Aceh - Lhoknga surf

Aceh - Lhoknga

Intermediate
Reef break · Moderate · Best: May–October · All tides
Working best in Sumatra now Jimmy's Good · 1.8m @ 9s View →
Conditions right now
Fair
Wave
1.3m
Swell
1.0m
9s · SSW
Period
9s
Wind
15 km/h
N · gust 35
Offshore
Water
29°C
Air
28°C

Surf report

Tide falling · Low 3:00 PM 0.1m
Time Surf Swell Wind Tide
6 AM 1.3 m
1.1m 9s SSW
2 km/h off
0.2m
9 AM 1.3 m
1.1m 9s SSW
7 km/h off
0.6m
12 PM 1.3 m
1.0m 9s S
11 km/h off
0.4m
3 PM 1.3 m
1.0m 9s S
15 km/h off
0.1m
6 PM 1.3 m
1.0m 9s S
12 km/h off
0.3m
Best session today
9 AM–11 AM
Offshore 0.9m swell @ 9s

Next 24 hours

Wave Swell
0.0 0.8 1.5 11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM5 AM8 AM

Wind

Speed Gusts (km/h)
0 25 50 11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PM11 PM2 AM5 AM8 AM

Tide

Low 3:00 PM · 0.1m High 10:00 PM · 0.8m Low 5:00 AM · 0.0m High 10:00 AM · 0.5m
L 3 PM H 10 PM L 5 AM H 10 AM L 4 PM H 10 PM L 5 AM 11 AM5 PM11 PM5 AM11 AM5 PM11 PM5 AM

7-day outlook

Best days
Wed, Oct 28
1.3–1.3m
Thu, Oct 29
1.1–1.3m
Fri, Oct 30
1.0–1.1m
Sat, Oct 31 Best
1.0–1.1m
Sun, Nov 1
0.8–1.0m
Mon, Nov 2
0.7–0.8m
Tue, Nov 3
0.8–0.9m

Hourly detail

Show next 24h
Time Wave Swell Period Wind Tide
11 AM 1.3m 1.0m SSW 9s 15 N off 0.5m
12 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 11 N off 0.4m
1 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 13 NNW off 0.3m
2 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 14 NNW off 0.2m
3 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 15 NNW off 0.1m
4 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 15 NNW off 0.1m
5 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 12 N off 0.2m
6 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 12 N off 0.3m
7 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 11 N off 0.5m
8 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 12 N off 0.7m
9 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 10 N off 0.8m
10 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 11 NNE off 0.8m
11 PM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 9 ENE off 0.7m
12 AM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 9 E cross 0.6m
1 AM 1.3m 1.0m S 9s 8 E cross 0.4m
2 AM 1.3m 0.9m S 9s 7 E cross 0.3m
3 AM 1.3m 0.9m S 9s 7 E cross 0.1m
4 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 6 E cross 0.0m
5 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 6 E cross 0.0m
6 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 6 ESE cross 0.1m
7 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 7 ESE cross 0.2m
8 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 6 ESE cross 0.3m
9 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 6 ENE off 0.5m
10 AM 1.2m 0.9m S 9s 7 NE off 0.5m

About Aceh - Lhoknga

Lhoknga is Aceh's most accessible surf zone, offering punchy reef breaks that fire along the coastline just west of Banda Aceh. The waves tend to be hollow and fast, rewarding surfers who can read a reef and handle a quick takeoff. Intermediates will find plenty of fun on smaller swells, while bigger pulses push the quality up a notch. The relaxed local atmosphere and relatively uncrowded lineup make it a rewarding stop on a Sumatran surf trip.

Local knowledge

Hazards

The reef at Lhoknga is shallow and unforgiving on lower tides — live coral and sharp rock can do serious damage on a wipeout, so reef boots and a rashguard are sensible precautions. A strong lateral current runs along the bay on bigger swells and can sweep you off the peak quickly, so keep your bearings relative to landmarks onshore. Sea urchins lurk in the shallower sections near the entry and exit; shuffle your feet and exit cautiously.

Getting there

From Banda Aceh head west on Jalan Lhoknga (roughly 20 km); the main break is signposted and there is roadside parking near the warung strip overlooking the bay. Paddle out from the sandy channel on the north side of the reef to avoid scrambling over coral — time your entry between sets and use the same channel to come in. A few local surf camps and warungs right on the beach make it easy to get your bearings before paddling out.

Board

A versatile shortboard (6'0"–6'4") handles the punchy, hollow conditions well across the typical swell range; bring a step-up (6'6"+) if a solid Sumatra groundswell is forecast. On smaller, mushier days a fish or hybrid will keep the session fun and help you generate speed through the flatter sections.

Localism

mellow — relaxed vibe.

Where to go now

Aceh - Lhoknga vs. nearby, live
Spot Surf Swell Wind Now
Aceh - Lhoknga
this spot
1.3m
1.0m 9s
15 off
Fair
Aceh - Lampuuk Best now
2 km away
1.3m
1.0m 9s
10 off
Good
326 km away
0.7m
0.6m 9s
6 on
Good
328 km away
0.9m
0.7m 10s
3 off
Good

Community photos

Shots from surfers at Aceh - Lhoknga. Got one? Share it below.

No community photos yet — be the first to share one of Aceh - Lhoknga!

Nearest spots

Closest breaks to Aceh - Lhoknga

Surf schools & local guides near Aceh - Lhoknga

Learn or level up with established local instructors.

List your school →
Lampuuk Surfschool

Lampuuk Surfschool

★ 5.0

F64V+2J5, Mon Ikeun, Lhoknga, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh 23353, Indonesia

3 Google reviews

Gosurfschool_aceh

Gosurfschool_aceh

★ 4.8

F64V+HHG, Jl. Banda Aceh - Calang, Mon Ikeun, Kec. Lhoknga, Kabupaten Aceh Besar, Aceh 23371, Indonesia

19 Google reviews

Lampuuk Surfschool Surf Lesson Area

Lampuuk Surfschool Surf Lesson Area

★ 4.7

F6JJ+VM4, Meunasah Lambaro, Lhoknga, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh 23371, Indonesia

3 Google reviews

Surf camps & retreats

Stay at a surf camp near Aceh - Lhoknga

All-inclusive surf camps, coaching weeks and retreats — meals, lessons and accommodation sorted. Compare 1,500+ verified camps with reviews and instant booking.

  • ✓ Free cancellation options
  • ✓ Best price guarantee
  • ✓ All levels, beginner to pro
Browse surf camps →

We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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).