Rote

Rote is the most southern island of the Nusa Tenggara island chain in Indonesia. It lies a few miles south of West Timor and 150 miles from the coast of northern Australia and has a population of 60.000.
The Rotenese are very respectful, charming, mostly Christian people. Traditionally their main activities are the exploitation of the Lontar Palm, which they use for everything, from nutrition to building materials. Fishing also provides food and income for the local people, and recently the cultivation of seaweed.

During the traditional surf season (May to November), trade winds are consistent and offshore. Average daytime high temps are 86-88F and nighttime lows are around 75F. The ocean clocks in at a soothing 80F.

Getting There:
You’ll fly from Bali to Kupang, West Timor, where our representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the city. You’ll depart Kupang for Rote on the fast ferry at 8.30am the next morning, arriving in Ba’a at approximately 10.30am. From here, it is another hour’s drive to Nemberala Beach.

We suggest booking all accommodations and transfers through us, so you can get to Malole comfortably and hassle-free. Travel logistics to remote places in Indonesia can get quite frustrating if they are not handled with the experience of the local agents.

Season
The whether in this region shows 2 main seasons: dry seasons May/September and wet season December/March plus the transitional (shoulder season) March/April and October/November.
The wind pattern typically will see light and variable wind conditions early and late season, making good conditions for the outer islands and some of the right-handers. With firm and consistent E-SE trades blowing offshore in T-land from June through Aug/Sept, Rote picks up all the S-SW to SW swells tracking across the Indian Ocean towards west Australia. Although there can be swell year round the traditional surf season goes from March to November, but is most consistent from May through September/October.
The shoulder season March/April and October/November is a great time to be in Rote with a great variety of waves and hardly anybody around. Swells may be less consistent, but the fishing rocks.

T-land
Although Nemberala’s main break, “T-Land”, known by locals by the name of Besialu, has been surfed since 1979, it remains uncrowded, it is a top world class lefthander comparable to a softer G-land that holds up to a very manageable 15ft faces, and it can handle as big as gets (the bigger the more perfect it gets.)
It breaks with great shape at any size of swell and on all tides, making it very consistent and enjoyable for all levels of surfing.
The reef is not sharp, is rather soft and non treating and the waves break into 3 different sections that connect making 200 mt/600 ft long rides a common scene.

Ideal for “older surfers” or longboarders looking for longand relaxing lines,
“pointbreak style” versus short square tubes breaking over deadly reef, but also suitable for younger surfers looking for more juicy waves.
A bigger board may be required for the bigger days, but generally your everyday board will do the job.
As a general rule winds are lighter in the mornings and late afternoons.
This wave is usually off shore all day and because it keeps breaking throughout the different tide changes you can surf it all day at any time making it possible to find times to have it just to yourself and your friends.
We use a 10ft inflatable boat with 15hp out board for transfers to the main break at any time of the day (included on the price).

Other waves
There are several other waves in the area easily accessible by our speed boat and some by car. Between them there are 3 top world class Rigthhanders, that can get really hollow, one of them rated by many hard core-indo travelers as “THE” best Rigthhunder in Indonesia, There is also a couple of hollow lefthanders.
We won’t say much more about these waves. Our guide will help you to discover all these spots and some of the region secrets!