How do you get in and out of the surf?

Walk out on the paved stones over the reef, make your way out carefully towards the channel and you’ll find yourself outside pretty quickly. As previously stated, the channel has a tendency to close-out when it gets solid so be prepared to hold your breath and don’t forget your booties (just in case!). If in doubt, don’t go out.

What is the beach like?

The beach at Monkey Trees consists predominantly of flat reef, much like the foreshore at The Point in Lagundri Bay – Nias. Although off the beach underneath the shade of the trees at Batu Rundung Surf Resort you’ll find a great spot to spend a lazy day or two with a beer.

Batu Rundung Surf Resort

If you’re hoping to surf at Monkey Trees on the regular there’s really only one option for purpose-built surf accommodation – Batu Rundung Surf Resort. This comfortable classic surf lodge market’s itself as a “Surf Paradise ” and they might not be wrong. At Batu Rundung Surf Resort you can expect spacious private bungalows, beachfront views of the rolling lefts and rights at Monkey Trees, fresh and health conscious cuisine, and plenty of good surf at an affordable price. You can find other places to crash further afield southwards along the coastline but you’ll take a hike by scooter to access Monkey Trees.

How to get around?

Grab a scooter to get around the island and explore other surf spots. Although very simple most of the main roads are in ok condition by Indonesian standards. But as always slow your roll and stay safe. If you want to access other breaks off the island such as Teabags be sure to line up a boat.

Is there food nearby?

Batu Rundung is a little off the beaten path but that’s not to say that you won’t find a typical warung right around the corner. Warkop Layeen isn’t far from Batu Rundung Surf Resort, but don’t expect too much. You might find a few local made donuts and the likes which go down really well. Including the standard packet supplies and a nice local style coffee. However, you’ll be mostly munching at your accommodation.

Where is Monkey Trees?

Monkey Trees is located on the western coastline of Simeulue. Simeulue Island is located 150 kilometres from mainland Sumatra, well north of Nias, and far enough from Bali to steer clear of the riff raff.

How to get to Monkey Trees?

By scooter Monkey Trees is approximately 15 minutes north of one of Simeulue’s more well-known spots – The Peak.

How do you get in and out of the surf?

Paddling out at The Peak: The Peak is situated directly in front of two surf resorts: Aura and Mahi-Mahi. The resorts’ property extends as far as the sand, and it’s from here that you should walk to the section of exposed reef that drops off into an easily identifiable deepwater channel, which is where the lefthander comes to an end. Within this section of reef there’s a distinctive keyhole; paddle out here. If the surf’s solid, paddle out from the beach adjacent. Get out by catching a wave in over the reef. You’ll have to walk the last several metres, but the reef’s relatively gentle nature makes this a fairly straightforward procedure.

Paddling out at the Beach Break: To surf this surf break get out through the channel that divides The Peak and the Beach Break. Catch a wave to come in.

What is the beach like?

Nancala Beach has pristine golden sand which meets the ocean reef.

Aura Surf Resort

Aura Surf Resort is located directly in front of the beach break and The Peak. The resort features five spacious bungalows made from local hardwoods, rooms are a blend of local style and modern comfort with everything you need to make the most of your stay. Bungalows can be configured with either two or three king size beds and have space to add a fourth bed if needed for larger groups. Entire bungalows can be rented out individually if preferred ( for an additional fee ). Their 27 foot speed boat with twin 100 horsepower motors that gets you to surf spots further afield fast and in comfort and is also often used for fishing,snorkelling and outer island day trips. They also have a staff photographer available to shoot during the duration of your stay with various packages available.

Mahi Mahi Surf Resort

Located in front of The Peak, Mahi Mahi Surf Resort is an all-inclusive ecologically minded surf resort set on beautiful grounds with green grass, gardens, golf course and a sand volleyball court. You have three room types to consider when booking with Mahi mahi which cater to solo travellers, couples and groups. Single rooms are ground floor, double rooms are top floor and they have two double story villas for larger groups of up to nine people. All of which overlook The Peak. Their bungalows and villas are constructed from up-cycled materials, re-incorporating traditional antique structures so guests can relax in comfort and style. They also have a 12 foot 40 horse power speed boat which can get small groups to various outer-island spots around Simeulue for surfing, snorkelling, fishing, scuba diving, swimming, and island hopping.

Simeulue has two main areas, less than 35 minutes apart, where surf accommodation and more than a dozen surf spots are found. You’ll also find many unnamed and rarely surfed breaks north, south, and in between these two areas of coastline. For example, Moon Beach Resort located in between these two main two areas has some super fun and empty river mouths and beach breaks.

• The primary area of accommodation is located around ‘Dylan’s Right’ which is commonly referred to as Simeulue’s best wave.
• The second area is just under 35 minutes north along the coastline and home to ‘The Peak’. Equally as popular as Dylan’s Right, The Peak (also known as Jackals) is widely regarded as Simeulue’s most consistent wave.

Where is The Peak?

The Peak is located in front of Aura and Mahi Mahi Surf Resorts on the west coast of Simeulue Island.

How to get to The Peak?

From Bandara Lasikin Airport head north along the western coastline of Simeulue for approximately 25-minutes until you reach Nancala Beach.

How do you get in and out of the surf?

Teabags surf break is located off nearby Tapah Island and is accessible by boat. Once your skipper has got you to the break, it’s a simple five-minute paddle to and from the lineup.

What is the beach like?

In between the thick green lining and rocky reef that encases Tapah Island you’ll find sections of thin strips of course sand beach.

Surfing for Beginners in Canggu

There’s a reason that surf camps flock to Canggu: predictable waves, a variety of spots, and easy access. Canggu is an excellent place to test out surfing – either by yourself or through a surf camp. We recommend staying around the Echo Beach and Batu Bolong area when the swell is mellow. Respect locals and try to stay in your lane.

