Surfing in Bali
When people think about surfing in Indonesia, their first thought is Bali. And although there are some wonderfully exciting waves for surfers on Bali’s beautiful beaches, there are also many other even more challenging surfspots in other parts of Indonesia. Of course, surfers have known about the wonders of surfing in Indonesia for years and perhaps preferred to keep it secret, but now the word is out. So if you want to surf some of the best waves in the world, come to Indonesia. But bear in mind that, according to the www.globalsurfers.com website, there are a total of 1,621 surfspots in Indonesia. Here’s a short overview of just a few of the more accessible surfspots in the surfing archipleago:
Surfing in Sumatra:
The island of Nias lies about 125 kilometres off Sumatra in the Indian Ocean and is part of North Sumatra province. Together with its beautiful white sandy beach, Lagundri bay challenges surfers with spectacular waves that in the high season can reach as high as 3.5 metres and are ranked to here you can find the best waves in the be within the best ten waves of the world.
Surfing in Java:
Pelabuhan Ratu is gaining popularity among surfers and offers relatively uncrowded waves. For those wanting to travel through some culturally rich areas away from the main tourism regions, West Java is definitely worth the trip. May to October (the dry season) is the best time of year for surf. Also in West Java is Panaitan Island,r and the first fine break you will probably see as you approach south Panaitan’s surfing bay is a legendary left point break known the world over as One Palm Point. This point break, marked by a single sentinel palm, is one of Indonesia’s left-hand wonders. If you are into adrenaline rushes and serious big wave surfing, then Westjava’s Ujung Genteng has much to offer. The island of Grajagan or G-Land is situated on the eastern tip of Java, and hosts one of the best waves in the world, regarded by many as the best left-hander on the planet. No wonder that the Quiksilver Pro is now one of the annual surfing events at G-Land.
Surfing on Bali:
Bali offers over 20 top-quality breaks on the southwest and southeast coasts of the island and around the Bukit Peninsula. Some of these breaks like Padang Padang and Uluwatu are world class barrelling reefbreaks. Others range from good fun like the beachbreaks around Kuta and Sanur to serious heavy sucking bowls like Canggu, Balian and Madewi. The peak surf season for Bali is April-October when solid swells come out of the roaring 40’s and hit the reefs around Kuta, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua.
In addition, Bali has the best and now the largest all girls surf shop in the world. It’s called Surfer Girl and is to be found at Jalan Legian 138, Kuta. As well as quality merchandise, Surfer Girl stands for friendship, fun, peace and surfing, as well as bodyboarding and snowboarding. Surfer Girl understands very clearly that the world she experiences is a result of what she thinks, believes in and does. Surfer Girl is one the strongest supporters and sponsors of bodyboarding throughout Indonesia.
Surfing Beyond Bali:
The main surf centre of Lombok is Kuta Beach, which is located on the eastern side of the southern coast. Within 30 minutes from Kuta are the long slow left and a very fast hollow right-hander of Mawi beach, the left and right wrapping waves of Mawun beach, the hollow shifty left of Air Guling, the shifty lefty at Tanjung Aan, and the right peak at Sigar. Lombok’s best known wave is Desert Point, widely regarded as one of the best and heaviest left-hand barrels in the world. Sumbawa’s two main surfing areas are West Sumbawa and the Lakey area, which can be accessed by charter, as well as by ferry and overland transfers, or flights from Bali. When you go far beyond Bali, especially once you’ve gone past the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa, then you’re really beginning to enter uncharted waters and it’s best to charter a boat, one that knows where it’s going and how to get back as well where to find the best waves.
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