Monkeys surf

Monkeys

Intermediate
Reef break · Moderate · Best: May–October · All tides
Working best in Nias now Lagundri Bay / The Point Epic · 2.1m @ 13s View →
Conditions right now
Good
Wave
0.8m
Swell
0.7m
11s · SSW
Period
11s
Wind
4 km/h
S · gust 6
Onshore
Water
31°C
Air
27°C

Surf report

Tide rising · High 3:00 AM 0.9m
Time Surf Swell Wind Tide
6 AM 0.8 m
0.7m 10s SSW
6 km/h on
0.7m
9 AM 0.8 m
0.7m 10s SSW
10 km/h cross
0.3m
12 PM 0.8 m
0.7m 10s SSW
10 km/h cross
0.5m
3 PM 0.8 m
0.7m 10s SSW
2 km/h on
0.7m
6 PM 0.8 m
0.7m 10s SSW
8 km/h on
0.5m
Best session today
12 PM–2 PM
Cross-shore 0.7m swell @ 10s

Next 24 hours

Wave Swell
0.0 0.8 1.5 12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Wind

Speed Gusts (km/h)
0 15 30 12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Tide

High 3:00 AM · 0.9m Low 9:00 AM · 0.3m High 3:00 PM · 0.7m Low 9:00 PM · 0.3m
H 3 AM L 9 AM H 3 PM L 9 PM H 4 AM L 10 AM H 4 PM L 10 PM 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM

7-day outlook

Best days
Fri, Jun 12
0.7–0.8m
Sat, Jun 13 Best
0.7–0.7m
Sun, Jun 14
0.7–0.7m
Mon, Jun 15
0.7–0.7m
Tue, Jun 16
0.6–0.7m
Wed, Jun 17
0.6–0.6m
Thu, Jun 18
0.6–0.6m

Hourly detail

Show next 24h
Time Wave Swell Period Wind Tide
12 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 11s 4 S on 0.7m
1 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 11s 5 SE cross 0.8m
2 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 11s 9 ESE cross 0.9m
3 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 11s 7 SE cross 0.9m
4 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 8 SE cross 0.9m
5 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 7 SE on 0.8m
6 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 6 SSE on 0.7m
7 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 8 SSE on 0.5m
8 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 9 SE cross 0.4m
9 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 10 ESE cross 0.3m
10 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 11 ESE cross 0.3m
11 AM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 11 E cross 0.4m
12 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 10 E cross 0.5m
1 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 7 E cross 0.6m
2 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 2 ESE cross 0.7m
3 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 2 SW on 0.7m
4 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 2 SW on 0.7m
5 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 4 SSE on 0.6m
6 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 8 SSW on 0.5m
7 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 7 S on 0.4m
8 PM 0.8m 0.7m SSW 10s 9 SE cross 0.3m
9 PM 0.7m 0.7m SSW 10s 11 SE cross 0.3m
10 PM 0.7m 0.7m SSW 10s 10 SSE on 0.3m
11 PM 0.7m 0.7m SSW 10s 10 SSE on 0.4m

About Monkeys

Monkeys is a lively reef break that keeps things entertaining with its punchy, unpredictable sections. Intermediate surfers will enjoy the wave's energy and the opportunity it provides for sharp, reactive surfing. The atmosphere in the water tends to be relaxed, making it a sociable and enjoyable session.

Local knowledge

Hazards

The reef is shallow, sharp and live coral — a wipeout on a low-tide set can put you on the bottom fast, so booties are strongly advised. Watch for rips that develop along the reef edge on bigger swells, and keep an eye on boat and speedboat traffic in the channel as water taxis move through the area regularly.

Getting there

Monkeys is best accessed by boat from Sorake or Lagundri Bay — a short 5–10 minute ride puts you right on the peak. Most surf camps and local boat operators on Nias' south coast offer day trips or drop-offs; confirm pickup arrangements before paddling out as the channel can be awkward to swim in if you miss your boat.

Board

A versatile shortboard or a mid-length fun shape works well for Monkeys' punchy, unpredictable sections on everyday swell. Step up to a slightly stiffer, higher-volume shortboard when the swell pushes overhead, giving you the drive to handle the reef's sharp lips.

Localism

mellow — relaxed vibe.

Where to go now

Monkeys vs. nearby, live
Spot Surf Swell Wind Now
Monkeys Best now
this spot
0.8m
0.7m 11s
4 on
Good
2 km away
0.8m
0.7m 11s
4 on
Good
5 km away
0.8m
0.7m 11s
4 on
Good
GTs
6 km away
0.8m
0.7m 11s
4 on
Good

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Surf schools & local guides near Monkeys

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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).