Nembrala Beach surf

Nembrala Beach

Beginner
Reef break · Moderate · Best: June–September · All tides
Working best in Rote now Do'o Epic · 1.8m @ 13s View →
Conditions right now
Good
Wave
1.8m
Swell
1.4m
13s · SW
Period
13s
Wind
22 km/h
E · gust 36
Offshore
Water
28°C
Air
27°C

Surf report

Tide rising · High 7:00 AM 1.5m
Time Surf Swell Wind Tide
6 AM 1.7 m
1.5m 13s SW
20 km/h off
1.4m
9 AM 1.7 m
1.5m 13s SW
24 km/h off
1.1m
12 PM 1.7 m
1.4m 13s SW
22 km/h cross
-0.1m
3 PM 1.7 m
1.4m 13s SW
26 km/h off
-0.4m
6 PM 1.6 m
1.3m 12s SW
22 km/h cross
0.6m
Best session today
6 AM–8 AM
Offshore 1.5m swell @ 13s

Next 24 hours

Wave Swell
0.0 1.3 2.5 12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Wind

Speed Gusts (km/h)
0 30 60 12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Tide

High 7:00 AM · 1.5m Low 2:00 PM · -0.5m High 8:00 PM · 1.0m Low 1:00 AM · 0.0m
H 7 AM L 2 PM H 8 PM L 1 AM H 8 AM L 3 PM H 9 PM 12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM

7-day outlook

Best days
Fri, Jun 12 Best
1.6–1.8m
Sat, Jun 13
1.3–1.6m
Sun, Jun 14
1.3–1.3m
Mon, Jun 15
1.1–1.3m
Tue, Jun 16
1.0–1.1m
Wed, Jun 17
1.0–1.1m
Thu, Jun 18
1.0–1.1m

Hourly detail

Show next 24h
Time Wave Swell Period Wind Tide
12 AM 1.8m 1.4m SW 13s 22 E off 0.0m
1 AM 1.8m 1.4m SW 13s 21 E off 0.0m
2 AM 1.8m 1.4m SW 13s 22 E off 0.2m
3 AM 1.8m 1.4m SW 13s 22 E off 0.5m
4 AM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 20 E off 0.8m
5 AM 1.7m 1.5m SW 13s 19 E off 1.2m
6 AM 1.7m 1.5m SW 13s 20 E off 1.4m
7 AM 1.7m 1.5m SW 13s 20 E off 1.5m
8 AM 1.7m 1.5m SW 13s 24 E off 1.4m
9 AM 1.7m 1.5m SW 13s 24 E off 1.1m
10 AM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 23 ESE off 0.7m
11 AM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 22 ESE off 0.3m
12 PM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 22 ESE off -0.1m
1 PM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 26 ESE off -0.4m
2 PM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 26 ESE off -0.5m
3 PM 1.7m 1.4m SW 13s 26 ESE off -0.4m
4 PM 1.6m 1.4m SW 13s 26 ESE off -0.1m
5 PM 1.6m 1.4m SW 13s 25 ESE off 0.3m
6 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 22 ESE cross 0.6m
7 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 22 ESE cross 0.9m
8 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 22 ESE cross 1.0m
9 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 22 ESE off 0.9m
10 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 21 ESE off 0.7m
11 PM 1.6m 1.3m SW 12s 21 ESE off 0.5m

About Nembrala Beach

Nembrala Beach offers the gentlest introduction to surfing on Rote Island, with softer, slower waves breaking over a more forgiving section of reef closer to shore. Beginners can find their feet here without the intimidation of the heavier breaks just up the coast, though some care around the reef is still advised at lower tides. The stunning backdrop of Nembrala village and the turquoise Savu Sea makes every session feel special. It's an ideal spot to build confidence before venturing out to T-Land.

Local knowledge

Hazards

Even at this mellower section, the reef is live coral and can be sharp — at low tide it gets uncomfortably shallow, so time your sessions around mid-to-high tide to avoid scrapes and cuts. Sea urchins lurk in the reef crevices, so always wear reef booties and never put your hands down on the bottom. A moderate shore-side current can develop on bigger swells pushing through from the Indian Ocean, so keep your bearings relative to the beach and your entry point.

Getting there

Nembrala village is roughly a 45-minute drive on sealed and dirt road from Ba'a, Rote's main town — most surfers stay in one of the warungs or guesthouses right on the beachfront strip, putting you steps from the water. Entry is straightforward off the sandy beach in front of the village; paddle out through the channel on the right side of the break to avoid the worst of the reef on your way out. Exit back through the same channel and watch the timing between sets — don't let a lull lull you into scrambling over dry reef.

Board

A longboard or a chunky mid-length (8'0"–9'6") is the go-to here — the slower, softer walls are made for nose-riding and give beginners the time and platform to build fundamentals. On the rare bigger swell, a versatile funboard or fish will keep things fun without overwhelming a progressing surfer.

Localism

mellow — relaxed vibe.

Where to go now

Nembrala Beach vs. nearby, live
Spot Surf Swell Wind Now
Nembrala Beach Best now
this spot
1.8m
1.4m 13s
22 off
Good
1 km away
1.8m
1.4m 13s
22 off
Good
1 km away
1.8m
1.4m 13s
22 off
Good
1 km away
1.6m
1.2m 13s
22 off
Good

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Nearest spots

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Surf schools & local guides near Nembrala Beach

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Nemberala Beach Surf School

Nemberala Beach Surf School

★ 5.0

Rt. 01/Rw. 01 Desa Sedeoen, Nemberala, Rote Barat, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 85982, Indonesia

32 Google reviews

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Surfing in Rote

Full Rote surf guide →

Rote is Indonesia's southernmost inhabited island, a low, dry, sun-bleached slip of land hanging off the bottom of Timor in East Nusa Tenggara. It's about as far from the Bali crowds as you can get and still find world-class surf — which is exactly the point. The scene revolves around the village of Nemberala (Nembrala) on the west coast, where a string of guesthouses, surf camps and warungs line up behind the reef.

✈️Getting there

Reaching Rote is half the adventure. First fly to Kupang (Timor) — El Tari Airport (KOE) — via Bali (Denpasar) or Jakarta, usually with a connection. From Kupang's Bolok harbour you take the fast ferry across to Rote's port at Ba'a, a crossing of roughly 1.5–2 hours; a slower car ferry also runs but takes longer.

🛵Getting around

Once you're in Nemberala, most of the popular waves are close — T-Land, Boa and the beach breaks are within easy reach, and several spots are walkable or a short paddle from the main strip.

🌤️Climate & season

Rote has a pronounced dry, savanna-like climate — drier than Bali and noticeably so. The dry season runs roughly May to October and is the surf season: this is when consistent groundswell arrives and the dependable southeast trade winds groom the west-coast lefts, holding most of the season's offshore conditions.