Turtles

Turtles

Quick Info

Overview of Location and Area

Turtles sits on the southern fringe of the Banyak Islands chain off North Sumatra, Indonesia. The area is a pristine escape—no beach bars, no scooters, no Wi-Fi—just ocean, reef, and jungle. The vibe here is slow and salty, with most access coming via charter boats or surf-specific land camps. Turtles is one of the more playful and accessible waves in the Banyaks, making it a favorite for warming up or logging consistent sessions when the heavier slabs aren’t cooperating.

About Turtles

Turtles is a super fun left-hand reef break with a forgiving nature and a long, rippable wall. It’s far mellower than the slabs that put the Banyaks on the map—like Cobras or Lolok Point—but still offers barrels on the right swell. It peels cleanly along the reef with multiple sections, giving you the choice to tuck in, lay rail, or mix it up.

This is the kind of wave you can surf all day, especially on a charter trip. High wave count, little consequence, and loads of performance potential. It’s the perfect contrast to the heavier waves in the zone and suits intermediate surfers building confidence in reef breaks, as well as advanced surfers looking to open up on the face.

Best Conditions for Turtles

Swell Direction: South to southwest swell gives the best angle, lining up the sections beautifully.
Swell Size: Starts working around 3 ft and gets more exciting up to 10 ft. Can hold a solid swell but doesn’t get scary.
Tides: Works through the tide, but mid tide with a bit of water over the reef usually offers the best shape.
Wind: Needs easterly to northeasterly wind to stay clean—early mornings are typically best in the Banyaks.

Getting in and out at Turtles

This wave is often surfed off a boat—charters will anchor nearby and drop you in the channel. Paddling in from shore is possible if you’re staying on the nearby island, though you’ll want to time it with the lulls and watch for the reef heads near the takeoff zone.

The reef is fairly tame compared to other Indo setups—still coral, but deeper and less jagged in the key takeoff and exit areas. Ideal for building reef confidence.

Getting to Turtles

Turtles is usually accessed as part of a surf charter around the Banyak Islands. The usual route:

Fly into Medan (KNO), North Sumatra.
Overland to Singkil or fly to Nias if your charter departs from there.
Hop on a boat charter or organize transport via a land-based surf camp.
The remote nature of the Banyaks means most trips are liveaboard-style, giving you freedom to hit the best spots based on the daily swell and wind. Turtles is often the go-to when surfers need something reliable and super fun.

Hazards to Look Out for at Turtles

Reef: While relatively mellow, it’s still coral reef—scrapes and cuts are possible if you fall in shallow water.
Crowds: Low, but expect a boat or two if swell and wind are lining up and heavier waves aren’t working.
Fatigue: It’s easy to over-surf yourself here—wave count is high and sessions can stretch for hours.
Turtles is a total gem—a cruisy left in a land of heavy setups. For days when you want to get your wave count up, work on turns, or sneak into a cheeky barrel without the reef chasing you, this is the place. An essential part of the Banyak experience.