Aceh - Lhoknga surf

Aceh - Lhoknga

Intermediate
Reef break · Moderate · Best: May–October · All tides
Working best in Sumatra now Ujung Bocur / Karang Nyimbor Epic · 1.6m @ 11s View →
Conditions right now
Fair
Wave
1.6m
Swell
0.9m
11s · SSW
Period
11s
Wind
22 km/h
S · gust 44
Onshore
Water
30°C
Air
28°C

Surf report

Tide falling · Low 10:00 AM 0.5m
Time Surf Swell Wind Tide
6 AM 1.6 m
0.9m 10s SSW
25 km/h on
0.7m
9 AM 1.5 m
0.9m 10s SSW
26 km/h on
0.5m
12 PM 1.5 m
0.9m 11s SSW
25 km/h on
0.6m
3 PM 1.5 m
0.9m 9s WSW
22 km/h on
0.7m
6 PM 1.5 m
1.0m 8s W
20 km/h on
0.6m
Best session today
5 PM–6 AM
Onshore 1.0m swell @ 8s

Next 24 hours

Wave Swell
0.0 1.0 2.0 5 AM8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM

Wind

Speed Gusts (km/h)
0 35 70 5 AM8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM

Tide

Low 10:00 AM · 0.5m High 4:00 PM · 0.7m Low 10:00 PM · 0.3m High 5:00 AM · 0.9m
L 10 AM H 4 PM L 10 PM H 5 AM L 11 AM H 5 PM L 11 PM 5 AM11 AM5 PM11 PM5 AM11 AM5 PM11 PM

7-day outlook

Best days
Wed, Jun 10
1.5–1.6m
Thu, Jun 11
1.4–1.6m
Fri, Jun 12 Best
1.6–1.6m
Sat, Jun 13
1.4–1.6m
Sun, Jun 14
1.3–1.4m
Mon, Jun 15
1.3–1.4m
Tue, Jun 16
1.4–1.4m

Hourly detail

Show next 24h
Time Wave Swell Period Wind Tide
5 AM 1.6m 0.9m SSW 11s 22 S on 0.8m
6 AM 1.6m 0.9m SSW 10s 25 SSW on 0.7m
7 AM 1.6m 0.9m SSW 10s 27 SSW on 0.7m
8 AM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 10s 28 SSW on 0.6m
9 AM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 10s 26 S on 0.5m
10 AM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 10s 28 SSW on 0.5m
11 AM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 10s 27 S on 0.5m
12 PM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 11s 25 SSW on 0.6m
1 PM 1.5m 0.9m SSW 10s 23 SSW on 0.6m
2 PM 1.5m 0.9m SW 10s 25 S on 0.7m
3 PM 1.5m 0.9m WSW 9s 22 S on 0.7m
4 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 9s 21 S cross 0.7m
5 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 9s 22 SSW cross 0.7m
6 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 8s 20 S cross 0.6m
7 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 8s 24 S cross 0.5m
8 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 8s 23 S cross 0.4m
9 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 8s 21 S cross 0.4m
10 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 8s 17 S cross 0.3m
11 PM 1.5m 1.0m W 9s 15 S cross 0.3m
12 AM 1.5m 1.0m W 9s 18 S cross 0.4m
1 AM 1.4m 1.0m W 8s 19 S cross 0.5m
2 AM 1.4m 0.9m WSW 8s 19 S cross 0.6m
3 AM 1.4m 0.9m WSW 7s 15 S cross 0.7m
4 AM 1.4m 0.9m WSW 8s 11 S cross 0.8m

About Aceh - Lhoknga

Lhoknga is Aceh's most accessible surf zone, offering punchy reef breaks that fire along the coastline just west of Banda Aceh. The waves tend to be hollow and fast, rewarding surfers who can read a reef and handle a quick takeoff. Intermediates will find plenty of fun on smaller swells, while bigger pulses push the quality up a notch. The relaxed local atmosphere and relatively uncrowded lineup make it a rewarding stop on a Sumatran surf trip.

Local knowledge

Hazards

The reef at Lhoknga is shallow and unforgiving on lower tides — live coral and sharp rock can do serious damage on a wipeout, so reef boots and a rashguard are sensible precautions. A strong lateral current runs along the bay on bigger swells and can sweep you off the peak quickly, so keep your bearings relative to landmarks onshore. Sea urchins lurk in the shallower sections near the entry and exit; shuffle your feet and exit cautiously.

Getting there

From Banda Aceh head west on Jalan Lhoknga (roughly 20 km); the main break is signposted and there is roadside parking near the warung strip overlooking the bay. Paddle out from the sandy channel on the north side of the reef to avoid scrambling over coral — time your entry between sets and use the same channel to come in. A few local surf camps and warungs right on the beach make it easy to get your bearings before paddling out.

Board

A versatile shortboard (6'0"–6'4") handles the punchy, hollow conditions well across the typical swell range; bring a step-up (6'6"+) if a solid Sumatra groundswell is forecast. On smaller, mushier days a fish or hybrid will keep the session fun and help you generate speed through the flatter sections.

Localism

mellow — relaxed vibe.

Where to go now

Aceh - Lhoknga vs. nearby, live
Spot Surf Swell Wind Now
Aceh - Lhoknga
this spot
1.6m
0.9m 11s
22 on
Fair
2 km away
1.6m
0.9m 11s
22 on
Fair
326 km away
0.9m
0.5m 12s
1 off
Good
328 km away
1.0m
0.8m 12s
7 off
Epic

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Surfing in Sumatra

Full Sumatra surf guide →

Sumatra is Indonesia's wild western frontier — the sixth-largest island on earth and arguably the country's deepest, most varied surf zone. Where Bali trades on crowds and nightlife, Sumatra deals in space, jungle backdrops and waves that still feel earned. The swell window here is enormous: the same Indian Ocean groundswells that light up the rest of the archipelago hit Sumatra's exposed western flank first, raw and unfiltered.

✈️Getting there

Most surf trips funnel through Padang, the launch point for the Mentawais, Telos and Banyaks. Fly into Padang (Minangkabau Airport, PDG) via Jakarta — and Jakarta connects to Bali and international hubs like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

🛵Getting around

On the Sumatran mainland and on Nias, a scooter is the cheap, flexible standard — expect potholed roads, livestock and long, scenic distances between zones. Around Krui the coastal road links a string of spots over many kilometres, so a bike (or a hired car with driver for groups and boards) earns its keep.

🌤️Climate & season

Sumatra straddles the equator, so it's hot and humid year-round with water warm enough for boardshorts (a rashguard or 1mm top is plenty).