Krui. Let’s be honest. We all love Bali, but sometimes the lineups at Uluwatu or Canggu feel more like a packed commuter train than a relaxing surf trip. If you’re craving that classic “Old Indonesia” vibe—where the waves are world-class, the crowds are thin, and the jungle meets the sea—it’s time to look further west.
Welcome to Krui, located in the Pesisir Barat region of South Sumatra. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, and it is absolutely pumping.
Krui isn’t a secret anymore, but because it takes a little effort to get there, it filters out the masses. What’s left is a super-fun, laid-back surf scene with incredible consistency. Here is your easy-to-read guide to scoring waves in Sumatra’s finest frontier.
1. The Surf Menu: Something for (Almost) Everyone
The magic of Krui is variety. Within a 30-minute motorbike ride, you have access to heavy barrels, long rippable walls, and punchy beach breaks.
Here is the lowdown on the main spots:
Ujung Bocur (Karang Nyimbor) This is the crown jewel of the area. It’s a super-long, consistent left-hand point break that peels over a coral reef for up to 200 meters on a good day.
- The Vibe: A performance wave that lets you do huge turns and get some tube time. It handles size well.
- Skill Level: Intermediate to Pro. It’s too fast and shallow for beginners, but competent intermediates will have the session of their lives.
Mandiri Beach Located south of town, Mandiri is a massive stretch of open beach break. It is a total swell magnet. When the reefs are too small, everyone heads to Mandiri. It offers punchy A-frame peaks, heavy barrels, and powerful walls.
- The Vibe: Shifty, powerful, and fun. Be prepared for some paddling.
- Skill Level: Strong Intermediate to Advanced. The currents can be strong, and the hold-downs are real.
Way Jambu (“The Sumatran Pipeline”) The nickname says it all. This is a heavy, intense, hollow left-hander that breaks over a very shallow reef. It’s basically do-or-die.
- The Vibe: Adrenaline city. You come here to get barreled off your head.
- Skill Level: Experts Only. Seriously, if you aren’t comfortable deep inside a heavy tube, just watch from the beach with a coconut.
The Peak & Krui Left Right in front of the main accommodation area in town, you’ll find several reef passes. These are generally softer and more playful than Ujung Bocur.
- The Vibe: Super fun, rippable walls right by the shore. Great for an afternoon session with a beer waiting afterward.
- Skill Level: High Beginner to Intermediate.
2. When to Score the Best Waves
Like most of Indonesia, timing is everything.
- The Golden Season (April – October): This is peak season. The roaring trade winds from the southeast are blowing (offshore for most spots), and consistent groundswells from the Indian Ocean are lighting up the coast.
- The Shoulder Season (November – March): The winds switch to onshore and the swells are smaller. However, Krui has a trick up its sleeve: Mandiri Beach often handles the off-season winds better, and you can still score super fun, uncrowded days.
3. The Life: Eat, Sleep, Surf, Repeat
The logistics in Krui are refreshingly simple. The area is set up perfectly for surfers.
Accommodation: You won’t find 5-star mega-resorts here. Instead, you’ll find dozens of awesome surf camps and “losmen” (guesthouses) lining the beach. They are comfortable, social, and usually include three meals a day in the price. It’s very easy to find a place to crash, ranging from budget rooms to nicer bungalows with AC.
Food & Drink: Most camps serve hearty, healthy family-style meals—think fresh fish, veggies, rice, and chicken—to fuel your surf sessions. Cold Bintangs are readily available everywhere. Outside the camps, small local “warungs” serve delicious Nasi Goreng for cheap.
4. The Vibe: The People and The Beach
The beach scenery in Krui is stunning. It’s black sand mixed with coral stretches, backed by dense, green jungle and palm trees. It feels wild.
The locals in Pesisir Barat are incredibly welcoming but quite conservative. They are used to surfers now, but it’s important to be respectful—cover up when you aren’t on the beach. You’ll be greeted with endless smiles and “Hello Misters” from kids riding bikes. It’s a very safe, relaxed atmosphere.
5. The Mission: How to Get There
Krui is not close to Bali or Jakarta, which is exactly why it’s still so good.
- Distance from Jakarta: About a 1-hour flight plus a 6-hour drive.
- Distance from Bali: A completely different island. You have to fly via Jakarta.
The Most Common Route (The Surf Taxi):
- Fly from Jakarta (CGK) to Bandar Lampung (TKG) in South Sumatra (about 1 hour).
- At the airport, hire a private car (surf taxi) for the drive to Krui.
- The Drive: It takes 5 to 7 hours, winding over the Bukit Barisan mountain range. The road is twisty, and the drivers are… enthusiastic. It’s an adventure, but it’s easy to arrange. Your accommodation can book the driver for you.
The “Maybe” Route (Aeroplane): There is a tiny airport in Krui (Taufiq Kiemas Airport). Sometimes, small airlines like Susi Air run flights from Bandar Lampung. Warning: These are notoriously unreliable and often cancel if there aren’t enough passengers or if the wind is wrong.
The Hardcore Route (Motorbike): Only for experienced riders. You can ride from Jakarta to Merak port, take the ferry to Sumatra, and ride down. It’s a multi-day, exhausting mission. Not recommended if you just want to surf.
If you want empty lineups and perfect waves, the journey to Krui is absolutely worth it. Pack your boards, grab some cash, and get there before everyone else does!