Kite Area guide
Ban Tai Beach, Koh Phangan
Ban Tai is the island's principal riding area — a shallow south-coast bay that works across two of Koh Phangan's three wind seasons.
When to kite
Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, December.
About this Kite Area
Ban Tai runs along the south coast of Koh Phangan and is where most of the island's kitesurfing happens. The water is shallow and largely flat with some chop and small waves, and the beach is long enough that it rarely feels busy.
Two of the island's three wind seasons land here. From January to April a steady south-easterly of roughly 9 to 20 knots sets in alongside high tides — the most consistent window of the year, and the best one for learning or for foiling. From May to September the south-westerly takes over and becomes far less predictable, ranging anywhere from 4 to 45 knots, with tropical storms producing sudden powerful gusts.
Tide is the thing to watch. Midday low water in the south-west season drains the lagoon considerably. Thong Sala is a short way west along the same coast and works on the same winds.