West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu
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Positives
- Protected left points
- Lots of beachbreaks
- Bizzare Bono
- Empty line-ups
Negatives
- Wind exposed
- Lots of beachbreaks
- Messy, migrating sandbars
- Dirty river(mouths)
West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu surf travel guide
These three provinces are not high on the Sumatran wish-list, yet they offer a vastly different experience from the average offshore island surfari.
West Sumatra's capital city Padang is the charter boat hub for the Mentawais and really shouldn't have any waves, yet somehow swell squeaks through the gap between Siberut and Sipura, giving frothing surfers an option to get wet while waiting to connect to their charter.
Riau is probably the least swell-exposed province in all of Indonesia, yet has the most reliable wave in the country. Riding a headhigh, ripable wave through the Sumatran jungle until your legs buckle is an incredibly unique surfing experience that stays long in the memory.
Bengkulu is rarely mentioned or given a second thought by surfers looking at Sumatra for a surf trip. Despite having 525 kilometres of coastline facing SW into the Indian Ocean, much of it switches between long grey-sand beaches or low eroded cliffs and it is punctured by multiple rivermouths draining what is a wet province inland. Bengkulu city holds a few flawed lefts, plus plenty of both exposed and protected beachbreak. Anywhere else in the world and there would be plenty of surfers riding the points and rivermouths, but due to the surrounding quality, Bengkulu is essentially empty and open for exploration.
Other Regions to Explore
Apart from the few known breaks around the City of Bengkulu, there are a few protected lefthand point set-ups that need strong W swells to fire, separated by long distances in this quiet rural province. Just offshore is Pulau Tikus (Rat Island) where the barrier reef provides perfect snorkelling on the backside and maybe more in the right swell. Jalan Liwa skirts the coast past more promising headlands at Pantai Pasar and then Bintuhan, where the coral reefs and bays start again, signalling the beginning of the great Lampung zone.
Surf spots in West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu
Research the 6 surf breaks in West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 6 breaks in West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to West Sumatra, Riau and Bengkulu
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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
The three main entry points for these three provinces are Padang, Pekanbaru and Benkulu City, which all have links from Medan and Jakarta and even Kuala Lumpur.
Getting Around
Padang and Bengkulu are the 2 biggest cities on the west coast of Sumatra, so it's easy to get around and surf the city breaks. Hiring a car and travelling out of town should be straight forward as well. Getting to Teluk Meranti is a mission with a long 4-5hr drive depending on the road conditions. This should be arranged beforehand with Eddie at Bonosurf, who are the only outfit that have the experience to take you surfing on the Bono.
Accommodation
There are numerous hotels in both Padang and Benkulu to stay - look online for something to suit all budgets. Stay with Bonosurf in Teluk Meranti where you will be transported back in time living in basic village accommodation.
Activities
Padang is a place where both ex-pat owners, workers and punters head to let off steam after being in the wilderness for weeks. There are a bunch of restaurants, bars and night clubs that the surf charter and surf camp world congregate in and often get a bit loose. Teluk Meranti is the opposite with nothing to do other than immerse in village life. Bengkulu city's top attraction is British colonial Fort Marlborough and hanging out on Long Beach.
Hazards & hassles
The obvious major hazard for this region is earthquakes and their accompanying tsunamis. Both Padang and Bengkulu have suffered catastrophic earthquakes in the last 2 decades, across what is regarded as one of the planet's most seismically active regions. City pollution is a major deterent to surfers, especially after rains.
Handy Hints
You dont have to ride a longboard on the Bono unlike most river bores. Avoid using tall fins, because in the shallow, close-out sections of the wave where you have to lie down, even standard size fins can touch the river bottom, dragging you back into the whitewash, where you have to hold your breath for extended punishing periods, before being spat out in front of the whitewash again. This rinse and repeat cycle can last for a few minutes in the shallowest parts of the river.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.