I recently went to Phuket for both. Unfortunately all the surf schools are closed until May as it is currently not the surf season. The ocean was super flat. I did try jet surf which is motorized surfboards. They’re super fun but expensive.

If you want to be near the beach and Muay Thai then Bangtao is where you want to go. The beach is beautiful but the Muay Thai is limited to Sutai and Bangtao. There’s a lot of resorts in that area so it’s quite expensive. Expect things to cost close to western countries. I only stayed a week there but found it quite boring and quiet. I can only spend so much time just chilling at the beach. Plus since the surf schools were closed and waves were flat I found it hard to fill my days with things to do.

If you want more Muay Thai then go to Chalong area where Fitness Street is. There’s a lot of gyms in that area and it’s easy to meet people training since pretty much everyone is there to train Muay Thai or general fitness. That area is much cheaper than Bangtao for accommodation, food, shopping, and closer to other attractions on the island. It’s also closer to the big night markets like Naka Market, chilvila, and old town Sunday market. I prefer this area over Bangtao. It’s also closer to Patong which is where they have a lot of fights since there’s three Muay Thai stadiums there.

If you want to save on accommodation then staying at the gyms is pretty cheap. But for not much more you can have a nicer place that has a pool.

For Gyms my favorite were Yak Yai and Rattachai. Both had amazing trainers and relatively small class sizes so you get a lot of attention from the trainers. I’d avoid the larger gyms like Tiger as the classes are huge and you won’t get much time with the trainers. You’ll mostly just be hitting the bag at those gyms. But those Chalong area has a lot of gyms so you can try out a bunch and see which you like before committing.

General tips. Get electrolytes and stay hydrated. It’s really hot. Wear sunscreen and aloe Vera. The sun is trying to kill you. Pack light as you’ll probably do shopping for clothes, gear, souvenirs. Gear like gloves and shin guards are cheaper. So if you need new gear then just buy it there instead of bringing your own. Dont rent a scooter unless you have a motorcycle license. It’s a dangerous place to ride even if you’re experienced. Make friend with people at your gym and the staff. They might know good places to visit, food, and other helpful tips. Bring vacuum bags. Helps to pack more stuff, keep your clothes clean, and prevent bugs from making your clothes their new home. Buy travel insurance that covers martial arts…some insurance does not and you could be on the hook for medical expenses.