Tropicals
Tropicals is the softest, most forgiving wave in West Sumbawa, breaking as both lefts and rights on a beautiful white sand beach. The headland provides shelter from certain wind directions, creating a protected zone that often stays clean when other breaks are blown out. It's the go-to spot for beginner-to-intermediate surfers in the area, or for anyone seeking a mellow session in a stunning tropical setting.
Tropicals surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (215°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 230°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.3m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 15° - 75°
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 Tropicals?
Tropicals is a reef break in West Sumbawa, Indonesia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Tropicals?
Tropicals picks up swell from the SSW round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. 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 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.3 to 1.6m. 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 Tropicals?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Tropicals, and anything from the NNE round to the ENE 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 Tropicals?
Tropicals 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 Tropicals?
The most reliable run of swell at Tropicals 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 Tropicals?
The water at Tropicals 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 Tropicals 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 Tropicals?
The nearest airport on our list is SWQ, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Tropicals?
The closest breaks we track are Yo-Yo's (0.8 km), Scar Reef (9.4 km) and Super Suck (17 km), handy when Tropicals isn't working.
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
Yo-Yo's
🌊 West Sumbawa right • Pure fun • Tropical Indo
Scar Reef
🩹 Sumbawa's perfect right • Shallow reef gauntlet • Booties mandatory
Super Suck
💥 West Sumbawa slab • Extreme barrel • Fickle but world-class
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