Ekas Bay

Description of Ekas Bay (Indonesia)

Ekas is a sheltered bay on southeast Lombok where the shape of the coast and the seasonal southeast trades line up to create long stretches of smooth, rideable water when conditions are right. Think of it as a flat-water playground that rewards planning: the inside of the bay fills and smooths with a pushing tide and an E to SE wind, while the mouth still allows enough fetch for the trades to push clean, steady wind straight into the bay.

That translates in reliable freeride laps, practicing transitions and riding stance without constant crashing into messy chop, and the occasional small-wave playground if I want to switch boards.

The usual wind window is the dry season, roughly May through September, with the best clustering in May to September and the strongest consistency in June to August. On a normal dry-season day you can expect steady southeast winds in the neighborhood of 10 to 21 knots on average, with some guides reporting occasional gustier trade peaks up to the high teens or low thirties in knots; that translates into a medium kite as the sensible starting point for most riders coming from twin-tip freeride setups.

Launch and land spots vary: the sandy beaches at the common access points are friendly for rigging and for getting gear in and out, but the bay is not a simple urban beach—access often means a drive to Awang port and a short local boat ride to specific inside breaks, or a longer drive down winding south-Lombok roads from Kuta or the airport.

Bring a plan for transport and timing, especially if you're relying on boats that leave on local schedules. Favorite practical tips from my trips: arrive in the late morning when thermal buildups can reinforce the trades, rig a medium kite and a backup smaller kite if you expect late-afternoon gusts, and pick a twin-tip freeride board with a bit of width for early flat-water pumping.

If the bay is glassy, downsize your board to something that tracks and pumps easily.

Thin neoprene booties are optional only if you want foot protection for reefy launch spots or rocky entries. The shore is mostly sandy at the common access points, which makes landings forgiving compared with reef-only entries, but the water tone is darker thanks to depth and sand movement so visibility below surface isn't like a bright lagoon. Crowd-wise, Ekas feels relaxed; you get a mix of surfers, anglers and local boat traffic at approach points rather than a heavy dedicated kite scene, so give space to boats and respect local users.

Tide matters more here than many exposed beaches: the inside smooths with a rising or pushing tide and can get less ideal at extreme low or very full levels, whereas outside sections are more exposed and can build small waves that some riders like. I always check tide tables and coordinate with whoever is running the boat so I don't land when the pickup has left.

Logistics-wise, base yourself in Kuta Lombok for variety of food and accommodation options and run day trips down to Ekas, or stay in one of the local surf camps for quicker access and a quieter evening scene. Local boat operators are used to ferrying riders and surfers to the inside breaks; treat them with clear timing, a modest fee, and respect for their local knowledge of tide lines and channels.

Last practical note: Ekas rewards riders who pay attention to wind direction, tide, and access timing. When those three line up the bay gives gentle, consistent sessions that are perfect for dialing in technique, scoring long freeride laps, or switching between flat-water carving and small-wave play. When they don't, the spot still has surf and scenic drives to keep the trip worthwhile, but for pure kiting you want to show up prepared and on a good wind day.