Telo Islands
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Positives
- Variety of classy spots
- Often glassy conditions
- Multiple wind options
- All abilities catered for
- Waves year-round
Negatives
- Equatorial shifty winds
- Squalls and passing storms
- Speedboat access essential
- Limited budget options
- Busy high season
Telo Islands surf travel guide
The Telo Islands are also officially known as the Batu Islands (meaning rock), or the 101 Islands, which is also probably a bit inaccurate, so surfers have agreed to just call them "The Telos". Confusingly, the main island and town are both called Tello, but spelling is often a fluid subject in Indonesia. As part of the South Nias Regency and one of the closest areas to Lagundri Bay, the island chain obviously receives its fair share of swell. The variety of reefs and their different aspects, allow for a smorgasbord of waves around all sides of the smaller seaward isles, while the western and southern coasts of the bigger islands welcome most swells from S-WSW.
For years there have been dedicated surf camps servicing this long, narrow playground, where having a fast, ocean-ready boat is the only way to traverse the 85km between these far-flung breaks, in waters that are known for strong, inter-island currents, heavy squalls and localised storms. Because the zone is so remote, these camps have only managed to operate at the higher end of the budgetary scale, since logistics and operating costs are more expensive than other regions in Indonesia. This has helped cultivate a surf destination sometimes known as "old man's Mentawais", since apart from a few notable exceptions, the waves are mellower than many in the Ments, plus due to the pricing structure, only those who are doing well will be able to afford the luxury resorts and that usually means older guys and girls.
So those fortunate enough will be guided around a northern zone where a dozen plus fun line-ups are in relatively close proximity to the bulk of the resorts. There are also many picturesque, safe anchorages for the passing charter boats, plying the waters between Padang, Nias and Simeulue. This can lead to crowding at some spots, particularly at the consistent lefthander Mishos, which is one of the funnest and most forgiving rides in the chain, where most abilities will be able to push their surfing to new heights.
The resorts do try and coordinate their sessions to avoid each other, but sometimes conditions dictate that everyone will be on one break. This is when the guides earn their pay and may sneak off to one of the many other breaks we have left off the map in deference to the long-serving camps. Many of these are obviously in the central zone of the Telos, but are spread out quite a bit and require good local knowledge and navigation so independent travellers staying at the few homestays in the north will have to make do with the waves out the front. They are all mostly spots suited to more experienced surfers and each resort usually has a different name for each spot, adding to the mystery and confusion.
The southern surf spots are fewer and not very far between, with the bulk of the action focused on Monkeys and its outside sections or the first wave surfed in the chain at Bombers. Regardless of which region you surf, most of the main breaks in the Telos are user-friendly, fairly predictable and voluptuously-shaped waves, suited to intermediates who love a crisp wall to cutback shoulder. There are a handful of fast, hollow, challenging rides that will keep experts frothing, but consistency for these few spots is lower.
Surf spots in Telo Islands
Research the 16 surf breaks in Telo Islands and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 16 breaks in Telo Islands.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Telo Islands
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Telo Islands.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 15,810,000
- Population
- 58,455,800
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- IDR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 14,080 IDR IDR
Cost of living
Communication
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Javanese, Minangkabau (west), Palembang Malay (south) and many other languages and dialects
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
Only charter flights land on the small strip at Lasondre on Tanahmasa, usually operated by Susi Air and subject to stringent weight limits. Fast and slow ferries leave from Teluk Dalam, Nias or the Padang ferry, which stops down near Monkeys (Hibala) before heading up to Tello along the back of the chain. If travelling independently, check the ferry schedules carefully as they often change and the high-speed ferry is sometimes cancelled for weeks and even months. Board bags must be paid for on the actual ferry.
Getting Around
The resorts pick up clients from Tello in their speedboats and whisk them back to their respective islands. Spending all day on the speedies is pretty normal and they often use the calmer channels on the lee side of the chain, but expect some rough going when squalls sweep in. For independent travellers, this place is a mission without a boat to get around and local boats are not cheap or fast to access waves far from town.
Accommodation
As already mentioned, the Telos are a higher-end destination, with at least 4-6 luxury options. Sitting head and shoulders above the others, Resort Latitude Zero is probably the best-appointed, low-impact, ideally located, family-friendly, multi-activity playground in the chain. Conceived and built by some of the earliest explorers in the Sumatran chains, these Aussie cognoscenti have not skimped on minimising their environmental footprint, with sustainable water purification and treatment, on-site timber mill, vegetable gardens and a commitment to use as much locally sourced materials, food and labour as possible. A fleet of frighteningly fast speedboats means different ability surfers can go to the most appropriate spot and cover a large area in a short time. All this comes at a price, best checked on their website.
Pegasus Lodges run two resorts in the area. Pinnacles Lodge and Telo Island Lodge are also high-end stays, close to the main concentration of waves in the north, claiming 20 spots within 25mins of either resort. Published prices are high, but there are some deals to be had on their websites.
Down in the southern part of the chain, there are a couple more established resorts, including Monkeys and one of the earliest camps in front of Bombers. For independent travellers, there are a few budget options run by locals in the village on Sibaranun Island, right in front of Mishos and a 25min walk to The Shoe. Check Telo Island Surf House, Timos or Tahas for typical Indo losmen-style accommodation with food included.
Activities
The resorts can hook you up with fishing trips, snorkelling, SUP touring and beachcombing and have plenty of in-house activities like table tennis and pool tables. The reefs and myriad fish are in good condition. The dense jungle is full of exotic species, including primates like macaques, which are seen on the beach at some surf spots.
Hazards & hassles
These islands have a reputation for endemic multi-species malaria and other diseases, with 21.3% of locals testing positive for parasites. Plasmodium knowlesi, a parasite of long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, is also known to infect humans and is present in the Telos. Some of the resorts fog weekly, so the mosquito population is kept to a minimum. Sharks are around but attacks are unheard of. There are urchins at some breaks and the coral reefs are more alive than dead. Sea sickness is an issue when you spend all day on the boats.
Handy Hints
Take a variety of boards for the different wave types on offer. Remember to load your boards on the speedboat in the morning. If you are staying at RLZ, everything is taken care of and the food is very high quality. The guides take lots of photos, which are played on the big screen every evening. An Indonesian sim card is useful as the satellite internet connection is pay-as-you-go. There is some signal in the northern wave zone, but the tower down near Monkeys is only turned on once a week on Fridays!
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.