Friendship Beach (Rawai)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Friendship Beach (Rawai) is a small, shallow flatwater launch inside Chalong Bay, best known for winter kitesurfing conditions. The bottom is generally sand and the water is typically described as clean, with minimal currents within the bay—useful for learning freestyle and freeride progressions. Wind is most favorable from the NE to ENE/E sectors, aligned with the Northeast monsoon/trade-wind season. Peak months are November through March, when the wind is generally good and relatively steady (often around 10–20 knots, with the monsoon reinforcing the flow). Thermal effects can further reinforce winds into the daytime, supporting a workable ride window. The biggest constraint is tidal dependency and shallowness. The spot is only rideable for limited hours around high tide, and at low tide the water can recede dramatically and become unrideable. Launching is from a narrow sandy beach near the resort area, and the effective launch space can shrink at peak high tide. Safety requires extra attention due to shallow water and local hazards: moored/nearby boats and ships in the bay, power lines along the beach (especially when landing), and potential sharp debris/sea-urchin risk on the bottom. Rescue is described as limited, so riders should plan carefully, check tide tables, and consider protective gear such as booties and an impact vest.
- Beginner-friendly kitesurfing water when timed with tide
- NE/E/ENE winter winds with generally good reliability
- Protected bay setup for learning and freestyle
- Flat, shallow flatwater inside Chalong Bay—generally beginner-friendly for kitesurfing.
- Reliable Northeast monsoon winds during November to March.
- Protected bay conditions often support smooth learning and freestyle practice.
- Close access to resorts/amenities via the resort/restaurant area.
- Extremely tide-dependent: the water can be unrideable at low tide.
- Narrow launch/entry area that can shrink at high tide.
- Shallow water increases the risk of hitting the bottom.
- Power lines along the beach are a landing hazard.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds during the winter monsoon season.
- Reliability
- Good during the winter monsoon season (November to March).
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand predominates near the launch; also described as mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Flat wave character; primary use is protected flatwater.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Shallow flatwater; also described as having chop.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach; requires walking through the resort/restaurant area to access the water.
Through the year
Low in off-season; moderate during the winter season. At high tide the launch area can feel crowded.
May to October (with monsoon-season rains and squalls; wettest period often cited around September and October).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat water in Chalong Bay that’s protected and suited for learning and progression. The main winter kitesurfing destination during the Northeast Monsoon season.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Possible but less common due to extreme shallowness and the long walks during low tide.
- Sail Sizes
- 6.5–8.5 m²
Challenging because the bay is extremely shallow; foiling is only possible during the highest tide windows to avoid hitting the bottom.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling is only feasible during the highest tide windows.
- Min Depth
- 1.5
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Friendship Beach (Rawai) in the full forecast view.
Friendship Beach (Rawai) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NNW343°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.0 m6s period
- Temperature
- 26–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Friendship Beach (Rawai) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.4–1.0 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Ships
- Shallow water
- Power lines near the beach
- Moored boats in the bay
- Tidal flats
- Sea urchins
- Occasional debris or rocks on the bottom
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Boat rescue services are typically coordinated/managed by local wind-sports schools during the main season.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Rawai or Chalong. Emergency number 191; Tourist Police 1155.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming areas in front of the resorts and stay clear of the boat moorings.
- No riding at low tide.
- Restricted launch area at peak high tide.
- The 'Friendship Beach' access sign can be easy to miss; access is typically via walking through the resort/restaurant area.
- Watch out for power lines running along the beach when landing your kite.
- Always check tide tables: the spot is only rideable for a few hours around high tide.
- Be mindful of the power lines when carrying your kite on the beach.
- Wear booties if you are a beginner to protect against occasional sea urchins or sharp debris.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Phuket Town
- Nearest Town
- Rawai
- Nearest Airport
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) (~45–50 km)
- Parking
- Small parking area on the right side of the road after turning onto Friendship Beach road (parking can be limited).
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Phuket Smart Bus, local blue songthaews, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Bolt.
- Access
- From the Chalong traffic circle, head south on the main road. Just before the road curves right up a hill, exit onto the small road on the left. Follow the road to a small parking area on the right, then access the beach by walking through the resort/restaurant area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Thai
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Accommodation is referenced as directly at/adjacent to the spot via a resort.
- Food & Drink
- Resort/restaurant options with Thai and international food; bar options also referenced.
- Equipment Rental:
- Kitesurfing and wingfoiling rentals are available through local schools; equipment rental is also referenced at the spot via schools.
- Gear Storage
- Storage options are usually available for school guests or for a small fee.
- Gear Repair
- Basic kite repairs can be handled by the local kite center; professional repair services are described as available through local schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Phuket’s most famous sunset viewpoint overlooking the Andaman Sea.
A 45-meter tall white marble statue offering panoramic views of the island.
The largest and most important Buddhist temple in Phuket.
A prominent training camp for traditional Thai boxing.
A market where visitors can buy fresh catch and have it cooked by nearby restaurants.
A popular beach for families, known for calmer swimming conditions and a park area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Friendship Beach (Rawai)?
The best overall months at Friendship Beach (Rawai) are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Friendship Beach (Rawai)?
Friendship Beach (Rawai) works with NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Friendship Beach (Rawai)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Friendship Beach (Rawai): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 6.5–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Friendship Beach (Rawai) suitable for?
Friendship Beach (Rawai) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.