Rote Surf Resort - Lualemba Bungalows

Where permaculture meets the sea

Introducing Season 2026: A Fresh Look and New Ways to Stay

As many of you have probably noticed, we are rolling out a name change for the upcoming season! Based on feedback from our guests—many of whom found "Lualemba" a bit tricky to pronounce or remember when recommending us to friends—we are transitioning to Rote Surf Resort.

Don’t worry, die-hard guests: we will always keep the name Lualemba woven into the resort. It holds a deep history both across Rote Island and with everyone who has stayed with us over the years.

What’s New for 2026?

To give you more flexibility and help you better manage your travel budget, we are updating our pricing structure to a Breakfast-Only system.

Additionally, we are now including one free local Nemberala boat trip per day, per person with your choice of accommodation!

Rote Island has been progressing rapidly, and there is so much more to see, do, and eat in the local area than in the past. We wanted our packages to move forward with the times, giving you the freedom to explore the island's growing offerings while still enjoying the very best of our resort.

Dining at the Resort

Breakfast: Still fully included in your accommodation rate.
Lunch & Dinner: Our restaurant remains fully open, offering a delicious menu of Western and Indonesian favorites at standard menu prices.
Banquet Dinners: Our famous, communal banquet dinners aren't going anywhere! We will continue to host them several times a week, available to guests at an additional set price.

Whether you are a returning member of the family or visiting us for the very first time, we can’t wait to welcome you to the island in 2026.

surf accommodation Nemberala Rote Island Indonesia

Welcome to Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba– More Than Just a Place to Stay

First opening our doors in 2009 back when Rote had only a handful of accommodations to offer Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba (formerly Lualemba Bungalows) has grown and transformed into a true permaculture paradise. Today, our lush, carefully tended grounds stand as the greenest and most glamorous gardens on Rote Island.

Our website is designed to showcase not only our beautiful accommodation but also the rich variety of activities and island experiences available to our guests.

To explore what we have to offer, simply scroll down the page. Each feature includes a "Read More" button where you can find deeper details and photos. If you have any questions or are ready to lock in your stay, click "Contact Lualemba" to send us an email. We can't wait to welcome you!

BUNGALOW ACCOMMODATION

Unique Traditional Bungalows with Modern Comforts

Authentic Vibes, Modern Comforts

Our traditional Timorese bungalows got a full glow-up. They’re packed with big, comfy beds, powerful fans, private terraces, and fully tiled bathrooms. Plus, the insulated timber ceilings are topped with classic coconut thatch to keep things perfectly cool and dry. Free Starlink Wi-Fi is good to go resort-wide.

Eco-Friendly Paradise

Chill out in our chemical-free natural pool—complete with waterfalls, plants, and fish—kept crystal clean using UV light and ionizers. The whole property is tucked away in lush permaculture gardens full of fresh fruit and flowers.

Right by the Action

An easy 400-meter stroll brings you straight to Nemberala beach harbor. Jump on a daily shuttle boat and you'll be carving up Tland and other epic local breaks in minutes.

Read More

Contact Lualemba

Soul Surfer Stay Package

Single Room

This is our most standard accommodation package but super cool as each room has air conditioning and super comfy. There are 3 available rooms that have a large share modern bathroom. The terrace has a great view of the natural Rote bushland with beautiful on site gardens at a very private location.

Soul Surfer Deluxe Bungalow

The Timor traditional view from the front of a deluxe bungalow at Rote Surf Resort.

Single Person Bungalow

Want to stay in the privacy of your own bungalow with a terrace surrounded by beautiful gardens. Have your own queen size bed and bathroom you’ll be super comfy that you won’t wanna go home.

Surf Buddies Stay Package

A tropical-style thatched roof 2 bedroom bungalow at Rote Surf Resort. Great for a couple surf buddies.

Twin Share bungalow

Traveling with a mate to Rote and want to hang out with a twin share bungalow with your own private bedroom. Best location to chill in a peaceful cool place surrounded by beautiful gardens yet a short walk to everything you need in Nemberala.

