surf travel 90

Chasing a laidback Indo ‘outer island’ surf adventure? This one’s for you… This 8-day Sumba trip strips surf travel back to its roots – uncrowded warm-water waves, back-to-basics beachfront bungalows, exotic food and plenty of serenity in pristine tropical surroundings. This ancient and remote Eastern Indonesian island is home to coastlines and cultures like no other. Surfing Sumba is like stepping back in time.

If getting ‘back-to-it’ in a totally different and relaxed environment amongst good waves without any crowds or hype sounds like your idea of classic surf travel, Sumba Sanctuary is for you.

If kicking back in a hammock on the verandah of a rustic beachfront bungalow tucked amongst tropical pandanus palms sounds like your idea of post-surf therapy, Sumba Sanctuary is for you.

If visiting a timeless place and people as far removed from any lifestyle you’ve ever known sounds like your sort of discovery, Sumba Sanctuary is for you.

The Waves

Suitable for beginners to advanced surfers. Winds for the lefts below are offshore in the morning, with SE tradewinds (Apr-Oct) blowing slightly crosshore in the middle of the day. An overview:

The Point - This left is the most consistent wave in the area and works on most tides. A long wally wave with an easy take-off and occasional faster section. Breaks into a deep-water sandbottom channel.

Five-O - Good and challenging lefthand barrel breaking along bend of reef into a channel. Needs a six-foot swell to start breaking and is surfed at higher or dead low tide.

Racetracks - Wedgy left that accelerates and builds in size down the line. Truly lives up to its name.

Beng-bengs - Fast left with hollow sections, can link up to ‘The Point’ at higher tides for a real long ride.

There’s also plenty of beachbreaks and a long right nearby that works with West or no wind (Nov-Mar).

Transport, Accom & Other Details

Sumba’s remote location has kept its culture unique and its level of development to a minimum. Your accom sleeps no more than 10 surfers so uncrowded waves are guaranteed! Transport on the trip is a privately chartered local bus, and your accom is basic thatch-roof style bungalows with comfortable bedding, simple bathing facilities and Western toilets. The Bali-Sumba-Bali airfare component is priced separately and can be easily arranged at the Bali domestic airport. Please contact iNSEARCH for more info about these domestic flights.

3 meals a day and drinking water are included, with a mixture of delicious local and European food (plenty of fresh seafood prepared by your Aussie host/chef!). The food really will be a highlight of your trip. Cold beer is available for around AUD3.00 (US$1.80) for a large bottle – wash down a day of good waves as you watch the sun drop below rugged mountain ranges dropping dramatically into the sea…

This itinerary has been designed with our ‘flexibly-structured’ style of travel in mind - some components may vary slightly during the course of the trip. Min of 4 travellers, maximum of 8. Solo travellers OK.

Uncrowded waves, spectacular sights, laidback living – Surfing Sumba is about the spirit of real surf travel.

Your Itinerary

Day 1:
Meet Aussie TravelMate at Sumba airport; transport to coast

All surfers picked up from Sumba airport and driven down coast to beachside accom.

The 2-3 hour drive along the coast passes landscape that transforms from expansive grasslands to traditional villages scattered amongst terraced ricefields and coconut palm tree plantations. Sumba is truly 'last frontier' territory!

We should pull into the beachside bungalow accom in time for an afternoon surf.
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Day 2:
Surfing Sumba

You've got 7 days to get amongst Sumba's surf offerings, or just kick back and relax - your call! You can also visit traditional villages, or trek other areas in Sumba. The main waves in the area are all lefthanders straight out the front of your accom.

Your Aussie-run accom is right on the beach in classic back-to-it bungalows. The food is delicious, healthy & plentiful (all meals included). Satellite TV, DVD and heaps of books & hammocks are on hand!

Slip into Sumba-time; this is one laidback place where there's nothing to do other than exactly what you want to do...
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Day 3:
Surf/Explore Sumba
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Day 4:
Surf/Explore Sumba
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Day 5:
Surf/Explore Sumba
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Day 6:
Surf/Explore Sumba
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Day 7:
Surf/Explore Sumba
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Day 8:
Morning surf; return to airport

After a few morning waves and breakfast we'll head back up the coast in chartered transport.

Surfers will be dropped off at the East Sumba airport, marking the end of the SurfSearch.
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