Kitesurfing in Thailand’s Koh Phangan Island – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When is the best season for kitesurfing in Koh Phangan?
We have a special article that is specifically dedicated explaining about all the wind seasons in detail here.
But in short, the best time for kitesurfing in Koh Phangan is
- Beginning of December – End of March. (4 months, NE + SE wind directions)
- July, August & September can also be good; but must catch the right weeks.
Another way to look at it, is to know the worst time for wind/kitesurfing activity on Koh Phangan island. Those months are… May, June, October & November.
These 4 months are characterized by inconsistent winds, mostly sub 5-6 knots and if they reach 8-10 knots – they barely last for one / two hours at a time.
Take note that October and November can also be a fairly rainy period of time. This is transition time between the SW and NE monsoon winds.
2. Is Koh Phangan windy enough for beginners?
Yes — absolutely.
While Koh Phangan is not as windy as places like Vietnam, it is much safer and perfect for beginners. The water much flatter with less chop or swell, and quite often the water tide depth in the lagoon is chest deep or lower; thereby providing suitable & comfortable learning conditions due to the enhanced safety aspect.
The average wind speed ranges between 8-10 knots on light wind days, 10–15 knots on typical days (this is considered a good wind for Koh Phangan; as Thailand is considered a light wind country in general ), and 15–20 knots on stronger wind days — ideal for progressing at your own pace or intermediate/advanced kiters looking for a bit more adrenaline in their sessions.
3. Which side of the island is best for kitesurfing?
- South-East wind season (Jan–Mar): Ban Tai & Thong Sala
- South-West wind season (May–Sep): Ban Tai & Thong Sala is best. Some west coast beaches including Hin Kong and Zen beach is possible for more experienced kiters.
- North-East wind season (Dec–Feb): Chaloklum or sometimes Haad Rin
*** NOTE: Haad Rin spot is only suitable for experienced / more advanced riders due to the large waves and shore break present at the spot. The wind direction is often onshore, or sometimes slightly side-onshore. Combined with the aforementioned waves & shorebreak leaves not much space on the beach for the set-up / launching / landing process and thus, presents a hazard for less experienced kiters as there is small margin for error.
4. Can I kitesurf all year round in Koh Phangan?
Yes, well… ALMOST!
If you live full-time on the island and are very flexible with your time, you can catch plenty of good sessions throughout the entire year.
Expect some ultra-light wind days (perfect for big kites – 17m size) and the occasional stormy adrenaline ride, where you can use 7m-9m size kites.
Success here depends on flexibility and availability — when the wind blows, you go! Don’t rely on the forecasts here too much, there is maximum 50% of accuracy, because it’s generally unpredictable – especially in South West wind season
There is no one month that is completely ‘windless’ or ‘not – kiteable’ per se; but there are months where the wind is less consistent & also less predictable.
May, June and especially October & the first half of November are the worst months for kiting. But if you are lucky you can still catch the wind for a quick awesome session!
However, if you are travelling to the island just for a few days/weeks specifically for kitesurfing – then it’s best to plan your trip outside of these months so you can maximize time on the water!
5. What is the water like – flat, choppy, or wavy?
Around 80% of the time, the water is flat or slightly choppy.
Most kite spots on the island are actually lagoons; protected by a reef offshore which blocks the waves and swell from the open sea… minimizing chop.
When compared with other spots in Thailand (Hua Hin, Pak Nam Pran, Phuket), or neighboring Vietnam, Koh Phangan has some of the flattest and calmest waters in the region — perfect for learners and freestyle riding.
6. How long does it take to learn kitesurfing from zero?
Not an easy answer! Because it depends on many factors…
Your instructor, the kite spot and the equipment provided during your lesson will greatly determine how long it takes to learn kitesurfing from zero level.
But with us at SIAM PRO KITE, an average beginner with no board-sport experience, it takes about 8–10 hours of lessons to start riding both directions.
Most of our students who have practiced other forms of board sports (Wakeboard, Snowboard, Windsurf, Skateboard etc) are able to learn within 6-8 hours.
Our skilled and experienced instructors were able to get some students to ride independently after only 2-3 hours as well! But this is absolutely not normal and shouldn’t be used as a standard comparison reference.
Just to compare, there are many schools around the world that offer courses 15-20 hours long. This goes to show how long it can take to learn kitesurfing properly and puts into perspective the rapid progression rate we are able to offer at SIAM PRO KITE on Koh Phangan island in Thailand!
During a 10–14 day vacation, you can expect to reach the basic riding level within 3–5 days of lessons (2h or 3h of lessons per day).
Those with prior experience in wind, water, or board sports often learn faster – in general it is strictly individual as everyone learns at their own unique pace.
7. Do I need any previous board-sport experience?
No experience needed.
Kitesurfing is more about technique and coordination than raw strength. That’s why it’s suitable for both children and adults of all ages. Once you learn to control the kite with your brain instead of your muscles, everything becomes much easier — and more fun!
