Monkeys surf

Monkeys

Intermediate
Reef break · Moderate · Best: May–October · All tides
Working best in Nias now Lagundri Bay / The Point Epic · 1.4m @ 11s View →
Conditions right now
Fair
Wave
0.7m
Swell
0.4m
9s · SSW
Period
9s
Wind
3 km/h
NNE · gust 8
Offshore
Water
31°C
Air
25°C

Surf report

Tide rising · High 1:00 PM 0.7m
Time Surf Swell Wind Tide
6 AM 0.7 m
0.4m 9s SSW
6 km/h off
0.5m
9 AM 0.7 m
0.4m 9s SSW
3 km/h off
0.5m
12 PM 0.6 m
0.4m 9s SSW
5 km/h off
0.7m
3 PM 0.6 m
0.4m 8s SSW
4 km/h off
0.6m
6 PM 0.6 m
0.4m 9s SSW
3 km/h off
0.3m
Best session today
7 AM–9 AM
Offshore 0.4m swell @ 9s

Next 24 hours

Wave Swell
0.0 0.8 1.5 8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM5 AM

Wind

Speed Gusts (km/h)
0 10 20 8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM5 AM

Tide

High 1:00 PM · 0.7m Low 7:00 PM · 0.3m High 2:00 AM · 0.9m Low 8:00 AM · 0.4m
H 1 PM L 7 PM H 2 AM L 8 AM H 2 PM L 8 PM H 3 AM 8 AM2 PM8 PM2 AM8 AM2 PM8 PM2 AM

7-day outlook

Best days
Wed, Jun 10
0.6–0.9m
Thu, Jun 11 Best
0.6–0.8m
Fri, Jun 12 Best
0.7–0.8m
Sat, Jun 13 Best
0.7–0.7m
Sun, Jun 14
0.6–0.7m
Mon, Jun 15
0.7–0.7m
Tue, Jun 16
0.6–0.7m

Hourly detail

Show next 24h
Time Wave Swell Period Wind Tide
8 AM 0.7m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 NNE off 0.5m
9 AM 0.7m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 NNE off 0.5m
10 AM 0.7m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 N off 0.6m
11 AM 0.7m 0.4m SSW 9s 4 NNE off 0.7m
12 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 5 NNE off 0.7m
1 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 NE off 0.7m
2 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 8s 2 NE off 0.7m
3 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 8s 4 ENE off 0.6m
4 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 8s 4 E off 0.5m
5 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 NE off 0.4m
6 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 3 NE off 0.3m
7 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 4 ESE cross 0.3m
8 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 4 ESE cross 0.3m
9 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 4 E cross 0.4m
10 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 9s 6 ESE cross 0.5m
11 PM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 10s 6 ESE cross 0.6m
12 AM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 10s 5 SE cross 0.7m
1 AM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 10s 6 ESE cross 0.8m
2 AM 0.6m 0.4m SSW 10s 7 SE cross 0.9m
3 AM 0.6m 0.5m SSW 11s 7 SE cross 0.8m
4 AM 0.6m 0.5m SSW 11s 6 SE cross 0.8m
5 AM 0.6m 0.5m SSW 11s 7 SE cross 0.7m
6 AM 0.7m 0.5m SSW 11s 8 SE cross 0.6m
7 AM 0.7m 0.5m SSW 11s 9 SE cross 0.5m

About Monkeys

Monkeys is a lively reef break that keeps things entertaining with its punchy, unpredictable sections. Intermediate surfers will enjoy the wave's energy and the opportunity it provides for sharp, reactive surfing. The atmosphere in the water tends to be relaxed, making it a sociable and enjoyable session.

Local knowledge

Hazards

The reef is shallow, sharp and live coral — a wipeout on a low-tide set can put you on the bottom fast, so booties are strongly advised. Watch for rips that develop along the reef edge on bigger swells, and keep an eye on boat and speedboat traffic in the channel as water taxis move through the area regularly.

Getting there

Monkeys is best accessed by boat from Sorake or Lagundri Bay — a short 5–10 minute ride puts you right on the peak. Most surf camps and local boat operators on Nias' south coast offer day trips or drop-offs; confirm pickup arrangements before paddling out as the channel can be awkward to swim in if you miss your boat.

Board

A versatile shortboard or a mid-length fun shape works well for Monkeys' punchy, unpredictable sections on everyday swell. Step up to a slightly stiffer, higher-volume shortboard when the swell pushes overhead, giving you the drive to handle the reef's sharp lips.

Localism

mellow — relaxed vibe.

Where to go now

Monkeys vs. nearby, live
Spot Surf Swell Wind Now
Monkeys Best now
this spot
0.7m
0.4m 9s
3 off
Fair
2 km away
0.7m
0.4m 9s
5 off
Fair
5 km away
0.7m
0.4m 9s
5 off
Fair
GTs
6 km away
0.7m
0.4m 9s
5 off
Fair

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Surf schools & local guides near Monkeys

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Surfing in Nias

Full Nias surf guide →

Off the west coast of North Sumatra, Nias is one of Indonesia's true surf landmarks — home to Lagundri Bay, the right-hand point at the island's southern tip that put the country on the world surf map back in the 1970s. It's a place of pilgrimage, where a single peeling wall over coral has drawn travelling surfers for decades.

✈️Getting there

Most surfers fly into Binaka Airport (GNS) at Gunungsitoli in the north of Nias, usually via Medan (Kualanamu, KNO) on a short domestic hop with Wings Air or similar. From Bali or Jakarta you'll connect through Medan.

🛵Getting around

At Lagundri Bay everything is walkable — the losmen sit right along the point, and you can paddle out from the steps. Many guests don't need transport at all once settled.

🌤️Climate & season

Nias has a tropical equatorial climate — warm and humid year-round, with water temperatures sitting around 27–29°C, so boardshorts and a rash guard are plenty (boots for the reef, not warmth).