Planning The Perfect Luxury Surf Trip To Phuket

Not being able to travel overseas has made us desperate for new experiences and adventures that can be found within our borders. And with beaches being the obvious choice for a fulfilling getaway from the concrete jungle, you may have noticed a surfing craze amongst vacationers, if not have taken up the sport yourself. 

When it comes to surfing in Thailand, Phuket is the place to be. For a country that’s not as endowed with consistent barrelling waves as Hawaii or Indonesia, being shadowed by the Andaman Islands, Phuket still receives significant ground swells from the Indian Ocean, as well as fun short-period wind swells. The local surf community has been thriving despite the year’s setbacks, evidenced by the number of surf competitions and events that have taken place in the last couple of months. 

If you’re considering a trip down to Phuket for the last leg of surf season, here’s a Tatler teaser to get you one step closer, followed by a few places we recommend adding to your itinerary.

 

Established in the late 80s and renovated in 2013, Le Meridien Phuket Resort is a well-kept resort with classic charms and impeccable standards when it comes to service. Not only is the hotel surrounded by stunning jungle foilage, the property is, in truest form, a beachfront hotel. So, whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a newbie with an appetite, if all you want to do is wake up every morning and surf until you can’t, Le Meridien Phuket is the ideal five-star accommodation for you. One of the few luxury hotels around Karon and Karon Noi beaches that were open in September 2020, Le Meridien’s best feature point-blank is its private beach with substantial waves. 

As life at this green-roofed resort revolves around its beach, the main dining area, Tonson Restaurant and Bar, is literally just a step up from the sand. Sandwiched between the beach and an expansive swimming pool layout, it wouldn’t be unusual to find yourself dining and dipping throughout your stay. Le Meridien also makes sure guests stay entertained with dining options by offering exciting themed food nights with DJs who’ll get your feet tapping.  

Tatler Tip: Surfboard rental is conveniently available on the beach. 

Le Meridien Phuket Resort
29 Soi Karon Nui Tambon Karon, Amphur Muang, Karon, Phuket, 83100
076-370-100, marriott.com

Two-bedroom sky villa at Kata Rocks

For a more romantic and indulgent option for your Phuket surf trip, we recommend staying at the infallible Kata Rocks, located in between Kata and Kata Noi beaches, two more prime locations for surfing. Indeed, Thai celebrity “Son” Yuke Songpaisan recently opted to stay at Kata Rocks for his own surf getaway.

This iconic private villa resort and residences is known for its top-notch service and facilities, unforgettable sunset views and fully-equipped smart rooms that will make you want to trade in your home. 

At the moment, Kata Rocks is offering some fabulous promotions, including a three-course lunch set with two-hour free-flow wines at 1,490 ++ baht per guest, and complimentary “hangouts” for non-guests at the Kata Rocks lounge and fitness centre, which include a free 30-minute spa treatment. (Yes, you read that right.) To learn more about the special deals offered at the time of your visit, download the Kata Rocks app on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Kata Rocks Resort & Residences
186/22 Kok Tanode Road Kata, Mueng, Phuket 83100
076-370-777, katarocks.com

Green Room Surf Shop at Rawai, Phuket Bespoke boards made of epoxy, EPS and

When in Phuket, there are plenty of Billabong, Ripcurl and Quiksilver/Roxy stores open for you to conveniently stock up on some surf accessories. But for something truly unique, head to the one-of-a-kind Green Room Surf Shop in Rawai and we promise you, you won’t regret it. The quaint green coloured shop is run by a married couple who live and breathe surfing, and what the boutique is famous for is the co-owner David “Mousset” Sautebin’s custom boards. David crafts every board by hand at his home-workshop; they’re made out of epoxy, EPS foam and Paulownia wood, lending to their longevity compared to more traditional fibreglass and polyurethane boards, which are notoriously fragile. At the store, there are several of David’s Elleciel or LSCL branded surfboards for sale. Each is a work of art and very special. You can also have a board custom made to your specifications—a must, if you want to take the hobby seriously. You can learn more about David and LSCL at elleciel.com.

Green Room Surf Shop
Viseat 15/53, Moo 1 Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130
Open daily 10am-4pm
083-102-9532, Facebook

Photo: Courtesy of Boost

If you’ve made it to Rawai for the Green Room Surf Shop, you might as well have a healthy, wholesome meal nearby at Boost. Boost is a vegan-friendly, all-day breakfast kind of spot serving refreshing and filling meals, like poke, avo-toast, sandwiches, tacos, salads a variety of smoothies and drinks and more. Grab a nutritional breakfast here before or after your surf!

Boost
39/38 Moo 1, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83120
Open daily 8am-6:30pm
065-264-9792, boostcafethailand.com