Nearby Hua Thanon (Nahai Beach) 10 km · Ban Tai Beach 22 km · Chaloklum (Fisherman Village) 29 km · straight-line distance
On the clock
09:00 · 12:00
The best wind is typically 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; a small thermal effect is also noted in July-August afternoons.
The marks are the clock times the record names, laid on a 24-hour day. The bar between the first and the last covers those hours; it is not a promise of wind.
The wind
locals call it Southwest monsoon
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
mixed
fills in: The best wind is typically 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; a small thermal effect is also noted in July-August afternoons.
Typical strength
10-25 knots in the June-September southwest monsoon; lighter 11-19 knot days are also common
The quiver, in words
8-12 m
Direction to shore
Onshore to side-onshore on this west-facing beach; sideshore and side-offshore also show up depending on the exact wind angle.
Dominant direction
SW, WSW, W
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan17
- Feb27
- Mar6
- Apr2
- May16
- Jun, riders' month27
- Jul, riders' month40
- Aug, riders' month32
- Sep, riders' month46
- Oct3
- Nov13
- Dec22
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
- 9Jan29°
- 9Feb29°
- 8Mar30°
- 7Apr32°
- 9May32°
- 10Jun31°
- 10Jul31°
- 10Aug31°
- 10Sep30°
- 7Oct31°
- 8Nov30°
- 9Dec29°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17% | 8.5 kt | NE | 26.5°C | 28.8°C |
| Feb | 27% | 8.9 kt | ESE | 26.9°C | 29.3°C |
| Mar | 6% | 7.9 kt | ESE | 27.8°C | 29.9°C |
| Apr | 2% | 7.1 kt | ESE | 29.2°C | 32°C |
| May | 16% | 8.7 kt | WSW | 28.9°C | 32.3°C |
| Jun | 27% | 9.6 kt | WSW | 28.3°C | 31.1°C |
| Jul | 40% | 10.2 kt | WSW | 27.5°C | 30.7°C |
| Aug | 32% | 9.7 kt | WSW | 27.8°C | 30.9°C |
| Sep | 46% | 10.3 kt | WSW | 27.1°C | 30.3°C |
| Oct | 3% | 7.4 kt | W | 26.8°C | 30.7°C |
| Nov | 13% | 8 kt | E | 26.3°C | 29.9°C |
| Dec | 22% | 9.3 kt | NE | 26.2°C | 28.7°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
shallow flat to choppy bay
Standing depth
Shallow to waist-high in the bay.
Temperature
30°C summer · 28.1°C winter
Wetsuit
No wetsuit normally needed; shorts and lycra are sufficient.
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
6 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: wide sandy beach
Somewhere else
Hua Thanon (Nahai Beach), 10 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Beach launch directly in front of the KBA Nathon shop, with easy beach access and ample setup space.
Space
wide sandy beach
Rider tips
- Do not ride Samui's winter NE monsoon at Nathon; it is offshore here.
- Ride mornings, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. July-August afternoons get an extra thermal push.
- Keep well clear of Nathon Pier and the working boat lanes.
- Get the forecast from the school on the day, because a cloud line changes the wind strength fast.
Getting there
Airport
Samui International Airport (USM)
Route
Fly to Samui or arrive by ferry to Nathon Pier; from the airport take taxi/Grab/private transfer across the island, or stay in Nathon and walk or ride to the beach/shop area.
Transfer
35-45 minutes from Nathon Pier area to USM in normal traffic; 50-60 minutes in peak periods
Cost level
medium-high for Thailand because Samui taxis are often unmetered and island accommodation varies from budget to upscale
Staying
Nathon has rooms across most budgets, and staying in town puts you within walking distance of the beach and the shop.
No-wind days
E-foil with KBA, Nathon town and market, island road trips, Ang Thong Marine Park tours, snorkeling, SUP, other Samui beaches.
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kite at Nathon?
Nathon works with the southwest monsoon from May to November, with June-September identified as the strongest window; northeast winter winds are offshore here.
Is Nathon suitable for beginners?
Yes, the lighter May-November season is called ideal for lessons in the shallow, sandy bay.
What is the wind like?
Wind is a southwest monsoon breeze, typically 10-25 knots, strongest mid-morning with an added thermal push on July-August afternoons.
What are the main hazards?
Ferry and boat traffic near Nathon port, trees near the beach, and sudden gusts from passing storm cells are the main hazards.
Are there kite schools nearby?
Yes, Kite Boarding Asia Samui runs its shop directly on the beach, with Siam Pro Kite Koh Samui and Mahalo Watersports also in the area.
Last updated: August 2026