Geographically

Nias Island lies on latitude 10 30' north and longitude 970 98' east. It covers an areas of 5,625 km2 which is mostly lowland area of ± 800 m above sea level. It is the biggest in a group of islands on this side of Sumatera that is part of the province of Sumatera Utara. This area consists of 131 islands and Nias Island is the biggest. The population in this area is about 639,675 people (including Malay, Batak, and Chinese). Nias has a very unique culture and nature which is far different from other areas in North Sumatra. This is because of its separate and remote location from the rest of Sumatra.

Flight and boat schedule | 3Days/2 Nights | 4Days/3 Nights | 4Days/3NIght Megalith Tours | 5Days/4 Nights Megalith Tours| 6 Days/5Nights Megalith Tours | 6 Days/5 Nights Megalith & trekking | Surf Package |

Nias island is famous for the idyllic waves breaking off palm-fringed Lagundri Bay. The 2005 earthquake lifted the reef, making the wave even better - hollower and longer! The famous seven second tubes are now nine seconds! More new breaks may have been created nearby. The Earthquakes actually improved the surf at Lagundri, but  destroyed nearby towns. Now the losmens on The point have been rebuilt, and thousands of surfers have returned to Nias over the last few years.

Waves in Nias

Most people have heard about or have seen photos of Nias. What most people don’t know is that there are many more waves in close proximity to the famous right. The next few paragraphs will give a rough explanation of the Nias surfing experience.

Main Break (In General)

One of the most mechanically breaking waves on the planet. This wave was made for surfing. Deep water and a consistent take off area, surf-able on all tides, with the wave finishing in the deep water of the bay. To top that off you paddle out from a keyhole in the reef, at the back of the break and don’t even get your hair wet.

Outside Classic Nias  (Perfect Wave)

Breaking best and regular at between 5 to 8 feet the outside wave is what we all come to surf. Larger & thicker swells generated in the Indian Ocean through June to October start to move closer to the equator, this gives consistent waves on the outside point in Nias

Inside Kiddies Corner (Exercise Machine)

When the swells drop during the months from November to March, the waves are usually at they’re smallest and least powerful, but don’t be disappointed as the surf still consistently rolls in, inside wave just mechanically peels closer into the reef. Breaking for around 150mtrs with a variety of sections that make you physically sweat to pump your way through to the end bowl which delivers a surprisingly good barrel over the shallow bottom at the end of the main reef. A great wave for learning, for styling on Malibu and for maintaining top surf fitness

Indicators

As the name says, Indicators gives you a reasonably good idea when the waves and sets are running into the bay and are going to break on the main break. A 250mtr paddle to the right of the “keyhole”, this wave peels down a near straight line of shallow reef. Surfed on a rising tide and clean conditions the wave can generate intense tube rides of over 10 seconds. A Short leg rope is recommended as is Helmet booties & rubber for protection.

Machine Left

A half moon shallow reef surfed on rising and high tides situated around a 20-minute walk at the end of the beach in Lagundri Bay. The Wave produces a world class section of left breaking reef that breaks as mechanically as a machine. A very powerful wave breaking on shallow reef.

River Mouth

10 minutes walk from the main break at the head of Lagundri Bay Beach. This wave is great for learning on and for surfing if the waves on the point are out of control. Breaking on a sand bottom this wave can change with sand movement but always has something happening if the swell is running big in the bay

Outside Right (SoBatu Deep Jungle)

A heavy shifty right breaking reef around 10 minutes walk to the right of the Sorake Beach hotel. This wave has a heavy take off and heavy sections, not yet surfed to its full potential. So Batu was the location for the Semi & finals of the 2000 WQS O’Neill Deep Jungle Open contest, which provided world class surf while taking a professional surfing competition into a new realm of adventure surfing, in a remote and isolated location.

