Shipwrecks Surf Guide

Surf spot guide

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

S-SW.

Wind

SE-E.

Surf Height

Waist high to double overhead.

Tide

Mid to high.

Shipwrecks Surf Guide

The classic dry season reefbreaks of Nusa Lembongan prove you don’t need to commit to a 10-day luxury Mentawai charter to score boat trip perfection. Just a short speedboat ride from Sanur or Benoa Harbor lands you on this small island off Bali’s southeast coast, where long-period Southern Ocean swells are funneled through the deep Lombok Strait and unload on the string of sharp coral fringes offshore.

Shipwrecks is the northernmost and most sought-after wave – an exposed, fast, mechanical right that jacks up on a shallow reef before peeling down the line beside the namesake ship remains. It often offers a barrel at the takeoff followed by a rippable wall, all finishing in a well-defined channel.

Razors, across the channel, is a shorter left that can be deceptively mellow on a small day at high tide, or a heaving, square barrel over dry reef when the swell picks up. As the name suggests, it’s not for the faint of heart. Less consistent and less crowded than Shipwrecks.

Both spots are tide-sensitive and best with some water covering the reef.

Ability Level

Intermediate - Advanced

BegIntAdv

Intermediate to advanced.

Local Vibe

Doable

WelcomingIntimidating

Present.

Crowd Factor

Moderate

MellowHeavy

High at Shipwrecks; Razors is usually less crowded than neighboring Shipwrecks and Lacerations as it’s less consistent.

Spot Rating

Perfect

PoorPerfect

Good to epic.

Shoulder Burn

Medium

LightExhausting

Moderate to High. These reefs are a long paddle from the beach, unless you pay one of the local surf boats to take you out and drop you off. When the tide starts running out, especially on full or new moon and a strong swell, a strong current often pulls the crowd up the reef and behind the takeoff zone, making it a constant paddle to stay in position.

Water Quality

Clean

CleanDirty

Relatively clean.

Hazards

Shallow reef, sea urchins, strong tidal currents, rusty ship remains on the inside at Shipwrecks; also watch out for metal stakes and nets from seaweed farming on the far inside of the reef.

Bring Your

Shortboard, Fish, Bodyboard

Access

Speedboat from Sanur or Benoa Harbor in Bali; paddle out or hire a local surf taxi boat from shore.

Bottom

Shallow reef, rusty ship remains at Shipwrecks, stakes and nets from seaweed farms.

Best Season

May-October.

Do you have local knowledge about Shipwrecks?

If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]