Previous board experience can help a lot, but not essential. The most important is the first 2-3 hours of your learning which encompasses KITE CONTROL skills.
The better control you have over the kite, the faster and better kitesurfer you are bound to become over the next hours! Hence the name KITEsurfing!
8. What’s included in a beginner course?
A standard beginner course usually includes:
- 30 minutes of theory – equipment setup, wind window, and safety basics.
- 2–4 hours of kite flying practice – learning full control of the kite.
- 1–2 hours of body dragging – using the kite to navigate through the water.
- Water start training – generating power from the kite to start riding on the board.
- Upwind riding – the final fundamental skill for independence.
All of above can be usually done within 10 hours.
9. Private or group lessons?
We highly recommend private lessons.
Learning one-on-one allows you to progress faster and safer at your own pace.
Group lessons may appear cheaper, but because you share the kite, you spend much more time waiting and practicing less. By doing a 2 on 1 lesson you learn everything in double the time and a cheaper price still doesn’t justify the questionable quality of experience with so much waiting time.
Only the 2-hour discovery lesson can be done in a small group, since it involves theory and static kite flying in shallow water – which can be done in a group of 2 students and 1 instructor. After that, individual lessons are much more effective.
10. Can kids learn kitesurfing too?
Yes! Koh Phangan is one of the safest and most child-friendly kitesurfing locations in Southeast Asia.
The combination of shallow lagoons, gentle to moderate winds, and calm waters provides ideal conditions for young learners.
You can read more about our kids’ kitesurfing programs in our dedicated article on this website.
11. After taking a course, can I rent equipment on Koh Phangan?
There’s no fixed number of hours that guarantees readiness for renting gear — it depends entirely on your confidence, skills and ability.
To rent and ride independently, you should be able to:
- Confidently ride upwind and crosswind
- Relaunch your kite in deep water
- Body drag to recover your board
- Perform a self-rescue if needed
These skills ensure your safety and enjoyment on the water.
12. Do I need to bring my own kite gear?
It depends on your stay length.
For short trips (1–2 weeks), it’s easier to rent gear locally.
If you plan to stay 3 months or more, bring your harness, bar, and 2–3 kites (a large light-wind kite, small & medium sizes).
Keep in mind that Thai winds are generally light, so your smaller kites from windier countries may not be as useful here.
13. What kite sizes work best here?
The most common kite sizes in Koh Phangan are:
- 15–17 m² for light-wind days
- 11–14 m² for medium winds
- 7–10 m² for stormy or strong-wind sessions
To cover all conditions, we recommend having at least two (ideally three) kites – small, medium, and large.
14. Do you provide rescue services?
It depends on your arrangement with us:
- Lesson students: always covered — your instructor is responsible for your safety, the team keeps an eye on you from the beach too.
- Equipment rentals or members: our team monitors you from shore. However, you must demonstrate solid self-rescue and upwind-riding ability.
If a rescue is required, a small rescue fee (500–1500 THB) applies depending on the difficulty of the situation.
But keep in mind that kitesurfing is an extreme sport and you must accept the potential risks it has.
15. Where should I stay to be close to kite spots?
Anywhere except Thong Nai Pan will keep you close to the main kitesurfing areas.
The island is fairly small, and travel between spots rarely takes more than 15–25 minutes by scooter or car.
But if possible – try stay around Ban Tai or Thong Sala area between mid-Jan to September. We are stationed at SEA ESCAPES (for SE and SW wind seasons)
However if you are coming between mid-November and mid-January, it could be better to stay in Chaloklum… or MALIBU BEACH BUNGALOWS! That would put you right at our kite station for winter NE wind season.
16. Are there kite schools with accommodation included?
It’s not very common for kite schools to include accommodation, but many are right next to resorts.
At Siam Pro Kite Kitesurfing Center, we have:
- Our own small accommodation by the kite beach during the SW wind season (less than 50m from the spot).
- Access to Sea Escape Beach Resort beach during the SE season, where we operate from January to March.
- During the NE season, we base in Chaloklum at a place called Malibu, where bungalows are a short 2–3 minute walk from the spot.
17. Is Koh Phangan suitable for digital nomads or long stays?
Definitely. Koh Phangan is one of Southeast Asia’s top digital nomad destinations — peaceful, creative, and well-connected.
You’ll find plenty of houses for rent, coworking spaces, cafés with fast Wi-Fi, and great food options across the island.
18. What’s the island vibe outside of kiting – parties, nature, community?
Koh Phangan has something for everyone.
On no-wind days, you can enjoy yoga studios, beach bars, parties (from underground music to more mainstream vibes), workshops, and retreats.
If you’re more into adventure, try scuba diving, freediving, or hiking mountain trails.
It’s the perfect balance between energy and tranquility.
