What size does Pantai Camara work best at?

2–5 ft is the working range. Below that it goes flat; above, it stops being fun and the lineup thins out.

When is the best season to surf Pantai Camara?

Peak season runs through the months when the swell window aligns and trade winds blow offshore. See the month strip in Wave fit for the working window.

What swell direction does Pantai Camara need?

Pantai Camara works on a w to nw groundswell.

What are the main hazards?

minimal, no reef or rip. Reef booties are common at reef breaks; check tide and crowd conditions before paddling out.

What type of wave is Pantai Camara?

Pantai Camara is a a-frame breaking wave over beach. Soft, slow beach peaks with occasional walling corners.

Kabupaten Aceh Besar, Aceh, Indonesia

Pantai Camara

5.425, 95.240

Edited by Thomas Jackson

Verified May 2026

ResearchedCross-checked against 1 reference

A-frame · BeachBeginner → Intermediate2–5 ftJan – Dec

A sand-bottom beach break north of Banda Aceh delivering soft, forgiving peaks that suit beginners and longboarders looking for uncrowded Indonesian surf without the reef risk. Pantai Camara sits roughly 15-20 km up the coast from the city, framed by coconut palms and a gently sloping shoreline. W to NW swells in the 2-4ft range produce slow, rolling peaks that are easy to read and easy to paddle into. On bigger NW pulses pushing chest to head-high, the beach throws up fun corners with enough wall to practice turns. Dawn sessions in the October-to-February window deliver the most consistent swell and the glassiest surface before onshore winds build mid-morning. The crowd picture is about as relaxed as it gets in this part of Sumatra. Bottom: sand. Season: October to February. Consistency: moderate. Bring a longboard or a soft-top for small days, and a mid-length or fish when NW swells push size.

Wave fit

Skill suited

Beginner → Intermediate

BegIntAdv

Best months

Jan – Dec

Character

Soft, slow beach peaks with occasional walling corners.

Conditions

When it works

Swell window

W to nw

Size range

small to chest high

Hazards

MinimalNo reef or rip

Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp

27° to 30°C

Wetsuit

Boardies

What to bring

Longboard or soft-top for small days 2-3 ft
Fish or mid-length 7ft to 7ft 6in for chest to head-high NW swells

Lineup

Mellow lineup

Where it sits

Location

Loading map...

About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd Access Nearby Alternatives

Crowd & Localism

Pantai Camara draws very little surf traffic. Expect a handful of local riders and occasional visiting beginners. No notable localism signals. This is a low-pressure environment to learn or warm up.

Access & Facilities

The beach is a 15-20 minute drive north of Banda Aceh. Roadside parking is available, and the walk to the water is short. Basic food and drink can be found in the surrounding village. No dedicated surf rentals on site, so bring your own equipment.

Nearby Alternatives

When the NW swell is bigger than this beach can handle, spots further along the Aceh coast pick up more shape and power. Lhoknga, southwest of Banda Aceh, offers a reef-based left for more experienced surfers when conditions align.

10-day swell, wind and tide