Very near the southernmost tip of the Indonesian island chain lies an island called Rote. As is the case with many of the islands, reefs surround Rote. And, as is also the case with many of the islands, those reefs hide beneath the surface of a balmy sea, tripping up powerful swells and folding them into those waves you see in magazines and your dreams.
Indonesia is perfectly situated to be a dreamland for surfers. Massive storms off Antarctica generate solid swells that run unobstructed northwards. After traveling for thousands of miles, they’ve combed their hair, put on their best shoes, and cleaned themselves up for their big appearance in warmer waters. Organized, long period swells wrap through the thousands of islands, banging into Rote before almost any other landmass.
Sitting on the southwest corner of Rote, Nemberala Beach Resort waits patiently for those swells to arrive. Nemberala Beach Resort has easy access to half a dozen reef breaks in a relatively remote location.
Pick your poison: Heavy, barreling rights, or long, perfect lefts.
1. No matter your ability, there’s a wave for you close by.
Depending on your talent in the water, a surf trip to somewhere with world class waves can be pretty intimidating. Of course, testing your limits is all part of the fun, but if you want to mellow out a little, having options that are a little less hairy can be a good thing.
On the other side of the coin, if you’re looking for giant, heavy tubes, you’ve got a few choices: The Suckies and Boa, to name a few. Suckies is a right hander about a 10 minute boat ride north of the resort. At low tide, Suckies can be a very hollow wave, but at high tide it can be a little fatter. Boa isn’t a playful wave. After taking a short transfer from the resort, Boa’s the place to go if you’re looking to get shacked, spat out, then turn around and do it all over again.
You won’t be bored. You just won’t.
2. Even if you’re surfed out, you’ll never be bored.
Some of the best times on a surf trip aren’t surfing. It’s all the weird, amazing things you find by accident when you’re out of the water that really make a trip. Nemberala Beach Resort has three boats for guests, so when it’s firing somewhere else, you’re not stuck on the island–you’re fishing or island hopping.
The fishing in Indonesia is amazing, and Rote is no exception. Commercial fishing in the area is relatively rare, and Spanish Mackerel, Trevalli, Wahoo, Dog Tooth Tuna, Yellow fin Tuna, Grouper, Sea Perch, Sailfish and Marlin are the fish you’re most likely to find in the area. And if you’re a spearo, well, on a few trips, they’ve shot 80-100 pound Dog Tooths in less than thirty feet of water. The boats, though, are focused on the surf–so when it’s good, that’s where they’re going. And you should be going with them.
Surrounding the resort are miles and miles of dirt trails, ranging from meandering, scenic rides to full bore single track downhills. Bikes are available, so you don’t have to worry about cramming one into your carry on.
There’s so much to see down there.
3. The diving.
The ocean is arguably the best part of surfing. Sure, sliding around on a moving wall of water is fun, but without the ocean, you might as well be in a wave pool. The ocean, along with its many hidden treasures, is what really makes it special. And if you’re a surfer, chances are good that you’re interested in what’s going on beneath the waves.
Just a short boat ride from the resort lie a few lagoon areas with spectacular snorkeling. Because of the minimal tidal movement in the lagoons, visibility is usually great, and amazing corals, reef fish, and occasionally an octopus or lobster are just a few of the things you’ll find.
The resort carries all the gear you’ll need, but if you plan on spending a lot of time peering around in the crystal clear waters, they do suggest that you bring your own along with you.
Inside and out, the bungalows are unreal.
4. The accommodations will blow you away.
You know those times when you spend a fortune on a plane ticket to somewhere with great waves, and when you get there, you find yourself sleeping in a cockroach infested slum? That’s not the case at Nemberala Beach Resort. Built from local materials by local craftsman, each of the four duplex bungalows has a porch, a huge outdoor bathroom, and a view of the waves and the pool.
And for those nights when it’s unbearably hot, there are large, quiet ceiling fans and louvered windows to keep the Indonesian air flowing all night. There are four bungalows with air conditioning if you really need to cool off in the evening.
Nemberala Beach Resort boasts a lot of the comforts of home, only they have an emphasis on disconnecting from home life for a while. Instead of spending your time online or staring at your phone, surf your face off, relax by the pool, catch fish, and make friends. Simply put, enjoy real life the way it is supposed to be enjoyed.
For a full list of the area’s waves, click here.
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