Two seasonal kitesurfing spots on Koh Samui — Lamai Beach on the east coast from December to April and Nathon Beach on the west coast from May to October. The whole school moves with the monsoon, so you always ride on the side of the island that has the wind.
📖 12 min read · Updated May 2026 · By Sergei Sharvarok · Founder & Head Instructor
Spot Overview & Quick Reference
Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand and gets wind from two monsoons: the northeast monsoon in the dry months and the southwest monsoon in the middle of the year. Instead of fighting the seasons, Kite Club Koh Samui follows them — all services (kitesurfing, wing foil, windsurfing, e-foil, kayak, SUP, rental, storage and lessons) move between two beaches.
| Spot | Season | Wind | Typical Strength | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamai Beach (east coast) | December–April | NE monsoon (Dec–Mar), more easterly in April | 12–20 kts, most consistent Jan–Mar | 9.4667°N, 100.0500°E |
| Nathon Beach (west coast) | May–October | SW monsoon | 10–18 kts, more variable; afternoons best | 9.5333°N, 99.9333°E |
Lamai Beach — East Coast, December–April
Lamai Beach is our main-season spot and the place where most of our students learn. It faces the open Gulf on the east coast of Koh Samui, so the northeast monsoon reaches it directly from December onwards.
The Beach & Surroundings
Lamai is a long sandy beach of about 4 km, with the famous Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks at its southern end. Behind the beach is Lamai village with restaurants, cafés, shops and accommodation for every budget — from simple guesthouses to beachfront resorts — so most students can stay within walking or short scooter distance of the school. The drive from Samui International Airport takes about 30 minutes.
| Parameter | Lamai Beach |
|---|---|
| Location | East coast of Koh Samui |
| Season | December–April |
| Wind | NE monsoon (Dec–Mar), turning more easterly in April |
| Typical strength | 12–20 knots |
| Most consistent | January–March |
| Beach | Long sandy beach, about 4 km |
| From Samui Airport | About 30 min by car |
| Map | Lamai Beach on Google Maps |
Wind Through the Season
December is when the northeast monsoon sets in on the east coast. January to March is the heart of the season: the wind is at its most consistent and strongest, typically 12–20 knots — this is the best time for a full beginner or independent course. In April the wind turns more easterly and the season winds down before the school moves to Nathon for the summer.
For a dedicated kite trip with the best odds of wind every day, book January–March at Lamai. Plan at least a week so a light day or two does not cut into your course.
How We Run Sessions at Lamai
Lamai is a popular beach, so our instructors choose the kite area each day according to wind direction and where swimmers are, and keep launching and landing well away from other beach users. Every beginner session is supervised by an IKO-certified instructor, and sessions are adjusted or paused if the wind is too strong, too gusty or turns offshore.
Nathon Beach — West Coast, May–October
When the southwest monsoon takes over in the middle of the year, the east coast loses its wind and the west coast gets it. From May to October the whole school moves to Nathon Beach, next to Nathon — the island's administrative town and home of the main ferry pier, where car and passenger ferries arrive from Donsak / Surat Thani.
| Parameter | Nathon Beach |
|---|---|
| Location | West coast of Koh Samui, next to Nathon town |
| Season | May–October |
| Wind | SW monsoon |
| Typical strength | 10–18 knots, more variable than the Lamai season |
| Best time of day | Usually afternoons |
| From Samui Airport | About 40 min by car |
| From Lamai | About 30–40 min drive |
| Map | Nathon Beach on Google Maps |
The summer season is a good fit for riders who already have some experience, for wing foilers (who can ride in lighter wind) and for students who are flexible with their schedule. Beginners are welcome too — we simply plan lessons around the windier afternoons and use e-foil, kayak and SUP on lighter days.
Travelling on the budget route via Surat Thani? The ferry from Donsak lands at Nathon pier, right next to our May–October spot — you can be on the beach within minutes of stepping off the boat.
