Aisa’s rating of destinations - Surfing

Bali, Indonesia
Lombok, Indonesia | Maldives
Koh Samui, Thailand | Phuket, Thailand | Sanya, China
Goa, India

Surfing Seasons

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Bali, Indonesia | Aisa’s rating

Bali is one of the top surfing destinations in the world and surfers’ paradise! Bali gets the full force of southern ocean swells from the Antarctic, and its southwest and south-east coasts are littered with surf spots. Lacking of dangerous rocks or coral, Bali is suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. It is said that Bali’s wave were firstly surfed back in late 1930s by a group of Austrian surfers.

The primary surfing locations are in the southern coast, e.g., Kuta, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. Kuta is the most popular surf site. You can easily find surf instructors lounging around the beach. Uluwatu is more popular among experienced surfers.

The dry season from June to September is the best surfing season.

Lombok, Indonesia | Aisa’s rating

Lombok is great place to surf. Bangko Bangko beach or the Desert Point is the best surf spot in Lombok. It’s located on the south west coat of Lombok, about 3 hours drive from Kuta beach (not the same Kuta in Bali). However it’s for experienced surfer only. Kuta beach & south coast of Lombok (Gerupuk Beach) also offers good surf points.

The waves are consistent from May to October. Like Bali, August is the peak season.

Maldives | Aisa’s rating

Maldives doesn’t have a long history of surfing like Bali, but it’s one of the most up and coming surfing destinations. The southwest monsoon season from April to October brings waves. Note that it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The swell can be experienced from March to October, with the best waves from June to August. The waves range from 3-8 feet. Exposed to the same swells as Indonesia, Maldives is actually cooler due to its southeast exposure. And the reefs are flatter although the waves are not spectacular as that of Bali.

The good surf spots include Chickens, Cokes, Piddlines/Ninjas, Jailbreaks (Himmafushi), Sultans and Honkey’s.

Koh Samui, Thailand | Aisa’s rating

Koh Samui’s surf season is from October to December. Chaweng beach is the most popular beach for surfing. Other spots include the “left alone” reef beak off Chaweng beach and a reef break in front of Le Meridien Baan Taling Naam Resort.

Phuket, Thailand | Aisa’s rating

Phuket’s west coast is a good surfing destination. The best surfing seasons in Phuket is from May to October when the southeast monsoon brings storms in the Bengal bay and surf on Thailand’s west coast. There are many surf spots in the west coast, and other “surfable” islands and reefs just offshore. Phuket is ideal for beginners and intermediates as the waves are generally smaller and less powerful.

Phuket is the most popular surf destination in Thailand. Kata beach is known for its consistent waves and it’s the center for surfing in Phuket. The annual Phuket surfing contest is held at Kata beach for seven consecutive years. (in 2008 it’s held from August 31 till September 2) Other surf spots can be found in Kalim beach, Surin Beach, Kamala Beach, etc.

Sanya, China | Aisa’s rating

Sanya also offers fairly consistent tropical surf most of the year. Dadonghai beach is the place for surfing. The surfing season is from May to November.

Goa, India | Aisa’s rating
Goa is not often associated with surfing. There are waves at Patnem beach and sometimes Palolem Beach, but they are small, mellow, and not very consistent. The surfing seasons are from September to February.