Trip to Indonesia for surfing but not only! We are begginers

[Flery]

Hi!
We are 2 girls, planning a trip to SE Asia, with the aim to go surfing. [b]We are begginers (totally)[/b] and we hope to find a place to offer some more options as well. 1. Not very expensive 2. beautiful nature environment 3. nice scuba diving 4. nice trekking
Travelling dates 25 Nov - 10 Dec 2006
Having already scanned this site Indonesia seems to be our target but were would you recommend to go: this G- land seems so interesting... Any suggestions?
thanx

[Dec]

Phuket!

Perfect scuba, snorkelling through november to june.
Only problem is there is absoluetly no surf during the november to June time..like flat seas constantly. Also...Phuket is quite mountinous and has some great treks through national parks, waterfalls, etc etc tourist talk.

Also, if you have ever seen "The Beach"..that beach is a short boat trip to a really nice island...mmmmmm..I like my job!

[Flery]

very cool info! thanx man.

Read your other posts in the forum. But the truth is that we both want to go surfing... and learn and see also the area we are visiting..
My friend has been before at Phuket! and it was perfect!
This time though the trip's title is SURF!
thanx anyway!

[Driftingalong]

G-Land is for very experienced surfers...

[pat42]

Try Nusa Penida or Nusa Dua or Nusa Lembongan right next to Bali

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indo ... index.html

http://www.divetheworldindonesia.com/ba ... penida.htm

They've got diving and surf, but because its a channel between two islands, the current is very strong when the tide changes, so you have to have a bit of diving experience

Did you post this on Lonely planet as well??

[Flery]

thanks for the info
its true g-land is for experienced surfers i've checked it
and the bali info for surf and diving was also very interesting.
does anyone know anything about the following info
1. Where is it better to book our flight first, in Jakarta, Medan or Denpasar.

2. What about going for 1 week in North Sumatra and next week to Nusa Tenggara (Lombok or Pulau Sumbawa) ? How much cost a domestic flight from Medan to Denpasar?

3.I think Bali is more expensive than Java and Sumatra. What about Lombok and Sumpawa?

4. Which are the best places “not to lose”

Thanks a lot Flery & Elena!

[pat42]

Check this out for flights in Indo:

http://www.lionair.co.id/route_map.htm

http://www.flyadamair.com/

http://www.airasia.com/site/en/home.jsp

If you are total begginers surfing, I'd recommend Kuta beach, Bali. There's loads of places to rent boards and it's a nice place to learn

And there's also diving in the North of the island. It's not that expensive there at all

I think you want to do too much in the two weeks you have and if you want to see Sumatra, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa, all you'll be doing is travelling.

[gdude335]

Bali is nice, im going there, halfway is known as the begginer sport and up north people say the scuba diving is great for all levels!
Once i come back (after new year) il post some pictures and a vid.

[dilligafmiester]

fly to bali catch a boat to lombok and go to the gillies islands north west of lombok. Its cheap, has great dive spots, good surf and a great night life.

[Stylemaster]

If ya haven't been let me know and I will tune you into the most beautiful spot in Indo with just what u r lookin 4.......

[Brisbanebound]

If you are total beginners I take it you dont have boards? If that's the case you'll have to head to the main tourist areas and I'd second the kuta suggestion - its pretty much the only beach break in Indo.
Indo really isn't a great place to learn to surf though!
Indo is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I'd suggest that the previous posts are pretty accurate - you dont have time to go to Sumatra as well as Bali and Lombok.
Stick with one or the other. For what you are after I'd say you should fly into Denpesar and head straight to Kuta - its a big town with lots of bars and drunken idiots but the beach is huge and good for learning to surf.
Then head to Ubud for a chill out for a couple of days.
You could take the ferry or fly to Lombok and head to the Gilli's as they are lovely and cheap.
The north of Bali has volcanic black sand beaches and good diving.
2 weeks izn't very long when you are in Indo but you'll have an awesome time - I spent 2 months there and would go back tomorrow!
Be aware that its the wet season in November/December.