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Thinking about doing some kitesurfing in Hua Hin? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Hua Hin has long held the coveted spot as the most popular spot for kitesurfing in Thailand (though with the nearby spot of Pranburi gaining traction, there are bound to be a few who’ll contest this!).

Not only is Hua Hin one of Thailand’s windiest hubs, but it’s also one of the most established in terms of kite facilities and community.

The city plays host to a pretty huge amount of travelling kitesurfers who come for the season every year (as well as the crowds who come to town for local and international kite competitions, including the recent Thailand kitesurfing championships held nearby in Khao Tao — what a fun event that was!).

For anyone looking for a warm, easy-going spot for kitesurfing in Asia, Hua Hin is one worth considering.

This article will walk you through the basic info you should know about kitesurfing in Hua Hin, including what to expect from the spot and conditions, when the best time to go is, where to stay nearby, and why it should most definitely be a part of your Thailand adventure.

Alright kite travellers, let’s jump in:

Season for kitesurfing in Hua Hin

More correctly, seasons — there are two.

The first Hua Hin kitesurfing season comes with the northeast monsoon, which runs from November-January. This is followed by the thermal season which runs between February-May.

Keep reading to find out exactly what to expect from the conditions on a month-to-month basis!

Conditions for kitesurfing in Hua Hin

Wind conditions

The strength of the wind in Hua Hin varies from season to season. During the monsoon, you can expect 15-25 knots of dense, sometimes gusty wind blowing in a side-onshore orientation. Because it’s storm-based, the wind isn’t all that predictable during these months (the frequency of kiteable days changes from year to year; sometimes you get a great NE season with 50% kiteable days, and sometimes it’s closer to just 20%).

In contrast, the thermal season is a lot more predictable. From February, the wind direction switches to southeast and — typically from March onwards — blows a reliable 12-20 knots on most days.

On lighter days (and in the mornings before the wind really picks up) Hua Hin can be a nice spot for foiling, too.

Now, let it be said that nowhere in Thailand (yeah, including Hua Hin) will you find wind as omnipresent as it is in say, Aruba or Sri Lanka. But from Jim and my own combined experience of over a decade in the Hua Hin area, we can say that the wind typically blows on 75% of days during the thermal season.

Psst: we go into way more detail on this topic in our complete guide to kitesurfing in Thailand — head over there if you want to know more.

Water conditions:

During the monsoon season, the water conditions in Hua Hin are choppy and rough.

During the thermal season, the chop out on the open water becomes much smaller and milder, while inside the small beachside lagoons, the water is calm and flat.

The only real “danger” when it comes to the water is the jellyfish; they tend to appear in high numbers for days/weeks at a time and can be a bit of a nuisance to kitesurfers. Thankfully, a light rash vest, thin leggings, or a spring suit are enough to protect against them.

Temperature

Thanks to Thailand’s tropical climate, the water temperature hovers around 28 degrees Celsius throughout the year. During the dry winter season, temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees and tend to stay nearer to 25 on average. In the summer, you can expect highs of 30-34 degrees. In case you haven’t guessed it yet: no wetsuit needed when kitesurfing in Hua Hin.

Beach

The kitesurfing beach in Hua Hin is spacious, sandy, and free from obstacles.

The beach runs for several kilometers along the coast and is easily accessible from the city center. All you need to do is take any one of the small streets leading off the main road in the city and head east on foot (5-10 minutes) or in a tuk-tuk/taxi (2 minutes).

Kitesurfing schools in Hua Hin

There are currently 6 kiteboarding schools in Hua Hin; 4 from KBA (Kiteboarding Asia), one from North Kiteboarding Club, and our personal recommendation, Surf Spot Hua Hin. The schools are well equipped to deal with customers needing gear rental, storage, rescue services, and lessons.

Surf Spot is definitely worth checking out, especially since they’ve recently upgraded their club to include a gym, a cafe, and a digital nomad friendly working space.

Tips for beginners kitesurfing in Hua Hin

If you’re thinking about learning kiteboarding in Hua Hin, you should note that the wind during the thermal season is much more predictable and easier to learn in than that of the monsoon season.

On top of that, the mellow water conditions will make getting up on the board for the first time miles easier.

Beginners should think about coming kitesurfing in Hua Hin during March/April as these are the months with the best overall conditions. Of course, we recommend booking yourself in with a qualified instructor to ensure the safety of your lessons.

Where to stay in Hua Hin

Thanks to the fact that the main kite beach is within easy walking distance of Hua Hin’s main street, you have a pretty huge selection of accommodation options.

The amazing Intercontinental Resort is less than a 10 minute walk away (it’s also located right across the street from BluPort shopping center, which is super handy when it comes to grocery shopping and entertainment — they have an awesome cinema!).

And sure — it may be a fancy place, but they’re well used to kitesurfers. The hotel was actually the main sponsor for one of Hua Hin’s kite competitions back in 2009!

If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, there are tons of local guesthouses within walking distance of the beach which won’t set you back an arm and a leg. Check out the private beachfront cottages at Reera Resort, for example, or the kiter friendly rooms at Surf House Hua Hin (they have an amazing pool, FYI!).


Have any more questions about kitesurfing in Hua Hin? Chuck us a comment down below, or get in touch with us in our FREE Extreme Nomads facebook group (we answer all questions!).

Liked this post? Why not check out the rest of our adventure travel guides to Thailand.

Categories: KitesurfingThailand

Grace Austin

Hi! I'm Grace -- freelance writer & content creator for the outdoor travel industry. I spent the past few years living in China, Vietnam, and Thailand working as a blogger, TV presenter, and documentarist. These days you can find me Europe side scouting out the best outdoor adventures Ireland has to offer -- and drinking ALL the wine. Obviously.

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