Sorake Beach, the Best Surfing Spot in Nias, North Sumatra

Sorake Beach is one of popular beaches in Nias with big and high wave. This condition becomes a perfect spot for those who love surfing. For domestic tourist, probably Sorake Beach is a strange name. But, for professional surfer, this beach likes a paradise and God provides it for their hobby. That is why most of professional surfers curious to conquer the powerful wave. Every year, tourist from around the world comes to this beach. It is because there is surfing competition for local and foreign. People know this event as Nias open. There are hundred surfers who participate in this competition.

Pictures Sorakebeach.com

Location

Sorake Beach exists at Botohilitano Village, Teluk Dalam sub-district, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Besides that, the beach is adjacent to Lagundri Beach. The location is so remote. That is why visitor who want to come to the beach needs extra effort. However, this condition makes the beach still virgin. Hence, it is not surprise if Sorake Beach becomes favorite surfing spot for surfers. There are two alternative ways to reach Nias Island, i.e. by sea and air transportation. If you choose sea transportation, you can reach Nias Island for about 85 miles. It takes around 12 hours by ferry from Sibolga City, North Sumatera to Gunung Sitoli Port. Sitoli is the only one big city in Nias Island. From Gunung Sitoli to Teluk Dalam City, it will take around 4 hours by a car.  

If you take air transportation, you can start your journey from Polonia Airport in Medan City, North Sumatera. It will take around 1 hour to Binaka Airport. The airport exists around 20 km south of Gunung Sitoli, Nias Island. From Binaka Airport, you can hire a car or travel agent to go to Teluk Dalam City. It takes for 4 hours. In a short time, tourist who wants to visit Sorake Beach will be more comfortable because local government plan to build an airport. The location is only 3 km from the beach. This infrastructure will ease visitor when they want to enjoy the vacation in Sorake Beach. The airport will be active around August 2013.

 

Accommodations

Accommodation at Sorake Beach is quite complete. There are home stay, hotel and lodge. Besides that, you will meet one of traditional village. You can enjoy the exoticism of Bawomataluo Village in Fanayama sub-district, which is exists around 30 minutes from Sorake. In this village, you can enjoy war dancing, jumping stone and traditional houses from South Nias. If you want to have documentation in Sorake Beach, you don’t have to worry about it. There are many photographers and videographers. They will record your action when you conquer the wave. For this service, you have to pay around IDR1,500,000 or US$155 for 100 pictures. You can see them at 07.00 – 11.00 and 16.00 – 18.30.

 

Activities

Sorake Beach is famous for the high and powerful wave. The height of wave can be 3 – 5 meters. But, when the wave is good, the height can be 15 meters. Usually, it happens around June – July. This condition challenges the professional surfers to conquer one of the best surfing spot in the world. Besides that, there are five levels of wave, which is very rare. In this beach, a surfer can ride a wave of water for about 200 meters. It happens because the character of wave in Sorake is long and big. The reason is because the beach is facing right to Indian Ocean.

The other peculiarity is that the wave is not depends to direction of wind and tide. Hence, when you come here, don’t think about white sand because along the coastline, you will only see rocks. Most of surfers who want to feel the real wave in Sorake Beach will come on June to July. If you want to surf, you don’t need to swim to the middle of ocean. You only need to walk along the coastline and swim for about 2 – 3 toward the ocean. Next, you only need to wait the rolling of wave. If you are lucky, you can find hollow wave. This wave is the most wanted wave and professional surfer will love to challenge this type.

When you come at weekend and holiday, the beach will be full by tourist local. They want to enjoy the beauty of beach from distance. Some of them try to learn surfing. If you want to meet the best wave in Sorake Beach, you can come around June – July. You will never regret because the weather is good and the wave of water is powerful and high.