Telo Wave Guide
A survey of our wave-rich archipelago
Bumcracks / The E.R.
When the Indian Ocean slumbers, this swell magnet steps up to the plate. Your choice of left or right, accessed from your boat, anchored in the central channel. The left is an open faced fun park, while the right can get nicely concave. Resting between sessions in the boat is like watching a tennis match, you gaze is constantly swivelling from one side to the next.
Kindies
Technically a two-way peak but the right is the star. High performance gem with an almond barrel that goes square when swell overpowers the reef. Named Kindies ‘cos it’s next-door to Schoolyards.
Schoolyards
The many moods of Schoolyards! A chameleon of a wave on a big playing field. You can be picking off fun, Kammieland-style inside runners one moment, then stroking for the horizon the next as a set looms and you’re getting flashes of the west peak at Sunset. Worth it though.
Le-Ba
No-one doesn’t love this sexy slingshot of a wave. Christened by Matt Cruden back in ’97 when the Mangalui stopped by with a frothing pack of North Coast NSW boardriders aboard. Their surf club? Le-Ba (Lennox-Ballina).
The Platform / Bubble
If ever a wave pool was to base the bathymetry on a real live reef, it would choose this break. Flawless high tide grower that gets thicker rather than taller when the swell surges. The kind of wave that you can just feel the perfection of through your rails. Yep, we’re a bit carried away here, but that’s what this wave does to you.
The Patch / Twin Peaks
One of those spots we barely looked at back in the day, but now we’re pretty fond of. An A-Frame peak that’s – to paraphrase Forrest Gump – like a box o’ chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get.
Sipika
Hallowed big wave spot. When swell of the year turns up this is where you’ll find a magnificent, open ocean, awe-inspiring lineup – think maxing Laniakea and a reverse Cloudbreak. Thing is, though, when it’s smaller, the vast playing field turns into a SUP and cruiser’s paradise!
Rangas
Also known as GT’s. One of the region’s crown jewels. Use a small board, take off late, get tubed. Each ride is a fairly short-lived, intense affair – not dissimilar to Lance’s Right in the Mentawais in its tubular reliability.
Momofs
Across the bay from Tanah Mympi lies Telo’s most perfect learn-to-surf beach. We’ve lost count of the number of rookies who’ve gotten to their feet for the first time in this beautiful spot. Makes us smile just thinking about it.
Unis
If the swell is thumping and we’re in the mood for some consequence-free fun, we might head to Unis – a perfect little patch of reef that’s nothing but playful, even at the lowest of tides.
Dislocators
Perfect name for a wave that requires respect. Christened after dislocating veteran surf guide Dane Pioli’s finger the first time it might have been surfed, back in the early days of Telo discovery. The kind of wave you need to back yourself on.
Office Boys
The house left at Tanah Mympi. Almost always a wave of sorts here, ranging from serviceable to super fun. Named Office Boys as it’s the mostly mellow go-to option for staff to nip out for a quick lunch break or after-work session.
Matt’s Right
The house right at Tanah Mympi, named in honour of Matt Cruden, founder of nearby Resort Latitude Zero. Matt’s Right is a wave of consequence in full flight, but a high tide and a certain swell angle bring out it’s fun, playful and sometimes perfect side.
Mama Bears
For every Papa Bear there’s a Mama Bear, and in this case Mama Bears is the right hander across the way from Papa. There’s forever a current running out at Mama Bears, so jetski assist is crucial. Good thing we have jetskis because it can get incredible.
Papa Bears
When it’s big enough for a certain big-wave right in the region to fire, this mysto left comes alive. It’s earned comparisons to “The Hole” in the Mentawais, such is it’s intensity.
DC’s
Don’t be fooled by the beauty of this perfect freight train righthander. She may be a jewel in the crown but with her power and shallowness, she’s sent more than a few surfers, including some notable pros, back to the boat dazed and bloodied.
Bojos
Bojo Island is a beautiful, wild, registered National Park, off which a fun, shifting and mostly mellow left breaks. There’s a number of other breaks along the flanks of Bojo Island, but maybe we’ll leave it at that.
Bombers
An undisputed jewel in the Telo crown. A-Grade-plus on its day. Take off on a two-foot bubble and a moment later you’re locked in the first of several overhead chambers for the ride. Three distinct tube sections and a whispered-about fourth. Relentless. Unforgettable.
