Mbawana
IntermediateSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 11s SW | 6 km/h cross | 1.0m |
| 9 AM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 11s SW | 5 km/h cross | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 12s SW | 8 km/h cross | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s SW | 7 km/h cross | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s SW | 9 km/h cross | 0.8m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.7 m | 1.6m 13s SW | 7 km/h cross | 1.3m |
| 9 AM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 14s SW | 5 km/h cross | 0.5m |
| 12 PM | 2.0 m | 1.8m 14s SW | 7 km/h cross | -0.2m |
| 3 PM | 2.1 m | 1.9m 13s SW | 6 km/h off | 0.2m |
| 6 PM | 2.1 m | 2.0m 13s SW | 2 km/h off | 0.8m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 2.1 m | 1.9m 13s SW | 3 km/h cross | 1.4m |
| 9 AM | 2.0 m | 1.9m 12s SW | 3 km/h on | 0.9m |
| 12 PM | 1.9 m | 1.8m 12s SW | 6 km/h on | -0.2m |
| 3 PM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 12s SW | 4 km/h on | -0.2m |
| 6 PM | 1.8 m | 1.7m 12s SW | 7 km/h cross | 0.7m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.6 m | 1.5m 12s SW | 8 km/h cross | 1.3m |
| 9 AM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 4 km/h off | 1.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 3 km/h cross | -0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 5 km/h cross | -0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.6 m | 1.3m 12s SW | 1 km/h off | 0.4m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
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| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 11s | 5 SE cross | 0.3m |
| 10 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 11s | 2 SSE cross | 0.1m |
| 11 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 2 WNW cross | 0.0m |
| 12 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 8 NW cross | 0.1m |
| 1 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 12 NW cross | 0.3m |
| 2 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 11 NW cross | 0.5m |
| 3 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 7 NW cross | 0.6m |
| 4 PM | 1.3m | 1.0m SW | 10s | 7 SW on | 0.8m |
| 5 PM | 1.3m | 1.0m SW | 10s | 9 S on | 0.8m |
| 6 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 9 SE cross | 0.8m |
| 7 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 11 SE cross | 0.6m |
| 8 PM | 1.3m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 8 SE cross | 0.4m |
| 9 PM | 1.4m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 6 E cross | 0.2m |
| 10 PM | 1.4m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 5 E off | 0.1m |
| 11 PM | 1.4m | 1.4m SW | 13s | 4 ENE off | -0.0m |
| 12 AM | 1.5m | 1.4m SW | 13s | 3 ENE off | 0.1m |
| 1 AM | 1.5m | 1.4m SW | 13s | 3 ESE cross | 0.3m |
| 2 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m SW | 13s | 6 SE cross | 0.5m |
| 3 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m SW | 13s | 7 SE cross | 0.8m |
| 4 AM | 1.7m | 1.5m SW | 13s | 7 SE cross | 1.1m |
| 5 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m SW | 13s | 8 SE cross | 1.2m |
| 6 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m SW | 13s | 7 ESE cross | 1.3m |
| 7 AM | 1.8m | 1.7m SW | 14s | 9 ESE cross | 1.1m |
| 8 AM | 1.8m | 1.7m SW | 14s | 7 ESE cross | 0.8m |
About Mbawana
Mbawana is a rewarding reef break on Sumba's coastline, offering fun, punchy waves that work well for intermediates looking to build confidence on reef. The wave delivers reasonable power without being overwhelming, making it a solid step up from beach breaks. Expect a raw, uncrowded setting typical of Sumba's less-visited surf zones.
Local knowledge
The reef is shallow at low tide with sharp, live coral that will punish a wipeout — reef booties are strongly advised and board leashes are non-negotiable. Watch for sea urchins in the shallower sections around the channel and during entry/exit. There's negligible boat traffic, but rips can develop on bigger swells, so identify the channel before paddling out.
Mbawana sits on Sumba's relatively undeveloped coastline, so the most reliable approach is by ojek (motorbike taxi) or 4WD from Waikabubak or a local guesthouse, as roads in this part of Sumba can be rough and unmarked. A short walk down to the beach leads to the entry point — use the channel on the reef's edge rather than paddling straight over the coral shelf. There are no warungs at the break itself, so bring your own water and snacks.
A versatile shortboard or a slightly fuller intermediate thruster (6'2"–6'6") handles the punchy, mid-size surf well here. Bring a step-up if a solid swell is forecast, and consider a fish or fun-shape on smaller, mushier days to keep momentum through the sections.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
Where to go now
Mbawana vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mbawana Best now this spot | 1.3m | 1.2m 11s | 5 cross | Epic |
| 2 km away | 1.3m | 1.2m 11s | 0 off | Epic |
| 13 km away | 1.4m | 1.2m 11s | 0 off | Epic |
| 20 km away | 1.4m | 1.2m 11s | 0 off | Epic |
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Surfing in Sumba
Full Sumba surf guide →Sumba feels like a slip back in time — a wild, low-key island southeast of Bali that has so far escaped the development that reshaped its neighbours. Vast savannah plains, rolling hills, megalithic villages and empty golden beaches define a landscape that surfers describe as the Indonesia they were chasing all along.
✈️Getting there
Most travellers fly in via Bali (Denpasar). Sumba has two airports: Tambolaka (Waikabubak) in the west and Waingapu in the east, both served by short domestic flights from Denpasar, with some connections via Kupang or Bali several times daily.
🛵Getting around
Sumba is large and spread out, and the surf zones are far apart, so transport planning matters. Scooter rental is possible in the bigger towns, fine for short hops but tiring and exposed for long cross-island runs — and roads vary from decent asphalt to rough, potholed stretches.
🌤️Climate & season
Sumba has a pronounced dry and wet season. The dry season, roughly April to October, is prime time: cleaner conditions, dependable groundswell and the prevailing trade winds that groom the swell-exposed coasts. This is the core surf window.