Krui, South Sumatra

The region of West Lampung offers over a dozen world class waves within a stretch of coast of around 100km in length. It takes approximately 1hr 45 mins to drive this section of coastline where you’ll pass the town of Krui around the half way point.

The waves are largely suited for intermediate to advanced surfers. Most surf camps are located at Tanjung Setia which is 30km south of the town of Krui. Here you’ll find the area’s best & most consistent wave Ujung Bocur (aka Karang Nyimbor). This long left hander offers rides of at least 200-300 yards long when it’s fully working – and is suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers.


Ujung Bocur, overlooked by Damai Bungalows (white arrow on picture) & Ujung Bocur Bungalows

On the outskirts of Krui, surfers will also find a cluster of other surf camps to choose from. 4 "main" waves are within walking distance and include The Peak (a short intense right), Leftovers (tubing left) as well as Krui left and Krui right. Each wave is typically slightly smaller than the exposed breaks, yet what they lack in size they make up for in quality, especially when the swell delivers.

A number of other quality waves are available for those willing to explore.


"Leftovers", that breaks in front of BeOcean in Krui

The Peak, Krui

The main surf season is from April until October, where consistent swells frequent the West Lampung shores producing quality waves in the head high to double over head range. Winds are favourable for most spots – but the waves that are exposed to Southerly winds (Mandiri Beach, Jimmy's etc) are often blown out by 11am. This is the busier part of the year regards crowds – with Ujung Bocur being the busiest & most consistent wave in the region. It is also the dry season where you’d experience very little rain and so surfing during the mid day sun can be extremely punishing.

The shoulder season is typically from February until early April and then around late October until late November, even December. These months are typically the best months for Mandiri beach break. On its day it's up there with the best.


Mandiri Beach

During the low season months of December, January & February the trade winds change and they’ll generally blow onshore (North West) with the exception of Jenny’s right which is very consistent & will predominantly be offshore.  


Jenny's right

Your international flight should arrive into Jakarta, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK).

From Jakarta, you will need to take a domestic flight to Bandar Lampung, Radin Inten II Airport (TKG).

Airport transfers from Bandar Lampung Airport (TKG) to the surf camps take around 6hrs.

For more detailed information including airline information,  airport transfers and hotels please visit the individual camps found above in the surf camps tab.

As a rule, Sumatra is best explored as an intermediate or advanced surfer.

There are no surf schools for beginners and there are no suitable (soft) beach breaks to learn on.

Beginner surfer – can only surf the white water & often misses waves. Leaner’s will wipe out regularly on take-off and whilst riding a wave.

Beginner-intermediate surfer – can catch waves regularly, trimming left & right but without performing many manoeuvres.

Intermediate surfer – Will rarely miss catching a wave & will complete most waves from start to finish. Surfers will perform basic manoeuvres such as a cut-back, re-entry and floater.

Intermediate-advanced surfer - will perform most manoeuvres including getting tubed and sometimes aerial manoeuvres. These surfers are competent on point breaks and reef breaks.

Advanced surfer – are fast, stylish and will make surfing look easy. If they’re not performing aerials, then they will be getting tubed all day long or displaying an array of carves, hacks and flowing turns.

Guests should be aware of the following hazards & natural disasters:

Malaria is something that exists but isn’t a problem if guests cover up at dawn & dusk and use plenty of anti-mosquito sprays when not in the surf. Anti-malarial medication can also be taken.

Earthquakes do occur throughout Sumatra on a regular basis. But most of them are non destructive. Most casualties are due to the poor state of its buildings, which 99% of the time, shouldn’t affect any of our guests.

Tsunami’s like the huge one in 2004 are rare. On average, once every five years or so, a large tsunami occurs in “Indonesia”. Generally, damage to the infrastructure exceeds the loss of lives. Most camps in the area have an evacuation plan as well as the charter boats. In fact being on a boat is probably the safest place to be.

Coral Reef – Although it helps shape the mechanical waves of the region, it is also something to be respectful of due it’s sharpness. It’s why we recommend only experienced riders venturing to some of the more dangerous surf spots.

South Sumatras most consistent and certainly most popular wave peels for more than 200 meters offering a wealth of sections for every surfer. The furthest outside corner produces the heaviest section, where a decent barrel can be had. Beyond this section is 100 meters of fun feathering lips, ideal for practicing various top turns and round house cut-backs. The end section will offer a closeout – that isn’t sketchy in the slightest. The wave breaks on all tides and is shallower and hollower at low tide. Watch out for sea urchins at low tide.

Damai Bungalows and Ujung Bocur Bungalows overlook the wave.

Way Jambu also known as Sumatran Pipeline is a world class left hand reef break. Its found just a 15 minute ride south of Ujung Bocur and works on similar conditions to its more popular neighbouring wave. Offers numerous barrel sections, with rides up to 150m in length when its working. Best on an incoming mid to high tide. Be prepared for a heavy take-off in front of a very shallow reef. Certainly for experts only, this wave will punish you if you make a mistake. Best from 4-6' with stand-up barrels on bigger days. 

