Simeulue · Indonesia
Surfing Tea Bags
A reef break in Simeulue, Indonesia, for intermediate surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd1/5
The wave
Tea Bags is an A-frame on Simeulue with a short right and a longer left. The name comes from the river nearby, which stains the water brown like tea.
It's one of the easier waves on the island, forgiving at 2-6ft with time on the takeoff and enough depth over the reef for intermediates. Mornings in the NE season are glassy, and most tides work.
Local kids often share the waves, and the losmen cook whatever was caught that day. A fish or a mid-length is the right board.
2.52, 96.3 · SW swell, E-NE wind · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Tea Bags
Tea Bags is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: SW swell, E-NE 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 Tea Bags
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailands | Simeulue | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 10 km |
| Afulu | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced | 171 km |
| Asu | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 210 km |
| Bawa (North Nias) | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 212 km |
| Sorake Beach | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 275 km |
| Lagundri Bay-Nias | Nias / Lagundri Bay | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 275 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Simeulue
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Simeulue 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 →
Tea Bags: common questions
When is the best time to surf Tea Bags?
Tea Bags works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: SW swell, E-NE wind.
Is Tea Bags good for beginners?
No. Tea Bags is a wave for intermediate surfers.
How crowded is Tea Bags?
Tea Bags is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Tea Bags?
Tea Bags is in Simeulue, in the Sumatra-Nias region of Indonesia (2.52, 96.3). The nearest wave we cover is Thailands, about 10 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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