Nias

Nias Island

Overview of the Nias

 Nias is a large island located in North Sumatra about 100km from the mainland of all the sumatran offshore islands Nias is the most populated and access is easy via plane or ferry. Apart from the waves nias also has a few things of interest to general tourist such as the traditional villages and stone jumping, the Nias people also have a history as being warriors.

The Waves

 Nias is home to the world famous right hand point of Lagundri bay, there are also other waves although for the size of the island there is a lack of quality reefs, with much of the coast being poor quality beach breaks, most of the other reefs generally need more swell than lagundri bay.

Crowd wise

 Due to Lagundri bay Nias, being one of the best right handers in the world, Lagundri bay is generally has a crowd almost all year round with visiting surfers and a number of locals surfers all wanting a piece of the action, other surf spots in Nias are more hit and miss.

Lagundri bay/The Point- Not the longest but definitely one of the most perfect right's in the world, ever since it's discovery in the 1970's Nias has been a popular surfing destination for thousands of surfers around the world.

The set up is picture perfect a large bay, a backdrop of coconut palms and a perfect right peeling of the point, there is even a small flat water channel (keyhole) that lets you paddle right into the take off zone, often without even getting your hair wet.

The wave itself line's up in a nice long wall, with a fairly easy take off, that lets you set up and then get a nice barrel, come out and either get a few turns in or sometimes if your lucky the wave let you get a second barrel before the wave backs of in deeper water.

Another thing that makes Nias such a great wave is unlike most hollow Indonesian reef breaks the waves even at low tide, break in fairly deep water and the reef is never much of a worry.

Effects of earthquake 2005 on waves in area- In 2005 Nias was badly affected by an earthquake that ruined many waves in the area, however in a freak of nature, the Point at Lagundri bay, actually improved.

Before the quake-Nias was a world class right with an almond shaped barrel, however it needed a solid swell to break, and when smaller only broke on a mellow inside piece of reef known as "kiddies land"

Post quake- The reef has risen a few feet, leaving much of the reef high and dry, however the good news is with this change the wave quality actually improved instead of an almond barrel the barrel is even more hollow and round, even breaking as a perfect barrel at just a few feet, and still holding and breaking perfectly, although somewhat heavier even on the largest swells. Also of note is the wave seems to be a bit longer with often a second barrel section that appears towards the end of the wave.

Sadly however other waves in the area were effected in a negative way (see below)

Indicators- Before the quake this was a hollow and heavy right for experts only located further up the point, now this wave is only for the crazy or true hell men.

The Machine- Located inside Lagundri bay, sadly once again a wave that has been negatively affected by the quake, before the quake it was a quality left breaking on big swells in a machine like fashion, now however word is it rarely breaks at all requiring even larger swells, higher tides and when breaking is nowhere near the quality it once was.

Rock stars-A short hollow right breaking over shallow reef and ending on totally dry reef, located in front of a village with a crowd watching your every move, hence the name "rock stars"

Afulu- A quality left, with a variety of sections including some barrels, wave has also changed since quake.

Other waves- The above spots are the more well known one's, with half a dozen lesser known spots left and rights, reefs and beachie's, of varying quality from fun to super heavy.

Nias island surf camps/resorts

Generally there is only budget accommodation available at Nias with many losmens/home stays located at Lagundri bay/So rake, price range from about $5 to $50 with the cheaper end not including meals while the more expensive options generally include meals and sometimes extras such as transport and laundry.

There is a huge number of basic losmens, and you can either book ahead or turn up and shop around

#prices are per person per night and include meals unless otherwise stated.

Nias key hole surf camp- Located on the point ($55 pp pn) www.niaskeyholesurfcamp.com

Shady Palm beach- Located on the point (About$25 to $30 pp pn) www.shadypalmnias.com

Oichoda surfstay- Located on the point ($ 25 to $30 pp pn), transport and tours also available. www.niasoichodasurfcamp.com/

Aloha surf camp- Located on inside the point. www.nias-accommodation.com

Jamburae lodge- Located on inside of the point ($33 to $38pp pn) www.surfingnias.com

Double H surf camp- ($35 a room 4-5 people meals extra) www.surfcamp-nias.com

Nias lodge-Location unknown(4-8 guest) www.niaslodge.com

Sanali losmen- locate halfway up pt $15-$20 a room, meals extra www.sanalilosmen.jimdo.com

Arico losmen- Located halfway up point $30 US ppn includes meals www.niassurf.com

Sunrise guest rooms and surf camp- located on pt $5-$15 per night, meals extra www.niassurfsunrise.com

Raffiel’s losmen-located on inside of the point www.niassurfcamp.com

Lilys Nias surf camp- www.lilysnias.com

Serius Losmen- Located on the point, contact"Tangkius" on mobile phone +6281397191842

JJ's losman- 5 min from the break. contact: jjslosman@hotmail.com or +6281396498173

Kristov losmen-in front of keyhole, :kristov_wau@yahoo.com call in this number +6281265282009

Other losmens include, Morris losmen, Eddy's losmen, Peeruba losmen, Toho surf, Barriga losmen,Warkop losmen,Yohanes, Michelle, Eddy and Sun beach losmens.

# If you have a friend who has a losmen at Lagundri/Sorake Nias or contact details and would like us to put it up here, send us an E-mail and we will post it here.

Charter boats that focus on the Nias

Due to Nias having limited surf spots with Lagundri bay the main focus, Nias is only visited as part of a charter boat trip that takes in the other Islands North and South such as the Banyaks and The telo's.

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