Lagundri Bay
Lagundri Bay (The Point, Nias) is one of the world's most celebrated right-hand barrels—a mechanical reef point that produces long tube rides when solid SW swells wrap into the bay. The 2005 earthquake actually improved the wave by lifting the reef, making it hollower and longer. The takeoff is vertical, the tube is cylindrical, and the rides are long. The setting on Nias Island is remote and culturally rich. Getting there requires effort, but the potential for perfect barrels makes it worth every mile.
Lagundri Bay 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 GNS, 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 Lagundri Bay 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
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 270°
- Size range
- 1m - 4.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.6m - 3.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Offshore range
- 270° - 340°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.5m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Fly to Gunungsitoli, drive to Sorake Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Lagundri Bay?
Lagundri Bay is a reef break in Nias, Indonesia, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Lagundri Bay?
Australian surfers Kevin Lovett, John Geisel and Peter Troy first found the wave in 1975. Erik Aeder shot an epic photo here in 1978: a perfect right-hander with a fisherman perched in the channel.
What swell works best at Lagundri Bay?
Lagundri Bay picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 4.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.6 to 3.6m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Lagundri Bay?
A WNW wind is dead offshore at Lagundri Bay, and anything from the W round to the NNW 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 Lagundri Bay?
Lagundri Bay is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.5m on the local chart. Below 0.3m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Lagundri Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Lagundri Bay comes May to Aug. There's a second window in Apr and Sep to Oct too. May-Oct dry season. The 2005 earthquake improved the wave.
How cold is the water at Lagundri Bay?
The water at Lagundri Bay 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 Lagundri Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Shallow seaweed-covered reef. Vertical drops. Post-earthquake reef is shallower.
How do I get to Lagundri Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is GNS, then it's roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Fly to Gunungsitoli, drive to Sorake Beach.
What other surf spots are near Lagundri Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Sebatu (0.5 km), Indicators (0.6 km) and Walo Hiu (3.1 km), handy when Lagundri Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Aug
Secondary: Apr, Sep, Oct
May-Oct dry season. The 2005 earthquake improved the wave.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Sebatu
🌋 Nias big wave • Outside the bay • Heavy and hollow
Indicators
🌊 Nias barrel right • High tide perfection • Dangerous low tide reef
Walo Hiu
🌊 Nias's heaviest left • 10-second barrels • 30min jungle walk
8-Frame
🌊 East Nias tube right • Near Hilistaro • Less-visited quality
Rockstar
🌊 East Nias right • Fun alternative • 25km from Lagundri
Asu
🏝️ Hinako left reef • Remote perfection • Adventure required
Plan a trip around Lagundri Bay
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.