Surfing in Sumatra

Sumatra is the 6th largest Island in the world so has some incredible surfing spots along it's coast line as well as the smaller islands that surround Sumatra.

Surfing for beginners

Most of Sumatra's surfing spots are for experienced wave riders. Though if you are a beginner and looking for a good beach break which is safe to learn how to surf than Air Manis Beach in West Sumatra, just south of Padang is the place to go.

Air Manis Beach is within a secluded bay surrounded by forested hills. It only takes 30 minutes to get to from Padang. Here the waves break over soft sand rather than coral like in other locations so safer to learn. The wave height is around 0.5m to 1.5 meters. The water is clean though not always clear due to the fine sand that gets churned up by the waves. The surfing season at Air Manis Beach is from February to October when you can surf all day.

For surf instructors contact Rick Cameron on +62 751 767 888 or at www.mentawai.com.

Other places in Indonesia good for beginners are:

Kuta and Legian, Bali

Pangandaran, West Java

Grupuk, Lombok

Experienced surfers

Good surfing can be found at the following places:

Meulaboh, Aceh North Sumatra 250km south-west from Banda Aceh

Sorake Beach, Nias Island

Mentawai Islands off the coast of west Sumatra. Boat charters can be arranged in Padang

Pulau Banyak off the western coast of Sumatra in the Aceh province. You can access Banyak Islands from Singkil on the west coast. Banyak Island Lodge offers an exclusive 8 person lodge with excellent surfing right in front of the lodge. For more information check out the Banyak Island Lodge website.

Telo Islands off the west coast of Sumatra just on the border of North Sumatra. Rougly half way between Nias and Mentawai Islands. Good reef and point breaks.

Asu Island off the coast of west Sumatra

There are many companies that organise surfing tours where you live on a boat moving along the coast to catch the best waves.

Surfing Tours

http://www.mentawaiadventure.com/

http://www.freedomsurfing.com/ - offering surfing tours for Mentawais, Hinakos, Telos, and Banyak Islands.

http://www.surfingsumatra.com/Main-Index.html

http://www.nomadsurfers.com/English/Indonesia/mentawai_surf.htm

http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/

http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/sumatra.htm

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indonesia/Sumatra_Islands/index.html

http://www.wavehunters.com/sumatra/sumatra.asp

Surfing Charity

Six years ago, physician and surfer Dr. Dave Jenkins went on a surf charter to the Mentawai Islands with one goal in mind: to find perfect waves. The surf proved to be everything he had hoped for. What he also found, though, were the Mentawai people---mostly women and children-–-suffering and dying from the ravages of malaria and other preventable diseases. Troubled by the inequity of lifestyles and moved by compassion, Dr. Jenkins went on to establish SurfAid International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering through community-based health programs. With the support of the New Zealand and Australian governments, the global surfing community, and most importantly the Mentawai people of the affected areas themselves, SurfAid has come to exemplify the healing power of cross-cultural partnerships.

http://www.surfaidinternational.org

Last updated 7th March 2009