Pop Pops
One of our sheltered options when it’s macking. A mile inside a bay and seemingly landlocked, a perfect two-way peak in the manner of Queens at Waikiki. Magic in every way, not least: “How's the swell getting in here?”
Bombers Left
Bound to get the pulse racing a little, especially when under head high and the reef is whizzing by underfin. On solid swells the whole setup shifts into deeper water. Big or small it can be perfect and makeable, but not for the faint at heart.
Monkeys
Many a guest’s favourite. Consequence-free, rolling righthander with a forgiving take off, lovely pace, attackable lip line and bonus inside wrap. If Monkeys was a band it’d be the Beatles, because everyone loves The Beatles.
Coffins
A freight-train righthander that gets utterly perfect, but the name might give you pause for thought, and for good reason. A wave of consequence that’s often best left for the pros and the tube pigs.
New Schools
A unique little spot with an A-Frame take-off running into a wrapping bowl that comes back at you in a most pleasing manner, allowing you to come off the bottom and carve out of the lip multiple times – tempting even the most traditional surfer to get a little … dare we say it … new school.
Outside Monkeys
If you’ve ever surfed Lennox Point, sometimes you’ll connect the whole way through, other times you won’t. That’s the charm and the challenge of Lennox. So too with Outside Monkeys, another favourite of crew favouring bigger boards. Unlock the combination on the right wave here and it can be a trip-maker.
The Beachbreak
Another small swell saviour, but like all the best beachbreaks this packs a punch. Where to surf along this seven-mile miracle depends on rips and swell direction. Think South Stradbroke on the Gold Coast, Oceanside Harbour in Cali, or a bonsai version of Puerto Escondido in Mex.
The Point
In the Jurassics region lies one of our sneaky small-swell saviours. When the Indian Ocean snoozes you’ll find us here at this playground, having a hell time on the lefts that seems to run forever in gin-clear water.
Mysto
Gnarly ol’ thing this one. Calling to mind the intimidating Greenbush in the Mentawais, and almost always only for the pros who make it look deceptively accessible.
Jurassics
Jurassics may be only 40 minutes from Tanah Mympi but this skate-bowl style lefthander lies in a setting that could be 150 million years ago, when oversized beasts roamed the earth. A unique ecosystem with fauna not seen elsewhere in Telo. Half an hour into a session, you’ll get the sense you’re being watched by our primate ancestors.
Pine Trees
Impressive Sunset Beach style peak, though with the left usually being the best option. With the reef nice and deep, Pine Trees is a favourite spot for surfers of a certain vintage who love riding guns and charging waves with a bit of tower, but don’t want to worry about unwanted coral collisions.
Ledges
Can be the most beautiful and alluring wave you’ve ever seen in your life, but at four-foot plus this wave packs a mighty punch. Imagine “The Box” in Margaret River, W.A, but breaking left. An A-grade wave for A-grade surfers. On smaller days it opens up to all levels while still getting the pulse racing.
Easy Peasy
California’s Trestles comes to Telo! At least that’s what our Cali friends reckon. Featuring a South West peak that comes alive when the swell nudges above head high, and a main peak offering excellent rights and lefts. Equally loved by screw-foots and naturals alike.
Middles
A stone’s throw from Wegs lies the mellow fun zone we call Middles. Park yourself next to the surge rock and enjoy easy entry into a cruisy, semi deep water left. Brilliant entry-level legit reef wave.
Wegs
Freight train left that runs into a rivermouth. Take in the picturesque setting between sets, ‘cos you’ll need all your focus when you’re up and riding. Suited to experienced barrel hunters, although a good test for the gutsy intermediate. Needs a solid swell to come to life.
Mishos
Goofy’s paradise, and rightfully one of the focal points of The Telos. Glorious, long, lovely-paced wave that can bring out the best in the recreational surfer, and make them feel like they’re ripping. Some goofies get the blinkers on and only want to surf this wave. We don’t blame them.
The Shoe
Known to some as ‘Max’s Right’, this wave – paradoxically – needs a lower tide to move off the reef. A quality, fast-paced righthander that gives off Lagundri Bay vibes when viewed from a certain angle. Always flick off before the end shuts down as you’re on the inside reef in a flash and she’s kinda nasty.
