More than a surf trip; a pioneering adventure into Indonesia's deepest secrets.
Sumba is a place where adventure and isolation still exist for surfers.
Sumba is home to legendary breaks like Occy’s Left and Miller’s Right, offering both experienced and inexperienced surfers a thrilling adventure.
Surf guides consistently rate the crowd factor at Sumba’s breaks 1/10 and resorts allow only a handful of surfers per day. You can score fantastic waves with few people around.
Sumba is like a secret surfers’ club. It is uncrowded and underrated, yet known by experienced surfers. Join this exclusive community to ride Sumba’s wild waves.
Check the map below to learn all about Sumba’s greatest surf waves!
Explore Sumba’s top 3 surf beaches to find the perfect destination for your next journey!
Nihiwatu Beach is the island’s most famous surfing destination. It is part of the ultra-luxurious NIHI Sumba Resort and houses Occy’s Left, a world-class left-hand wave. Only 15 surfers are allowed in the water at any one time, guaranteeing an uncrowded, world-class experience. The sea on Nihiwatu is typically clear and blue-green, fed by powerful Indian Ocean swells.
Access is exclusive to NIHI Sumba guests.
Kerewe Beach is a long and idyllic spot in Sumba’s southern coast. It is near Nihiwatu and Watu Bela beaches. Kerewe Right and Sunset Right surf waves occur near the beach. You can also access the Wanukaka and Pinnacles after a 10 to 20-minute drive. Kerewe Beach houses Sumba Retreat Kerewe, Sumba Surf Camp and Sunset Surf Camp, all offering comprehensive facilities to surfers. The Sanubari that is located about 20 minutes from Kerewe Beach is also a good base for surfers.
Tarimbang Bay is a scenic spot on the southeastern coast of Sumba. It stretches across 2 kilometers and has a circular shape. There is a camping spot on the beach and a nearby homestay named Marthen Home Stay. The main highlight of Tarimbang is Miller’s Right with waves that can reach up to 3 meters (10 ft), mostly preferred by advanced surfers. While it’s relatively secluded, Tarimbang Bay is perfect for surfers chasing a new challenge.
Month-by-month breakdown for planning your next session.
| Month | Wave | Wind & Conditions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | 2-5 ft | Light winds, glassy mornings | Beginners, longboarders. |
| March – April | 3-6 ft | Transition to dry; improving consistency | Intermediates. |
| May – June PEAK | 4-8 ft | Peak season begins; offshore mornings | Intermediate – Advanced. |
| July – August PEAK | 5-10 ft+ | Maximum size; strong SE trades | Experts; big wave hunters. |
| September PEAK | 4-8 ft | Clean conditions; high consistency | All advanced surfers. |
| October – November | 3-6 ft | Smaller swells; light variable winds | Intermediates. |
Surfing is a communion with the ocean’s energy. Find the best time to surf in Sumba!
Wave Height: 2 Meters
Known for lower wave height and clean conditions. Ideal for both advanced and beginner surfers. There will be fewer visitors and surfers, allowing you to enjoy the waves with little distraction.
Best for: Beginners & Intermediates
Wave Height: 3 Meters
Characterized by clean conditions and high consistency. Perfect for all advanced surfers. Remember to book your surfing slots in advance since this is the busiest season in Sumba.
Best for: Pros
All You Need to Know
Explore surfing facts and tips you need to know!
You can get your surfing equipment at various spots in Sumba. High-end resorts, like NIHI, provide visitors with surfboards without any additional charges, while surf camps and resorts rent boards at very affordable rates. Sumba Retreat on Kerewe Beach also rents surfboards to non-guests.
Public transport in Sumba is quite unreliable. If you stay at a resort far from popular surfing spots, you will need to either rent a car or hire a driver with a car. If you do not carry a surfboard, you can also get a motorbike taxi (ojek).
If you are bringing your own surfboard, make sure to get a step-up surfboard, since Sumba has heavy reef breaks. Tavel leashes and spare fin sets are also highly recommended. Pack robust reef booties, since razor-sharp coral shelves might pose danger at low tide. A small medical kit, high SPF sunsreen and DEET mosquito deterrent are also essential for any trip to Sumba.
Although high-end resorts have sufficient surfing infrastructure, surf breaks outside of Nihiwatu and Kerewe sit on isolated beaches. Therefore, it is not recommended to go to those places alone, especially if you are an inexperienced surfer. You can ask your resort to arrange a surf guide for you, since most either have in-house trainers or contacts of the best local surf guides.
