The deep channel on the east side of Bali represents the beginning of the Nusa Tengarra Islands which extend to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. In this area the climate is much drier, with a brown landscape of scrub and steppes, very different from the lush jungle of the west. Fortunately, Nusa Tengara has one thing in common with the rest of Indonesia: the perfect waves. For more than a decade, charter boats have been cruising the coasts of Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Savu and Roti. Surf camps have been created on Lombok’s east and south coasts and in the Lakey area of Sumbawa, attracting more and more visitors to these fascinating shores. While many lucky surfers have described Desert Point and Lombok as the best wave on the planet, it is actually the western half of Sumbawa that has the greatest number of consistent and quality waves. So don’t wait any longer, book your surfing holiday in Indonesia right now!
The bizarre nature of the two waves in Sekongkang Bay gives it the common name of Yo-Yo’s . The area is a small magnet where the waves bounce off the cliff, giving steep and fast drops in the short right, called The Wedge . In the middle of the bay there is another right called The Hook . These spots can’t handle SE winds or swells that are too big. There are other spots on the south coast around Sejorong, but even here southerly winds or swells that are too large can provide negative conditions. With these circumstances it is better to go to the east coast of Sumbawa to Malok Bay to surf Super Suck . Hugging a large headland on the south side of the bay, this world-class quality left hand only works with larger S swells, but generally stays offshore all day in SE winds. The name describe it perfectly: especially during low tide, the wave becomes fast, cooing, and suitable only for the most experienced surfers. Here you will also find a resort and cheap accommodation but remember that this wave doessn’t work very consistently. A little further north there is Scar Reef , another left whose quality changes according to the tide. Opposite to Scar Reef there is another break, Downtowns. It’s a good fun right at high tide. On the south side of Jellingah there is Benete, another classic left. It is not a very constant wave due to the winds that often can ruin it: it has to be surfed only at high tide. Labuhan Lahat is a fishing town located behind the beautiful bay where you can stay and surf an excellent right: this wave is called Fly. A little further north you will find Northern Rights , a dangerous spot that needs the rare winds from the north.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Whales and Waves | Trophy hotel | Baha Baha Villas Sumbawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | Double | |
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 200 | € 95 | € 252 |
Notes
From April to October, the Roaring Forties are responsible for 6.5-13ft swells. The traditional off-season of Indonesia (From November to March) here is rarely flat thanks to the swell constants from the southern latitude ranging from 2-6ft, and the occasional cyclonic swells from 8-11ft. The SE wind season begins in April and lasts until October. Towards the end of the season the winds blow from the south. Out of season the winds rotate towards W-NW, starting with west and moving around northwest towards the end of March. This is a good time to check out the south coast and head to Lakey Peak in central Sumbawa. Every time of year you visit this island, mornings are frequently off-shore. Sumbawa is diurnal, this means that we find high tide and low tide every day.
How to get there : A visa is required for Portugal and South Africa. Merpati flies several times a day from Bali to Sumbawa Besar ($ 50 / ow). From Bali the road by land is long and arduous, it includes 5h by ferry and then 8h by bus followed by another 2h by ferry.
Getting around : The main road that crosses the island follows the route of the coastal area to the north. The road to the west is not very comfortable. From the western points of entry to Sumbawa by Poto Tano (ferry) or Sumbawa Besar (flight), it will take you more than 3h to get to Taliwang or Jereweh. Most people take a boat from Benoa Harbor in Bali. Make sure these boats are equipped with life-saving equipment before you pay for the ticket.
Accommodation and Food : Taking a boat around the spots costs approximately – STC $ 1500 / 7d, Island Express- $ 695/6 days, Sri Noa No- $ 980/11 days; these prices are all-inclusive. All boats have a chef on board. They usually have free beers and good catch. The living quarters on land are quite wild.
Climate : Temperatures are high but not exaggerated as there are always breezes from the land or sea and weak night rains that cool the air, especially during the dry season (from May to October). The months from November to April are wetter, cloudy and warmer. January and February are the months with the highest rainfall of the year. The water temperature is around 28 ° C all year round.
Nature and Culture : Flat day options include fishing and snorkeling activities. Sumbawa is not as cultural as Bali. There are good buffalo breeds in the rice fields, but most of the interesting sites are far from the waves.
Dangers and annoyances : The greatest danger is the extremely sharp reef and the lack of medical care. Malaria is also a problem; if you travel through the land you will have some communication difficulties and access to many beaches.
Practical advice : Bring everything you need from Bali (a gun is also recommended for larger days). This trip is often combined with the one of Lombok. Be careful to the cheapest offers that are offered to you in Bali.
Exchange rate1 EUR = 1.08 USD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Indonesia is one of the most visited Asian countries by surf enthusiasts from all over the world. Uluwatu, a popular surfing spot, is located on the southwestern tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. The site welcomes the Hindu temple Pura Luhur Uluwatu , one of the seven Balinese temples of the sea, built on the edge of […]
Indonesia is a country with a strong bond and a long tradition towards this fantastic discipline which is surfing. One of the first great surfers, who rode the waves of Kuta Beach on the island of Bali, was the American Bob Koke , during the mid until late 1930s. Due to World War II, Koke […]
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