Rua Beach
BeginnerSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s SW | 3 km/h off | 1.0m |
| 9 AM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 11s SW | 4 km/h cross | 0.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.2 m | 1.1m 12s SW | 12 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s SW | 13 km/h cross | 0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.4 m | 1.0m 11s SW | 5 km/h off | 0.8m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.7 m | 1.5m 13s SW | 4 km/h off | 1.3m |
| 9 AM | 1.8 m | 1.6m 13s SW | 9 km/h cross | 0.5m |
| 12 PM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 13s SW | 11 km/h cross | -0.2m |
| 3 PM | 2.0 m | 1.8m 13s SW | 11 km/h cross | 0.2m |
| 6 PM | 2.1 m | 1.8m 13s SW | 12 km/h cross | 0.8m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 2.0 m | 1.8m 12s SW | 3 km/h off | 1.4m |
| 9 AM | 1.9 m | 1.8m 12s SW | 4 km/h cross | 0.9m |
| 12 PM | 1.9 m | 1.7m 12s SW | 11 km/h on | -0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.8 m | 1.6m 12s SW | 13 km/h cross | -0.2m |
| 6 PM | 1.9 m | 1.6m 12s SW | 12 km/h cross | 0.7m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 6 km/h off | 1.4m |
| 9 AM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 8 km/h cross | 1.3m |
| 12 PM | 1.6 m | 1.4m 12s SW | 10 km/h cross | -0.1m |
| 3 PM | 1.7 m | 1.3m 12s SW | 15 km/h cross | -0.7m |
| 6 PM | 1.8 m | 1.2m 11s SW | 16 km/h cross | 0.4m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
Show next 24h Hide
| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 AM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 3 N off | 1.1m |
| 6 AM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 3 N off | 1.0m |
| 7 AM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 4 N off | 0.8m |
| 8 AM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 4 NNE off | 0.5m |
| 9 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 4 ESE cross | 0.3m |
| 10 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 7 SE cross | 0.1m |
| 11 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 10 SE cross | 0.0m |
| 12 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 12s | 12 SSE on | 0.1m |
| 1 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 12s | 13 SSE on | 0.2m |
| 2 PM | 1.2m | 1.1m SW | 12s | 12 SE cross | 0.5m |
| 3 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m SW | 11s | 13 SE cross | 0.7m |
| 4 PM | 1.3m | 1.0m SW | 10s | 11 SE cross | 0.8m |
| 5 PM | 1.3m | 0.9m SW | 10s | 10 ESE cross | 0.8m |
| 6 PM | 1.4m | 1.0m SW | 11s | 5 ENE off | 0.8m |
| 7 PM | 1.4m | 1.1m SW | 12s | 5 N off | 0.6m |
| 8 PM | 1.5m | 1.2m SW | 12s | 9 N off | 0.4m |
| 9 PM | 1.5m | 1.2m SW | 13s | 8 NNW off | 0.2m |
| 10 PM | 1.5m | 1.2m SW | 13s | 5 N off | 0.0m |
| 11 PM | 1.5m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 5 N off | -0.0m |
| 12 AM | 1.5m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 4 NNE off | 0.0m |
| 1 AM | 1.5m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 4 NNE off | 0.2m |
| 2 AM | 1.5m | 1.3m SW | 13s | 3 NNE off | 0.5m |
| 3 AM | 1.6m | 1.4m SW | 13s | 3 NNE off | 0.8m |
| 4 AM | 1.6m | 1.4m SW | 13s | 4 NE off | 1.1m |
About Rua Beach
Rua Beach offers a mellow reef break that's welcoming for beginners taking their first steps on Sumba's waves. The wave breaks gently enough to allow learners to find their footing without feeling overwhelmed, while the beautiful beach setting adds to the appeal. More experienced surfers may find it mellow on smaller days, but it's an ideal spot to build confidence. The relaxed vibe and uncrowded lineup make it a great learning ground.
Local knowledge
Despite its mellow reputation, the reef is shallow at low tide and the coral is sharp and live — a wipeout in knee-deep water can mean nasty cuts, so booties are recommended for beginners. Sea urchins hide in the reef crevices, so shuffle your feet rather than stepping hard on the bottom. The rip along the reef edge can catch newcomers off guard; if swept wide, paddle to the channel rather than fighting it straight to shore.
Rua Beach is reached via a sealed and partially unsealed road from Waikabubak or Waitabula in West Sumba — a local guide or ojek (motorbike taxi) is handy for the final stretch. Park near the beachside warung and paddle out through the sandy channel on the left side of the break to avoid scrambling over reef on entry. Exit the same way via the channel; avoid stepping directly onto the reef shelf on the right, especially at lower tides.
A longboard or a wide, high-volume funboard (8'0"–9'6") is ideal for making the most of Rua's soft, slow sections and suits beginners perfectly. On the rare days with more size and push, an intermediate can step down to a mid-length fish, but there's rarely a need for anything performance-orientated here.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
Where to go now
Rua Beach vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rua Beach Best now this spot | 1.3m | 1.1m 11s | 3 off | Epic |
| 1 km away | 1.3m | 1.1m 11s | 3 off | Epic |
| 3 km away | 1.3m | 1.1m 11s | 3 off | Epic |
| 7 km away | 1.3m | 1.2m 11s | 4 off | Epic |
Community photos
Shots from surfers at Rua Beach. Got one? Share it below.
Nearest spots
Closest breaks to Rua BeachWhere to stay near Rua Beach
Top-rated places around this surf zone — budget to luxury.
Budget 
Mid-range 
Luxury 
Budget 
Mid-range 
Luxury We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Surf schools & local guides near Rua Beach
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
Pacific Surf School
★ 5.0707 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
1715 Google reviews
Sumba surf school
★ 5.0Kerewe beach, Patiala Bawa, Kec. Lamboya, Kabupaten Sumba Barat, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87271, Indonesia
54 Google reviews
Nemberala Beach Surf School
★ 5.0Rt. 01/Rw. 01 Desa Sedeoen, Nemberala, Rote Barat, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 85982, Indonesia
32 Google reviews
Sumba Surfboard Rental
★ 5.0Jl. Lede Kalumbang, Kalena Wano, Kec. Kota Tambolaka, Kabupaten Sumba Barat Daya, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87254, Indonesia
5 Google reviews
Sumba Retreat Kerewe
★ 4.9Pantai Kerewe, Patiala Bawa, Kec. Lamboya, Waikabubak, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87271, Indonesia
35 Google reviews
Surf camps & retreats
Stay at a surf camp near Rua Beach
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 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.