Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa)

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Chop
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Flies is a fairly exposed beach break on the Taliwang Coast (West Sumbawa) known for inconsistent surf and an average wave experience. The setup commonly features left and right peaks, but sets can be irregular, and conditions depend on finding the right swell and tide window. Rock hazards are a key safety factor at this launch. Submerged and shoreline rocks can interfere with takeoffs and landings, and sessions are strongly favored around mid tide to avoid the shallowest rock zones. On larger swell days, the spot can become messy or close out due to its open exposure, which increases the importance of reading sets and maintaining control. Wind conditions are generally supportive during the drier months: Southeast trade winds commonly blow offshore (from the E to SE sector), helping groom the waves. Typical winds are reported around 10–20 knots, with medium reliability and light gusting. The wind pattern is backed by the regional expectation of a southeast trade-wind gradient, with afternoon acceleration possible in the wider area. Timing-wise, June is repeatedly highlighted as the best month, with the dry-season window extending through about May to September. The area is generally quiet year-round; even when surf is up, it is described as unlikely to get too crowded. For planning, keep local emergency realities in mind: rescue is limited and medical support is not immediate at the beach—serious issues typically require evacuation beyond the area.

  • Often uncrowded even when surf is up
  • Offshore E–SE trade winds can groom waves
  • Best around mid tide; best month is June
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Often uncrowded even when surf is up.
  • Offshore East–Southeast trade winds can groom the waves during the dry season.
  • Warm tropical water for long sessions (water temps generally in the high-20s °C).
Heads up
  • Exposed beach break with inconsistent surf and average wave quality.
  • Rock hazards (including submerged rocks) are present; the shallowest areas can be worse outside mid-tide.
  • No organized rescue/lifeguard presence at the spot.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE, SE
Offshore directions
E, ESE, SE
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Southeast trade winds are the dominant wind pattern along Taliwang Coast.
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Thermal Window
Other · Afternoon · Months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct · Dir: SE, S, SSE · Afternoon acceleration can occur due to local topography, reported roughly 11:00am–5:00pm (regionally).

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop
Beach
Mixed — Sand and mixed rocky bottom/shoreline composition.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Medium conditions reported; can vary with swell and tide.
Chop Level
Light chop — Wind and exposure can produce chop; one provider describes the water as chop.
Launch
Medium — Beach access with scattered rocks; access is directly from the beach/shoreline.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–30 °C
Water Temperature
28–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: rash guard or 1mm neoprene top
Crowds by Season

Generally quiet year-round; June and July see slightly more visitors.

Storm/Rain Season

December to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed beach break with inconsistent surf. Typically has left and right peaks; less consistent than nearby reef options, but can be a fun, quiet alternative when conditions align.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SW, S
Swell Height
1–2 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Best around mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Open exposure; more prone to messy conditions on larger swells.
Wind Effect
East and Southeast trade winds are offshore here, generally grooming the waves.
Bigger Swell
Can close out or become messy on very large swells due to the exposed nature.
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short
Ride Length Details
Short, punchy rides that often end in the shorebreak or over shallow rock sections.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) in the full forecast view.

Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
Direction
SSW206°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2410 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.4–1.1 m11s period
Temperature
25–34 °C

Over the next 7 days, Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.4–1.1 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Rocks (including submerged rocks)
  • Inconsistent sets
  • Isolated location
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuitHarness

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards are indicated for this spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Regional guidance indicates limited rescue availability and no organized lifeguard/pro rescue service.
Emergency Info
Rescue is not organized at the spot; for serious emergencies, evacuation to Lombok or Bali is standard. National emergency number: 112. Nearest major medical facility is RSUD Taliwang.

Rules of the spot

Focus on rock-aware navigation: sets can be inconsistent and shallow/submerged rocks are present; keep to mid-tide conditions when possible and avoid bigger-swelle days if you cannot read the lineup.

Local Tips
  • Check the tide carefully as sessions are best around mid-tide to avoid the shallowest rocks.
  • Keep an eye out for larger cleanup sets on big-swell days.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Taliwang
Nearest Town
Taliwang
Parking
Limited roadside parking or informal beach access parking.
Public Transport
Limited to infrequent local buses; many visitors rely on rented motorbikes or private transfers from the ferry terminal.
Access
Accessible via scooter or 4WD from Taliwang; the road can be rough in places.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Indonesian
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and surf camps are available in the wider West Sumbawa region and in/around Taliwang town.
Food & Drink
Local warungs are available in Taliwang town, but options directly at the break are limited.
Equipment Rental:
Limited surf rentals may be available in Taliwang or nearby surf camps.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa)?

The best overall months at Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) are June. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.

Which wind directions work at Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa)?

Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.

What skill level is Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) suitable for?

Flies (Taliwang Coast, West Sumbawa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.