The Krui area of mainland Sumatra has been on the surf radar for over 20 years but it's still not a major surf destination. Not because it's difficult and expensive to get to but because it's a fickle surf zone given other easier Indonesian destinations. The local surf community consists of a handfull of young Indonesian surfers and a growing number of 55+ year old expats. With a shortage of consistently World Class waves in the area no pro surfers have based themselves in Krui and few if any expert to master surfers choose Lampung as their goto surf destination.

Visiting surfers are primarily below intermediate level European and Australian surfers who aren't looking for 2.4 mtr plus, machine like, top to bottom Indo perfection. The vast majority being well travelled 50+ year olds in search of a less crowded destination where they can still score waves.

Here's some local knowledge to increase your chance of a successful surf trip to South Sumatra.

Level of surfing

Learners

No matter what time of the year this is not the ideal destination to learn how to surf in a couple of weeks.

Beginners to Intermediate

Smaller swells and crowds make shoulder season the best time in the Krui area for a beginner. Most days on a high tide you will be able to find a spot to sharpen your skills. However surf conditions during shoulder season are extremely inconsistent.

Peak Season you'll be competing for waves with experienced surfers. Sitting on the shoulder and waiting for the leftovers does not pan out well.

Intermediate to Advanced

The waves around the Krui and Utara district suit intermediate surfers.

Advanced to Master

The Krui area does not have any World Class waves, only waves that have World Class days. For this reason very few advanced to expert or master surfers visit the area.

☑ Recommended min surfing skill: intermediate to advanced.

Krui Left July 2017 ~ © Nana Gapero

Thick sectioning Way Jambu 2013

When to come

Below are some general dates to consider when planning your trip.

Shoulder season – March to June

Crowds are smaller in March and April but swell quality and consistency is extremely poor. You can expect one swell a month with flat spells lasting 3 weeks. Conditions start improving in May.

During a La Niña

A La Niña year usually produces wetter rainy seasons with poor surf conditions, rain and onshore winds continuing until late April.

During an El Niño

During an El Niño March and April can be quite dry with light variable winds however the swell quality and consistency remains poor.

Peak season - June to September

During the southern hemisphere winter the Great Southern Ocean sends 1 large long lasting swell a week towards the Sumatran coast. Offshore winds make this the best time to score 1.8 mtr plus surf at Krui Left, The Peak, Ujung Bocur and Way Jambu.

Shoulder season – September to November

Crowds start dropping off and rainy days begin increasing in late September. A risky time for a surf trip as the conditions could fall apart anytime.

During a La Niña

A La Niña usually produces poorer surf conditions with confused swells, weaker trade winds and more rain.

During an El Niño

September can sometimes be sheer magic during an El Niño year.

Off season – November to March

The worst of the rainy season. Swell size and consistency begins dropping off late September as the Southern Ocean winds down. By late November low pressure systems begin to develop south of the Sunda Strait. You can expect driving onshore winds and rain for weeks on end. Many tourist related businesses close down and the only surfers in the area are those that did not do their research or those that can't leave.

 As a rule of thumb El Niño years produce the best surf and La Niña years are more fickle and inconsistent.

  There are not quality waves year round in the Krui area. Believe the media hype and you could find yourself sitting for weeks staring out over a flat ocean.

☑ Recommended months:

Your skill level and personal preferences will determine the best months to visit:

• Learner: Not recommended at anytime of the year.
• Beginner to Intermediate: Arrive for a shoulder season when the waves are smaller and crowds are lighter.
• Intermediate to Advanced: Plan your trip for peak season June to September.
• Advanced to Master: Be warned - with no consistently World Class waves the Krui area can be a big disappointment for advanced+ surfers.

When not to come

Plan around the WSL Krui Pro. 300 competitors descend on the area for 2 weeks during May, June or July. If you don't enjoy competing for waves with 20+ wannabe pros, steer clear of this event.

Time and luck

You need time to score quality waves in the Krui area. During peak season 1 quality swell hits the coast approx every 11 days lasting 4 to 5 days. Only 1 in 3 swells will have optimal size and direction to get one of the main surf breaks firing. Do the math.

On a short 10 to 14 day trip your fate is in the hands of "lady luck". You could score good waves or suffer very poor quality waves due to off swell direction.

☑ Recommended min stay: 4 weeks.

Mobility & Transport

The curse of the Krui area is there's no ideal swell and wind direction that gets all the breaks working at the same time. Each 'surf zone' (Tanjung Setia, Mandiri, Krui and Utara District) requires it's own particular conditions to be lined up and firing. On the same day it's common to find Krui Left flat, Mandiri Beach blown out, tide too low at Way Jambu and Karang Nyimbor (Ujung Bocur) your only option. You need to be mobile, traveling to where the conditions are best.

This leaves you with 3 options:

Remain at one surf break

Not recommended. If you did decide to limit yourself to one area then Tanjung Setia is the best choice as Ujung Bocur picks up the most swell. Forget Krui town as Krui Left, Leftovers and The Peak are flat for days on end even during peak season.

Hire a scooter / motorcycle

At IDR 65000 a day this is the most popular and cost effective transport. Legally you will require an International Drivers Licence. Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended as accidents are common and can become a costly legal nightmare.

Hire a car & driver

Expensive unless you share the costs. The 35km trip from Tanjung Setia to Krui town cost IDR 300000 in 2025.

☑ Recommended transport: scooter hire.

The growing crowds

Be warned crowds are increasing at a rate of approx 10% year on year. From May to August the major surf breaks can get really crowded when the surfable wave face is under 2.7 mtrs.

What about the secret spots?

A quick on-line search returns 180,000 web pages advertising the Krui area. There are no longer any secret spots, surf guides, surf camp owners and satellite imagery exposed those years ago.

Better to prepare for the crowds and maintain your stoke.

☑ Recommended attitude: laidback.

What to bring

There are no surf shops in the area that sell a full selection of surf gear so bring everything with you. Extra boards, big wave leashes and a good supply of fins. A pair of reef boots to protect against sea urchin spines, the odd stone fish or fishing hook.

Money

There are a number of ATM machines in the area but they can be very unreliable. There are no money changers in the Krui area. Your last chance to easily change foreign currency is in Jakarta. There is a money changer in Bandar Lampung city but it's a long way from the airport.

Travel Insurance

Surfers get seriously injured here so it's highly recommended that you have travel insurance that covers all the activities you plan to be involved in (surfing, motorcylce,...,...).

International Drivers Licence

Foreigners are legally required to have a current International Drivers Licence to drive any vehicle in Indonesia. If you have an accident without one your insurance will not cover your personal injuries or 3^rd party liability.

Tides

If your plan is to surf Way Jambu or Jimmy's Right make sure the prevailing tides will be favourable.

Tides on this coastline can be really funky. Some months there are virtually no daytime high tides for 2 weeks. At most breaks a tide of .0 to .3 mtrs is getting dangerously low.