Surfing Mandiri Beach

Mandiri Beach is a long stretch of dark sand south of Krui town with shifting beach-break peaks. It's where people go when the points are too small or too crowded, and you can usually find a peak to yourself.

The banks move with the seasons and after river floods, so drive along the beach road and look. Some days there are wedgy lefts, other days rampy rights or even barrels. At 2-6ft in the morning it suits all levels; bigger days bring rips and a heavy shore break.

The camps use the gentler banks for beginner lessons. There's nothing glamorous about it, but it's almost always surfable. Any board works.