Aussie surfer dies in Indonesia, knocked on to reef by huge wave

An Australian surfer has died while tackling huge waves on an island in Indonesia.

A Foreign Affairs Department spokesman confirmed the death, and said consulate officials were offering advice and assistance to the man’s family.

The man was named by Victorian premier Denis Napthine as Peter Luke, aged 27.

Do you know more? Send an email to contact@9news.com.au

"Peter Luke tragically lost his life in a surfing accident in Bali, and is survived by parents Alan and Mary and sister Laura," Mr Napthine said.

Mr Napthine says its been a tough week for many, and his thoughts are with the family.

DFAT said it was providing consular assistance to the family.

It’s reported he’d been surfing five metre waves at Jelenga Beach in West Sumbawa, an island to the east of Balia and Lombok. His body was found on a nearby reef after he went missing while surfing.

His two friends used the boat they'd hired to search for him and eventually found his body on a nearby reef.

Local police chief Teddy Hendyawan Syarif said Luke died after being hit by a wave on a spot known as Scar Reef.

The waves were huge there on Tuesday, he said.

"The victim's death was caused by a wave smashing into him, which at that time was massive, up to five metres high," he told reporters.

Scar Reef is a popular spot for visiting surfers, known as providing some of the best and largest waves in eastern Indonesia.

Scar Reef has a reputation for big waves, but also requires caution.

One posting on the wannaSurf website said: "As the name suggests, the coral is sharp, near the end section there are some coral heads that poke almost out of the water - beware."