Tandem Surfers Stay Package

A Rote Surf Resort deluxe bungalow surrounded by gardens and green green grass.

Couples Bungalow

Looking for a peaceful bungalow surrounded with beauty and eligance. Cool off in the natural pool or just hang out enjoying a cool beverage. Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows has some of the most stunning gardens on Rote island. This passive location is just a short stroll to the beach and shops.

The Surf Pack Stay Package

Family Bungalow

Come enjoy a family fun holiday in our tropical paradise on an island paradise. We have an awesome pool, table tennis and a smart tv to keep the groms entertained while the grown ups chill out around our beautiful gardens.

Party Wave Stay Package

For the Group Travelers

Bring the party to Rote Surf Reort / Lualemba Bungalows and share a few waves with your mates. Make a group booking and save money each day of your stay. Package is for any group of six adults or more staying more than seven days.

LUALEMBA BAR AND RESTAURANT

Meals fit for a king

We take pride in providing our guests with a fulfilling dining experience, and our Banquet dinners are designed to offer a variety of choices to suit different tastes and we also cater for personal dietary needs. Join us for your meals and savor the flavors and tastes of Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows.

As part of your accommodation inclusion package, you will enjoy breakfast each day consisting a fresh fruit salad, tea or coffee and a choice from the breakfast menu. Lunch is still available with western and Indonesian choices at added menu prices. Several times a week the Lualemba banquet dinner will be available with selections of whole barbecued fish or one of Jenets unique chicken dishes or her famous beef rendang plus a spread of vegetable dishes and a Indonesian style soup.

TRAVEL PLANS TO AND FROM ROTE

Book your flights to Kupang and we will organise you to Rote.

To stay updated on transportation to and from Rote, please email us a couple of weeks before you arrive to check nothing has changed. However, if you are planning to travel to Rote, we recommend organizing your flights to Kupang airport and leaving the logistics to us from Kupang Airport to Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows. We will make sure to make your journey as smooth as possible.

There are three options to travel from Kupang to Rote.

Wings air has rescheduled flights to Rote and Kupang. We can organise surfboards and other luggage on the transport ferry to arrive later the same night to Rote. This can save you a lot of money on checked in luggage. Best to book through tiket.com or traveloka.com

Cars can be organised for charter from Kupang Airport taking an hour to the ferry terminals.

Behari fast ferry 9.00am daily .

Transport ferry 8.30am and 3.30pm daily .

SURFING ROTE

Surfing Tland or Besialu reef as known by the locals. Some days 200 meter rides and rubber legs are why people come to stay at Rote Surf Resort.

Get ready to carve it up

Rote Island is known for its incredible waves, especially when the swell direction is favorable and the winds are light or offshore.

Thankfully, Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows is conveniently located just a short walk to the Nemberala beach harbor, we provide the convenience of our boats. With one of our boats, we can transport to surf breaks like Tland, Bombie, The Spit and Squealers which are included in the price of your accommodation. In these cases, we will have one of our experienced captains waiting at the surf location while you enjoy your surf session. This ensures that you have a safe and enjoyable experience in the water.

FISHING AROUND ROTE

Hooking up and having the fight of your life

Whether you're a fishing enthusiast or simply looking for a relaxing day on the water, Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows has something for everyone. Our boating adventures offer a range of fishing techniques, including trolling, jigging, popping, and bait fishing. You can choose the style that suits you best and enjoy the thrill of catching your own fish.

At Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows, we are experienced and knowledgeable with the best fishing spots in the area. We can provide guidance and assistance throughout your fishing trip, ensuring that you have the best chance of hooking a big catch. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, we can tailor the experience to meet your needs and ensure a memorable outing.

LUALEMBA BOATS

Surf boat transfer for Rote Surf Resort guests to Tland at Nemberala.

Lualemba boats is where the adventure begins.

At Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows, we provide exclusive to our guests' convenience to access surf spots, fishing and island adventures.

For surfers, we offer a boat that will take you to some of the best local surf breaks in the Nemberala area. This includes Besialu Reef (also known as Tland), the Bombie, Squealers, and the Spit. These surf breaks are renowned for their quality waves, and our boat will transport you directly to these locations, waiting while you surf.

