Surfing in Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is 20km off Bali’s East Coast and just an hours cruise across the Badung Strait. It’s a small island with a population of less than 4,000 friendly locals - the water is crystal clear which makes for excellent diving and snorkelling, and with fewer visitors than the main areas of Bali, surfers can enjoy a less crowded surf at the breaks on Lembongan.
Find some surf some with your favorite wave in Nusa Lembongan. If staying at the places in the cliff overlooking the break, it’s a short (5 min) paddle out to this spot. Follow the rope leading out, it makes it easier to guage the channel! Paddle around the right, if you try to paddle acroos the left and then around, your arms will give up on you before you start.
Nusa Lembongan has a tropical climate being just located below the equator. Temperatures average around 30’C all year round.
The Weather
The wet season occurs October to March, and as with all tropical climates the humidity at this time can be oppresive. The dry season occurs from April to September, with less humid conditions and sunnier weather. This is usually the most popular time to travel to Bali.
Most rainfall in Nusa Lembongan will occur during the wet season, but downpours are typical and can occur at anytime, usually not lasting too long.
What to Bring
Some people will want fresh clothes each day, but most will live in the same pair of boardies for the entire trip! The below is a guide designed to help and maximise your enjoyment. A handy hint is also to split your clothes and gear between your board bag and your check in luggage in case one gets lost. Remember not to put sharp objects in your hand luggage!
- PASSPORT!!! Make sure it has at least 6 months validity or you won’t be allowed on the plane
- 2-3 boards for a variety of waves & it’ll see you through any breakages! If you are only taking one board due to doing other stuff… best take the semi-gun
- A quality board bag is worth the expense
- At least two spare leggies & a big-wave one (3 metres plus)
- Spare set of fins
- Heaps of tropical wax and a wax comb
- Ding repair kit
- Good hat, sunscreen with plenty of SPF and/or zinc cream
- Sunnies - go the polarized option - you won’t look back!
- At least 2 pairs of boardies
- A pair of long pants (light cotton if it’s going to be warm) and a shirt with long sleeves
- A couple of T-shirts
- Shoes &/or thongs
- Towel
- Rashy
- Booties, and to save asking the boat captain or looking stupid with cut up feet - wear them!
- Personal toiletries - you know what you need
- Tropical insect repellant
- I-pod or MP3
- Video and/or Camera
- Books & travel games
- First Aid Kit
There are 4 main Surf Breaks in Nusa Lembongan
- Shipwrecks – a fun, workable right that breaks on the mid to high tide.
- Lacerations – A high speed, hollow right barrel.
- Playgrounds – a mellow left and right peak that provides a wave when the swell is small and the tide is low.
- Ceningan – a rarely surfed left off the temple on Nusa Ceningan that is surfed when the swell is small and the winds light.
Sharon Claydon on Tue, 10th Aug 2010
I hope to bring my sons 15, 14, 11 on a well deserved surf break. Along with myself they are young carers for their father who has been suffering from Early Onset Parkinsons Disease for 7 years and an older brother who has Bipolar. The two eldest are keen surfers who are always surfing, one of their home breaks is Sandon Point. They would love to visit Bali to surf. Bali is a little crowded for me these days and I was thinking maybe the 4 of us would be happier somewhere quieter where the boys could get waves and I could relax. I have visited Bali 5 times since 1983 and know from watching friends surf at Ullawattu that it can be dangerous, the names of Razors, and Lacerations are fairly self explanatory. What to do with these tetestorone fueled teenagers that is within a lean budget. I need some advice and was hoping you could help.
Kind regards Sharon Claydon
Fredrik on Fri, 4th Mar 2011
I`m thinking about going to Nusa Lembongan, but have a question.
Is it true that the surf is bad if I`m a novice? I`m not good but trying to learn:)
ANDRE on Thu, 10th Mar 2011
Im thinking of bringing my wife and 5 year old son in late june for a month.
Im stoked on surfing the main breaks but want a beach that has some small gentle surf to teach my son.
Any recomendation?
F on Thu, 29th Sep 2011
the surf can get heavy, Playgrounds is the smallest but it does break over a coral reef. Shipwrecks is a bigger heavier wave and can be very challenging. Lascerations and Razors a right and left respectivley are fast barreling waves for only the most experienced surfers.
Just work your way up from playgrounds to shipwrecks.