Foiling Rote
Tow foiling, wingfoiling, prone surf foiling and Foildrive, all right outside WaveHaven. Rote has become one of the best places in Indonesia to foil.
Long, empty waves for foilers
Foiling is a great way to get away from crowded surf spots and get long rides. Rote has numerous offshore reefs where nobody surfs, so you don’t need to bother surfers or paddle boarders.
In the Rote surf season (March to November) the waves are very consistent, rarely smaller than chest height and at times up to four times overhead. There are always options.
Squealers, right in front of WaveHaven, has become the go-to spot for people getting into prone foiling and Foildrive. The Bombie, further out, offers open walls of 200 to 400 metres.
Where to foil
Squealers
Accessible for all levels as long as there is about 1.3 m of tide over the reef, which usually means mid to high tide. Take off in the white water or on the green face. Foildrive users enter from the left or right side, only once they know no surfer is on the wave.
The Bombie
Past Squealers, in front of WaveHaven. Breaks best on low tide and is reached by Foildrive, boat or jetski; SUP foilers can paddle out in about 10 minutes. Not ideal for prone foiling, as the take-off spot shifts.
The lagoon
Wingfoil about 200 m out in front of the house, with smooth conditions for beginners to experts from mid to high tide. Low tide gets too shallow.
Foiling rules in Rote
There are enough empty spots at any time that there is no need to foil near surfers.
Do not wingfoil, tow or Foildrive near surfers, and don’t create a wake that bothers them.
T-Land is for surfers only.
Foildrive users enter a wave from the left or right side, only when no surfer is on it. Never drive your foil through the lineup.
With a Foildrive you can go out on the higher tide after the surfers leave and have the whole break to yourself.
Foil numbers
- Season
- March to November for swell; trade winds April to November.
- Wind
- Usually offshore at 12–20 knots, regularly 18–30 knots. On the windiest days a 3 m² wing is enough.
- Wave size
- Rarely below chest height in season, at times up to four times overhead.
- Services
- Bring your own foil gear. WaveHaven does not provide tow or boat transfer services.
Foiling Rote FAQ
Where is the best foil spot in Rote?
Squealers, right in front of WaveHaven, is the go-to spot for prone foiling and Foildrive at mid to high tide. The Bombie, further out, is best for tow and SUP foiling on low tide.
Can I foil at T-Land?
No. T-Land is for surfers only; please don’t foil there.
What tide do I need at Squealers?
About 1.3 m of tide over the reef, which usually means mid to high tide.
Is Rote good for wingfoiling?
Yes. From April to November the trade winds blow offshore at 12–20 knots, often stronger, over flat water inside the reef. A 4 or 5 m² wing covers most days.
Does WaveHaven offer tow or boat services?
No. We don’t provide tow or boat transfers, but there is large gear storage at the villa and we can point you to the right spots.
Come for the long lefts
WaveHaven is one villa, so we only host one group at a time. Tell us roughly when you’d like to come and who’s travelling, and we’ll reply ourselves.
- Mar – Nov
- Surf season
- 2 bedrooms
- Both ensuite
- 4 spots
- In view of the deck