Thai An
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Thai An is a shallow, flat-water kitesurfing lagoon with crystal-clear water and a medium-sized sandy beach. The riding area is described as reef-protected, which supports very flat conditions, and the spot is reported to have easy launch characteristics. Water depth and safety depend heavily on tide, since reef flats and the lagoon bottom can be exposed when the water retreats. Wind is most favorable from the north through the northeast (N, NNE, NE, ENE). The best months are reported as November through April, with especially reliable conditions in the winter monsoon season. Typical reported wind speeds are around 15–30 knots, with additional reporting of strong days reaching higher levels; gust behavior is described as steady. Safety considerations are central at Thai An. The lagoon bottom includes sharp coral and sea urchins, and dropping a kite or walking out can be risky. Booties are strongly recommended, and local guidance also emphasizes checking tide tables daily and avoiding riding at very low tide to prevent injury and gear damage on the reef. Currents may strengthen near reef openings and during tide changes, so riders should plan launch/landing zones accordingly. The spot is positioned as a strong flat-water destination for kitesurfing—especially freestyle and freeride—with foiling possible when depth and conditions are suitable. Windsurfing and wingfoiling are also described for intermediate riders, but shallow depth at low tide requires extra fin/foil caution.
- Winter monsoon wind reliability from the north/northeast
- Very flat, reef-protected lagoon riding
- Crystal-clear water
- Foil and freestyle potential when tide depth allows
- Protected, flat-water riding with crystal-clear conditions
- Reliable winter monsoon winds from the north/northeast
- Good environment for freestyle, freeride, and foiling when conditions/tide allow
- No shore break reported
- Reef hazards and sea urchins make bare entry risky
- Shallow water over coral can become dangerous/unrideable at very low tide
- Currents may increase near reef openings and during tide changes
- Rescue availability is limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — N to NE to ENE winds are described as trade/monsoon-driven.
- Reliability
- high in Nov–Apr
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size reported as small.
- Launch
- Small — Shallow, flat water with good self-launch potential; sandy launch zone can get narrow during high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty described as easy.
Through the year
Quieter than the neighboring My Hoa, but popular during the peak monsoon months.
October and November can see increased rainfall and occasional tropical storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A shallow, flat-water kitesurfing spot with crystal-clear water and a reef-protected lagoon. Conditions are described as suitable for freestyle and freeride, with foiling and some wave riding further out.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Excellent for high-wind freeride and slalom inside the lagoon, but shallow depths at low tide require careful fin management.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Flat water is described as good for learning and progression, but riders must be extremely mindful of the tide to avoid hitting the coral reef with the foil.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendliness due to tide-dependent depth over coral.
- Min Depth
- Only rideable at mid to high tide; dangerous at low tide.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Thai An in the full forecast view.
Thai An wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2814 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Thai An is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.5–1.5 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
- Sharp coral
- Sea urchins
- Strong winds
- Shallow water at low tide
- Strong currents can occur near reef openings and during tide changes
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue support is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- National medical emergency number: 115. Nearest major hospital reported as Ninh Thuan General Hospital (Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm area, ~30 km).
Rules of the spot
Standard international right-of-way rules apply; respect the designated launch and landing zones near local homestays.
- Avoid riding at very low tide.
- Wearing neoprene booties is highly recommended to protect against sea urchins and sharp coral.
- Check local tide tables daily—when the water retreats the spot can become unrideable.
- Avoid riding at very low tide to prevent injury and gear damage on the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Phan Rang - Thap Cham
- Nearest Town
- Thai An
- Parking
- Parking is usually available at local kite-friendly homestays or guest houses.
- Access
- Accessible by road from Phan Rang city, approximately a 30-40 minute drive along the scenic coastal road.
- Local Language
- Vietnamese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several local homestays and small guest houses specifically catering to kitesurfers in the village.
- Food & Drink
- Local seafood and Vietnamese cuisine are available in the village and at nearby guest houses.
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic rental might be available through local homestays, but most riders bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Some local guest houses offer gear storage for a small fee.
- Gear Repair
- Major repairs usually require a trip to the nearby My Hoa area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A scenic bay known for its turquoise waters and glass-bottom boat tours.
Ancient Hindu temples built by the Cham civilization.
One of the oldest pottery villages in Southeast Asia.
A rugged wilderness area offering hiking trails, diverse flora and fauna, and dramatic coastal views.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing in the My Hoa Lagoon and nearby coastal bays.
Local eateries serving fresh seafood caught daily by neighboring fishing villages.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Thai An?
The best overall months at Thai An are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Thai An?
Thai An works with N, NNE, NE, ENE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Thai An?
Recommended equipment sizes at Thai An: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Thai An suitable for?
Thai An suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.