Best time to surf Lombok – Desert Point

The best time to surf at Lombok – Desert Point is July–September, with waves of about 1 m and water around 28°C.

Sekotong, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: July–September

Desert Point lies at Bangko Bangko, on the remote south-western tip of Lombok, facing the strait towards Bali. On big south-west swells the wave becomes one of the longest and hollowest lefts in the world, with long barrel sections over a shallow coral reef. It needs a large swell to wrap into the spot, so it can be flat for days and then come alive; the dry season, roughly May to September, brings the most reliable swells, and the south-east trade winds blow offshore.

The wave is fast, powerful and breaks over very shallow reef, especially around low tide, when it is often at its best, so it is strictly for experienced barrel riders. When a good swell is forecast the line-up fills quickly with surfers arriving by road and by boat. The area is dry and remote, with few facilities and a long way to medical help, so bring a first-aid kit and enough water. The water is warm, about 26–28 °C; reef booties and a helmet are worth considering.

Month by month at Lombok – Desert Point

January: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 29°C, air 29°C (nights 25°C), 26 sunny days, 27 rainy days
February: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 29°C, air 29°C (nights 25°C), 24 sunny days, 26 rainy days
March: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 30°C, air 30°C (nights 26°C), 29 sunny days, 26 rainy days
April: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 30°C, air 30°C (nights 26°C), 29 sunny days, 19 rainy days
May: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 30°C, air 30°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 16 rainy days
June: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 29°C, air 30°C (nights 26°C), 30 sunny days, 12 rainy days
July: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1 m, water 28°C, air 29°C (nights 25°C), 31 sunny days, 10 rainy days
August: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 28°C, air 29°C (nights 25°C), 31 sunny days, 8 rainy days
September: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1 m, water 28°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), 30 sunny days, 12 rainy days
October: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 29°C, air 31°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 14 rainy days
November: 0 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 6 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 30°C, air 31°C (nights 26°C), 29 sunny days, 22 rainy days
December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 30°C, air 30°C (nights 26°C), 25 sunny days, 24 rainy days