Damai Bungalows and Ujung Bocur Bungalows are a 15 minute scooter ride away.

Located about 1 hour north of Krui in the Northern most part of the surf region, Honey Smacks is a favourite for boogie boarders and advanced surfers. Late take-offs guaranteed, this wedgey left hander will sling shot any takers into some of the thickest waves in the area. Often compared to mini Teahupo'o this is a body boarder’s heaven, offering reeling tubes from head high through to the biggest of swells that hit the coastline.

The closest surf camps to Honey Smacks are in the town of Krui. Be sure to check out Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean.

More of a body boarders wave, this reef slab is a wide open (in and out) pit.  Close to the shore, easily accessible, and is on the doorstep of Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean. Its certainly a quality wave but being so short is its downfall. Based just outside the town of Krui, typically it needs to be at least head high at Ujung Bocur before The Peak will start working well.

Krui Left is a super fun perfect barrelling wave found in the town of Krui. It can be one of the funnest waves in the area when it’s working. Although shallow, the paddle out is very easy and there isn’t a tricky inside section to deal with. It’s usually in the chest to head high range in the main season with larger swells producing over head waves. Low tide for tubes.

The closest camps are Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean which are both a short walk away.

A 15 minute scooter ride north of Ujung Bocur, you will find Mandiri beach. This picturesque slice of coast produces consistent break break waves throughout the main surf season. There tends to be two main areas along the beach which can deliver good quality left and right tubes. It’s a bit of a swell magnet and a good option especially when it’s around head high. Best surfed early as it’s often wind affected by mid morning. Probably not the reason you’d travel to South Sumatra but certainly a lot of fun when the swell is a bit smaller during the should season months of October/November and March/April.

Krui Right is at the other end of the beach across from the left. It’s a great wave but inconsistent. In fact it’s probably the most fickle wave in the region, so don’t expect to score this wave during your stay. Again, like the left, the paddle out is very easy and there isn’t a tricky inside section to deal with. Feel very blessed if you score this rarely surfed gem.

The closest camps are Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean which are both a short walk away.

Leftovers is a heavy slab found to the south of The Peak. Although rarely crowded, a small pack of body boarders will usually dominate the line-up at this heavy reef break. Close to the shore, the wave is easily accessible. It’s certainly a quality wave but suited for advanced surfers only. The inside also gets shallow. 

The closest camps are Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean which both have direct views of the wave.

Jimmy's is located to the very north of the regions known surf breaks. Resembling backdoor pipe, the wave is very consistent, very heavy, very fast & very perfect. Throwing as wide as the barrel is tall, this thick lipped right hander delivers absolute flawless tubes before closing out over razor sharp reef on the inside. If it was closer to the areas main waves (and camps) & you took away the sketchy inside section, this wave would be surfed a lot more. But as it stands it never is.

The closest camps are Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean which are both about 45 mins away.

Not quite as heavy as its neighbouring right hander - it’s still a very hollow wave. Certainly for advanced surfers and body boarders only. Handles huge swells up to double over head and bigger but probably best at 4-6 feet on the mid tide. It gets perfect - with grinding barrels on the take-off before peeling down the line for around 80 metres before closing out on the gnarly inside bowl. Jimmy’s left will certainly provide a beating from hell or the barrel of your life. Often wind affected due to its exposure to the trade wind. So arrive early. 

About 35 minutes north of Krui, this fun right hander delivers rides of around 100 metres in length. It’s most consistent between November and April as it’s off shore on a North West wind. Jenny’s offers a bit of everything - from decent barrel sections to big open faces. Unlike many of the areas breaks, this waves entry (although steep) is relatively easy. Once on the wave various sections are on offer - depending on the size of swell and its direction. The end section will always closeout - and can be pretty shallow but easily avoidable. There’s also a keyhole that guarantees a dry haired paddle out. 

The closest camps are Krui Surf Camp as well as BeOcean which are both about 35 mins away.

Banana Island is home to two quality waves delivering rarely ridden quality waves on a fairly regular basis. The short, ferocious, thick lipped left on the West side is more suited for body boarders or advanced surfers. The right hand barrel (imagine a reverse of one palm point) found on the South East side, is a longer wave - and although much more manageable, delivers a hefty barrel and should only be surfed by intermediate to advanced surfers.

The journey across to Pulau Pisang can be taken by chartering a local fishing boat from either Krui (45 min trip) or from Tembakak (15 min trip). The exposed island is often wind affected but with 2 waves on offer, winds from the East to North West can be favourable. Anything with South is onshore. For those willing to make the effort, be sure to leave on day break and take waterproof gear for your belongings. 

A 20 minute ride south of Tanjung Setia, past a Balinese settlement and close to a ship wreck, you will find Bali Village. A somewhat fickle wave that can occasionally deliver punchy lefts and rights. Best with a small swell running, its rarely crowded. Certainly not the best wave in the region but occasionally worth a look.

Located in front of Amy Villas, this left hand slab is a boogers haven although the occasional tube hungry stand up will put on a barrel show from time to time. Certainly not for the faint hearted.