Long, left-hand rifle barrels are the name of the game at the Desert Point surf, elevating this one to legendary status on the Lombok and Indo surf scene.
An introduction to Desert Point surf
Desert Point is the piece de resistance of Lombok island. It’s the closest thing that Bali’s bro can muster to match the breaks of the Bukit Peninsula that every loves the Isle of the Gods for. To some, it’s actually a superior spot, eclipsing even the likes of Padang Padang and Uluwatu. We agree, but only when it’s firing at its best. Sadly, consistency isn’t one of the strong points of the Desert Point surf, and you will have wait for its to show its real quality, and its teeth.
In this guide to the Desert Point surf, we’ll take a close look at the break itself, see why it’s so legendary, reveal how to get there, and the best times to chase the barrels. We’ll also outline one or two of the other best Lombok breaks that are in the vicinity, just in case – as is normal – Deserts isn’t going off. Let’s go…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Lombok and Indonesia
Desert Point surf at a glance
The good:
The bad:
What’s in this guide to Desert Point surf?
Where is Desert Point?
We’re not gonna’ lie – getting to Desert Point is a bit of a chore. The break lies on the extreme southwestern edge of Lombok, some 30 miles from the airport and 30 miles from the main surfing hub of the south coast in Kuta Lombok. The only real way to get there is to drive. You’re aiming for Jalan Raya Siung, which weaves through the hills and along the coast of west Lombok to the little Bangko-Bangko. After that, you need to turn off onto a dirt track for the last couple of clicks, going south and west around the headland until you reach Desert Point itself.
A guide Desert Point surf and nearby spots
Desert Point is the star of the show here, but we’ve also listed a few places where you can look for waves when this famously fickle wave isn’t working…
Senggigi
Senggigi is actually miles away from Desert Point but we list it here because it’s the next proper surf location up the west coast and a decent option for intermediates who might well be put off traveling south by what we have to say below. The bustling town has a nice, challenging right hander in front of the fishing pier but also a stretch of unchartered beaches to the north that are great for catching empty waves.
Desert Point
Desert Point is the spot that you came here to read about. It’s actually the only spot for miles and miles around, save for a few fickle point breaks that can sometimes work on the neighbouring beaches, but they’re hardly worth the 4X4 ride.
Desert Point itself, though. Now, that’s something else. Forming on big SW swells off the reef that rolls north from the headland just outside of Bangko-Bangko, this is arguably the most famous left hander on planet Earth.
It’s sort of like a Skelton Bay, but perhaps just a tad shorter. A strong drop in puts you into heavy barrel sections almost instantly. There’s not that much time to duck in and you’ll need to be looking down the line right away to catch the best point. The ride can carry on for 20-30 seconds on the best days. Sometimes, Desert Point gets a bit more sectiony and you’ll need to bottom turn out and reenter.
This is an expert spot only. We can’t stress that enough. When it works, it only works for a short window around low tide and anyone out of their depth should not be there. The wave finishes on shallow platforms of jagged reef and there’s bone-breaking power in the barrel if you get caught on the inside.
Lombok’s south coast
The Lombok south coast is a long string of pretty fantastic surf spots. They are nowhere near as fickle as big daddy Desert Point and cater to all levels of surfer. They start with the left and right reef breaks at the mouth of Belongas Bay and run all the way to the inlet of Gerupuk in the east. There are even some awesome beginner spots thrown in the mix.
We’ve actually got a complete guide to the surf in Lombok that you can read here
Where to stay when surfing Desert Point
Desert Point is actually the most westerly of all the breaks that lie on the surf-rich Lombok south coast. That’s okay, but you shouldn’t expect to have a guesthouse right on the sand. The most dedicated barrel-seekers have a habit of camping out to catch the spot when it works. We think a better choice is stay in nearby Kuta Lombok or another guesthouse on the way and head in when rumors of a strong S-SW swell start rumbling. These options would be perfect…
Matahari Villas
These uber-swish villas are located on their own tropical islet just off the coast of western Lombok. They’ll leave you feeling like Robinson Crusoe, what with private sands out front and snorkeling reefs all to yourself. The accommodations are sleek and modern, with thatched roofs and sun-kissed terraces. When it’s time to surf, you can hitch a ride around to Deserts with one of the local fishermen.
Palmyra Indah Bungalows
A charming clutch of hardwood cabanas that are pretty much in the middle of nowhere, Palmyra Indah Bungalows offer real get-away-from-it-all vibes on the main road down to Desert Point. There’s snorkeling right there in the bay and the owners often bring back fish to cook on the BBQ.
LMBK Surf House
You can also choose to stay in the epicenter of the Lombok surf scene that is Kuta Lombok. Doing that means you get access to LOADS more breaks. It also means you can bed down in awesome LMBK Surf House, a swish and welcoming spot with polished-concrete design and a stunning pool.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Desert Point surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Desert Point surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf Desert Point?
Like most of the big-hitter waves on Bali and Lombok, the Desert Point surf is always better in the dry season. That’s especially true here since we’d say the spot needs at least 10 foot in the forecast for it to be decent. You’re also relying on groundswells, which are punchiest in the dry months from May to August. Those are helped by offshore winds from the north, which can give extra shape and attitude to Deserts for longer barrels. Don’t discount low season, though. It still works in the wetter part of the year, but is even more of a waiting game. Tides are probably more key than season. It’s a low-tide only wave, and can all but disappear completely when it’s high.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
