Lafau
IntermediateSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.2 m | 0.9m 10s SSW | 3 km/h off | 0.9m |
| 9 AM | 1.2 m | 1.0m 10s SSW | 2 km/h cross | 0.4m |
| 12 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 11s S | 6 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 10s S | 3 km/h on | 0.5m |
| 6 PM | 1.3 m | 1.1m 10s S | 0 km/h off | 0.6m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s S | 6 km/h off | 1.0m |
| 9 AM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s SSW | 2 km/h on | 0.6m |
| 12 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s SSW | 3 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 3 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s SSW | 6 km/h on | 0.4m |
| 6 PM | 1.3 m | 1.2m 10s SSW | 4 km/h on | 0.6m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.2 m | 1.0m 11s S | 6 km/h cross | 1.1m |
| 9 AM | 1.2 m | 1.0m 10s S | 3 km/h on | 0.8m |
| 12 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 10s S | 8 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 10s SSW | 4 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 6 PM | 1.1 m | 1.0m 10s S | 5 km/h cross | 0.6m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 1.0 m | 0.9m 9s S | 8 km/h off | 1.0m |
| 9 AM | 1.0 m | 0.9m 9s S | 6 km/h cross | 0.9m |
| 12 PM | 1.0 m | 0.8m 8s S | 7 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 1.0 m | 0.7m 8s S | 8 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 6 PM | 1.0 m | 0.7m 8s S | 4 km/h on | 0.6m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
Show next 24h Hide
| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 AM | 1.2m | 1.0m SSW | 10s | 1 WSW cross | 0.6m |
| 9 AM | 1.2m | 1.0m SSW | 10s | 2 WNW cross | 0.4m |
| 10 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m SSW | 11s | 1 NNW off | 0.3m |
| 11 AM | 1.2m | 1.1m SSW | 11s | 4 S on | 0.2m |
| 12 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 11s | 6 SSW on | 0.2m |
| 1 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 11s | 4 SSW on | 0.3m |
| 2 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 11s | 3 SSW on | 0.4m |
| 3 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 3 SE on | 0.5m |
| 4 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 5 S on | 0.6m |
| 5 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 1 SW on | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 0 NE off | 0.6m |
| 7 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 2 E cross | 0.5m |
| 8 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 4 E cross | 0.4m |
| 9 PM | 1.3m | 1.1m S | 10s | 6 ENE off | 0.3m |
| 10 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m S | 10s | 6 E cross | 0.2m |
| 11 PM | 1.3m | 1.2m S | 10s | 5 ENE cross | 0.2m |
| 12 AM | 1.4m | 1.1m S | 10s | 7 ENE cross | 0.2m |
| 1 AM | 1.4m | 1.1m S | 10s | 7 ENE off | 0.4m |
| 2 AM | 1.4m | 1.2m S | 10s | 7 ENE cross | 0.6m |
| 3 AM | 1.4m | 1.2m S | 11s | 6 ENE cross | 0.8m |
| 4 AM | 1.4m | 1.3m S | 11s | 7 ENE cross | 0.9m |
| 5 AM | 1.4m | 1.2m S | 11s | 8 ENE cross | 1.0m |
| 6 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m S | 10s | 6 ENE off | 1.0m |
| 7 AM | 1.3m | 1.2m S | 10s | 3 NNE off | 0.9m |
About Lafau
Lafau is a satisfying reef break in the Nias region that produces smooth, well-defined waves ideal for intermediate surfers looking to flow through longer rides. The wave's shape encourages linking turns and finding rhythm on the face, making each session feel rewarding. It's a welcoming spot that captures the best of what Nias reef surfing has to offer at an accessible level.
Local knowledge
The reef is shallow at low tide — sharp coral and sea urchins are the primary hazard, so reef booties are strongly recommended. A moderate rip runs along the channel on bigger swells that can push you away from the take-off zone; use it to your advantage paddling out but watch it on the way in. Boat traffic from passing fishing vessels and surf charters can be an issue in the channel, so stay alert when paddling across.
Lafau is accessible by road from Teluk Dalam — follow the coastal track north and look for the cluster of warungs near the beach that serve as the main landmark. Park up near the beach, walk to the rocky shoreline entry point, and time your paddle-out via the deeper channel to the right to avoid the reef shelf. Exit the same way through the channel; avoid stepping directly onto the reef at low tide.
A versatile shortboard in the 6'2"–6'6" range suits Lafau's smooth, lined-up faces on standard swell — something with a bit of volume lets you flow through its longer sections comfortably. On smaller, mushier days bring a fish or mid-length to keep speed through the flatter parts of the wave; step up to a rounded-pin if a solid swell pushes the size past head-high.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
Where to go now
Lafau vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafau Best now this spot | 1.2m | 1.0m 10s | 1 cross | Good |
| 18 km away | 1.2m | 0.9m 10s | 1 cross | Good |
| 18 km away | 1.2m | 0.9m 10s | 5 cross | Good |
| 19 km away | 1.2m | 1.0m 11s | 5 off | Good |
Community photos
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Surfing in Nias
Full Nias surf guide →Off the west coast of North Sumatra, Nias is one of Indonesia's true surf landmarks — home to Lagundri Bay, the right-hand point at the island's southern tip that put the country on the world surf map back in the 1970s. It's a place of pilgrimage, where a single peeling wall over coral has drawn travelling surfers for decades.
✈️Getting there
Most surfers fly into Binaka Airport (GNS) at Gunungsitoli in the north of Nias, usually via Medan (Kualanamu, KNO) on a short domestic hop with Wings Air or similar. From Bali or Jakarta you'll connect through Medan.
🛵Getting around
At Lagundri Bay everything is walkable — the losmen sit right along the point, and you can paddle out from the steps. Many guests don't need transport at all once settled.
🌤️Climate & season
Nias has a tropical equatorial climate — warm and humid year-round, with water temperatures sitting around 27–29°C, so boardshorts and a rash guard are plenty (boots for the reef, not warmth).