Ao Wai (Ko Samet)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ao Wai (Ko Samet) is a small, sandy beach in a secluded bay with crystal-clear water. Conditions are described as flat to chop, with kitesurfing primarily suited to riders who can manage a narrow launch area and precise kite handling during takeoff and landing. Wind seasonality is well-defined: the best months are January, February, March, April, and December. One provider also lists typical wind as 10–20 knots and describes light gusts. Wind direction is described across NE to ESE sectors, and the bay’s hills can create turbulence if winds include any westerly component. Because the beach is relatively small and bordered by trees and resort infrastructure, the spot carries practical launch constraints. Reported hazards include rocks at the bay headlands/ends and obstacles near the launch zone. Local guidance suggests timing sessions around mid to high tide—when the beach becomes very narrow but rocks are better covered. Access is mainly by boat from Ban Phe on the mainland after reaching the region via Bangkok (or via Pattaya). Amenities are present in the immediate area, including toilets and food/drink, but specialized kitesurfing rental, gear storage, and gear repair on this exact beach are not confirmed in the available data.
- Crystal-clear water
- Small sandy bay with flat-to-chop conditions
- Seasonal kite window in December to April
- Scenic and secluded compared with more developed areas on the island
- Crystal-clear water in a small sandy bay.
- Suitable for flat to chop conditions and suited to freeride with foil/strapless depending on wind.
- Workable wind season in the dry months (December to April).
- Very limited launch/beach space makes setup and landings more demanding.
- Rocks at bay headlands (and at both ends of the bay) increase hazard if conditions or timing are off.
- No dedicated rescue service described for the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, E, S, ESE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type listed as frontal by one provider; thermal support described as occasional light afternoon sea-breezes.
- Reliability
- Moderate during peak monsoon season
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 10–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — White sand described.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small by one provider; another provider characterizes conditions as flat/chop.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — One provider lists chop; another lists both flat and chop conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach with trees and resort structures bordering the sand.
Through the year
Generally quiet and low-crowd for sports, busier with tourists on weekends.
May to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
A secluded bay with clear water and a small beach footprint, best suited to precise launch/landing due to limited space. Flat-to-chop conditions are described for kitesurfing, with freeride/foil/strapless options depending on conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–17 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ao Wai (Ko Samet) in the full forecast view.
Ao Wai (Ko Samet) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- ESE113°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 247 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.3 m3s period
- Temperature
- 25–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ao Wai (Ko Samet) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.1–0.3 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks at bay headlands
- limited beach space
- trees near launch area
- rocks at both ends of the bay
- resort infrastructure near the launch area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards described.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — One provider indicates no rescue availability at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Rayong on the mainland; basic clinic available on the island.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Listed as none by one provider.
Rules of the spot
Respect resort guests and swimmers as the beach is primarily used for leisure.
- Avoid interfering with resort/leisure use of the beach.
- Best to kite during mid to high tide because the beach becomes very narrow at high tide, but rocks are better covered.
- The beach is dominated by the resort, so staying there is the most convenient way to access the launch.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Rayong
- Nearest Town
- Ban Phe
- Parking
- No public parking; access is via boat or resort transport.
- Access
- Accessible by boat from Ban Phe pier on the mainland to Ko Samet, then by local taxi or boat to Ao Wai. Land access is described as Bangkok Airport → bus to Pattaya → boat to Ko Samet; alternatively, boat from Ban Phe (~7 km boat leg to Ko Samet).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Thai, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — On-beach accommodation is described as the primary lodging directly on this beach.
- Food & Drink
- Resort restaurant and bar on site.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized kitesurfing rental available on this specific beach (not confirmed).
- Gear Storage
- None described.
- Gear Repair
- None described for this specific beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ao Wai (Ko Samet)?
The best overall months at Ao Wai (Ko Samet) are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, December.
Which wind directions work at Ao Wai (Ko Samet)?
Ao Wai (Ko Samet) works with N, E, S, ESE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ao Wai (Ko Samet)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ao Wai (Ko Samet): Kitesurfing: 10–17 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Ao Wai (Ko Samet) suitable for?
Ao Wai (Ko Samet) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate.