Gerupuk surf spots range from a quality inside right to a big, shifty outside reef point break. The spot is now among the most popular in Lombok and a regular stomping ground of the local surf schools. Check it out…
An introduction to Gerupuk surf
Gerupuk is a village that spills down the hillsides of southern Lombok east of Kuta Lombok – the island’s premier surf hub. It’s a small place, with a few nascent surf hotels and a couple of old-school rental spots, but it’s given its name to the whole bay that opens up in front of the town. And that’s where the action lies, in the form of some seriously high-quality reef breaks that cater to just about all levels, no matter the swell.
There are about five named breaks within Gerupuk Bay but only three that really hit the headlines: Inside (the best of the lot), Don Don (a mushy marshmallow for improvers), and Outside (big and often shifty rights with short lefts). All of them – bar the very tiny rollers at Kiddies point – have to be accessed by boat and the whole bay at Gerupuk is now favored stomping ground for many of the surf schools that base themselves in nearby Kuta. That means crowds can be a problem but also that there’s good infrastructure and plenty of boat options when it comes to getting out.
We’d say you have two options when it comes to hitting the Gerupuk surf. You can book into a stay in Gerupuk village itself (we have some thoughts on those below) and mosey over to the boat station whenever you want a ride to the waves. Or you can book into a surf camp in Lombok, 99% of which will hit at least Gerupuk Inside at least once throughout the week. There are pros and cons to both options, which we’ll consider in this guide.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Indonesia
Gerupuk surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Gerupuk surf?
Where is Gerupuk?
Gerupuk fringes the side of the hilly south coast of Lombok island in central Indonesia. It fronts its very own bay – which is also known as Gerupuk Bay. It’s in there that you’ll find the surf spots that put the town on the map. The beach of Tanjung Aan is less than a mile to the west, hosting more surf options, particularly for beginners. The main regional town and surf center of Kuta Lombok (where you’re likely to be based if you go for the surf camp option) is 20 minutes’ drive (or 6 miles) to the west.
Gerupuk surf spots
There are three main spots to know about within Gerupuk Bay itself, along with a few other waves that will work on different swell sizes. We’ll detail the whole lot here, plus a couple of the other local spots within walking distance of Gerupuk village along the coast of south Lombok. Read on…
Tanjung Aan
Tanjung Aan has a couple of breaks in its wide – and downright gorgeous – bay. The main one is the left and right that cruises over the deep reef at the center. Time a visit for a pushing tide and you can enjoy cruisy rides on both sides that are crumbly but always fun. There’s ALWAYS a crowd here when it’s working and often a high proportion of beginners but the vibes are nice and friendly. There’s also a great left off the rocks on the west side of the bay that will work on bigger days.
We actually have a complete guide to surfing in Tanjung Aan
Batu Payung
A right hander that rips off the rocks west of Gerupuk village, Batu Payung is a sucky wedge of a point break that peels into a deeper reef where it fattens out and gets a whole load easier. You need to catch a boat from Tanjung Aan beach to get here. They cost 50k per person and take 10 minutes to drive around the headland. This one’s generally better in small swells since it gets zero protection from the geography of the island. Highly wind dependent. Don’t bother if it’s crossshore from the east.
Gerupuk Inside
The headline wave of Gerupuk Bay is known as Inside, Gerupuk Inside, or the Inside Right. It’s a very high-quality wave, but is also its own worst enemy. Uber-consistent, semi-steep sets whenever there’s 2-8 foot in the forecast have transformed this one into arguably the busiest break on the whole island. We’ve seen 100+ people in the lineup, and, while the vibe is generally good since it’s very much a designated learner spots these days, there are boards flying everywhere and the occasional crusader who can’t resist a smug comment on what you should have done and when.
The wave itself is a peaky right that has a relatively forgiving take-off onto a bowly shoulder that bends around the deep reef. It’s at its best on a pushing tide and can fatten and mellow out too much for the shortboarders at complete full. The reef gets shallower at low but it doesn’t totally kill the spot like you get elsewhere in Lombok. One way to steer clear of the crowd is to paddle straight through the lineup and hit the left. There are sometimes decent rides of 50m to be had there if the shoulder doesn’t close but be ready to paddle back into oncoming sets.