In addition to the surf boat, we also have Te Aila our yacht available exclusive for guests only. This yacht can be used for various activities, including exploring the outer islands, visiting outer reefs for fishing, or simply enjoying a leisurely sail around the area.

ROTE ADVENTURES

Rote Island has a natural beauty to discover.

At Lualemba Bungalow Resort, we understand that not everyone's interests revolve around surfing. We provide a range of experiences to suit your preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and memorable stay on Rote Island. Embrace the adventure and make the most of your time here.

Rent a motorbike or charter a car: With convenient and flexible transportation to suit your desires, you can explore the island at your own pace. Discover the hidden gems of Rote's landscapes, from untouched beaches to unique rock formations and stunning viewpoints.

Take a boat or yacht to remote islands: If you prefer a more secluded adventure, consider taking a boat or yacht to one of the nearby remote islands. Wander along pristine beaches, be the first to leave footprints in the sand, and explore diverse landscapes from rocky coastlines to serene rock pools during low tide.

ROTE FRIENDLY

Help save Rote Island

Most of us travel to Rote mostly to surf, fish or take in the raw environment that reminds a lot to people what Bali was like back in the day. As development increases around the island and its isolation from the main stream of Indonesian resources we are trying to keep guests aware to being more preventive to reducing the use of plastic and help keep rubbish to a minimum. At Lualemba Bungalow Resort we provide guests with excellent filtered drinking water provided to each bungalow. This has a dramatic reduction in plastic bottle use. Overall I think we have seen enough plastic pollution to know it’s up to the individual to make a difference in reducing the use of plastic. We are asking guests when they travel to Rote if they can bring their own reusable drink bottle and reusable bags keeping plastic at a minimum.

LUALEMBA BUNGALOW RESORT PRICES AND PAYMENTS

Indonesian Rupiah

Lualemba return STAY Deal:

Here at Lualemba Bungalow Resort our aim is for our guests to have the best holiday time possible in Rote. We start with the accommodation and the quality of the meals plus the best service whether it is in the water or on the land. We want you to keep coming back to Lualemba Bungalow Resort so much that many guests feel like part of our family atmosphere whether it is with the staff or other guests they have met here in the past meeting up again. So we are offering previous guests that have stayed longer than 7 days in the past to come back with 3 guests new to Lualemba Bungalow Resort for 7 days or more and the previous (1) guest will receive 3 days free deducted from their package deal and including boat trips to Tland.

Long term stay discount:

Stay more than 21 days at Lualemba Bungalow Resort and guests will receive RP 100,000 per day per person subtracted from their daily rate.

Best payment Methods

We accept most credit /debit bank cards.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Please note the following payment options and recommendations when staying at Lualemba Bungalow Resort. PAYMENT IS STRICTLY ON ARRIVAL FOR THE FULL TERM OF YOUR STAY :

Bank Card Machine (EFTPOS): Lualemba Bungalow Resort accepts payment on arrival through a bank card machine (EFTPOS). You can use your bank card to make the payment in Indonesian Rupiah.
Indonesian Rupiah: Lualemba Bungalow Resort also accepts cash payments in Indonesian Rupiah. Please make sure to have sufficient local currency with you for your stay.
Bank Transfer to BCA Bank: If you prefer to make a bank transfer, Lualemba Bungalow Resort accepts payment into Indonesian BCA bank only. Please arrange the bank transfer in advance and provide the necessary details to the resort.
Limited ATM Availability: There are only a few ATM machines in Rote that accept international bank cards. These machines are located in the Ba’a area, approximately 35 kilometers from Nemberala. It is advisable to withdraw enough cash before arriving at Lualemba Bungalows to ensure smooth transactions during your stay.
Payment with Accommodation: You have the convenience of booking items from the restaurant and bar and paying for them when you leave on card machine. This allows you to minimize the need for carrying cash while staying at Lualemba Bungalow Resort.

