Main spot · Hua Thanon · Mid-Nov – March
Nahai Beach Kitesurfing Spot Guide – Koh Samui
Nahai Beach on the south-east coast is Mahalo Watersports’ main spot during the north-east season. Here is what we have learned from teaching here since 2018.
- Season
- Usually mid-Nov – March, sometimes into April
- Best period
- December – end of February
- Wind
- NE (Nov–Jan), more often E (Feb–Mar)
- Typical strength
- 8–18 knots, very often 10–15
- Water
- Warm, around 28°C
- Seabed
- Mostly sandy
Meeting points may change depending on the season, wind and sea conditions. Please confirm your location with Mahalo before visiting.
Confirm on WhatsAppBeginners
Why Nahai Beach is great for beginners
Short answer: mostly sandy bottom, warm and often standing-depth water, moderate wind and plenty of space. It also works well for independent kitesurfers in the right conditions – conditions still change from day to day.
Mostly sandy bottom
A beautiful, mostly sandy seabed. In places there can be stones and pieces of damaged reef – and the bottom can differ between parts of the spot.
Warm, shallow water
Around 28°C, sometimes warmer, and usually relatively shallow – you can often stand while you practise.
Moderate wind
Typically 8–18 knots and very often 10–15 – a good range for learning kite control step by step.
Onshore / side-onshore
The wind usually blows onshore or side-onshore, sometimes side-shore. We do not teach in unsuitable offshore wind.
Space to practise
Plenty of room for body drags, water starts and your first rides.
Wind
Wind direction & strength
Short answer: mostly north-east from November to January, more often east in February and March – typically 8–18 knots, very often 10–15.
- ●November – January: mostly north-east (NE) wind.
- ●February – March: more often east (E) wind.
- ●Strength: typically 8–18 knots, very often 10–15. Occasionally there are days above 20 knots.
- ●Direction to the beach: usually onshore or side-onshore, sometimes side-shore. We do not teach in unsuitable offshore wind.
- ●Kite sizes: Koh Samui is generally a moderate or lighter-wind destination, so larger kites are often used. A correctly chosen larger kite can feel calmer to learn with – but bigger is not automatically safer or softer. Your instructor matches the kite to the wind, your weight and your level.
Koh Samui tides & kitesurfing
Water depth, tides & sea conditions
Short answer: tides play an important role here, especially for beginners. The same riding area can be shallow and easy to stand in at one time of day, but noticeably deeper a few hours later – so we choose the lesson time with the tide, wind direction and current conditions in mind.
Water & seabed
- • Warm water, around 28°C – sometimes warmer.
- • Mostly a beautiful sandy bottom.
- • In places: stones and pieces of damaged reef.
- • Usually relatively shallow.
- • The bottom and conditions can differ between parts of the spot.
Changing water levels
- • The water level changes during the day – shallow at one time, noticeably deeper a few hours later.
- • High and low water are not at the same time every day.
- • The right depth makes kite control, body dragging and board starts easier for beginners.
How we adapt the lesson
- • Higher water: a good moment for body drags.
- • Very shallow water: some exercises, especially body drags, can be harder.
- • Your instructor plans the lesson around the current depth and your level.
Local tip
The strongest wind doesn’t always coincide with the best water depth for learning. Sometimes starting a little earlier or later makes a big difference.
Sea surface
Conditions change: some days the water is flat, other days there is chop or small waves. We always check the spot before your session.
Kitesurfing Koh Samui December
Best months for kitesurfing
Short answer: December to February is the peak season, and December is typically one of the best months. The season usually starts around mid-November; March is the end of the main season and April is the late season – some years still provide suitable conditions.
- NovemberSeason start
NE
The north-east season usually starts around mid-November.
- DecemberPeak season
NE
Peak season – typically one of the best months for kitesurfing on Koh Samui.
- JanuaryPeak season
NE / E
Main season – usually very good.
- FebruaryPeak season
NE / E
Main season – usually very good.
- MarchLate season
E
End of the main season – conditions gradually become less reliable.
- AprilLate season
E
Late north-east / east season. Some years still provide suitable conditions.
Typical conditions from Mahalo’s local practice. Season dates vary between years – not an official statistic or a guarantee. Full 12-month calendar →
Wingfoil spots Koh Samui
Wingfoil at Nahai Beach
Mahalo’s wingfoil lessons also take place at Nahai Beach. Beginners start on a large, stable windsurf board; the hydrofoil comes later. A foil needs enough depth, so at very low water some foil exercises are not possible – we choose the time, the training board and the learning step around the water level.
Wingfoil lessonsHua Thanon kitesurfing
How to get there
Short answer: Nahai Beach is in Hua Thanon on the south-east coast of Koh Samui. The exact meeting point is confirmed individually via WhatsApp.
Your transport
Guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the confirmed meeting point.
Arrive early
Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled lesson to complete payment and any necessary preparations. Your booked lesson time is the scheduled start time, not your arrival time. Late arrival does not extend your lesson.
Beach & facilities
Beaches are generally public, but walking through a hotel or private property may require permission. Please use public access paths, or ask us how to reach the meeting point.
There may be restaurants, toilets or showers near our spots. Access to some facilities may require ordering something or paying a fee, and we cannot guarantee shade, sunbeds or a table. Mahalo organises your lesson on the beach – not access to the services of nearby businesses.
FAQ
Nahai Beach kitesurfing – FAQ
Is Nahai Beach good for beginner kitesurfing?
Yes – it is a very good spot for beginners: mostly sandy bottom, warm water, often standing depth, moderate wind and space to practise. It is also suitable for independent kitesurfers in the right conditions.
When is the kitesurfing season at Nahai Beach?
Usually from mid-November to March, sometimes extending into April. The peak season is December to February. Season dates vary between years.
Is December a good time to kitesurf in Koh Samui?
Yes. In our experience December is usually the best single month for kitesurfing on Koh Samui, with mostly north-east wind at Nahai Beach.
How strong is the wind at Nahai Beach?
Typically 8–18 knots and very often 10–15 knots. Occasionally there are days above 20 knots. Koh Samui is generally a moderate or lighter-wind destination, so larger kites are often used.
Is a bigger kite safer for beginners?
Not automatically. A correctly chosen larger kite can feel calmer and easier to learn with in lighter wind, but kite size always has to match the wind, your weight and your level. Your instructor makes that choice.
Does high tide mean no lesson?
No. The water level changes every day with the tide and the moon phase. With higher water we can practise body drags; in very shallow water some exercises are harder. The instructor adapts the lesson to the current depth.
Is the water at Nahai Beach flat?
It varies. Sometimes the water is flat, sometimes there is chop or small waves. Conditions can also differ between parts of the spot.
Can I wingfoil at Nahai Beach?
Yes, Mahalo also gives wingfoil lessons here. Because a hydrofoil needs enough depth, we choose the time and the learning step around the water level.
Where exactly do we meet at Nahai Beach?
The exact meeting point is confirmed individually via WhatsApp. The Google Maps pin shows the area of the spot – please message us before travelling.
Kitesurf at Nahai Beach
Send us your dates on WhatsApp – we check the season and the conditions and confirm your meeting point.
Message us on WhatsApp