Ndao Island
AdvancedSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.8 m | 1.8m 9s SW | 8 km/h cross | -0.9m |
| 9 AM | 1.7 m | 1.7m 9s SW | 3 km/h off | 1.0m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 9s SW | 13 km/h on | 1.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.5 m | 1.5m 9s SW | 19 km/h on | -0.3m |
| 6 PM | 1.5 m | 1.4m 9s SW | 21 km/h cross | -0.2m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.3 m | 1.3m 9s SW | 14 km/h off | -1.3m |
| 9 AM | 1.3 m | 1.3m 9s SW | 8 km/h off | 0.6m |
| 12 PM | 1.2 m | 1.2m 9s SW | 20 km/h cross | 1.4m |
| 3 PM | 1.2 m | 1.2m 9s SW | 29 km/h cross | 0.0m |
| 6 PM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 9s SW | 23 km/h cross | -0.4m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 8s SW | 20 km/h cross | -1.4m |
| 9 AM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 8s SW | 18 km/h cross | 0.1m |
| 12 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 8s SW | 21 km/h cross | 1.4m |
| 3 PM | 1.0 m | 0.9m 8s SW | 24 km/h cross | 0.3m |
| 6 PM | 1.0 m | 0.9m 8s SW | 24 km/h cross | -0.5m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 0.9 m | 0.8m 7s SW | 16 km/h off | -1.2m |
| 9 AM | 0.9 m | 0.8m 7s SW | 9 km/h cross | -0.3m |
| 12 PM | 0.9 m | 0.7m 7s SW | 12 km/h cross | 1.1m |
| 3 PM | 0.9 m | 0.7m 7s SW | 21 km/h cross | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 0.8 m | 0.7m 7s SW | 22 km/h cross | -0.4m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
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| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 10s | 8 SE cross | 1.3m |
| 1 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 10s | 8 SE cross | 0.6m |
| 2 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 10s | 9 SE cross | -0.1m |
| 3 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 10s | 9 SE cross | -0.8m |
| 4 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 9s | 9 SE cross | -1.2m |
| 5 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 9s | 8 ESE cross | -1.3m |
| 6 AM | 1.8m | 1.8m SW | 9s | 8 ESE cross | -0.9m |
| 7 AM | 1.7m | 1.7m SW | 9s | 7 ESE off | -0.3m |
| 8 AM | 1.7m | 1.7m SW | 9s | 7 E off | 0.4m |
| 9 AM | 1.7m | 1.7m SW | 9s | 3 E off | 1.0m |
| 10 AM | 1.7m | 1.7m SW | 9s | 2 WSW on | 1.4m |
| 11 AM | 1.7m | 1.7m SW | 9s | 6 SSW on | 1.5m |
| 12 PM | 1.6m | 1.6m SW | 9s | 13 S on | 1.3m |
| 1 PM | 1.6m | 1.6m SW | 9s | 18 S on | 0.8m |
| 2 PM | 1.6m | 1.6m SW | 9s | 19 S on | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.5m | 1.5m SW | 9s | 19 S on | -0.3m |
| 4 PM | 1.5m | 1.5m SW | 9s | 22 SSE cross | -0.6m |
| 5 PM | 1.5m | 1.5m SW | 9s | 23 SSE cross | -0.6m |
| 6 PM | 1.5m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 21 SSE cross | -0.2m |
| 7 PM | 1.5m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 19 SE cross | 0.4m |
| 8 PM | 1.4m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 17 SE cross | 1.1m |
| 9 PM | 1.4m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 18 SE cross | 1.7m |
| 10 PM | 1.4m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 18 SE cross | 2.0m |
| 11 PM | 1.4m | 1.4m SW | 9s | 18 SE cross | 2.1m |
About Ndao Island
Ndao Island is a remote, exposed reef break off Rote that produces raw, powerful waves for advanced surfers willing to make the journey. The isolation means uncrowded line-ups and untouched conditions, but also means you're on your own if things go wrong. Expect heavy swells, shallow reef, and serious consequences — this is a spot that rewards experience and preparation. The trade-off is world-class, unspoiled surf.
Local knowledge
Shallow, razor-sharp live coral reef is the primary danger — wipeouts here can mean serious lacerations, so reef booties and a helmet on bigger days are strongly advised. The exposed location draws raw, ungroomed swells with powerful, unpredictable currents and strong rips along the reef edge that can make exit difficult; there is no quick rescue if things go wrong. Sea urchins are abundant in the reef shelf, and the nearest serious medical care is a long boat ride and then a drive away on Rote itself — treat every injury seriously and carry a well-stocked first-aid kit.
Ndao is a boat-only destination — you'll need to organise a charter or local fishing boat out of Ba'a or Nembrala on Rote's southwest coast, a crossing that typically takes 1–2 hours depending on conditions and can be rough in strong trade winds. Coordinate with a local fixer or surf operator in Nembrala ahead of time, as there is no formal surf infrastructure on Ndao itself. Enter and exit via the channel adjacent to the reef; have the boat standing by for pick-up as shore access is limited and the reef is no place to be caught without a ride home.
Bring a step-up (6'4"–6'10") as your go-to for the powerful, hollow reef conditions that Ndao typically serves up, and pack a gun (7'0"+) if there's any chance of hitting it on a significant swell. Leave the shortboard as a backup for rare, smaller days — this wave rewards volume and drive, not loose, skatey equipment.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
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Nemberala Beach Surf School
★ 5.0Rt. 01/Rw. 01 Desa Sedeoen, Nemberala, Rote Barat, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 85982, Indonesia
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Surfing in Rote
Full Rote surf guide →Rote is Indonesia's southernmost inhabited island, a low, dry, sun-bleached slip of land hanging off the bottom of Timor in East Nusa Tenggara. It's about as far from the Bali crowds as you can get and still find world-class surf — which is exactly the point. The scene revolves around the village of Nemberala (Nembrala) on the west coast, where a string of guesthouses, surf camps and warungs line up behind the reef.
✈️Getting there
Reaching Rote is half the adventure. First fly to Kupang (Timor) — El Tari Airport (KOE) — via Bali (Denpasar) or Jakarta, usually with a connection. From Kupang's Bolok harbour you take the fast ferry across to Rote's port at Ba'a, a crossing of roughly 1.5–2 hours; a slower car ferry also runs but takes longer.
🛵Getting around
Once you're in Nemberala, most of the popular waves are close — T-Land, Boa and the beach breaks are within easy reach, and several spots are walkable or a short paddle from the main strip.
🌤️Climate & season
Rote has a pronounced dry, savanna-like climate — drier than Bali and noticeably so. The dry season runs roughly May to October and is the surf season: this is when consistent groundswell arrives and the dependable southeast trade winds groom the west-coast lefts, holding most of the season's offshore conditions.