December 2024 - Lualemba Bungalow Resort - Monthly Newsletter
Hi Guys and Gals
December newsletters are a big one as we review the 2024 surf season. Overall the season was pretty good with July a bit of a dud lacking swell but August made up for it all. Enjoy this newsletter and contact us if you are planning to come to Rote island during season 2025.
Click here to check out our latest webpage
〰️
Click here to check out our latest webpage 〰️
Wet season beach mess but still nice when it’s the calm before the storm.
Our permaculture, flowering gardens are raging.
Lualemba Bungalow Resort is lush providing guests bungalows with coolness and privacy. Isn’t that part of the search when on holidays as well as just a short walk to the beach harbor at Nemberala where the Lualemba boats take guests to their favourite surf breaks. The natural chemical swimming pool is so refreshing to take a dip after a surf or adventure after been away from the resort. Situated in the centre of the resort is the Lualemba restaurant and bar area that is the central hub for guests that has an open atmosphere that catches any breeze making it a great place to hang out.
April
Better than the past April’s there were great surf conditions with slight off shore winds and with waves ranging from waist high to double overhead. The crowds were down probably due to people getting skunked over the previous years. The seasons are different every year and doesn’t mean each year follows the same pattern as the months from the years before. I remember many Aprils ago once had it 3 times overhead with just 2 out and some of the heaviest waves I’ve surfed on Rote island. For me the attraction in coming to Rote in April are the light winds being shoulder season and being able to surf several locations.
May
Waves were pretty good during May having some sizey days in the mix with the shoulder to head and a half days that can be the best fun days at Tland. Tland can be a barrelling wave especially when it gets size it becomes more top to bottom making the exit easier. The winds can start to get stronger and consistent during May as the Indonesian trade winds are starting to kick in. The trade winds are good for Tland as it faces the perfect direction for offshore faces on the waves. My opinion Tland needs offshore winds on waves to hold them up better rather than no wind.
June
Some good waves during June and a lot better than previous years with some large days at Tland and other surf breaks came alive that need the larger swells. Some of the outer island breaks were popular wit day trips on Te Aila.
July
Well if there was a bad month to mention for season 2024 July was it. The swell was inconsistent or non existent. There were still some waves around but size isn’t everyone’s thang and guests were still having fun and getting about the main island and the outer island was still good for the holiday adventure. I’ve seen some of the biggest back to back swells during July in the past and some of the flattest july’s and for no obvious reason to why.
August
If you came during August 2024 to Rote island you would have had the all time surf holiday as the whole of August was faultless. Some windy days in amongst the constant back to back swells but that didn’t affect the quality of the waves and for August there were some very light off shore wind days that gave guests to other breaks around the island and the outer islands.
September
The start of September was good with the flow over from the back to back swells from August than the size dropped a bit but there were still some fun waves about. The outer islands were breaking well with perfect conditions and very few surfers about. The last couple of weeks the swell dropped away but guests were happy with the waves they were getting and the perfect conditions available where they were surfing.
October
Unfortunately October had lots of cross shore south winds that most of us here call the devil wind or onshore winds. Guests were still having fun surfing Tland but it wasn’t the Tland we usually surf with offshore winds. Early mornings and late afternoon were the best times to surf as these wind conditions usually drop away making the faces cleaner. The swell during October was pretty good for size and was consistent throughout the month. It probably could of been as good as August if the winds were favorable and a few boards were getting snapped in the line up. In the past I’ve seen some epic Octobers with some of the best waves I’ve ever surfed around Rote island. The problem with October is the season change and unpredictable what the winds are going to do throughout the month.
Season 2024 overview
At Lualemba Bungalow Resort we never recommend surfers to come in March as it is very rare to get the swell and winds to link up and produce good waves. We are open for business if you want to book but we don’t recommend it. Some of the other resorts advertise for surfers during March but quite often they are disappointed.
April, May and June were a lot better than past seasons with more consistent swells having a bit more size and hanging around more. April and at least half of May are great time to spend on Rote island as it is shoulder season and is before the trade winds set in. Good for fishing and exploring the outer islands doing other activities other than surfing.
July was a bad month for waves but that’s nature and August made up for it with its consistent swells running through into September. October was a bit disappointing with the winds happening with the change of the season. November was a lot like April and guests were surfing a lot of Boa and Tland with the slight off shore winds. If you are keen for a late season holiday on Rote island during October and November try to make a last minute dash if the forecast is lining up for good waves. Most of the resorts have closed down mid October and a lot of expats have already left. Lualemba Bungalow Resort is closed from December to February and our boats don’t operate from December to mid March depending on weather conditions.
Get Ready For Season 2025
A home away from home with great people.
Get ready for season 2025 at Lualemba Bungalow Resort and have a holiday where you don’t wanna go home.