Mai Khao Beach (Phuket)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) is a long, sandy, largely undeveloped stretch inside Sirinat National Park, known for crystal-clear water but also for highly exposed, onshore monsoon conditions. The spot is characterized by chop and small-to-medium waves for the water surface, with surfers and kiters needing to manage steep sand entries and hazardous break conditions. For wind sports, the strongest, most cited wind window is June through September, with NW (monsoon-driven) winds and typical strengths roughly in the 12–25 knot band. Even when wind is present, the dominant safety picture is that of strong rip currents and a heavy shore break; multiple warnings emphasize that this is not a place for beginners, and that attempting sessions without appropriate training/instructor guidance increases risk. Surfing is described as advanced-only during the monsoon period, with fast, heavy beach breaks and steep rides that can close out near shore. Conditions are repeatedly framed as dangerous for inexperienced surfers, especially when waves build and break hard on the sand. Shelter is poor (exposed coastline), and the wind contribution is mainly onshore or cross-onshore during monsoon. A further critical constraint is the southern end near Phuket International Airport: the runway/flight path area is treated as restricted, with strict rules against flying kites/drones near the approach. Turtle-nesting restrictions are also enforced with signage, and local guidance stresses avoiding swimming alone and respecting red-flag warnings when conditions deteriorate.
- Long sandy beach (11 km) inside Sirinat National Park
- Monsoon wind window particularly June–September with NW winds
- Advanced-only water conditions due to strong rip currents and heavy shore break
- Airport-adjacent restricted zone at the southern end
- Crystal-clear water and a long, uncrowded beach within Sirinat National Park.
- Wind window exists during monsoon months, supporting experienced wind sport sessions.
- Low-profile atmosphere and generally quiet environment.
- Advanced-level conditions only: strong rip currents and heavy shore break.
- Limited rescue/assistance and a remote, exposed feel on open coastline.
- Southern end near the airport runway/approach area is restricted (important no-fly/no-fly-zone rules).
- Wet/monsoon season conditions can be especially dangerous for both kiting and surfing.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Monsoon-driven conditions are commonly described, but the spot is specifically characterized as trade-type wind in the wind summaries.
- Reliability
- moderate (monsoon season stronger than dry season; dry season described as unreliable/low).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Kiting often described as chop/small waves; surfing notes fast/heavy surf with small-to-medium overall wave size references and working swell conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is repeatedly mentioned for the water surface during relevant wind conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach noted in drier periods; another description highlights a steep sandy approach and narrow width at high tide.
Through the year
Low year-round; quietest in the wet season.
May to October (monsoon season with frequent rain and potential storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Challenging, seasonal kitesurfing onshore chop with heavy shore break and strong rip currents; commonly considered advanced-only, and many warnings indicate kitesurfing is not generally feasible/recommended during the wet/monsoon period due to dangerous conditions and lack of dedicated rescue.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible during monsoon season but rarely favored due to the heavy shore break and limited on-site support compared with more accessible nearby options.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Difficult due to steep sandy entry, immediate deep water, and significant shore break; depth is sufficient for foils after the break.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Depth can be adequate for foils beyond the break, but the approach/shorebreak make sessions challenging.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Open-ocean beach break with heavy shore break; best treated as an advanced-only surf due to steep, fast waves and hazardous break conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds; during monsoon it can create cross-onshore chop that slightly cleans up if wind turns more West.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes very heavy and dangerous for inexperienced surfers.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average overall, with standout heaviness/pace rather than clean, groomed surf.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Heavier, fast-breaking waves are repeatedly emphasized during the monsoon season.
- Wave Shape
- Closeout
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides are described as fast and steep, often closing out on the shore.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, steep rides that often close out on the shore.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) in the full forecast view.
Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NNE15°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.3–0.6 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Strong rip currents
- Heavy shore break
- Swimmers
- Immediate deep water (deepens quickly)
- Airport flight path / runway-related restricted zone (southern end)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — One provider notes no lifeguards; another describes lifeguards as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated rescue service is described; emergency assistance is generally limited.
- Emergency Info
- Remote beach with limited rescue; nearest hospital referenced as Phuket Town (also noted by provider as Thalang Hospital in regional context).
Rules of the spot
Advanced-rider conditions with strong currents and heavy shore break: some guidance emphasizes not riding without an instructor until basic certification and safety skills are received. In addition, keep well away from the airport runway/approach area for aviation safety rules.
- No motorized watersports in the Sirinat National Park area.
- Turtle-nesting restrictions enforced (noted especially Nov–Feb by one summary).
- No-fly/restricted zone near the runway/flight path at the southern end (strict rules for flying anything near the approach area).
- Kitesurfing is discouraged/limited in the wet/monsoon period according to multiple warnings because of severe onshore conditions and currents.
- Respect red-flag warnings and treat the beach primarily as a walking/scenery area when conditions are dangerous.
- Avoid swimming alone.
- Do not disturb sea-turtle nesting sites; nesting is marked with signs and restrictions are enforced.
- Avoid the southern end near the runway/aircraft approach due to security and safety regulations.
- Expect a workout getting past the shore break.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Phuket Town
- Nearest Town
- Mai Khao
- Parking
- Parking described as available at public access points along the beach road; limited public parking near entrances can require parking near the Sirinat National Park entrance or along resort access roads.
- Access
- Accessible via coastal roads off Highway 402, with multiple access points from major resort areas; public transport is described as limited, with parking available at public access points along the beach road (or near the national park entrance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Thai
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury resorts dominate the area around Mai Khao; high-end accommodation is common near the beach and around Phuket International Airport.
- Food & Drink
- High-end resort restaurants are common; some local vendors near public park entrances are mentioned.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops directly on the beach are described; many riders bring gear or rent from nearby area services/schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A famous spot where planes fly extremely low over the beach during landings.
Dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles that nest on this beach.
Shopping and dining complex catering to the northern resort community.
Walking trails through protected pine forests along the coastline.
Large water park with slides and a lazy river near the beach area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mai Khao Beach (Phuket)?
The best overall months at Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Mai Khao Beach (Phuket)?
Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) works with NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Mai Khao Beach (Phuket)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Mai Khao Beach (Phuket): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) suitable for?
Mai Khao Beach (Phuket) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Advanced.