Facebook is huge in Sumba; most service providers, including surfers, use the platform to connect with clients. You can join Sumba Facebook groups to meet fellow surfers of hire a professional surf guide who can accompany you to the island’s secluded spots.
Looking for new adventures? Here are alternative water activities in Sumba!
Since you are already familiar with using a board, SUP might be a great alternative to surfing for you. It is highly easy to learn for beginners and offers an amazing opportunity to ‘surf’ in calmer waters.
If you wish to enjoy underwater, Sumba is a great place to explore diving and snorkeling. With a typical visibility band of 5 to 25 meters, the island offers a unique opportunity to observe marine life in its purest form.
Fishing is quite popular in Sumba, particularly due to the prized species inhabiting the island’s diverse underwater terrains. You can even take fishing lessons to learn the craft in these exceptionally rich waters.
Find below the best stays in Sumba near popular surfing spots, from high-end resorts to humble surf camps.
FAQ
Everything you need to know about surfing in Sumba
The top five surf waves on Sumba are:
The most beginner-friendly surf wave in Sumba is potentially Five-O. Occy’s Left and Kerewe Right are suitable for beginners due to the surfing infrastructure around and the ease of access to trainers.
While some waves, like Kerewe Right, can get crowded, waves of Sumba are usually known for their lower crowd factors. You can check the profiles of left-hand and right-hand surf waves for more details about each wave.
Yes, absolutely. Sumba has many advantages for inexperienced surfers: the island has uncrowded waves, allowing you to enjoy surf breaks without any distraction, and a thriving community of professional surfers who will gladly initiate you. As long as you work with a professional, you can easily gain experience as a surfer in Sumba.
No, there are no direct international flights to Sumba. The island has two domestic airports that receive flights from neighboring islands.
If you want to travel to Sumba, you must first fly to an international airport within Indonesia, such as Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Surabaya Juanda International Airport (SUB), and Lombok International Airport (LOP). From there, you can take a domestic flight to Sumba.
Yes, you can alternatively take a ferry from Bali, Ende, Kupang and Sabu islands. Private boats and yachts are also an option.
If you want to travel to different surf beaches by sea, you can talk to your host or concierge to arrange a trip for you. Alternatively, you can use Facebook to contact local boat and yacht owners.
Yes, you can transport your surfboard on a flight but fees will apply. Boards usually do not count towards the checked baggage and always incur additional fees. For example, Batik Air charges between USD 10 to USD 20 per board, depending on the point of sale. Wings Air, on the other hand, charges between USD 55 to USD 65.
Garuda Indonesia is one of the few airlines that count surfboards towards the baggage allowance.
Yes, surfboards are allowed on ferries and usually without any extra fees or strict size restrictions.
Traveling to and around Sumba can be time-consuming, especially due to the long journey from ports to surf breaks; so a day trip may not be the best option for surfers. To make the most of your visit, we recommend spending at least two nights on the island.
If you’re traveling to Sumba by private boat or yacht, however, you can head straight to the surf breaks and avoid the long overland journey. This makes a day trip much more feasible and may be the only practical way to experience Sumba’s world-class waves in a single day.
If you are looking for a completely surf-focused stay, Sumba Surf Camp and Sunset Surf Camp are the top picks. Sumba Retreat on Kerewe Beach is also a favored surf resort with all the amenities a surfer might need. NIHI Sumba is also a great option for accessing the private wave Occy’s Left and enjoying a fully-tailored surfing experience where everything is prepared by the staff for you.
Yes, you can easily access surf schools and professional guides on Sumba. Sumba Retreat, Sumba Surf Camp, NIHI Sumba, and many other resorts have their own surf guides, as well as trainers. Sumba Surf School on the Kerewe beach is also a primary choice for many beginner surfers.
The best way to tow-in surf in Sumba is to book a private charter through your resort.
Contact your resort or host to see if they can arrange a photographer or videographer for you. If they cannot, you can also join Sumba-related Facebook groups to directly contact professionals.
No, unfortunately there are no large-scale surfing events or festivals on Sumba. Individual resorts, like NIHI Sumba, might host surf-related events or activities at times but they are almost always exclusive to resort guests.
Hospitals in Sumba are located in the major towns of Waikabubak, Tambolaka and Waingapu. It might take you between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to get to a hospital. However, most resorts offer healthcare services to their guests and hosts usually assist surfers in getting to medical facilities.
Most resorts do. For example, NIHI Sumba is working with international SOS and Cap Karoso has an on-site healthcare professional.
Sumba awaits. Find the perfect base for your upcoming adventure!
