Scar Reef
Scar Reef lives up to its name with a wave that has left its mark on countless surfers—a perfect, mechanical right-hand barrel breaking over razor-sharp reef in Sumbawa. The wave peels with metronome consistency, offering flawless tube-riding opportunities, but the tradeoff is a bottom that sits terrifyingly close to the surface. Most surfers wear booties here, and even then, reef encounters are considered when, not if. The remoteness adds to both the appeal and the consequence; scoring Scar Reef uncrowded is the dream, but medical facilities are hours away.
Scar Reef surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to LOP, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Southeast Asia is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Southeast Asia — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Scar Reef trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 230°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.1m - 2.9m
- Height multiplier
- 1.03×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
- Danger below
- 0.2m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Boat from Lombok or Sumbawa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Scar Reef?
Scar Reef is a reef break in Sumbawa, Indonesia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Scar Reef?
Scar Reef picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.1 to 2.9m. 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 Scar Reef?
An E wind is dead offshore at Scar Reef, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Scar Reef?
Scar Reef is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart. Below 0.2m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Scar Reef?
The most reliable run of swell at Scar Reef comes Apr to Oct. April-October dry season.
How cold is the water at Scar Reef?
The water at Scar Reef averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Scar Reef good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Very shallow reef. Name says it all - expect cuts.
How do I get to Scar Reef?
The nearest airport on our list is LOP. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $150 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat from Lombok or Sumbawa.
What other surf spots are near Scar Reef?
The closest breaks we track are Super Suck (9.2 km), Yo-Yo's (9.3 km) and Tropicals (9.4 km), handy when Scar Reef isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
April-October dry season.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Super Suck
💥 West Sumbawa slab • Extreme barrel • Fickle but world-class
Yo-Yo's
🌊 West Sumbawa right • Pure fun • Tropical Indo
Tropicals
🌊 West Sumbawa's mellows • White sand beach • Sheltered from wind
Ekas Inside
🌊 Protected Lombok bay • Consistent lefts • Desert Point alternative
Grupuk Bay (Don Don)
🌊 Lombok bay breaks • Boat access • Surf camp vibes
Mawi
🌊 Lombok A-frame • Powerful reef break • Fast lefts and rights