Bawa
AdvancedSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 14s SSW | 8 km/h on | 0.6m |
| 9 AM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 14s SSW | 14 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 12 PM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 13s SSW | 15 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.8 m | 1.6m 13s SSW | 15 km/h on | 0.8m |
| 6 PM | 1.8 m | 1.6m 13s SSW | 17 km/h on | 0.7m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.6 m | 1.6m 12s S | 17 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 9 AM | 1.6 m | 1.5m 11s S | 15 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.5m 11s S | 15 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 3 PM | 1.5 m | 1.5m 11s S | 14 km/h on | 0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.5 m | 1.4m 11s S | 8 km/h on | 0.9m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.4 m | 1.3m 11s S | 13 km/h off | 0.7m |
| 9 AM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 11s S | 9 km/h off | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s S | 6 km/h off | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s S | 6 km/h on | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 1.2 m | 1.2m 10s S | 8 km/h on | 0.9m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 10s S | 8 km/h off | 0.7m |
| 9 AM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 9s S | 7 km/h off | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.2 m | 1.0m 10s S | 9 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 9s S | 13 km/h on | 0.5m |
| 6 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 9s S | 10 km/h on | 0.9m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
Show next 24h Hide
| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 PM | 1.9m | 1.7m SSW | 13s | 15 S on | 0.3m |
| 1 PM | 1.8m | 1.7m SSW | 13s | 14 SSW on | 0.4m |
| 2 PM | 1.8m | 1.6m SSW | 13s | 15 SW on | 0.6m |
| 3 PM | 1.8m | 1.6m SSW | 13s | 15 SW on | 0.8m |
| 4 PM | 1.8m | 1.6m SSW | 13s | 14 SW on | 0.8m |
| 5 PM | 1.8m | 1.6m SSW | 13s | 15 WSW on | 0.8m |
| 6 PM | 1.8m | 1.6m SSW | 13s | 17 WSW on | 0.7m |
| 7 PM | 1.8m | 1.5m SSW | 13s | 17 WSW on | 0.6m |
| 8 PM | 1.7m | 1.6m SSW | 12s | 16 WSW on | 0.4m |
| 9 PM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 20 SW on | 0.3m |
| 10 PM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 21 SW on | 0.2m |
| 11 PM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 20 SW on | 0.2m |
| 12 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 15 SSW on | 0.2m |
| 1 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 14 SSW on | 0.3m |
| 2 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 17 SW on | 0.5m |
| 3 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 19 SW on | 0.6m |
| 4 AM | 1.7m | 1.6m S | 12s | 20 SW on | 0.7m |
| 5 AM | 1.6m | 1.6m S | 12s | 19 SW on | 0.7m |
| 6 AM | 1.6m | 1.6m S | 12s | 17 SW on | 0.7m |
| 7 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m S | 11s | 18 SW on | 0.5m |
| 8 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m S | 11s | 23 SSW on | 0.3m |
| 9 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m S | 11s | 15 SSW on | 0.2m |
| 10 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m S | 11s | 16 S on | 0.1m |
| 11 AM | 1.6m | 1.5m S | 11s | 15 S on | 0.1m |
About Bawa
Bawa is a world-class right-hand reef break sitting off a small island north of Nias, widely regarded as one of the heaviest and most perfect barrels in the region. On a big swell it produces long, grinding tubes that unload over a very shallow reef, making it strictly an advanced surfer's playground. The wave demands a bold take-off and the ability to hold a high line through a thick, pitching barrel. Boat access and careful timing are essential — when it's on, Bawa ranks among the best waves in all of Indonesia.
Local knowledge
The reef at Bawa is brutally shallow and sharp — a wipeout at full size can scrape you across live coral in less than a foot of water, and lacerations are the norm rather than the exception. A heavy, sucking rip runs along the reef edge; if caught inside during a cleanup set, getting back to the channel requires composure and a strong paddle. Sea urchins are dense on the reef shelf, so booties are strongly advised — step or fall on the wrong section and you'll be picking spines for days.
Bawa is strictly boat-access only — charter a speedboat or join a surf charter vessel out of Lagundri Bay (roughly 1.5–2 hours north) or from the small port near Sirombu on Nias' west coast. There is no beach walk or paddle-out from shore; the channel entry is made by motoring to the reef and slipping off the boat into the deeper water on the southern shoulder of the break. Time your return carefully — pick up is easiest in the channel during a lull, as boat traffic and surfers sharing a small lineup can create confusion during sets.
On average swell (4–6 ft), a performance shortboard in the 6'2"–6'6" range with a pulled-in tail and extra rocker will handle the steep, ledging take-off. When Bawa steps up to 6 ft-plus, bring a step-up or semi-gun (6'6"–7'2") — the drop becomes a serious commitment and you need the hold and speed to make the barrel section without free-falling.
moderate — be polite, wait your turn.
Where to go now
Bawa vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bawa this spot | 1.9m | 1.7m 13s | 15 on | Epic |
| Hinako Rights Best now 3 km away | 1.9m | 1.7m 13s | 7 on | Epic |
| 5 km away | 2.4m | 2.1m 14s | 15 on | Epic |
| 18 km away | 1.9m | 1.7m 13s | 6 on | Epic |
Community photos
Shots from surfers at Bawa. Got one? Share it below.
Nearest spots
Closest breaks to BawaSurf schools & local guides near Bawa
Learn or level up with established local instructors.
Kapowui Surf Lessons Santa Monica / Venice
★ 5.02701 Barnard Way, Parking lot, 5 south, Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA
4101 Google reviews
Siargao Surf Academy
★ 5.0R567+M8P Cloud 9 Boardwalk Siargao Surigao, General Luna, 8419 Surigao del Norte, Philippines
113 Google reviews
Sumba surf school
★ 5.0Kerewe beach, Patiala Bawa, Kec. Lamboya, Kabupaten Sumba Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87271, Indonesia
54 Google reviews
Alfred Zagoto surf lessons
★ 5.0Jl. Sorake Beach, Botohilitano, Kec. Fanayama, Nias, Sumatera Utara 22865, Indonesia
12 Google reviews
NIAS SURFING EXPERIENCE SCHOOL OF SURFING
★ 5.0Jl.pantai Jl. Sorake, Botohilitano, Kec. Tlk. Dalam, Kabupaten Nias Selatan, Sumatera Utara 22865, Indonesia
5 Google reviews
Surf Coach Siargao SPF All levels
★ 4.9Siargao Island, Cloud 9 Dr, Catangnan, General Luna, 8419 Surigao del Norte, Philippines
165 Google reviews
Pacific Surf School
★ 5.0707 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
1715 Google reviews
Santa Barbara Surf School
★ 5.0736 Carpinteria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA
1124 Google reviews
San Diego Surf School | San Diego Surf Lessons
★ 4.94850 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
1411 Google reviews
Surf camps & retreats
Stay at a surf camp near Bawa
All-inclusive surf camps, coaching weeks and retreats — meals, lessons and accommodation sorted. Compare 1,500+ verified camps with reviews and instant booking.
- ✓ Free cancellation options
- ✓ Best price guarantee
- ✓ All levels, beginner to pro
We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you.
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).