Ao Kahi (Mae Phim)

A rare reef-rocky break in the Gulf of Thailand that works only occasionally, favoring offshore North to North-Northeast winds and low-tide conditions. It tends to produce short right-hand waves when the Southwest monsoon swell reaches the Gulf.

Wave Direction

Both

Optimal Swell

S

Swell Height

0.5–1.5 m

Optimal Tide

Low — Low tide is consistently cited as best for the reef structure.

Shelter

Exposed — Reported as exposed overall; however, the specific bay can be semi-sheltered from North winds by surrounding hills.

Wind Effect

Offshore-favorable North to North-Northeast winds can clean up the monsoon swell for the reef break; wrong angle/too large swell can turn it messy or close out.

Bigger Swell

Can close out or become messy if the swell is too large or arrives from the wrong angle.

Wave Quality

Poor — One source rates overall quality as poor; another notes average conditions. Expect inconsistency and focus on the reef-at-low-tide window.

Wave Power

Soft — Mostly small/soft waves; monthly notes rate it as small most of the time.

Wave Shape

Mushy — Mushy structure reported for the right-hand reef break during the monsoon swell window.

Peel Speed

Slow — Slow, peeling waves.

Ride Length

Short — Short rides that often end as the wave shifts toward deeper water or sand.

Typical Ride Length

30–50 m

Ride Length Details

Typically 30–50 meters; rides usually finish as the wave moves into deeper parts of the bay or onto the sand.