Kitesurfing Holidays
Here we list the immediate neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (driving or up to 2-half hours flight) that we always visit for overseas kitesurfing. Please note that these 'recommendations' are merely the most 'popular', 'tried & tested' destinations & you can always find exotic destinations if you so wish.
MALAYSIA
1) Jason Bay (Tanjung Sedili):
Just 2 hrs from Singapore, it's the most popular driving destination for beginners as well as regular kiters. The waters are shallow till far out, making it very suitable for beginners who are learning to body-drag, water-start and practise relaunch. The beach is an endless horizon of kilometres of sand. Perfect for learning how to ride upwind. Check Google Earth for directions. Perfect for day trips, unsuitable for babies/kids as the toilets there are not that clean. No hotel/restaurant facilities directly on the beach where we kite. The nearest hotel is half an hour away in Desaru. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids.
Season: Northeast Monsoon Nov - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
2) Kuantan:
5-6hrs drive from Singapore or 2hrs from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan.
Kuantan is nice for a short holiday between 3-5 days, You can kite anywhere on the beach in front of Swiss Garden Hotel (our favorite) or Duta Beach Resort (cheaper chalets).
Nice waves there, kilometers of never-ending beach...great for families as the 2 hotels are smack right on the beachfront. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids!
Season: Northeast Monsoon November - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
Season: South-West
Wind Strength: 8-12kts
INDONESIA
Bintan:
1) Agro Beach Resort on Trikora Beach (45 minutes Ferry from Singapore to Bintan, Indonesia)
Perfect flat water, no current and shallow waters-perfect for beginners and lessons.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
2) Bali (Sanur):Needs no introduction...learn from Kadek +62 812 3661964 (he's great-I learnt from him) c/o Jankie's Kitesurfing
3) Sumbawa - Big waves for the advanced kiters. Beginners can stay in the lagoon. Contact Jankie for Sumbawa.
4) Aceh is the newest kid in town for Kitesurfing. Google for kite beaches.
THAILAND
1) Hua Hin (Season: Feb - April): Kilometers of endless beach and dozens of kite centers/schools to choose from, Hua Hin offers great kiting and a holiday.
2) Phuket Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
Depending on season, the schools move around so please Google search and contact the schools for the latest updates. Tends to be choppy and gusty but in case there's no wind, Phuket offers a great holiday.
PHILIPPINES
1) Boracay:
Beautiful, unique & isolated, Boracay is a awesome getaway. No cars on the island, all the islanders are laid back, friendly and love sun, sea and sand. I recommend my great friend & 'sister' Nenette Graf's Kite/Windsurf Centre Nenette Graf's Greenyard Kite Center and she also owns a hotel there. All the info can be found on her website.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March (15-30kts) & South-West Monsoon June-August (8-15kts)
VIETNAM
Mui Ne:
5-6 hrs from Saigon by car, it's cheap, windy & fun! Looking for somewhere 'cheap' to stay with plenty of wind during the winter months, Mui Ne is the ideal place to be. Kite with my friend, Trang. See Trang's 'WindChimes' Kite Center or Pascal's Jibe's Windsurf & Kite Center
North-East Monsoon Nov - March 15-30kts & South-West Monsoon June-August 8-15kts
SRI LANKA
Latest happening in Asia with great winds and many many options of beaches as well as kite schools. Google for your preferred option.
1) Jason Bay (Tanjung Sedili):
Just 2 hrs from Singapore, it's the most popular driving destination for beginners as well as regular kiters. The waters are shallow till far out, making it very suitable for beginners who are learning to body-drag, water-start and practise relaunch. The beach is an endless horizon of kilometres of sand. Perfect for learning how to ride upwind. Check Google Earth for directions. Perfect for day trips, unsuitable for babies/kids as the toilets there are not that clean. No hotel/restaurant facilities directly on the beach where we kite. The nearest hotel is half an hour away in Desaru. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids.
Season: Northeast Monsoon Nov - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
2) Kuantan:
5-6hrs drive from Singapore or 2hrs from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan.
Kuantan is nice for a short holiday between 3-5 days, You can kite anywhere on the beach in front of Swiss Garden Hotel (our favorite) or Duta Beach Resort (cheaper chalets).
Nice waves there, kilometers of never-ending beach...great for families as the 2 hotels are smack right on the beachfront. Beware of sandflies if you're bringing kids!
Season: Northeast Monsoon November - March
Wind Strength: 8-20kts
Season: South-West
Wind Strength: 8-12kts
INDONESIA
Bintan:
1) Agro Beach Resort on Trikora Beach (45 minutes Ferry from Singapore to Bintan, Indonesia)
Perfect flat water, no current and shallow waters-perfect for beginners and lessons.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
2) Bali (Sanur):Needs no introduction...learn from Kadek +62 812 3661964 (he's great-I learnt from him) c/o Jankie's Kitesurfing
3) Sumbawa - Big waves for the advanced kiters. Beginners can stay in the lagoon. Contact Jankie for Sumbawa.
4) Aceh is the newest kid in town for Kitesurfing. Google for kite beaches.
THAILAND
1) Hua Hin (Season: Feb - April): Kilometers of endless beach and dozens of kite centers/schools to choose from, Hua Hin offers great kiting and a holiday.
2) Phuket Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March & South-West Monsoon June-August
Depending on season, the schools move around so please Google search and contact the schools for the latest updates. Tends to be choppy and gusty but in case there's no wind, Phuket offers a great holiday.
PHILIPPINES
1) Boracay:
Beautiful, unique & isolated, Boracay is a awesome getaway. No cars on the island, all the islanders are laid back, friendly and love sun, sea and sand. I recommend my great friend & 'sister' Nenette Graf's Kite/Windsurf Centre Nenette Graf's Greenyard Kite Center and she also owns a hotel there. All the info can be found on her website.
Season: North-East Monsoon Nov - March (15-30kts) & South-West Monsoon June-August (8-15kts)
VIETNAM
Mui Ne:
5-6 hrs from Saigon by car, it's cheap, windy & fun! Looking for somewhere 'cheap' to stay with plenty of wind during the winter months, Mui Ne is the ideal place to be. Kite with my friend, Trang. See Trang's 'WindChimes' Kite Center or Pascal's Jibe's Windsurf & Kite Center
North-East Monsoon Nov - March 15-30kts & South-West Monsoon June-August 8-15kts
SRI LANKA
Latest happening in Asia with great winds and many many options of beaches as well as kite schools. Google for your preferred option.