Surf West Java

[Caine]

Hi there,

I have got plenty of leave days (about 3 weeks) from 2013 left that I have to take until the end of March 2014. I might even be able to extend my holidays to 4 weeks. Therefore I am fancying with the idea to go to Java for a surftrip. My first station would be Pelabuhan Ratu. I know there is nothing else to do than surfing, so would head from there to Bandung for some culture/nightlife/sightseeing. From there I would go to Pangandaran/ Batu Karas. So far that would be my rough plan, I would also would like to go to Yogjakarta as well but I have no idea how many days I will stay at what place. May be I would try Pacitan as well it there is enough time.

What I am wondering about is how are the conditions at Pelabuhan Ratu and Pangandaran at the end of Februar and March. I am an intermediate beginner. On a good day I catch 80% of the waves a wanna get. I can change directions but not do really Bottom turns. On a bad day I catch next to nothing. What I am looking for are clean and consistent conditions. Size doesnt matter here .
I would appreciate any info.

Caine

[jaffa1949]

Hi Caine, it is the last couple of months of the Indonesian wet season, but SW swell could be beginning.
You are off the regular tourist track but right in the Yogjakarta beach zone, so lots of weekend poor to good surfers hitting the beaches and in party mode.
Water quality in these months can be pretty poor to sanitarily unsafe , as all the streams and river discharge int the sea. Fortunately if there are no no SE winds the filth is drifting eastwards from Yogjakarta .
As a beginner set of beaches, sand bottom long breaks they are good, clean at this time hmmmm maybe. There is not a big chance of classic offshore conditions but if you have good luck you will get something good.
Bit of a trek but worthwhile surfs away from the main tourist drag are .
A devout Muslim area but pretty cool if you dress and behave respectfully.
I would suggest as a trip you check out Borobodur, it really is something that will take you into a different mid set.

[Caine]

Hi Jaffa,
thank you for your input.
You talk in general about the beaches south of Yogjakarta, right?
Have you any experience with Pelabuhan Ratu and Pangandaran?

[jaffa1949]

Yeah Hi Caie, I'm a little curious as to why this particular area, I understand leave comes due when leave comes due, but the area????
Where do you surf now? The area certainly fits the beginner to intermediate needs.
I have no experience of the area.

[Caine]

Hi Jaffa,

Why Java? Simply because I want to see something new. I like traveling in Asia and even if Java is off the beaten track for the average surf tourist ist is not that remote as Kamchatka for example. To me Java looks pretty promising regarding surfing and culture with a good traveller vibe.

I am from Germany and I have to travel to find surf. I have been to Portugal/ Algarve a couple of times, This Februar Sri Lanka, a short trip to Teneriffe and once in a while I go to the Netherlands.
I have also visited Bali but will only return when my surfing improved.

[jaffa1949]

Caine I think your judgement of where to go is probably going to fit well.
So then I really recommend Borobodur as a cultural trip.The Buddhist temple of Borobodur is such a different feel to the Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka.
Only down I can think of is the rainy element , this link might help.
http://www.lowpressure.co.uk/surftravel ... region=185

[jaffa1949]

Well, the Gold Coast boasts some of Australia’s best, most consistent waves.



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Let the journey begin!

[Caine]

Hi Peter S,

Australia would be definitely a good choice but it is simply to far away for me. Just the time I spent in plane would be around 25-30 hours excluding a stopover depending on which airline I would fly with. In case I am going to visit Australia I would want at least 4 weeks holidays on my hand.

[peazz]

Ive been in Australia 7 weeks and its still not enough time