Dylan's Surf Spots

Dylan’s Right is the premier wave on Simeulue when it’s on.

It is one of the only waves on the island that doesn’t max out at five to six foot. While around the point on the other side of the next headland you’ll find Dylan’s Left. Although the left isn’t as perfect and mechanical as the right it receives more swell resulting in it being far more consistent. Not to mention, it’s clean when the right is onshore, offering surfers an option for glassy conditions without having to travel far.

Dylan’s Right
Dylan’s Left

WAVE INFO

What kind of wave is Dylan’s Right?

Dylan’s is a mechanical right-hand reef break with a bowling barreling section on the inside that can provide up to five seconds of tube time. Unlike a lot of barreling waves, Dylan’s doesn’t have a super sketchy end section unless it’s small or on a lower tide. If you’re lucky enough to score this wave with some size, it will hold in solid conditions and is easily the best wave in Simeulue when it’s working. Out the back, the waves pitch consistently in a defined area with a gentle roll-in giving surfers time to set up for the barrel down the line. It’s only let down is the fact that the swell angle has to be just right for it to get in meaning it is often small and inconsistent.

What kind of wave is Dylan’s Left?

Short but super fun, Dylan’s Left has a deeper reef which produces less perfect waves than the mechanical right nearby. However, it is considerably more consistent due to receiving more swell. A shifty peak often forms on takeoff and at times can provide the opportunity for a second or two in the shade. Down the line you’ll find big open but sectiony faces for fast arcing carves. Great option for intermediate surfers looking to escape the crowds or searching for clean conditions when Dylan’s Right is onshore. Quality increases with size and on the right day you can enjoy rides for up to 100 metres
Wave type:

  • Dylan’s Right: Point Break

  • Dylan’s Left: Point Break

Wave difficulty:

  • Dylan’s Right: Intermediate

  • Dylan’s Left: Intermediate

Wave direction:

  • Dylan’s Right: Right

  • Dylan’s Left: Left

Wave bottom:

  • Dylan’s Right: Reef

  • Dylan’s Left: Reef

Booties:

Dylan’s Right: Personal preference
Dylan’s Left: No

Surfboard type:

Dylan’s Right: Shortboard
Dylan’s Left: Shortboard

Crowd factor:

  • Dylan’s Right: Crowded

  • Dylan’s Left: Low Crowd

Hazards:

Dylan’s Right: Reef
Dylan’s Left: Reef

Best swell direction:

Dylan’s Right: SWW
Dylan’s Left: S

Best wind direction:

Dylan’s Right: N
Dylan’s Left: E

What tide is best:

Dylan’s Right: All
Dylan’s Left:  Mid

Best tide movement:

Dylan’s Right: Incoming
Dylan’s Left: Outgoing

Wave consistency:

Dylan’s Right: Inconsistent
Dylan’s Left: Consistent

Best time of year:

Dylan’s Right: April-October
Dylan’s Left: April-October

Lineup vibe:

Dylan’s Right: Frothing
Dylan’s Left: Fun

Other names for spot:

Dylan’s Right: Dylan’s or Dylan’s Point
Dylan’s Left: Gila Left

How do you get in and out of the surf at Dylan’s Right?

Getting in and out is reasonably easy unless it’s solid. Simply paddle out through the keyhole on the inside, around the break and into the lineup. Come in the same way after catching a wave.

How do you get in and out of the surf at Dylan’s Left?

After the end section at Dylan’s Left, there is a small keyhole in the reef where you can make your way into the water across the reef carefully. From there it is an easy paddle wide of the breakers and into the lineup.

Regardless of your experience, reef-related injuries are not a matter of if, but when. Reef cuts and infections are a big deal…They require immediate attention to avoid countless health problems.

The Surfers First Aid Kit
What is the beach like?

There is very little sand beach along Dylan’s Point due to the reef coming right up to the top of the shoreline. However, above the shoreline you’ll find beautiful grassed areas of sand and shade underneath the coconut trees.

Where should I stay?

Simeulue Surflodges

Along the point in front of Dylan’s Right is Simeulue Surflodges where you can hit the surf in less than a minute. You can choose from their main lodge, three cabanas or the largest of them all the treehouse which sits on stilts. Each option has its own private veranda with sun loungers overlooking Dylan’s Right and a fantastic sunset in the evening. Rooms have two single beds, and a private bathroom with a western-style toilet, hot shower, including shower supplies, drinking water dispenser with free coffee, tea and cold water. Guests that have been travelling Indonesia for over a decade comment that Simeulue Surflodges is one of the best places they’ve stayed. With a super chilled and relaxed atmosphere, superb hospitality, great food, oceanfront accommodation, free pick up and drop off from the airport and uncrowded waves, it’s not hard to agree.

Booking.com

Faq

Are tsunamis a threat?

Like the rest of Indonesia, Simeulue is prone to earthquakes and, rarely, tsunamis. Remarkably, when the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami devastated the nearby Sumatran region of Aceh and much of Asia, only six casualties occurred on Simeulue Island, owing to local knowledge that holds that higher ground must be sought in the event of an earthquake. Today, Simeulue’s many mosques are equipped with sirens, and there’s easy access to nearby hills should a quake occur.

What else is there to do in the area other than surfing?

If you want to change it up go fishing, snorkelling or spearfishing. You can even take some incredible hikes, visit waterfalls, take a trip to the deserted island nearby, or cruise on your motorbike to soak up the culture of Simeulue and its mostly deserted beaches.

What else
do I need
to Know?

Simeulue is part of the deeply religious and conservative region of Aceh, meaning Sharia Law applies in full. As part of this Islamic Law, alcohol is prohibited, and modesty of dress is expected — men should wear a shirt and footwear, and women should cover up their legs and shoulders. In the surf, men can get away with just a pair of boardshorts, but women must remain covered by wearing either board shorts or tights and a rash vest. The rules tend to be laxer within the confines of a resort, and women are free to wear what they like at some of Simeulue’s more remote breaks.

Travel Insurance

Location

Where is Dylan’s Point?

Dylan’s Point is located in Busung Bay in a sheltered corner of Simeulue’s southwest coastline.

How to get to Dylan’s Point?

By Air:

Step 1 
Fly to Medan, Sumatra’s largest city
Step 2 
Fly to Lasikin Airport in Simeulue. Note that there may only be one arriving and departing flight per day, flown by Wings Air. Depending on where you’re coming from, a night in Medan — before and/or after your stay on Simeulue — may be necessary.
Step 3   
Once you’ve arrived at Lasikin Airport in Simeulue, it’s a quick 10-minute drive south to accommodations like Simeulue Surflodges on Dylan’s Point.
By Water:

You can also travel to Simeulue by boat from Sumatra, although it is not recommended due to it being a very time consuming journey. A car ferry leaves from Singkil (get there by public bus from Medan) or from Labuhan Haji and arrive at Sinabang (the port of Simeulue). Although it is an extremely cheap option, the crossing time is approximately 11 hours one way and that doesn’t include the additional hours to travel by bus from Medan to Singkil or Labuhan Haji.

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