About Ombak Bono
Ombak Bono is a natural tidal bore phenomenon on the Kampar River at Teluk Meranti in Pelalawan Regency, Riau, Indonesia. It occurs where tidal seawater from the Malacca Strait meets the river flow, creating large, long-traveling waves up to several meters high. Notable as one of the few river tidal bores suitable for surfing, it attracts surfers and spectators and is the focus of the annual Festival Bono.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a wide, brown-water river surrounded by peatland, mangroves and riverside villages. The main attraction is the sudden arrival of the tidal bore - a wall of water moving upstream with a loud roar, sometimes forming surfable waves that travel for kilometers. Viewing is from riverbanks, wooden jetties, or chartered boats. The area is rural with simple facilities, and activity centers on watching the wave, photography, and boat trips to follow the bore.
Key highlights
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Natural tidal bore on the Kampar River where sea tide meets river current
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Waves reaching 4-6 meters high that can travel up to 20-30 km upstream
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One of the few river waves in the world suitable for river surfing
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Annual Festival Bono (Festival Ombak Bono) with surfing competitions and cultural performances
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Riverine landscape of mangroves, peat swamp and traditional Malay villages
History of Ombak Bono
Ombak Bono is a long-standing natural hydrological phenomenon of the Kampar River estuary. It gained national and international attention in the 2010s when river surfers documented its surfable bore, leading to its promotion as a tourism and sporting destination by Pelalawan Regency and Riau Province.
Culture & Context
The bore is central to local Malay river culture and is celebrated through the annual Festival Ombak Bono (Bekudo Bono Festival), which features river surfing competitions, traditional boat races, and Malay cultural performances to promote river heritage and community tourism.
Route
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