that you’re at the north end of the beach. That’s a short walk from the main surf points (like two minutes total) but is quieter and more peaceful than further south nearer the main road.
JJ Beach Resort & JJ Seafood
A quintessentially Thai hotel that literally steps off the main surf breaks in Phayam, JJ Beach Resort & JJ Seafood is basic but loveable. The rooms are spacious and clean but the real drawcard is that they open right onto Aow Yai Beach into rows of sunbeds that are free to use for guests. Super-friendly owners and staff only add to the joys.
Phayam Coconut Beach Resort
Phayam Coconut Beach Resort is a bit more of a homestay than a hotel resort. It won’t cost you a packet and the experience is sure to be a fun one. Rooms have a beachy vibe but are on the more basic end of the spectrum. There’s also an on-site massage parlour for those post-surf relaxation sessions. Waves are literally a few steps across the beach.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Koh Phayam surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Koh Phayam surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Koh Phayam?
Surf here in the monsoon season that runs from April to the beginning of September to ensure you get the best waves of all. That’s when the SW swell channel is at its most active, with the very same swells that push up to hit the Bukit Peninsular and the western shores of Bali. It’s relatively consistent – for the Land of Smiles, that is (don’t expect Bali-level frequency here!) – but drops a lot in the dry season. Talking of dry season, that’s the time to come to Phayam for lazing and canoeing through the mangroves. Sadly, the surf is smaller, although we won’t go as far as to say it’s non-existent. There are days to be had and they are often good for total beginners.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
