Surfing Joysticks: The Complete Guide

Joysticks is a reef break located in Banyak Islands, Indonesia, offering both lefts and rights along Southeast Asia's tropical lineups. Joysticks is the most consistent spot in the Banyak Islands, offering a multi-sectioned wave with both tubing and whackable sections. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SW (220°), with workable conditions from SSW to WSW (200°–240°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Joysticks needs a minimum of 0.9m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 1.8m / 6ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans NE to SE (45°–135°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Joysticks runs April, May, June, July, August, September, October (Apr–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: SW swell season (Apr-Oct), SE trade winds offshore

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 28°C / 82°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is SQN, just a quick 0-minute drive from the break. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $80 USD.

Access: Boat from Simeulue or Singkil

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🏝️ Remote — Far from help

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Joysticks? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Joysticks is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*