The Hinako islands lie just off the west coast of the island of Nias. They are made up of a cluster of 8 islands many of which are home to world class waves including “Asu” and “Bawa”. The main focus is the world class lefthander simply named Asu, a mechanical left that works on all tides and brelaks from around head high, up to just about anything mother nature can throw at it. An additional 6 or 7 waves are found within 15 - 45 minutes by speedboat.
The best time of year to surf the “Hinako's” is during the dry season, which can be anytime from April until October, when the Indian Ocean produces its most consistent groundswells. Flights from Medan to Nias (Gunung Sitoli) take just 50 minutes and conveniently fly each day.
Due to the relative isolation of this small cluster of islands, there's only a few camps in the whole region. Charter boats do come and go but only usually on the smaller days due to the fact the area is such a swell magnet. Its a long way to go, but those willing to make the pilgrimage can be sure they'll score some world class and uncrowded surf.
Guests need to fly into Medan Airport (KNO) - Kuala Namu International Airport West Sumatra
We recommend using www.skyscanner.com and flying into Jakarta, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). From KL, there is usually one morning flight (1hr) with Air Asia as well as a lunchtime flight to Medan. From Jakarta, there are plenty of flights each day that fly into Medan, with airlines such as Garuda Airlines, Sriwijaya, Citilink & Lion Air. We recommend www.traveloka.com
From Medan, you will need to take an extra flight to Gunung Sitoli, Binaka Airport (GNS) with Wings Air (part of Lion Air). There are many flights each day.
From Gunung Sitoli, our driver will collect you & drive across Nias Island (2 hours of beautiful tropical scenery) to Sirombu Harbour. From here, a private speedboat will take you to Asu Island in about 30 minutes.
It’s a long but stress free journey and because there’s so many flights each day, you’ve plenty of travel options to suit your needs.
As a rule, the Hinako islands are best explored as an intermediate or advanced surfer
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.
Photos
Hinako Islands, Nias
Surf Breaks
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Asu
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round
Asu produces some of the longest & funnest waves in the region. Breaking from shoulder high and up, its optimal size is around head high to double over head. It can handle anything mother nature throws at it though. Breaking for more than 200 yards, if the wind is bang on from the south its a picture perfect sight. Tubes can be found for sure, but the wave generally offers reeling speed walls. Its a lot of fun. Surfers have plenty of time to pull out from the nuclear zone, so don't get too greedy!
Wave Quality: Average
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bawa
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October
Certainly a great option in north wind days, Bawa is one of the go to options in the area. Bursting into the limelight thanks to the mid 90's epic surf flick "Searching for Tom Curren", this growling beast is one of the most consistent waves in the Hinako's - in fact all of Sumatra. Its an absolute swell magnet. It's not the wave it once was after the reef was lifted some years ago (after an earthquake), but at shoulder high can offer some shifty peaks with some fun wally runners. As the swell builds expect a few tubes on the take off. This wave can handle any size swell. The bigger the swell, the bigger the barrel. It can genuinely get gigantic.
Wave Quality: Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Afulu
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October
Located on the mainland of Nias, Afulu needs a solid swell to break and is for intermediate to advanced surfers only. That said the wave that's found just 40-50 minutes from Asu, offers incredible world class tubes as well as some workable high speed walls. Certainly worth a look when other waves are maxing out.
Wave Quality: Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Sirombu
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-15 surfers
Season: April until October
A very rippable and short right hander, located near Sirombu harbour, it's the "go to" spot for progressing beginner intermediate surfers. That said its also a very fun wave for more advanced riders and on its day can deliver some epic sessions.
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Barrel Machine
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-10 surfers
Season: April until October
Another great option that's only a short boat ride away from Puri Asu. It needs a bit of swell to get going but during a 10 day trip you'd expect to surf this wave. As the name suggests, its a picture perfect tube and although it doesn't break every day, if you score it, you'll be pretty darn stoked!
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Heruanga
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-10 surfers
Season: April until October
Another deep water slab that's found on one of the islands outer reefs. Especially ideal for "tow in" surfing.
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bommie
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-10 surfers
Season: April until October
This deep water slab provides short and challenging tube rides for barrel hungry riders. It's also an option for tow-in surfing when staying at Puri Asu.
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Salonako
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October
Only 45 minutes from Asu, this world class right hander is found on the mainland of Nias and remains a close guarded secret. On it's day it can produce some truly world class tubes, although requires all the elements to line-up but when it does it could provide the session of your life.
Surf Camps
Hinako Islands, Nias
A classy tropical paradise, ideal for intermediate surfers looking for crowd free waves
Surfers From: USD 200 pp / night
Non Surfers From: USD 100 pp / night
Reviews
The Hinako islands lie just off the west coast of the island of Nias. They are made up of a cluster of 8 islands many of which are home to world class waves including “Asu” and “Bawa”. The main focus is the world class lefthander simply named Asu, a mechanical left that works on all tides and brelaks from around head high, up to just about anything mother nature can throw at it. An additional 6 or 7 waves are found within 15 - 45 minutes by speedboat.
The best time of year to surf the “Hinako's” is during the dry season, which can be anytime from April until October, when the Indian Ocean produces its most consistent groundswells. Flights from Medan to Nias (Gunung Sitoli) take just 50 minutes and conveniently fly each day.
Due to the relative isolation of this small cluster of islands, there's only a few camps in the whole region. Charter boats do come and go but only usually on the smaller days due to the fact the area is such a swell magnet. Its a long way to go, but those willing to make the pilgrimage can be sure they'll score some world class and uncrowded surf.
Guests need to fly into Medan Airport (KNO) - Kuala Namu International Airport West Sumatra
We recommend using www.skyscanner.com and flying into Jakarta, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). From KL, there is usually one morning flight (1hr) with Air Asia as well as a lunchtime flight to Medan. From Jakarta, there are plenty of flights each day that fly into Medan, with airlines such as Garuda Airlines, Sriwijaya, Citilink & Lion Air. We recommend www.traveloka.com
From Medan, you will need to take an extra flight to Gunung Sitoli, Binaka Airport (GNS) with Wings Air (part of Lion Air). There are many flights each day.
From Gunung Sitoli, our driver will collect you & drive across Nias Island (2 hours of beautiful tropical scenery) to Sirombu Harbour. From here, a private speedboat will take you to Asu Island in about 30 minutes.
It’s a long but stress free journey and because there’s so many flights each day, you’ve plenty of travel options to suit your needs.
As a rule, the Hinako islands are best explored as an intermediate or advanced surfer
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.
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Asu
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: Year round
Wave Quality: Average
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bawa
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-20 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Afulu
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: Fun
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Sirombu
Experience: All levels
Consistency: Consistent
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-15 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Left
Also Known As: Barrel Machine
Experience: Intermediate+
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-10 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Heruanga
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-10 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: Very Good
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Bommie
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Average
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 5-10 surfers
Season: April until October
Wave Quality: World Class
Wave Direction: Right
Also Known As: Salonako
Experience: Advanced
Consistency: Inconsistent
Wave Type: Reef
Crowd: 0-15 surfers
Season: April until October
A classy tropical paradise, ideal for intermediate surfers looking for crowd free waves
Surfers From: USD 200 pp / night
Non Surfers From: USD 100 pp / night
Reviews