Overview
Tamarin Bay is a long, perfectly formed left that peels over a live coral reef facing northwest. When it's on, clean, hollow barrels tour the reef and reward surfers with plenty of tube time. The spot's reputation was built by the '70s film The Forgotten Island of Santosha, and while it slipped from the spotlight as surfers chased Indonesian consistency, it remains a beautiful wave to behold.
When It Works
It takes a moderate to big southwest swell, wrapping heavily into the bay, to get the reef firing. The wave draws swell from south to southwest, with southwest (SW) the best match. It's usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft. Consistency can be hit or miss, so it pays to time your visit to a solid swell.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind. The reef works on mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. It turns ultra-shallow at low tide, so higher water is both better and safer.
Local Tips
This is an expert's wave. The barrelling, fast-breaking wall rewards confident surfers, while anyone less experienced is better off on the inside reform or the beachbreak. Expect a very busy lineup when it's working. Watch for urchins, sharp reef, currents and sharks, and be respectful in the water.
Access
There's a car park with free parking plus roadside parking, along with restrooms and a surf shop nearby.