October–November: The Transition
Between the two monsoons the wind is lighter and more variable. This is also Koh Samui's rainy season — roughly October to December, with November usually the wettest month — which is the opposite of most of Thailand. Kite and wing sessions still run when the wind allows; on no-wind days e-foil, kayak and SUP keep you on the water. If you are planning a trip specifically for kitesurfing in this period, message us first and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
Wind Patterns & Daily Timing
Wind on Koh Samui is driven by the regional monsoons, so the season you visit matters more than anything else:
- December–April: NE monsoon on the east coast — we teach at Lamai. Strongest and most consistent January–March; more easterly in April.
- May–October: SW monsoon on the west coast — we teach at Nathon. More variable; afternoons are usually the best window.
- October–November: transition and rainy season — lighter, variable wind.
- Day to day: the wind still varies with weather systems. We check the forecast every day and confirm your session time by WhatsApp.
Local Safety Information
- All lessons are supervised by IKO-certified (kitesurfing, windsurfing) and IWO-certified (wing foil) instructors
- Stay inside the riding area your instructor sets for the day, away from swimmers and moored boats
- Sessions are paused for storms, lightning, offshore wind or wind outside safe limits for your level
- Water temperature is 27–30 °C all year — no wetsuit needed, but sun protection and hydration are essential
- Koh Samui has several private hospitals with emergency departments; our team will direct you to the nearest one
- WhatsApp for the school: +66 99 312 9042
How to Choose When to Come
| Your Profile | Spot | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Lamai Beach | January–March (most consistent wind) |
| Beginner visiting mid-year | Nathon Beach | May–October, afternoon sessions |
| Independent rider | Lamai or Nathon | Dec–Apr at Lamai, May–Oct at Nathon |
| Wing foil | Lamai or Nathon | Any wind season — wing works in lighter wind |
| No-wind days | Either spot | E-foil, kayak, SUP |
| Visiting October–November | Ask us first | Transition — light, variable wind |
Frequently Asked Questions
We teach at two seasonal spots. From December to April lessons run at Lamai Beach on the east coast (NE monsoon). From May to October the whole school moves to Nathon Beach on the west coast (SW monsoon).
Yes. Lamai is a long sandy beach on the east coast with NE monsoon wind from December to March, turning more easterly in April. Typical wind is 12–20 knots, most consistent from January to March — our main teaching season.
At Nathon Beach on the west coast, next to Nathon town and the main ferry pier. The SW monsoon typically brings 10–18 knots, more variable than the Lamai season, with afternoons usually best.
October–November is the transition between monsoons: wind is lighter and variable, and it is Koh Samui's rainy season (November is usually wettest). Kite and wing sessions run when the wind allows; on no-wind days we offer e-foil, kayak and SUP.
Book Sessions at Lamai & Nathon
IKO & IWO-certified instruction on Koh Samui — Lamai Beach Dec–Apr, Nathon Beach May–Oct.
Book Now →Koh Samui Kitesurf Spots: One School, Two Coasts
Koh Samui is big enough to have two very different coasts, and that is exactly what makes year-round kitesurfing possible here. The east coast, where Lamai Beach lies, faces the open Gulf of Thailand and catches the northeast monsoon from December to April. The west coast, where Nathon Beach lies, catches the southwest monsoon from May to October. Rather than running one beach and waiting for the right season, Kite Club Koh Samui moves its lessons, rental, storage and all other services between these two spots, so students ride on the windy side of the island for most of the year.
Lamai is the main season and the best choice for a first kite course: the wind is at its most consistent from January to March, the beach is long and sandy, and the village behind it has everything you need for a week or a month. Nathon is the summer spot — more variable wind, usually best in the afternoon, and a relaxed local town with the island's main ferry pier. In both seasons the school team checks the forecast daily and plans sessions around the best window. Contact us on WhatsApp at +66 99 312 9042 for current conditions at either spot.
Local Insight
The drive between Lamai and Nathon takes about 30–40 minutes. If you are staying for several months and want to ride in both seasons, it is worth choosing accommodation near the spot that matches your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions — Koh Samui Kite Spots
Do I need to choose the spot myself? No. The spot follows the season: December–April at Lamai Beach, May–October at Nathon Beach. When you book, we tell you where to meet and confirm the session time the day before based on the forecast.
What happens if the wind does not come on my lesson day? We reschedule the lesson to the next suitable window. On no-wind days you can switch to e-foil, kayak or SUP from the same beach.