Bank Card Machine (eftpos)

Guests should be aware of the payment options and fees associated with using their bank cards at Lualemba Bungalow Resort.

To make payments, guests can use credit or debit bank cards. The bank card machine at Lualemba Bungalow Resort is from BCA bank and accepts various card types, including MASTERCARD, VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS, UNION PAY, JCB, PRIMA DEBIT, and BCA bank cards.

It's worth noting that BCA bank charges a 3% fee for using bank cards through their machine. Guests should consider this fee when planning their payments.

Additionally, it is advisable for guests to inform their bank, specifically the institution associated with their bank card, about their travel plans. This notification helps to ensure that the bank doesn't block or deny payments made from the bank card while the guest is traveling out of their country.

Indonesian Rupiah cash

We only accept INDONESIAN RUPIAH CASH . American dollars or other international currencies are not accepted as it is too difficult to exchange in Rote. The best places to exchange foreign currencies is in Bali or Jakarta for best rates. Some local banks in Kupang and Rote can exchange foreign currency but the money needs to be in perfect condition and the exchange rate can be quite low.

Indonesian Bank Transfer

Payments can be transfer into Lualemba Bungalow Resort BCA Bank account only. Please DON’T transfer money into our Australian bank account it’s for deposits only. Transfer into our Indonesian BCA Bank account must be done 5 days prior to leaving Lualemba Bungalows.

Indonesian BCA Bank details.

Bank Branch: BCA Kupang KCU: 0140314 Account no: 3140657955 International Code (swift): CENAIDJA Account Name: Antoneta Loa Address: Nemberala Rote NTT

Prices

Rote Surf Resort - Lualemba Bungalows have made some changes to their pricing structure to remain competitive in the local market. Booking directly through our website, guests can enjoy the best deals compared to other booking agencies that charge extra costs for search engine optimization.

~one free boat trip per day

When staying at Lualemba Bungalow Resort, guests can have one free boat trip per day to Tland, Bombie, The Spit, and Squealers included in the price of the accommodation. We are sharing the love with the many local boat captains working from Nemberala Beach Harbor with a double token system were guests can take one boat out to the surf break and choose another boat to return if the original boat is not available when needed to return to the beach. Rote Surf Resort still offers fast boat trips to surf breaks further afield / fishing charters and the famous yacht charters to the outer islands.

~ Rates

Rote Surf Resort / Lualemba Bungalows offers one simple rate that includes breakfast only. One free boat trip to any of the local Nemberala surf breaks.

~lunch Menu

We still have lunch available at Lualemba Restaurant with the same menu choices of western and Indonesian food available at menu prices.

If you have any more questions or if there's anything else we can assist you with as in diet restrictions feel free to ask!

~ Soul surfer stay

For the single person we offer an air condition room with 3/4 size bed and assorted furniture to suit, mosquito net. Share modern bathroom.

Breakfast only deal : RP 1,250,000

~ Deluxe soul surfer stay

For the single person we are offering a self contained bungalow with terrace, own bathroom, queen size bed with assorted furniture to suit and large fan, mosquito net.

Breakfast only deal : RP 1,300,000

~ Tandem surfers stay

For a couple we are offering a self contained bungalow with terrace, own bathroom, queen size bed with assorted furniture to suit and large fan, mosquito net.

Breakfast only deal : RP 1,600,000

~ Surf buddies stay

For twin share bungalow so two mates come together stay in the same bungalow but have their own separate room with terrace, share bathroom, queen size beds with assorted furniture to suit and large fans, mosquito nets.

1 person breakfast deal : RP 1,200,000 each

~ party wave deal

Available for group bookings of six adult persons or more. Discount rate to any of the above deals Rp 100.000 per person.

~ The pack surfers stay

For a family couple or single parent bringing the groms along to stay in a large family two bedroom bungalow with terrace, share bathroom, queen size bed for the couple and single beds for the groms with assorted furniture to suit and large fans, mosquito nets.

Breakfast only

Couple RP 1,600,000

Single adult RP 1,400,000

Each grom 8 to 16 years old ( under 8 years old email for quote) RP 300,000