Rote Island Surf Guide

Rote Island, one of the farthest-flung Indonesian destinations in East Nusa Tenggara, is rapidly gaining recognition as a premier surf destination. Known for its world-class waves and laid-back atmosphere, Rote offers a unique alternative to the more popular surf spots in Indonesia.

Most people come for T-Land, a super rippable, user friendly point break that can stretch over 1,000 feet infront of the main surf town Nemberala. But Rote also boasts a variety of other surf spots, including some excellent right-handers.

While other islands like Bali and Mentawai dominate the Indonesian surf scene, Rote Island offers a unique experience with world-class breaks, a relaxed vibe, and a growing choice of amazing resorts, and local homestays. 

Rote Surf at a Glance

Why is Rote a great surf destination

Over the past few years the name Rote has come up more and more often in the surf world. As word gets around about amazing waves away from the crowds of Bali and Mentawai, it is quickly becoming a favorite location with people from all around the world. But what makes surfing in Rote so good?

Rote is Home to One of Indonesias Longest Lefts, T-Land 

Yea, you heard it right. T-Land (known locally as Besialu) is one of the longest lefts in Indonesia. This multi-section point break peels around an exposed reef infront of the town Nemberala, offering leg burning rides over 400 meters on bigger swells. 

Named after G-Land cause of how good a left it is, T-Land is a lot easier to surf and much less heavy than G-Land. While the number of surfers is on the rise, T-Land sees significantly fewer crowds than other Indonesian waves like Uluwatu or Desert Point, and it breaks consistently through the peak season, making it an everyday surfer’s paradise.

Rote Island Has A High Concentration of Quality Rights 

While T-Land might be what a lot of people come for. You will find several, extremely high quality rights on the island. Boa, Do’o, Petrol Bombs (not for the faint hearted), and Suckies (Peanuts/Sakunamo) are just a few of the very good barreling rights you’ll find. Beyond this there are several other secret spots that are worth hunting for. 

Rote’s Seasonal Trade Winds Abundance and Swell Means Waves Everyday 

During the dry season from May-August, the east-southeast trade winds blow offshore in Nemberala from dawn till dusk, meaning spots like T-Land are offshore all day everyday. This combined with the south-southwesterly swells rolling in from the roaring 40s during this period create the perfect setup for T-Land and other southwest-facing breaks and there are surfable waves pretty much everyday. 

Early and Late Season Glass 

In the 1-2 months before and after the trade winds start and finish, the wind in Rote is very light and variable, making for some of the glassiest surf conditions you will find anywhere in the world. In these months, spots that are negatively effected by the trade winds come alive, and you can score the session of sessions, with just you and your mates. 

Rote Island Surf Spots

If you have heard about Rote, you have probably heard about T-Land. But there are a lot more waves than that. The majority of surf spots are in the South West corner of Rote, around the town of Nemberala, where the full impact of the Indian Ocean swells are felt. But for those willing to go put in the miles in search of empty lineups, the whole region lights up in the right swells.

Here is some info about Rote Islands more well known surf spots around Nemberala.

T-Land (Besialu)

T-Land, is the most well known wave in Rote, and breaks directly infront of the resort lined shores of Nemberala. This multi-section left break rivals the famed reefs of the Mentawais and Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, but with a fraction of the crowds. 

It is one of the longest lefts in Indo with waves running 600ft-1.200ft and it’s quality and consistency allows you to surf anything from 2ft to 15ft and above.

T-Land is a long, flat reef that is broken into four main sections: The Point, the Steeple, Magic Mountain and Inner Tubes 

It breaks on all tides, but high tide can get a bit fat and slow in smaller swells. 

Best Swell Direction for T-Land: SW

Best Wind Direction for T-Land: E-SE 

Best Tide for T-Land: Low (Breaks on all tides, but high tide can go slow and fat with small swells)

Learn more about T-Land in our detailed guide: T-Land Surf Guide: Surfing One of Indonesia’s Longest Lefts

Bommie

A short, fast right just north of T-Land, breaking on a section of reef infront of the harbour. The Bommie only breaks on a low tide and with a large swell and is a wave for those who don’t mind paddling hard for a short ride.

Recently it has become very popular with foilers as when it is not properly breaking, the reef creates long running swell lines, which foilers love. 

Best Swell Direction for Bommie: SW

Best Wind Direction for Bommie: E-SE 

Best Tide for Bommie Low 

Suckies/Sakunamo: 

One of the very high quality right-handers on the island. Suckies breaks far out on a reef pass a few KMs north of Nemberala. While it’s best (safer) accessible by boat, if you fancy a long paddle across shallow reef and seaweed farms, it is possible to access from land. 

It’s a wave for more advanced surfers only, Suckies is a poweful right hand wave with barrel sections and a suprise peak that can easily catch you out when a bigger set comes through. The inside current pulls you deeper into the inside, meaning getting caught inside can result in a long and hard paddle back to the channel.

During the peak season, you will need to get up early to score it as the trade winds rip it apart quickly due to the distance from land the wave breaks. 

Best Swell Direction for Suckies: W-SW

Best Wind Direction for Suckies: NE 

Best Tide for Suckies Mid-High (but not too high)

Boa

Another of Rote Islands pumping rights, Boa is dream wave for surfers seeking powerful right-handers. 10-15 minutes south of Nemberala by bike, on the lower tides Boa becomes a roaring A-frame that throws out long, slabby walls and solid barrel sections along a shallow reef. On the high tide Boa becomes a much more mellow rippable wall. 

During the peak season it’s a very tricky wave to get good because of the strong East trade winds, but in the early and late seasons, Boa becomes an absolute playground. 

Best left to advanced surfers on the lower tides, due to the shallow reef and potential for hold-downs on the inside sections. There have been several very scary moments where people have had their leashes wrapped around the reef and held under water. The more south the swell goes the heavier it gets. 

High tide though can be fun for intermediates and above. 

Access to Boa is becoming increasingly difficult due to the HUGE Nihi Rote development that is taking over the area. They were not allowed to privatise the wave like in Sumba, so instead have been rather unfairly buying all the surrounding land and building a wall, blocking access to everyone including local surfers. 

Best Swell Direction for Boa: SW

Best Wind Direction for Boa: N

Best Tide for Boa: Breaks on all tides. Heavier at low. 

Want to score pumping waves at Boa? We highly recommend staying at one of our favorite places, Boa Vida Resort, which over looks the wave.

More Helpful Information:

• How to Get to Rote Island
• Wings Air Flights From Kupang to Rote Island NTT
• Indonesian Airline Surfboard Baggage Fees
• Express Bahari: Kupang to Rote Fast Ferry
• Nemberala Travel Guide
• 5 Reasons to Visit Rote Island, Indonesia
• What’s The Best Time to Travel to Rote?