Surfing
A breakdown on a few of the more well-known breaks on the island, seasonal information and board rentals.There are other breaks for those who want to try something different or new based on prevailing conditions. The beauty of the zone is that given some swell there is generally a spot or two for most any wind direction.
The Nemberala Left
Nemberala Left is the main break fronting the resort and the premier wave in this region of Indonesia. The break is also known as T-Land by some given its similarities to the famous wave on Java, G-Land. Nemberala is definitely a softer and more “user friendly” wave than its namesake. The point like reef is approximately 400 yards long and broken into four separate take off zones; from top to bottom: The Point, The Steeple, Magic Mountain and Inner-tubes.
The Bommie
The Bommie is a section of reef on the north side of the large Nemberala channel. Although the Bommie is a Right/Left peak, the left is seldom surfed as it is not as organized as the right which ends in a deep water channel. The Bommie is a – lower the tide, the better the wave.
Suckies
Suckies, or Sucky Mamas is 10 minute boat ride north of Nemberala. It gets its name from the village on the beach with a similar sounding name. Suckies is an often hollow right hander, but on a higher tide it can be a fatter, steep wave. Suckies is a shorter wave of approximately 50 yards and is best at mid tide. Suckies will take the standard SE trade wind as off or side-off shore.
Boa
Boa is typically accessed by 15 minute boat transfer, but can also be accessed by overland transfer. This is a heavier more advanced wave best at mid tide. The wave starts with a steep hollow top section which opens up to a thick down the line wall. Boa can handle a light trade or south wind, but is typically best with light winds, very early morning, or during the shoulder and off season months.
Do'o
Right hander off a nearby island of the same name. This is a fickle wave typically best during the offseason or shoulder season months as the S trade blows on-shore. The reef is shallow and sharp.
Other waves
Yes, there are other waves – rights and lefts. Spend a little extra time and sample a few. Sometimes you just have to paddle out to see if it is any good.
Seasons
Indonesia’s dry season corresponds with the south swell season months of April through mid-October. The wet season and the bulk of rainfall happens from November through February/March. However, with Indonesia running over 4000 miles north to south and crossing the equator, the many islands of Indonesia experience different climatic zones and various amounts of annual rainfall.
Rote and the southern most area of Indonesia is the most arid region of all Indonesia. It is not unusual for there to be no rain for many months through the dry season, with the majority of rain falling in short periods of heavy rainfall during the wet season. This area can also be a few degrees cooler than other areas of Indonesia with air and water temperatures dropping as low as the mid 75-77 degrees June through August.
Wind
May through mid-September typically experiences ESE trade winds that can be strong at certain times. This wind direction is a favorable offshore direction at Nemberala and some of the other main breaks on Rote and the neighboring islands.
The early and late season months of March/April and mid-September through October experience a more light and variable wind pattern, with wind possible from almost any direction you can expect some glassy days.
Swell
Similar to the rest of Indonesia, Nemberala, Rote and the surrounding Islands pick-up all the South to Southwest swells tracking across Antarctica moving from below South Africa towards Southwest Australia. Although there can be swell year round the season is typically thought of as March to November with the largest swells usually hitting from May through September/October.
Need a Surfboard
Given the ever increasing cost to travel internationally with surfboards many guests are now opting to utilize our rental quiver of over 30 boards of all shapes and sizes: Fish, short, hybrid, guns and longboards are available.
Rental rate is $20 per day; $200 if you break or buckle it. You pay for small ding repair. You can swap out boards every day or even throughout the course of the day as you desire based on what is available. If you want to put something on hold prior to your arrival that is not a problem.
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