Mae Phim Beach
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mae Phim Beach is a long sandy shoreline near Rayong in the Gulf of Thailand, offering a relaxed setting with ample space for beach activities and water sports. Surf at this beach break is described as reasonably exposed, with left and right-hand waves possible when conditions align. However, sources consistently note that it only works occasionally, and wave quality is typically soft and mellow rather than high-performance. For surfing, the best swell direction is from the south, while offshore NE winds are considered ideal for cleaner surf conditions. One surf-focused guide also indicates that good surf can occur across all tide stages, but conditions are still described as rare and inconsistent. When the swell builds beyond about 2 meters, the break may close out, which is something beginners should be prepared for. Safety is the most important consideration. Dangerous rip currents are reported, and hazards can also include jellyfish during the rainy season, along with fishing nets or seasonal debris near shore. There is no dedicated lifeguard or official rescue service reported for the beach, so sessions should be planned conservatively (especially for learners) and with close attention to outgoing currents. A rash guard is recommended for sun and jellyfish protection. Seasonally, January is highlighted as the best surf month, and conditions are described as unlikely to be overly crowded even when surf is up. Outside peak weekend periods the beach can be very quiet, making it a good choice for those seeking a less busy learning environment. The wider monsoon cycle also influences wind and water-sport options, with monsoon-season periods generally providing more supportive conditions for beginner-friendly freeride/foil styles.
- Left and right-hand waves when surf is working
- Best swell direction from the south
- Offshore NE winds can improve surf conditions
- Beginner-friendly sandy beach with easy setup area
- Low likelihood of heavy crowds, especially midweek
- Rips reported as the key hazard
- Long sandy beach with wide space for setup and learning.
- Beginner-friendly water depth and sandy bottom.
- Left and right-hand waves reported for surfing when it’s working.
- Generally low chance of heavy crowds, especially outside weekends.
- Rip currents are reported as dangerous.
- Surf works only occasionally and wave quality is described as poor/average.
- Onshore winds can make conditions choppy during peak periods.
- No on-site rescue or lifeguard service reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 8–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Monsoon-driven conditions with a mix of wind patterns; sources also describe gradient/seasonal influences.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Surf guide notes gusts up to about 13 knots; other provider describes only light gusting overall.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surf described as small/mellow.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy, gently sloping shoreline with space for setup and self-launching.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy beach with gentle slope suitable for self-launching.
Through the year
Unlikely to be too crowded year-round; weekends and public holidays are busiest, weekdays quieter.
May to October (monsoon season with frequent rainfall).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A beginner-friendly option for freeride and foil styles, with a sandy bottom and ample space for setup in monsoon-season conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Works for beginners and intermediate riders seeking easy small-chop/flat-water style conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Shallow, sandy conditions support a safe learning environment, though foilers should walk out past the initial shallows.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly per enrichment data.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
A long sandy beach with a reasonably exposed beach break that can offer left and right-hand waves. It only works occasionally; the best swell direction is from the south, and offshore NE winds help. Wave quality is described as poor/average with soft, mellow energy that suits learning and longboarding.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Good surf can occur at all tide stages (surf-focused guidance).
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered beach-break environment (not fully protected).
- Wind Effect
- Offshore NE winds are described as ideal for surf conditions; onshore winds during peak periods can make conditions choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Wave quality is described as poor by one provider and average by the other.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Waves are generally soft/mellow.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe a mix of shapes; one provider specifically notes mushy/soft surf.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Surf is described as occasionally workable with medium peel; another provider describes soft/mushy waves with slow peeling.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Generally short and soft/mushy; sufficient energy for longboards/high-volume boards, but not for long high-performance rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mae Phim Beach in the full forecast view.
Mae Phim Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- ESE102°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 257 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.3 m3s period
- Temperature
- 24–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mae Phim Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Sunday, October 25 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
- dangerous rip currents
- jellyfish
- fishing nets
- rip currents
- occasional fishing nets and seasonal debris near the shoreline
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No official lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No immediate on-site rescue reported by the surf-focused enrichment; regional guidance describes the lack of official beach water-rescue service.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability is reported as none locally by surf-focused sources; regional guidance notes no dedicated lifeguard or water-rescue service on the beaches, with emergency numbers available and nearest major hospitals in Rayong.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction indicated.
Rules of the spot
Respect surf etiquette and keep a safe distance from others in the lineup.
- Watch out for dangerous rips.
- Aim for midweek sessions to avoid the busiest beach periods.
- Good surf can occur at all stages of the tide.
- Wear a rash guard for sun and jellyfish protection.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Rayong
- Nearest Town
- Ban Phe
- Nearest Airport
- U-Tapao (UTP) ~80 km (~1.5 hours away); Suvarnabhumi (BKK) ~180 km (~2.5–3 hours away).
- Parking
- Available near the beach; abundant free parking along the length of the beach road.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily via private car/van; within the area, transport is mainly by motorbike rentals and songthaews.
- Access
- Take Sukhumvit Rd (Route 3) east from Rayong town and turn right at road markers km 259.5, 263, or 268; the beach is on coastal road No 3145.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Thai
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous budget-friendly guesthouses, local hotels, and mid-range resorts are located across the road from the beach; accommodation available nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Famous for local seafood restaurants and street food vendors; nearby options available.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some local vendors may offer surfboard and SUP rentals; kite or windsurf gear is not typically available directly on the beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Popular island getaway known for white-sand beaches; reachable by ferry from nearby Ban Phe.
Coastal park with hiking trails and viewpoints over the Gulf of Thailand.
A monument dedicated to Thailand’s royal poet, who was born in this region.
Coastal park with hiking trails and viewpoints over the Gulf of Thailand.
A long row of local beachfront restaurants known for fresh seafood at local prices.
A public aquarium showcasing local marine life and research.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mae Phim Beach?
The best overall months at Mae Phim Beach are January. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Mae Phim Beach?
Mae Phim Beach works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Mae Phim Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Mae Phim Beach: Kitesurfing: 12–17 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 8–18 kts.
What skill level is Mae Phim Beach suitable for?
Mae Phim Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.