Gerupuk Outside
Gerupuk Outside is the more exposed brother of Inside. Another right, it breaks on the big headland at the southernmost end of the bay. It’s a spectacular spot to approach by boat. Check out those two sculpted coast mountains with green corn farms on top. They look like something out of a Sci-Fi flick or fantasy novel. Anyway, the reef is right below them and the sets come in and curl around about 200m of coral and rock. That creates multiple take-off points, with fatter, crumblier waves on the inside area on the shallower reef, and some absolute bombs hitting the outside onto deeper sections of reef.
Outside Left
We’d recommend steering clear of Outside Left unless you’re very used to surfing shifty reefs. This one has a lot of exposure, hoovering up almost all the swell that the Indian Ocean sends this way (which is a lot). For that reason, it tends to work best when it’s small (like 2-4 foot). Then, it will peak into a hollowish frame that opens into mini hollow sections if you can make them. It’s a fast performance wave at heart, best surfed on something shorter than six foot.
Don Don
Also known as Dun Dun or Don-Don, this is the marshmallow break of Gerupuk bay. It’s a lovely, wedgy wave on bigger swells and likes to have at least 5 foot in the forecast to get working properly. It’s located just one beach over from Inside, and you’ll be able to check it as you drive by in the boat. Our advice? If it’s looking good and empty, it’s worth considering because it’s a super-fun ride and you NEVER get the crowds that inside draws.
There’s a left and a right at Don Don, though we’d say the left is a touch more fun as it shoulders up into nice, triangular shapes. For intermediates trying to nail that cutback, it’s a lovely wave that will keep inviting you to return to the pocket.
How to get to the surf in Gerupuk?
Boats are the only way to get to the breaks in Gerupuk Bay. Thankfully, there’s now a bit of a side industry on taxi vessels out to the waves. Just head to the small makeshift boarding spot opposite the Banyu Surf shop and you’ll find plenty of drivers waiting to take you out. The going rate is 100k per person for two hours. The boat will transport you to the wave of your choice and then come pick you up later. Most spots are no more than 10 minutes’ boat from the boarding point.
As we’ve mentioned, the alternative here is to choose a surf camp. Those take care of all transport for you. That means you’ll be driven to the boat and the boat will be totally sorted, no haggling, no hassle.
Where to stay when surfing in Gerupuk?
The real question you should be asking is whether to book onto a Lombok surf camp or go it alone. We can think of umpteen reasons to go for the first option. We talk about them in detail in our guide to the best surf camps on the island. Here, we’ll just say this: Almost all surf camps will surf Gerupuk Inside at least once (and sometimes multiple times), and they’ll take care of all the hassle of getting boats to the break for you. More than that, there’s a sort of unwritten rule in Lombok that surf campers get priority on waves like Inside, so you’ll probably catch more if you go with a camp.
On the flip side, the benefit of choosing to stay in Gerupuk itself is that you’ll be able to reach the waves of Gerupuk Bay very early and very late. That’s good for a) dodging the surf-camp crowds and b) matching up conditions with the best tides, which is kinda’ important here. There’s also a growing mix of pretty good surf hotels in the town itself. Here’s a look at some that we really like…
Dome Lombok
The Dome is a quirky little number perched on a hillside right above Gerupuk village. We stayed in early 2023 and it reminded us of Luke Skywalker’s house out of Star Wars whatever. Expect adobe rooms shaped like strange desert domes. The pool is something special, poking its way out on a plinth to offer views of Mount Rinjani and Gerupuk Bay. You can also check the surf down in Tanjung Aan at a glance.
Bruce’s Hideout
One of the OG surf stays in Gerupuk Bay, Bruce’s Hideout put you literally steps away from where the boats leave from for the various breaks. It’s a chilled spot that’s mainly the stomping ground of surfers, so you’ll be in good company.
Villa Svalen
The luxury option, Villa Svalen sits right next to the Dome on the hillside above the village. It’s got two rental spaces, each with private infinity pools overlooking Tanjung Aan and Mount Rinjani. The service is second to none and the relaxation vibes are through the roof. We’d be staying here if our budget allowed!
Step-by-step guide to planning your Gerupuk surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Gerupuk 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: 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 four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Gerupuk?
The best time to surf in Gerupuk is during the Indonesian dry season. That lasts from March to September and brings the cleaner, stronger groundswells, along with less rain and cross-shore wind. That said, there’s really never a time of year when Gerupuk doesn’t work. The well-sheltered nature of both Gerupuk Inside and Don Don means that there’s usually a good wave to be had in these parts. The only downside of the low season is the rain, which can be constant or not at all (a roll of the dice) but will bring more mud and rubbish into the water (though it’s still NOWHERE near as bad as Bali!).
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!