How much does it cost to hire a boat to Teabags?

From the mainland the closest surf camps to Teabags are located on Dylan’s Point. From here it is a slow 30 to 40 minute boat trip over approximately six kilometres. Through surf camps like Moon Beach Resort the cost to get to Teabags starts at $30 USD per person with a minimum of two people in a traditional boat while the upper end surf camps with speedboats will cost you considerably more. It is reported some of the local fishermen will take a group of four max via traditional boat for around $40 USD.

Where is Teabags?

Teabags is located on the southeast coastline of Tapah Island approximately six kilometres from Dylan’s Point on Simeulue’s west coast.

How to get to Teabags?

In addition to the details outlined above it is easiest to arrange the six kilometre boat trip west through your accommodation.

How do you get in and out of the surf at Dylan’s Right?

Getting in and out is reasonably easy unless it’s solid. Simply paddle out through the keyhole on the inside, around the break and into the lineup. Come in the same way after catching a wave.

How do you get in and out of the surf at Dylan’s Left?

After the end section at Dylan’s Left, there is a small keyhole in the reef where you can make your way into the water across the reef carefully. From there it is an easy paddle wide of the breakers and into the lineup.

Regardless of your experience, reef-related injuries are not a matter of if, but when. Reef cuts and infections are a big deal…They require immediate attention to avoid countless health problems.

What is the beach like?

There is very little sand beach along Dylan’s Point due to the reef coming right up to the top of the shoreline. However, above the shoreline you’ll find beautiful grassed areas of sand and shade underneath the coconut trees.

Simeulue Surflodges

Along the point in front of Dylan’s Right is Simeulue Surflodges where you can hit the surf in less than a minute. You can choose from their main lodge, three cabanas or the largest of them all the treehouse which sits on stilts. Each option has its own private veranda with sun loungers overlooking Dylan’s Right and a fantastic sunset in the evening. Rooms have two single beds, and a private bathroom with a western-style toilet, hot shower, including shower supplies, drinking water dispenser with free coffee, tea and cold water. Guests that have been travelling Indonesia for over a decade comment that Simeulue Surflodges is one of the best places they’ve stayed. With a super chilled and relaxed atmosphere, superb hospitality, great food, oceanfront accommodation, free pick up and drop off from the airport and uncrowded waves, it’s not hard to agree.

Are tsunamis a threat?

Like the rest of Indonesia, Simeulue is prone to earthquakes and, rarely, tsunamis. Remarkably, when the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami devastated the nearby Sumatran region of Aceh and much of Asia, only six casualties occurred on Simeulue Island, owing to local knowledge that holds that higher ground must be sought in the event of an earthquake. Today, Simeulue’s many mosques are equipped with sirens, and there’s easy access to nearby hills should a quake occur.

Where is Dylan’s Point?

Dylan’s Point is located in Busung Bay in a sheltered corner of Simeulue’s southwest coastline.

How to get to Dylan’s Point?

By Air:

You can also travel to Simeulue by boat from Sumatra, although it is not recommended due to it being a very time consuming journey. A car ferry leaves from Singkil (get there by public bus from Medan) or from Labuhan Haji and arrive at Sinabang (the port of Simeulue). Although it is an extremely cheap option, the crossing time is approximately 11 hours one way and that doesn’t include the additional hours to travel by bus from Medan to Singkil or Labuhan Haji.

Where to paddle out at Batu Ralang?

Look for a keyhole in the reef which is protected from surges of white water and carefully make your way in. Then paddle up the point around the outside of the breakers and into the lineup.

Where to paddle out at Alus River Mouth?

Paddle out from the beach or the clear channel in front of the river mouth for an easy dry hair entry into the lineup.

Where to paddle out at Alus Beach?

Find the best peak along the beach and head out. Just beware of any submerged reef.

Where to paddle out at Alus Left, Alus Right and Alus Point?

Paddle out through the clear channel from the beach directly in front of Alus Place. The left will be breaking to the left of the channel, the right to the right of the channel and the point further out back past Alus Right at the top of the point.

What is the beach like?

The beach faces directly south and stretches for over one kilometre. Both of the headlands which form a rectangular shaped bay have a rocky coastline while the beach in the bay is predominantly sand with small sections of rocky reef.

Alus Place

Alus Place provides beautiful newly built timber villas in the secluded Alus Bay. All villas overlook Alus Bay where you can relax in between surf while watching the waves. Each villa has a private bathroom with hot water, enclosed showers, western toilets and rooms feature air conditioning ceiling fan, fridge and satellite TV. Alus Place is a great option for beginner and intermediate surfers looking to get off the beaten path to find some fun waves with low crowds.

Frazha Homestay

Located midway along the Alus Alus Beach Frazha Homestay is a good budget accommodation option if you are traveling on the cheap. Locally owned and operated by Akil and his family, they provide a safe and enjoyable space for guests. The homestay consists of four nice but simple timber cottages, clean and comfortable mattress on the floor, an attached bathroom, and a deck where you can kick back and relax in your own space.

What surfing ability is Alus Alus area best for?

Alus Alus is primarily recommended for beginner and intermediate surfers. At times conditions can suit more experienced surfers, however, the breaks in Alus Alus bay don’t really handle swells much bigger than head high. Along with the friendly locals, travellers to Simeulue are those that are happy to take turns in a lineup, share a smile and have a yarn, unlike more crowded areas of Indonesia where hassling is a common occurrence.

Where is Alus Alus?

Alus Alus is a small region on the southern coastline of Simeulue.

How to get to Alus Alus?