West Sumba · Indonesia
Surfing Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)
A reef break in West Sumba, Indonesia, for advanced and pro surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced / Pro
- Size3-10 ft
- Best monthsMay-Sep
- Crowd1/5
The wave
Occy's Left is a long, hollow left on the reef at Nihiwatu, on the west coast of Sumba. Only guests of the Nihi resort can surf it, and there's a limit of ten surfers a day.
The takeoff is easy to get into and the wave bends down the point with walls and barrels. It's consistent right through the dry season. It works from 3ft to 10ft on SE trades.
You book your surf slot along with your villa, and if you're not staying there you can only look from the beach. Sumba itself is very different from Bali, with horses on the beach, traditional villages and megalithic tombs inland, and not many tourists.
-9.777, 119.38 · SW swell, SE trades · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)
Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) is at its best from May to September. Conditions it likes: 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 Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marosi | West Sumba | Beach Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 8 km |
| Pero | West Sumba | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 25 km |
| Periscopes | Lakey Peak (Hu'u) | Reef Break | Advanced | 155 km |
| Lakey Peak | Lakey Peak (Hu'u) | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 155 km |
| Cobblestones | Lakey Peak (Hu'u) | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 155 km |
| Lakey Pipe | Lakey Peak (Hu'u) | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 155 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around West Sumba
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the West Sumba 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 →
Occy's Left (Nihiwatu): common questions
When is the best time to surf Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)?
Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) works best from May to September. Ideal conditions: SW swell, SE trades.
Is Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) good for beginners?
No. Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) is a wave for advanced and pro surfers.
How crowded is Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)?
Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) is usually empty: 1 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Occy's Left (Nihiwatu)?
Occy's Left (Nihiwatu) is in West Sumba, in the Sumba & Rote region of Indonesia (-9.777, 119.38). The nearest wave we cover is Marosi, about 8 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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