Kolbano
Kolbano is a left reef break on the south-facing coast of West Timor, intercepting Indian Ocean groundswell that wraps around the southern Indonesian archipelago. The wave should be offshore in the NE trade winds during the dry season, providing clean conditions on S-SW swell. As one of the least-surfed quality breaks in Indonesia, it offers genuine discovery potential for adventurous surfers willing to explore beyond the beaten track.
Kolbano surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (212°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 230°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (22°)
- Offshore range
- 352° - 52°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
4/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Kolbano?
Kolbano is a reef break in West Timor, Indonesia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Kolbano?
Kolbano picks up swell from the SSW round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Kolbano?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Kolbano, and anything from the N round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Kolbano?
Kolbano is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Kolbano?
The most reliable run of swell at Kolbano comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
How cold is the water at Kolbano?
The water at Kolbano averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Kolbano good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Things to watch for: sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Kolbano?
The nearest airport on our list is KOE, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.