5 Great Places to SUP in Thailand

In Spotlight by Daniel

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The Best Places in Thailand for SUP

Wondering where to SUP in Thailand? Check out our favorite places below!

To see the craggy cliffs lining the beaches of Thailand is a pleasure everyone must enjoy at least once in their lifetime. 

The beaches are open and sandy, the sun is warm on your face, and the water is cool and clear. 

And while we know for certain that Thailand has some of the best places to SUP in the world, what makes this place stand above the rest is the warmth given to travelers by the Thai people. 

Throughout the entire experience, they are there to help guide you, make sure you are having the best time you can have in their home country, and provide excellent friendship no matter where you go.

Thailand is truly one of those special places found on our Earth. And to mix in a SUP adventure only elevates it to something unforgettable. 

So, the next time you have a plan to head to their tropical shores, be sure to first check out this list to point you towards the correct place to go. 


Skyla’s Surf and SUP (Phuket)

The first outfitter on our list is a place called Skyla’s Surf and SUP in Phuket. 

Located close to Arinara Bagtao Beach Resort, Skyla’s is set at a magical location within Phuket. 

Paddlers will take off from the protected beach where they will be encountered with clear, flat water, which makes it an ideal spot for a beginner lesson or a rental tour if you are not experienced. 

However, if you do require a guide, Skyla’s has a few highly-qualified instructors to accompany you on your trip around the bay. During the excursion, they will point out interesting spots to see, the natural wildlife that is abundant in the area, and afterward recommend some of the finest dining in the area.

For a fun, family-oriented, laid-back paddle, head to Skyla’s Surf and SUP!

SUP in Thailand

SSS Phuket

Our next outfitter for SUP in Thailand has us staying in Phuket.

In case you are also interested in learning how to surf, SSS Phuket also offers a comprehensive lesson on paddling into waves, pop-up techniques, and balance strategies to keep you stable while shooting down the line of a manageable wave. 

Combine this skill with a SUP lesson and you’ll be a bona fide waterman (or woman) by the time you leave their shores. 

How do we know this?

Because each SUP lesson at SSS lasts an hour and a half long! That’s an extra half hour over other SUP schools and outfitters. With that extra time on the water, you’ll be gliding over the flat water with ease!

Consider SSS Phuket one of the best places to learn how to SUP at an affordable price with an extended amount of time on the water! 

SUP in Thailand

Saltwater Dreaming Surf School Phuket

Remember how we said that an hour and a half is a long time on the water? Remember? Yeah, it just happened, so you probably do remember…

Well…

We take that back. At Saltwater Dreaming Surf School you get competitive rates but a time of two hours on the water! 

That’s even more time! (In case the math was too difficult)

The only catch…

Since the team at Saltwater Dreaming run a surf school for much of the year, their SUP lessons take place during the months of October and into April. 

Be sure to time your vacation accordingly if you plan on a SUP lesson with Saltwater Dreaming! 

SUP in Thailand

SUP Tao

Our next stop for SUP in Thailand is at a place called SUP Tao. 

On this shortlist, we might say the one with the most beautiful location (arguable) is at SUP Tao. Their outfitter is stationed on the small island of Koh Tao where they hold beginner lessons, excursion, and rentals. 

Koh Tao is a small, tropical island located in the Gulf of Thailand and it features clear waters, beautiful sunsets, and some of the best places to hang out in Thailand. 

But within that location, SUP Tao has set up shop on some of the best pieces of real estate there. They write on their website, “We are easy to find, located at the southernmost beautiful stretch of Sarrie Beach (the islands main beach) at the best day time hang out, Maya Beach Club. Maya Beach Club has sun loungers, floating rafts, cocktails, Sushi, and DJs which makes it ideal to chill at before and after your paddle. We now also have a second location on the northern end of Sarrie beach renting from Windbeach resort with Roctopus dive school.”

Picture a day on an island, paddling around the clear, tropical waters, returning to shore at a resort, and having the time of your life. 

We speak for everyone reading this right now when we say, “Let’s go!”

Freebird Paddle Co. (Krabi)

Our last stop for SUP in Thailand might be our best one. Freebird Paddle Co. located in the Krabi region of Thailand has the most diverse offering of the outfitters on our list. 

Besides the usual beginner lessons, rentals, and excursions, they also offer paddlers the chance for night paddles…

But with a twist. 

Night paddles usually involve lights underneath the boards to illuminate the surrounding water but at Freebird they have the unique ability to take groups into a part of the water-filled with bioluminescent plankton!

Or as they write on their website, “Experience the magic of bioluminescence on our Sunset Starlight Night Tour. Hi-tech LED lights and naturally occurring plankton illuminate the water below while the sunset and stars work their magic above. Our expertly guided tours are truly unique, once in a lifetime, adventures.”

Now that is something to check out while enjoying your stay in Thailand! 

SUP in Thailand

Conclusion

Thailand has a ton to offer travelers- fantastic food, scenery, beaches, and unique culture. Add to the that the ability to paddle in some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth and we count this place as a must-visit for any paddling enthusiast. 

Armed with this list, you will be able to pick out some of the best outfitters the country has to offer. 

Whether it be a surf lesson, a beginner lesson, an excursion or paddling with bioluminescent plankton, Thailand and the team at Perfect Paddles have you covered. 

Just be sure to send us any amazing pictures you snap while you SUP in Thailand. We love sharing the adventures of our fellow paddlers!

About the Author
Daniel

Daniel

Daniel is a travelling author with a passion for exploring new waterways and sharing his experiences with the world.

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