Periscopes
Periscopes is a long, rippable right reef break in East Sumbawa that produces tight barrels over a safe reef platform. The wave works best at high tide and provides a quality alternative to Lakey Peak, offering longer rides with good barrel and turn sections. Its exposure to dry season SE trade winds can cause afternoon blow-out, making morning sessions essential for clean conditions.
Periscopes surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (205°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 330° - 30°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- high
- Optimal range
- 1m - 2m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
4/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Periscopes?
Periscopes is a reef break in East Sumbawa, Indonesia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Periscopes?
Periscopes picks up swell from the S 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 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. 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 Periscopes?
A N wind is dead offshore at Periscopes, and anything from the NNW round to the NNE 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 Periscopes?
Periscopes is at its best around high tide, roughly 1m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Periscopes?
The most reliable run of swell at Periscopes 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 Periscopes?
The water at Periscopes 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 Periscopes 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: strong rips and sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Periscopes?
The nearest airport on our list is BMU, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Periscopes?
The closest breaks we track are Lakey Pipe (1.6 km), Nungas (1.6 km) and Lakey Peak (2.1 km), handy when Periscopes isn't working. We track 4 spots around East Sumbawa in total.
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.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Lakey Pipe
🌊 Heavier than Lakey Peak • Fast hollow left • Bodyboarder favourite
Nungas
🌊 200m+ left rides • Fun Sumbawa waves • Near Lakey Peak
Lakey Peak
🔺 Perfect A-frame • Sumbawa's gem • Indonesia's most reliable
Cobblestones
🌊 Near Lakey Peak • Fun channel break • Lefts and rights
Pero Lefts
🌊 Sumba's most consistent • Big bowl barrels • Holds any size
Pantai Morosi
🌊 Near Nihiwatu • No resort restrictions • West Sumba quality