Savu and Rote
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Positives
- Mellow, accessible waves
- Cheap losman options
- Few boat charter crowds
- Perfect dry season weather
Negatives
- Narrow swell window
- Strong mid-morning trades
- T-Land crowds
- Isolated spots with no land access
Savu and Rote surf travel guide
Savu and Rote is the end of the line for Indian Ocean SW swells as they get squeezed between Nusa Tenggara and Australia. This region cops stronger ESE trade winds than most places in Indonesia, which often brings cross-chop to line-ups that look like they should be offshore. Nemberala has become the centre of this region as an often older demographic come here to take on the large rollers at T-Land. There's been a tourist infrastructure building boom with larger hotels and resorts now moving in to this beautiful bay where low-rise losmens were the only option a decade ago. The inside sections of the point and flukey waves around the curve of sand offer some options for learners, making this a flexible destination. Nearby, some seriously challenging waves lurk, but many rely on off-season winds to be any good. Like Sumba, there are more breaks to be sniffed out, but wind direction and strength will be critical, as will the direction that the swell arrives through the narrow SSW to WSW window. Most swells arrive between 210º and 230º so just a small sliver either side of SW. Proper W swells from around 270º are always windswell with a period below 10secs. The south coasts of both Rote and West Timor are SW swell exposed and usually blown-out at a couple of obvious reef set-ups, but it soon transforms into long sandy beaches and large rivermouths bringing sediment from the mountainous interior and attracting increasing numbers of saltwater crocs!
Surf spots in Savu and Rote
Research the 14 surf breaks in Savu and Rote and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 14 breaks in Savu and Rote.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Savu and Rote
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Savu and Rote.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Population
- 10,625,566
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- IDR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 14,080 IDR IDR
Cost of living
Communication
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesian (official) and other local dialects by island
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cf
Visas
Citizens of another 87 countries are eligible to obtain one of the following visas:
- Electronic Visa On Arrival (e-VOA/B213)
- Electronic Visitor Visa
- Social, Tourist, or Cultural Visa (B211)
- Free Visa Stamp
- Multiple Entry Visa
Some passport holders are eligible to apply for an online e-VOA or Visitor Visa, otherwise, you must obtain a visa in advance at an Indonesian embassy or consulate. If you get the e-VOA before you arrive, you have the option to extend by simply filling out a new Indonesia eVisa application form online, but must first leave the country in order to request a new visa.
Visas issued at the airport on arrival can only be extended through an immigration office, which should be done 14-7 days before expiry.
Visitor Visa is a single-entry visa valid for a 30-day stay in Indonesia with the purpose of Tourism, Government visits, Business Meetings, Goods Purchasing, or Transit only and is not extendable.
The B211 is a 60-day visa for visiting family, friends or an employment trial and can be extended 3 times by 30-days. More hoops to jump through including being sponsored by an eligible Guarantor. Cost IDR 2,000,000.
9 neighbouring countries get a Free Visa Stamp for stays of up to 30 days maximum with no extensions permitted (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam).
Multi Entry, investment, sport and journalist 60-day visas are available through the main portal.
The 30-day e-VOA & Visitor Visa fee is IDR 500.000. You may be asked for proof of your return flight details and proof of financial resources.
DO NOT overstay as the fines aren’t cheap (IDR 1,000,000/day) and they can stop you from re-entering for a period of time. As always, check for any updates before you book your trip, as visa policy has changed a few times in recent years.
Getting There
Direct flights to Kupang (KOE) with Merpati, Garuda, Batavia and Mandala from Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Sumba and Flores. Airnorth fly from Darwin to Dili, but not Kupang anymore. Daily morning ferries link Bolok, Kupang to Pantai Baru, Rote ($4, 4h), or fast Baharai Express from Tenau, Kupang Bay to Ba’a harbor ($10-14, 2h), then it’s a 2h drive to Nemberala. Rough seas can cause cancellations since the slow ferry sank in 2006, killing around 40 people.
Getting Around
To get around the island, rent a bike, a motorbike or go to Busalangga or Ba’a to hire a bemo for a day. Charter a local boat to reach the nearby offshore islands. Take the Savu ferry from Kupang (twice a week, overnight 9 hrs, fr$5), which continues on to Sumba. Some surf charter boats offer the full crossing to Sumba and Sumbawa, others just cruise around Rote.
Accommodation
Cheap losmen accommodation close to T-Land usually includes food (Anugurah; Tirosa fr $10/n). Waterways, Atoll Travel, True Blue and World Surfaris all book the comfortable Nemberala Beach Resort ($190/p/n inc surf boat transfers). Freeline book Malole Surf House created by ’65 World Champ Felipe Pomar (fr $1950/12n inc. transfers + zodiac) plus one of the only late season boats, the Sri Noa Noa (fr$2660/12n inc Bali-Kupang flights). The Sama Sama does early season charters (fr $1800/10n). There are only a few places to stay on Savu. Nightlife is quiet around Nemberala, with only a few little restaurants to try for a change
Activities
Nemberala's reef supports varied marine life – go snorkelling. Check out the Ikats (woven textiles), Rote's unique palm hats and dance to the sound of the Sasando, the 20 stringed local guitars made of palm leaves. Animist rituals still take place on Savu.
Hazards & hassles
T-Land is a mellow wave, until it gets big. Most other spots break harder and closer to the reef. A boat trip in this area guaranties less crowds. Chloroquine resistant malaria has been reported, ask your doctor about prevention pills. East Timor’s independence in May 2002 has helped to decrease tensions in the area.
Handy Hints
Pick up any surf accessories in Bali. Bring your shortboard and an Indo gun if you want to charge huge T-Land. Learning a little Indonesian will help you get around an area of many obscure dialects. Respect local beliefs in Savu, no matter how strange!
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.