Nias / Lagundri Bay · Indonesia
Surfing Bawa (North Nias)
A reef break in Nias / Lagundri Bay, Indonesia, for advanced and pro surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced / Pro
- Size6-20 ft
- Best monthsJun-Jul
- Crowd1/5
The wave
Bawa is in the Hinako Islands, off the west coast of Nias. It's a big, powerful right that needs a real SW swell to break well, and then it produces long, shifting walls that reward good positioning and a strong paddle.
You can only get there by boat, from Nias or from the camps in the Hinakos. There's no village to speak of. The sets swing wide over a big area, so most of the challenge is reading the ocean. It works from 6ft to 15ft on east winds, and the channels are deep.
Most people combine it with Asu on the other side of the island group, staying in a basic camp or on a boat. Bring big-wave boards and spares.
1.1, 97.57 · Big SW swell, E wind · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Bawa (North Nias)
Bawa (North Nias) is at its best from June to July. Conditions it likes: Big SW swell, E wind. This is how the year looks across Sumatra-Nias:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to May | Good | The season builds, lineups are empty and camps charge shoulder rates |
| June to August | Prime | Peak power at Lagundri and Krui: the classic window |
| September to October | Good | Clean swells continue, crowds drop off |
| November to March | Quiet | Rainier and smaller but rarely flat, and cheaper |
Waves near Bawa (North Nias)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 38 km |
| Afulu | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced | 49 km |
| Lagundri Bay-Nias | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 66 km |
| Sorake Beach | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 66 km |
| Thailands | Simeulue | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 203 km |
| Tea Bags | Simeulue | Reef Break | Intermediate | 212 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Nias / Lagundri Bay
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Nias / Lagundri Bay surf guide →
A week here costs from about $725 with flights from Europe, or around $1,232 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Bawa (North Nias): common questions
When is the best time to surf Bawa (North Nias)?
Bawa (North Nias) works best from June to July. Ideal conditions: Big SW swell, E wind.
Is Bawa (North Nias) good for beginners?
No. Bawa (North Nias) is a wave for advanced and pro surfers.
How crowded is Bawa (North Nias)?
Bawa (North Nias) is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Bawa (North Nias)?
Bawa (North Nias) is in Nias / Lagundri Bay, in the Sumatra-Nias region of Indonesia (1.1, 97.57). The nearest wave we cover is Asu, about 38 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
One strange surf spot a week
The Lineup: one strange surf spot each week, from hippos on the beach in Gabon to lefts under the volcanoes of Kamchatka. Free, and nothing else lands in your inbox.