30points · on 4 of 5 lists: Phuket 101, Phuket Villa Finder, Holidify and Phuket Expat Guide
Phuket Surf has taught lessons at Kata since 1999. Students range from age five to seventy five, and children aged six to twelve have lessons of their own. The shop also teaches paddle boarding and rents boards by the hour or the week.
“They track your mistakes and point them out so you can learn from them.”
a Google reviewer
“The instructors are very friendly and professional.”
a Google reviewer
25points · on 3 of 5 lists: Phuket 101, Phuket Villa Finder and Pelago
Talay Surf opened in 2010 as the first school on Phuket to teach both surfing and stand up paddleboarding, and it has since put more than 6,000 students on a board. Director and head instructor Tim runs a team of ten who teach in Thai and English, and the school counts Amanpuri, Outrigger and the British International School among its clients. In the summer holidays children join three day camps built around ocean safety, and on calm evenings there is SUP yoga or a sunset paddle with a glass of wine.
“I was able to stand up on my very first wave”
a Google reviewer
“They tailor waves and boards to your ability.”
a Google reviewer
25points · on 4 of 5 lists: Phuket 101, Phuket Villa Finder, Holidify and Pelago
Saltwater Dreaming opened in 2000 as a full service surf shop, and owner Rick Gamble, who has been surfing for more than 40 years, started teaching from it a year later. Each lesson begins on the sand with a briefing and pop-up practice, then moves to waist deep water. Groups are small, and children under 10 get extra instructor support.
“they had me standing up and riding waves within 2 minutes”
a Google reviewer
“The lesson was informative and safe, that I booked another lesson for the next day.”
a Google reviewer
Google ratings from Google on 3 October 2026. Quotes are from the published lists and reviews named beside each one.
Honorable mentions
Fourth, with 23 points from 3 lists.
Fifth, with 18 points from 3 lists.
The lists we counted
- Phuket 101 · July 2026
- Phuket Villa Finder · May 2024
- Holidify · June 2023
- Pelago · November 2025
- Phuket Expat Guide · August 2026
How the points work
We read every independent published best-of list we can find for the question. Each list gives 10 points for first place, 9 for second, down to 1 for tenth, and 5 points to each place on a list with no order. Points are added up. A business must be in the top 10 of at least two lists to be ranked. Rankings are never sold. Full method.
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