Indonesian waves could quite possibly be the most perfect small waves on earth. However, there are those few bomb swells a year that will close out the regular breaks and have certain waves cranking with groomed conditions and double to triple overhead plus (10-15ft+) walls of water. Some swells will show even bigger on their day, going 20ft and bigger on the face.

This is not really big by global big-wave standards, where breaks in Hawaii and California will reach 40ft and bigger faces several times a year. In Indonesia however, 20ft is a legitimate big swell and surf spots that hold waves this size will be as perfect as ever given the right conditions. G-Land can get big and still peel, and so can Uluwatu or Nusa Dua. Nias holds size, and so does Ombak Tujuh. Once waves hit this size is when dedicated surfers dust off their trusty big wave guns for some rare 20ft Indo surf.

the ideal session, the beauty of Indonesia is that there are a number of A-grade waves that need such a swell to start breaking but will be about half the size. Sort of like Padang Padang, where even though it’s not the biggest wave, it is quite easily the best. The options for surfing sizable Indonesian surf are definitely there, all that is needed is a bit of effort and the desire to ride it.
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