Indonesia ยท Indo-Pacific
Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Desert Point. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Not much swell but keen eyes will find something to ride. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Breezy. Some surface chop to deal with.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Desert Point, located on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, is widely considered one of the longest, most consistently hollow left-hand waves on the planet. The bathymetry consists of an incredibly shallow, flat, and sharp coral reef extending along a remote peninsula. The wave requires a precise south-westerly groundswell to wrap around the point and engage the shallow shelf. When paired with a south-easterly offshore trade wind, the wave produces a high-speed, endlessly cylindrical tube that reels mechanically down the reef. Because the water depth is critically shallow-often exposing the live coral-and the wave speed frequently outpaces the surfer, it is an extremely high-consequence environment. It is strictly reserved for expert surfers capable of executing high-velocity, highly technical tube rides. Mistakes guarantee severe lacerations and broken equipment upon the exposed coral reef. The combination of intense speed, shallow water, and remote location makes this wave an ultimate test.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and jellyfish: peak season.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 47% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:24
Crystal clear water: ~23m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Desert Point
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
Create a free profile and let employers in Desert Point find you.
Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Desert Point is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Desert Point on Lombok is widely considered one of the longest, most mechanically perfect left-hand barrels on the planet. The wave reels along an incredibly shallow, flat coral reef with robotic consistency, producing a high-speed tube that simply does not stop. When conditions align, the barrel runs for 200 metres or more without interruption. The setting is remote and arid, with only basic facilities and a small community of surfers drawn by the wave's legendary reputation. This is a pilgrimage destination for barrel hunters.
Desert Point is notoriously fickle, requiring a specific south-westerly swell direction to wrap around the peninsula and engage the reef at the correct angle. The season runs from May through September. The wave needs at least 4-6ft of swell and the direction must be precise. South-easterly trade winds blow offshore. The wave breaks only at specific tides (mid-tide is optimal). When conditions align, it is perfect; when they do not, it is either unsurfable or dangerously shallow.
The take-off zone is concentrated at the top of the reef where the deep water meets the shallow shelf. The wave pitches immediately into a high-speed barrel that reels down the reef. Position yourself exactly on the boil at the reef edge. The barrel section begins from the first moment; there is no warm-up section. The deep-water channel at the end of the reef provides the exit and paddle-back route.
The reef is critically shallow with live coral exposed at lower tides. The wave speed frequently outpaces the surfer, resulting in getting clipped by the lip and driven onto the reef. Any wipeout guarantees contact with the coral. The remote location means extremely limited medical facilities. Infections from coral cuts develop rapidly. The sheer speed of the wave makes it one of the most technically demanding barrels in the world.
Desert Point is at the south-western tip of Lombok. Basic warungs and simple accommodation exist near the break. The road from Kuta Lombok takes approximately 2 hours. The walk from the accommodation to the break is short. The paddle-out via the channel is straightforward but can be current-affected.
The fickle nature of the wave and remote location limit numbers. When conditions align, expect 10-20 surfers, many of whom have been waiting days or weeks for the swell to arrive. The concentrated take-off zone makes even a small crowd competitive. Priority goes to the deepest surfer. The atmosphere is intense; everyone present knows what they are waiting for.
Patience is the primary requirement. Desert Point may only break properly a handful of times per month. Many surfers camp nearby and wait. When it does fire, be in the water at first light. The wave is faster than you expect; it will outrun you multiple times before you calibrate. A longer board (6'4" to 6'8") with extra speed provides better odds of matching the wave's pace. Reef boots, helmet, and comprehensive first aid supplies are essential. The barrel rewards a low stance and high-line trim rather than pumping.
Strong current
Surf at Desert Point
Your score
Forecast feel
Score this window against what you actually found.
No scored surf reviews in the last 24 hours.
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Log a day
Add Desert Point to your private Companion record without GPS.
Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 29 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Desert Point tend to be best between 07:00 to 10:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 49/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
View Best Time to Go โ