Capable of holding legitimate 20-foot waves, the surf breaks over a protruding deep-water rock and coral shelf. This wave, unlike other world class spots in Indonesia, rises suddenly making for near airdrop take-offs. Located on the Western corner of the Ujung Genteng region, Ombak Tujuh is more than a bit of a swell magnet and can vary in shape and size depending on swell direction. Ideal conditions are 6-15 feet, swells from the Southwest with South Easterly winds. A ways off the beaten path, the surf can be accessed by a long unpaved road and paddle out through a washing machine of whitewater. Keeping this in mind, boat access is your best bet. Not recommended for surfers inexperienced in big wave spots.
Wave type:
Rock shelf reef break
Wave difficulty:
Experienced – Hellman Kamikaze
What way does the wave break:
Left
Sea bottom:
Rock an coral reef
Booties:
Not necessary
Surfboard type:
Gun
Crowd factor:
No crowds (which is the least of your worries, it is uncrowded for a reason)
Hazards:
Big waves, heavy waves, strong currents, hold downs, being dragged long distances underwater, rock and reef. You’re a long way from any hospitals.
Best swell direction:
SW
Best wind direction:
SE
What tide does it work best on:
Mid to high tide
Best tide movement for surfing:
Dead high tide
How consistent is the surf:
Consistent
Best time of year for waves:
April – October
What is the vibe like in the lineup:
Lonesome – go hard or go home
What other names does Ombak Tujuh go by?
Seven Wave
OT’s
Redazione
Not for the faint of heart, Ombak Tujuh is one of West Java’s most notable big wave spots and is literally translated as Seven Wave. Known for its steep and shifting take off, Ombak Tujuh magnifies the swell by opening up with a giant slabby barrel section that pitches on a rock shelf and then turns into a long reeling wall. Know your limitations and if in doubt, don’t paddle out, this spot is purely for surfers that have experience in big waves. Hold downs can be long and arduous, even for big wave experts. Read on to make sure your next session here doesn’t end with a big injury, near death experience or worse.