Scraggane is ideal for beginners and intermediates as its horseshoe-shaped bay protects against swell, chop and currents, particularly in prevailing westerly winds. You’ll find grass for parking and rigging right next to the beach, plus a great view out to the Magharee Islands and the little harbour. Sheer class!

Keel is a popular surf-spot year-round – and there's plenty to enjoy with a sail or kite too. It’s best in a north-westerly wind with W to SW swell. The launch is at the second car-park, by the campsite. The waves are smaller in the north of the bay, increasing in size further south. But you’ll have to contend with gusty conditions as the imposing Mount Minaun to the south creates dirty wind. Accommodation's no problem in Keel either: campsites, B&Bs, holiday homes – this place has it all.

Bang Saphan is the first stop on the road south. The beach is well placed for NE winds, but there’s not much else to it. Lined with large palms and ringed by lush green hills, the long sandy Tung Wa Laen Beach near Chumpon is well worth a visit. There’s a good chance of 10-25 knots NE from November to January, and strong winds can even deliver a beach-break. A fun alternative to carrying on overland is to catch a boat from town and island hop. The first port of call is Ko Tao – a thickly forested island, just 7km long, with only a few developed bays. The tiny beaches are more suited to windsurfing than kiting, the best being Mae Haad Bay on the west coast. There’s more space on Ko Phangan, an island known for the legendary full moon parties that attract up to 20,000 revellers to Haad Rin Beach every month – thankfully it’s not so rammed the rest of the time. The turquoise lagoons of Thong Sala Beach and Ban Tai Beach are the main spots, the inside tip is a land bridge to the small island of Ko Maa up north. At 280km², Thailand’s third largest island of Ko Samui is one of the country’s major tourist strongholds – thankfully, unlike Phuket and Pattaya, the hotel complexes are restricted to the height of the palm trees. The main towns are on the west coast, otherwise the island has endless coconut forests (2-million coconuts are harvested each month, mainly by trained monkeys), bizarre rock formations, small villages and even a few secluded beaches. Kiting is most popular on Ko Samui in November to January’s NE wind – it veers ESE to SE in February. The main spots are Ko Samui, Orchid Resort, Ko Samui, Hua Thanon Beach, Ko Samui, Lamai and Ko Samui, Chaweng Beach. Back on the mainland at Sichon the NE breeze is perfect for beginners in the morning before picking up in the afternoon. The long sandy beach and relatively light tourist development is reminiscent of Hua Hin 10 years ago. In contrast, the large island of Phuket is the tourist industry’s 'pearl of the south’. Always pretty, but crammed and far from peaceful, especially on the west coast’s 14 pure white beaches. But at least waves can break here when Indian Ocean groundswell makes it around the tip of Sumatra, reinforced by windswell from the Andaman Sea. The east coast shelves much more gently and low tide exposes the muddy seabed that gives the water its brown colour. Phuket ranks among the windiest places in Thailand, blowing NE in winter and SW in summer. The southern beaches rule in NE-E, when the go-to spot is Chalong Bay at Friendship Beach Resort. Unfortunately it’s dry at low tide, in which case relocate to 'Coral Island’ 35 minutes away or Baan Had Rawai. Ao Sane in Naiharn Bay works in both prevailing wind directions, but only for windsurfing as the beach is really small. Most west coast locations are very near the tourist centres, but the windy summer months are also rainy season so totally off-peak. Kata Beach and Karon Beach can throw up hip to head-high beach-breaks that even attract surfers. Beginner kiters are particularly partial to the lagoon protected by a small island at the north end of the Layan Bay. Hat Nai Yang Beach (or 'Airport Reef’) attracts wave-hunters to its two offshore breaks. Kiters should keep well clear of the nearby airport’s flightpath! Further north, Nai Yang Beach Nord offers a pretty quiet atmosphere by Phuket standards. Or on the road to the mainland, Pukhet Bridge is well hidden from the crowds beyond a forest on the northern tip of the island. A real 'secret spot’ that works in both seasons.

A good cross-onshore wave spot in easterly winds. From the sandy beach and car-park you'll have to make a few tacks upwind to La Tour. In strong easterlies, logo-high waves can break on the rocks; so pull out of your waverides early. Alternatively also a nice freeride spot with views of Saint-Tropez. Launching kites is officially banned year-round, although nobody cares in winter.

The waves here are usually smaller than Gowlane, which can be a relief! Best between mid and high tide. At low tide the remains of a shipwreck can expose to the left of the little stream, but stay to the right and you’ll be fine.

It’s gusty inshore here, so it's wise to sail a little further out in the bay. But be careful – it’s an offshore wind, so think about getting home. These long sands are popular with sunbathers, so use the marked surf zone mid-way along the beach.

Another spot that suffers gusty wind at high tide, when the water almost reaches the dunes. Otherwise, Stradbally can deliver wavesailing perfection – endless lines of swell breaking onto a beach backed by lush green hills. There's not much room for parking though.

The Medemblik scene has relocated to a small beach south of Stoomachine Museum. The breakwater, originally built for the bygone tourist ships, shields particularly flat water in north-easterlies. Nice waves build in strong onshore winds. The only drawback is some sharp shells on the beach and sandbanks, so boots are a good idea.

Surrounded by steep cliffs, this wide bay is sometimes called “Galicia’s Ho’okipa” – San Xurxo isn’t the Rías Altas’ most popular wave spot for nothing. The waves are always a little smaller than 'Doniños', yet better organised. North-easterly is slightly offshore from the right, allowing clean frontside down-the-line riding. If the wind backs cross-onshore northerly you'll be better off at 'Doniños'. The waves are biggest on the first few days of north-easterly, before progressively dropping off. Low-pressure south-westerlies (cross-off from the left, most often in winter) deliver consistent swell, which stays rideable here while 'Doniños' soon gets gnarly. Both wind directions are a bit gusty inshore, while the waves are best at mid-tide on the drop.

The island's kite spot can be found by bearing right after crossing the swing bridge from the mainland, then keep going until the windmills. The wind here's generally onshore and weaker than Vassiliki, although a chest-high swell can develop. If the breeze veers northerly and the thermals weaken a bit in Vassiliki, it's worth a look for windsurfing – and as kiting is prohibited in Vass all year long, Agios Ioannis (or 'Milos Beach') is Lefkada's only option for kitesurfing.

South of the River Liffey, Poolbeg Power Station is South Dublin's most popular venue. Similar wind directions to 'Dollymount', although only rideable for four hours around high tide. well, you can also ride it at low tide, but will be a long walk then. No good in westerlies or anything WSW or north of west. NE through S are all fine.