Rote (Nemberala) · Indonesia
Surfing Boa
A reef break in Rote (Nemberala), Indonesia, for advanced surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced
- Size4-10 ft
- Best monthsMay-Sep
- Crowd1/5
The wave
Bo'a is a right on the coast south of Nemberala, on Rote. It needs more swell than T-Land, and when it has it you get fast, bending walls, one of the best rights on the island.
Longer-period SW swells make it work, from 4ft to 10ft, and SE trades clean it up. Depending on the tide the sections go from open walls to short hollow bits. On the biggest days, when T-Land is busy, Bo'a is a good option with space.
It's a scooter ride past seaweed lagoons and through Bo'a village. There's a warung and not much else. Often it's just a few locals, a few lodge guests or no one. Everyday shortboard, step-up for bigger swells.
-10.913, 122.848 · Big SW swell, SE trades · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Boa
Boa is at its best from May to September. Conditions it likes: Big SW swell, SE trades. This is how the year looks across Sumba & Rote:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Prime | Trades offshore all season, T-Land and Occy's at their best |
| Oct | Good | Warm, clean and very quiet |
| November to March | Quiet | Wet season: smaller waves and very few visitors |
Waves near Boa
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Land | Rote (Nemberala) | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 5 km |
| Do'o | Rote (Nemberala) | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 19 km |
| Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) | West Sumba | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 400 km |
| Marosi | West Sumba | Beach Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 407 km |
| Pero | West Sumba | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 423 km |
| Periscopes | Lakey Peak (Hu'u) | Reef Break | Advanced | 541 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Rote (Nemberala)
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Rote (Nemberala) surf guide →
A week here costs from about $760 with flights from Europe, or around $1,380 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Boa: common questions
When is the best time to surf Boa?
Boa works best from May to September. Ideal conditions: Big SW swell, SE trades.
Is Boa good for beginners?
No. Boa is a wave for advanced surfers.
How crowded is Boa?
Boa is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Boa?
Boa is in Rote (Nemberala), in the Sumba & Rote region of Indonesia (-10.913, 122.848). The nearest wave we cover is T-Land, about 5 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.