Outside Left

new break begging to be surfed. The outside left is also an indicator for swell coming into Lagundri Bay. Breaks big and a long way out to sea and have some unpredictable sections. As surfing progresses and access to this wave is made easier, this wave will definitely give some excitement for the hell men. PHOTO

MainLand Nias

Along the coast of Nias there are a Nemours amount of surfable waves. Many but not all of these areas are only accessible by boat. Planning and Preparation are the most important factor in exploring remote and little surfed locations

Hinako Island Outter Isle

Around 30 nautical miles to the west of Lagundri Bay the Hinako group consists of seven small Islands that are 7 nautical miles off the coast of Nias Island. Most of the islands have wave-producing reef of some sort but the prime waves are situated on the islands at the opposite ends of the group. (Bawa & Asu) These class waves give the perfect offshore/onshore set up

Bawa Island Right Outter Isle

The right-hand wave that has been describes as like a section of Sunset Beach but with light wind. Bawa right is a thick powerful wave breaking in deep clear water on a gouged old reef. The surf characteristics can change with the tide, moon phase, swell size and angle A challenge to surf when it’s big but is still reasonably safe, a positive factor is that when it goes onshore its offshore at the left on Asu Island, a short boat ride away.

Asu Outter Isle

A world class left that can peel for +/_250 meters, with reasonably shallow reef on the corner of a picture post card island. Surfed from small to big (10feet)the wave breaks down a reef that produces sections of tube rides and snap able face allowing for high energy consuming surfing.

The end section or “Nuclear Zone” can be the highlight or the hell depending on how well you set it up and really want to go for the barrel. Take care and watch the reef. Over the years several small surf camps have been established on the beach front of Asu bay and More recently right on the point in front of the surf.

Malaria has periodically been a problem in this area and any land-based visitors should be advised to possible malaria risk. The surf is still worth it, So take precautions and cover up !

Tello Outter Isle

A group of 101 islands positioned right on the equator, the main island of the group Pulau Tello is 48 nautical miles to the S.S.E of Lagundri Bay. This Island group is full of coral palm fringed sand islands and large landmass Jungle Islands. Waves abound, with a variety of left and right hand breaks. A boat is essential due to the large amount of islands to cover. Most of the best spots need swell to work but there are waves of all variety that break in varied conditions. Fishing equipment and a good supply of food is essential. It is also advised not to venture onto the more remote islands or bush trek with out a guide

AFULU

One of the best place to surf in the north part of Nias is Afulu. It’s approx 100 km from the Gunungsitoli town  and could be reached by land transport for 3 hours. The surfer could spend a night in local home stay, A mosquito net suggested to bring before departure

OTHERS OF PUBLIC INFORMATIONS

NAME OF REGION: Nias

CAPITAL TOWN   : Gunungsitoli – North

TEMPERATURE    : 19 – 35 degrees

RAINFALL           : +/-2.534mm/year

HUMIDITY           : +/- 91 %

TIDE RANGE        : 1 meter

ROAD CONDITION    : Good

NASTIES IN THE WATER  : None to be Worried

NASTIES ON THE LAND  : Heats and Bugs  (INSECT AND  HUMANS)

MEDICAL : Public Hospita

COMMUNICATIONS                        

           - Phone

 - Fax

 - Internet

 - Mobile

TRANSPORTATIONS

           - Boat

           - Buses charter / Minibus charter

           - Motorbikes

NAME OF AIRPORT

- Binaka Airport

          - Length 1600 M

          - Wide 30 M

          - Location Gunungsitoli

          - Tel / Fax No : 62639 - 21369

FLIGHTS TO AND FROM

- Daily Flight / Morning and Afternoon

NAME OF AIRLINES

- Merpati Nusantara Airlines CN-235 30 seaters

- Riau Airlines Fokker 50 48 seaters 

MAIN PORTS

- Gunungsitoli in the North

- Teluk Dalam in the South

WEST SEASON

- September

- October

- November

SURF SEASON – ALL YEAR

          - Small          : November – March

          - Bigger         : March – June

          - Biggest       : June – September

ACCESS        : By flight from Medan, Polonia International Airport

                             : By charter flight from Padang, Minangkabau International Airport

: By Boat from Sibolga seaport