Natal
IntermediateSurf report
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 0.3 m | 0.1m 7s W | 4 km/h on | 1.1m |
| 9 AM | 0.3 m | 0.1m 10s WSW | 6 km/h on | 0.4m |
| 12 PM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 10s WSW | 8 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 3 km/h on | 0.6m |
| 6 PM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 5 km/h on | 0.7m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 6 km/h off | 1.3m |
| 9 AM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 4 km/h cross | 0.6m |
| 12 PM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 4 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 0.3 m | 0.2m 9s W | 8 km/h on | 0.4m |
| 6 PM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 9s W | 5 km/h cross | 0.8m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 8s W | 5 km/h off | 1.3m |
| 9 AM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 8s W | 4 km/h off | 0.8m |
| 12 PM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 8s W | 12 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 3 PM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 8s W | 6 km/h on | 0.2m |
| 6 PM | 0.2 m | 0.2m 8s W | 4 km/h cross | 0.7m |
| Time | Surf | Swell | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 AM | 0.2 m | 0.1m 7s WSW | 7 km/h off | 1.1m |
| 9 AM | 0.2 m | 0.1m 8s WSW | 3 km/h off | 1.0m |
| 12 PM | 0.2 m | 0.1m 8s WSW | 9 km/h on | 0.3m |
| 3 PM | 0.2 m | 0.1m 7s W | 7 km/h on | 0.1m |
| 6 PM | 0.2 m | 0.1m 7s W | 5 km/h off | 0.6m |
Next 24 hours
Wind
Tide
7-day outlook
Best days Hourly detail
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| Time | Wave | Swell | Period | Wind | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 AM | 0.3m | 0.1m W | 8s | 5 NW on | 0.6m |
| 9 AM | 0.3m | 0.1m WSW | 10s | 6 NW on | 0.4m |
| 10 AM | 0.3m | 0.1m WSW | 11s | 6 NW on | 0.2m |
| 11 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m WSW | 11s | 10 WNW on | 0.1m |
| 12 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m WSW | 10s | 8 WNW on | 0.1m |
| 1 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 9 W on | 0.2m |
| 2 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 12 WSW on | 0.4m |
| 3 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 3 W on | 0.6m |
| 4 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 4 NNW cross | 0.7m |
| 5 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 4 NNW cross | 0.8m |
| 6 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 5 WNW on | 0.7m |
| 7 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 3 N cross | 0.6m |
| 8 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 6 NNE off | 0.4m |
| 9 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 6 NE off | 0.2m |
| 10 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 5 NNE cross | 0.1m |
| 11 PM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 1 ENE off | 0.1m |
| 12 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 2 ESE off | 0.1m |
| 1 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 6 ENE off | 0.3m |
| 2 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 4 ENE off | 0.6m |
| 3 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 4 NE off | 0.8m |
| 4 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 4 ENE off | 1.1m |
| 5 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 5 ENE off | 1.2m |
| 6 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 6 E off | 1.3m |
| 7 AM | 0.3m | 0.2m W | 9s | 7 ESE off | 1.1m |
About Natal
Natal sits on Sumatra's remote west coast, where the Indian Ocean delivers consistent swells to a series of reef setups that rarely see outside surfers. The waves are typically powerful and barreling on the better days, demanding respect from anyone paddling out. Intermediates comfortable on open-face reef waves will find rewarding rides when conditions align. The journey here is part of the adventure — expect rugged roads and limited services in exchange for uncrowded, quality surf.
Local knowledge
Shallow, sharp reef is the primary danger — wipeouts at low tide can result in serious lacerations, and sea urchins lurk in the cracks, so booties are strongly recommended. Powerful Indian Ocean swells can produce heavy hold-downs and unpredictable rip currents that run along the reef edge, so never surf alone. Boat traffic from local fishing vessels is sporadic but real, especially near the channel.
Natal is reached via a long overland drive on rough Trans-Sumatra roads — most surfers fly into Padang or Medan and self-drive or charter a 4WD for the final stretch. The reef is accessed by paddling out through a channel near the main fishing village; look for the cluster of jukung (outrigger fishing boats) on the beach as your landmark. There are no dedicated surf warungs, but basic food and water can be found in the town of Natal itself, a short ride from the break.
A versatile shortboard in the 6'2"–6'6" range handles the typical punchy, barreling reef conditions well; bring a step-up (6'6"–7'0") for the bigger, more powerful swells that roll in during peak season. A fish or a mid-length is worth packing for smaller, mushier days when the swell drops off.
mellow — relaxed vibe.
Where to go now
Natal vs. nearby, live| Spot | Surf | Swell | Wind | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natal this spot | 0.3m | 0.1m 8s | 5 on | Poor–Fair |
| 110 km away | 0.3m | 0.2m 8s | 4 on | Poor–Fair |
| The Bubble Best now 110 km away | 0.6m | 0.4m 8s | 4 on | Fair |
| 113 km away | 0.6m | 0.4m 8s | 4 on | Fair |
Community photos
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Surfing in Sumatra
Full Sumatra surf guide →Sumatra is Indonesia's wild western frontier — the sixth-largest island on earth and arguably the country's deepest, most varied surf zone. Where Bali trades on crowds and nightlife, Sumatra deals in space, jungle backdrops and waves that still feel earned. The swell window here is enormous: the same Indian Ocean groundswells that light up the rest of the archipelago hit Sumatra's exposed western flank first, raw and unfiltered.
✈️Getting there
Most surf trips funnel through Padang, the launch point for the Mentawais, Telos and Banyaks. Fly into Padang (Minangkabau Airport, PDG) via Jakarta — and Jakarta connects to Bali and international hubs like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
🛵Getting around
On the Sumatran mainland and on Nias, a scooter is the cheap, flexible standard — expect potholed roads, livestock and long, scenic distances between zones. Around Krui the coastal road links a string of spots over many kilometres, so a bike (or a hired car with driver for groups and boards) earns its keep.
🌤️Climate & season
Sumatra straddles the equator, so it's hot and humid year-round with water warm enough for boardshorts (a rashguard or 1mm top is plenty).