Lagundri Bay.
Lagundri Bay, also called Sorake Bay, is a horseshoe-shaped bay at the southern tip of Nias, an island off the west coast of Sumatra. Wikipedia lists it as a well-known surf break, with sources that include a June 1975 diary by Michael Day and a 2005 magazine article. Surf-Forecast describes the main wave, listed as Lagundri - The Point, as an exposed right-hand reef break with very consistent surf. The wave runs along the side of a village bay, which makes it unusually easy to watch and, for some, unusually busy.
Photo: hotmahtg · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Level
- Advanced
- Direction and bottom
- Right · Reef
- Best swell
- SW groundswell
- Best wind
- NW offshore
- Best tide
- Check locally; the reef is shallow on the low
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Size
- Waist-high to double overhead; best from shoulder-high
- Hazards
- Sea urchins, Rips, Shallow reef and rocks, Crowds in season, Cuts that infect easily
The wave inside the bay
The Point is a right-hand reef that peels along the western side of the bay. Surf-Forecast lists the ideal swell as south-west and the ideal wind as north-west offshore, and the best conditions come from a south-west swell with north-west wind. WannaSurf lists it as a right over coral, suitable for experienced surfers. Several other waves sit within a kilometre, including Indicators and The Machine, which Surf-Forecast describes as reef breaks of similar character.
Because the bay is sheltered and the wave breaks close to the shore, it is easier to observe and enter than many Indonesian reefs. WannaSurf notes that surfers paddle out because a current runs from Lagundri to the break, which saves effort on the way out and makes it harder on the way back.
When to go
May to October is the dry season and the favoured period. May is the most consistent month on Surf-Forecast, with clean waves about 83 percent of the time and blown out about 17 percent. Surf-Forecast reports sea temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius, so a rash vest is enough. When the surf is up it can get quite busy, but off-peak visits can be much quieter.
Wikipedia notes that surfers discovered the waves in 1975, which helped to make Nias internationally known for surfing, according to a separate Wikipedia article on tourism in Indonesia. The area was also affected by the 2005 Nias-Simeulue earthquake, which Wikipedia lists in its page headings. Conditions change after events like that, so seek up-to-date local information about the reef and the beach.
Who should not surf it
Surf-Forecast advises surfers to watch out for urchins, rips and rocks. The reef is shallow in places, and cuts or urchin spines can become infected quickly in tropical water. Beginners and weaker intermediates should not surf The Point on a large swell. The lineup can be crowded, and the pecking order is real, so surfers who are not confident reading lines should stay on the inside or surf easier waves at the beach.
People who are not strong swimmers should also stay out, since a long swim back to the bay is hard work. Take a small first-aid kit and clean all cuts immediately. Do not rely on a nearby clinic being able to treat serious injuries. If the swell is bigger than expected, retreat and watch from the shore.
Getting there and watching
Surf-Forecast lists Binaka (Gunung Sitoli) airport at about 66 kilometres from the break, with Padang's Tabing airport about 334 kilometres away. Most travellers reach Nias by air from Medan or by boat, and then take a road transfer south. Journey times vary with road conditions, so allow plenty of time.
The village of Lagundri has a beach and a waterfront from which you can see the wave in full. Watching from the shore for a while will teach you more about the line-up than a forecast. Respect local customs, dress modestly away from the beach, and ask before photographing people. A surf camp is nearby, according to WannaSurf, but this page does not recommend any specific business.
Other waves close by
Lagundri Indicators and The Machine are about a kilometre away, and Hiliduha, Secret and Hilisataro are further along the coast. The Nias destination guide covers the island, its culture and other places to surf.
A note on the village and the reef
Lagundri is a living village as well as a surf destination, and visitors are guests. Dress modestly away from the beach, ask before photographing people, and buy food and services locally where you can. In the water, take care with the shallow reef: wear reef boots when walking at low tide, and treat even small cuts promptly because infections spread quickly in warm water. The bay is relatively sheltered, which can make it tempting to swim near the reef, but currents and urchins are a real risk. Travel insurance that covers surfing and medical evacuation from a remote island is a sensible precaution before you commit to a trip.
The ocean off Nias, by month
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swell, m | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| Period, s | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 |
| Water, °C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Open-ocean ERA5 medians, not wave size at the break. Sources.
Questions about Lagundri Bay
Is Lagundri a left or a right?
A right. Surf-Forecast and WannaSurf both describe a right-hand reef break.
What are the hazards?
Urchins, rips and rocks, according to Surf-Forecast. Clean any cuts quickly.
When is the best time?
May to October, with May the most consistent month on Surf-Forecast's figures.
How far is it from the airport?
About 66 kilometres to Binaka (Gunung Sitoli) airport on Surf-Forecast's figure. Road travel takes longer.
How do I treat urchin spines and reef cuts?
Clean the wound thoroughly with fresh water as soon as you are out, remove any visible spines, and apply an antiseptic. Watch for redness, swelling or fever over the next days, because tropical infections move quickly. Seek medical advice if a wound looks worse rather than better.
Check a live forecast and local advice before paddling out. Heavy waves injure and kill experienced surfers.