South Sumatra Surf Trip Guide
South Sumatra surf guide
Reefs, points and beach breaks around the surf town of Krui, with uncrowded lineups and waves for every level.
It is a slight miracle that the coastline around the town of Krui, a six-hour drive from Bandar Lampung in South Sumatra, has been such a well-kept secret for so long. However the reputation of the area’s most consistent wave Ujung Bocur or Karang Nyimbor, eventually seeped through to the wider surfing world, especially when Gabriel Medina turned up in early 2019 to surf in the area’s first professional surfing competition. There are however a number of excellent reefbreaks and one world-class beachbreak within a short distance of Krui.
Where to stay: Secret Sumatra (beachfront, with The Peak out front) or Mandiri Beach Club (central to all the breaks).
Where to surf in South Sumatra
Mandiri
This quality beach break is a 20 minute drive from Karang Nyimbor.
Krui Left
A quality bowly left hander that needs a bit of swell to start to work.
Krui Right
Krui Right is a superb right hander, one of the best in the area but needs a bit of swell to start to work. While at Krui, you can also catch a boat to Banana Island
The Peak
A heavy peak that offers a short but perfect barrel.
Jimmy’s Right
A stone’s throw away from Jimmy’s left, but nothing like it if you want heavy sucky barrels.
Walur
Just a short drive from Drew’s, Walur produces heavy sets of perfect waves.
Banana Island
Take the short 15 minute boat ride from Krui to ride these two rarely ridden waves that break around the island.
Ujung Bocur
A long, wally left with the odd tube section that handles most swells and caters to surfers of all abilities.
Way Jambu
Known as the Sumatran Pipeline this is one of the most perfect, and heavy, waves in Indo. Inexperienced surfers need not apply.
South Sumatra surf breaks by level
Most waves here suit experienced surfers, but there are easy, sand-bottom options for beginners too.
Beginners: mellow sand-bottom beach breaks, The Peak’s mellow left, and Ujung Bocur, which caters to surfers of all abilities.
Intermediate: Ujung Bocur’s long, wally left, the Mandiri beach break, and Krui Left and Right once there’s a bit of swell.
Experienced: Way Jambu (the Sumatran Pipeline), The Peak’s short, perfect barrel, Jimmy’s Right and Walur’s heavy sets.
When is the best surf season in Sumatra?
The main season runs from June - October. This is the most consistent time of the year for swell, offering the most variety of waves to surf and offshore tradewinds. The late season runs from November to January, when the beachbreaks turn on every day. The early season runs from February to May and features consistently clean, small to medium swell, great for both the reefs and beachies.
Attractions
Central to the Southern Sumatran province of Pasisir Barat lies Krui - a small fishing town neighbouring the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Krui town hosts two food markets, a fishing harbour and a street of shops - Supplying the residents with everything they need. Walking around the sleepy town feels like you've stepped back in time. Either side of Krui, you'll find vast stretches of untouched coastline. Palm trees for as far as the eye can see, shadowing an array of stunning, white-sand beaches. The nearby Banana Island has been a popular day trip for guests. The island has some of the most transparent waters and the most beautiful beaches in the area. Most of the reefs provide good snorkelling. With the national park on your doorstep, you will have a few different treks available. Short, 20 minute walks, to half-day outings - delving into to think Sumatran jungle. Almost all the treks available lead to waterfalls.
The Country
The nation of Indonesia is almost unimaginably vast: More than 17,000 islands providing 108,000 kilometres of beaches. Lying on the western rim of the Ring of Fire, Indonesia has more than 400 volcanoes, of which 130 are considered active, as well as many undersea volcanoes. The island of New Guinea (on which the Indonesian province of Papua is located) is the second largest island in the world. Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It is the fourth most populous country in the world — after China, India and the USA — and by far the largest country in Southeast Asia.
Plan your South Sumatra surf trip
Where to stay: Secret Sumatra on the beach at The Peak, or Mandiri Beach Club, central to all the breaks.
Surf guiding: both resorts’ guides and drivers pick the best spot each day for the swell, wind, tide and your ability.
Packages: 10-night all-inclusive stays; Mandiri’s include meals, airport transfers, daily transport and surf guides.
Getting there: fly to Jakarta, take the 40-minute flight to Bandar Lampung, then it’s a six-hour drive to Krui.
Seasons and swells are typical patterns, not forecasts: talk to us about conditions before you book.
How to get to South Sumatra and Krui for surf?
Fly into Jakarta International Airport (CGK), then take a 40-minute domestic flight to Bandar Lampung domestic Airport (TKG). From there it’s a six-hour drive to Krui which your accommodation will organize in advance.
Travel Information
Time Zone
UTC +07:00
Currency
IDR
Calling code
+62
Electric
230 V – Plug type C, F
What's the best place to stay to surf in Krui?
Nearby & Similar Destinations
South Sumatra Surf FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about surfing South Sumatra. Tap a question to open it.
Yes. The coast around Krui is a wave-rich area of peaks, slabs, beach breaks and point breaks, with Ujung Bocur, the longest and most consistent wave in the area, and Way Jambu, the Sumatran Pipeline. Lineups are uncrowded, and super uncrowded in the low season.
The main season runs from June to October, the most consistent time for swell, with offshore trade winds. The late season (November to January) is when the beach breaks turn on, and the early season (February to May) brings clean, small to medium swell for the reefs and beachies.
Most waves suit more experienced surfers, but there are easy options for beginners: chilled sand-bottom beach breaks with long rides, and the mellow left at The Peak, which beginners and kids enjoy. The resort guides choose spots to suit your ability.
Secret Sumatra is a beachfront resort steps from The Peak, with private ensuite rooms, a wellness zone and meals included. Mandiri Beach Club sits on Mandiri Beach, central to all the breaks, with seafront chalets, villas, a pool and a skate park.
Fly into Jakarta (CGK), take the 40-minute domestic flight to Bandar Lampung (TKG), then it’s a six-hour drive to Krui, which your accommodation organises in advance. Mandiri Beach Club’s packages include airport transfers.
Our South Sumatra resort packages are 10 nights, which makes the six-hour drive from Bandar Lampung worthwhile and gives you time to catch the right swell. Tell us your dates and we’ll match the trip to the season.
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Disclaimer - The trip booked is operated by independent operator(s) and is not part of or in partnership with Perfect Wave Travel. Perfect Wave Travel acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. Perfect Wave Travel obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. Perfect Wave Travel has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.
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