Donuts
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Donuts is a hollow right-hand reef break in Maluk Bay (offshore from Goa, West Sumbawa). The wave is described as fast and often very barrel-shaped, with maneuverable rides available on smaller days and more powerful barrels on bigger swells. The spot’s key constraint is tide and water depth: it’s best on mid to high tide, because the reef becomes very shallow and hazardous at low tide. Even in good conditions, the bottom is sharp coral/reef with rocks, so protection and careful timing matter. Currents can be strong around the channel and the reef, and access is isolated offshore (typically via a long paddle or a boat). Wind-wise, the cleanest setup is usually with offshore flow from the East/SouthEast (including East through NorthEast/SouthEast variations). Dry-season conditions are described as reliable, and the offshore winds help groom the face and keep the barrel open. Overall, Donuts is best suited for intermediate surfers who can handle a fast, hollow takeoff and manage shallow-water hazards. Rescue and lifeguard coverage are not reported for the spot, so riders are advised to plan access carefully and be especially conservative when swell and currents build.
- Hollow, fast right-hander with barrel potential
- Best at mid-to-high tide (reef needs water)
- Offshore East/SouthEast winds help grooming
- Hollow, fast right-hander with barrel potential on the right swell
- Best conditions align with mid-to-high tide and offshore easterly trade winds
- Good-to-very-fun wave character, with quick rides when it’s on
- Shallow, sharp coral reef and rocks make low-tide sessions risky
- Strong currents can be present around the reef/channel
- Difficult access (long offshore paddle or boat) and isolated location
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, SE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, SE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Dry-season trade-wind pattern; spot-specific best wind aligned with offshore flow from the East/SouthEast.
- Reliability
- High during the dry season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally described as steady.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Concrete — Concrete beach composition reported by one source; another describes sand—local shoreline can vary by access point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Starts working around 1.0–1.5m and can hold up to ~2m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Offshore access via boat or long paddle (~800m); not a beach launch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Access via long paddle or boat; described as difficult.
Through the year
Generally quiet compared to nearby famous breaks; some traffic during peak swell events.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A hollow right-hander in Maluk Bay that can produce fast, barrel-shaped rides. Works best on mid-to-high tide with sufficient water over the shallow reef; less suitable on low tide due to extreme shallows.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Mid and high tide; reef is too shallow at low tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally sheltered by the bay setting, but not protected from the reef’s shallows or strong currents.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly/SouthEast offshore winds help groom the face and keep the barrel open.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size reasonably well; can become heavy and difficult above ~2.5m, and can wrap into the bay on bigger days.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful barrels on bigger days.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often described as super hollow / hollow and round.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast-breaking with quick, intense sections.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically 50–150m on a good day; generally described as short-to-medium depending on swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Often described as quick, intense rides roughly 50–150m on good days (sometimes noted as short under typical conditions).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Donuts in the full forecast view.
Donuts wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- SSE160°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2912 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 25–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Donuts is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.7–1.7 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharp coral reef
- Rocks
- Strong currents (especially at high tide)
- Isolated offshore access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No formal rescue is reported for the spot; regional context suggests limited formal rescue.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest basic medical facilities are cited in Maluk; more serious cases may require travel to Mataram on Lombok. Emergency number 112 is cited for the region.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Conflicting notes exist on access for non-locals; one note suggests non-locals may not be allowed.
Rules of the spot
Avoid surfing at low tide because the reef becomes very shallow; conditions are best on mid-to-high tide with enough water over the coral.
- Some notes indicate non-locals may not be allowed.
- Needs lots of water over the reef—better at high tide; very shallow on low tide.
- Expect strong currents around the reef/channel, especially when the swell picks up.
- Consider using a boat for access to save energy for the session.
- Booties are strongly recommended due to the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Maluk, West Sumbawa
- Nearest Town
- Maluk
- Nearest Airport
- Lombok International Airport (LOP)
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach in Goa village.
- Access
- Paddle >20 minutes or boat access; located offshore opposite Supersuck (~800m offshore in Maluk Bay).
- Local Language
- Indonesian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and surf camps available in nearby towns of Maluk and Sekongkang.
- Food & Drink
- Local warungs (small eateries) are located in Goa and Maluk.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available in Maluk, though selection may be limited.
- Gear Repair
- Basic board repairs available in Maluk.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Donuts?
The best overall months at Donuts are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Donuts?
Donuts works with E, SE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, SE, NE.
What skill level is Donuts suitable for?
Donuts suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.