A good spot for a 10 days surftrip around christmas

[marcolindien]

Hi,

Any ideas where is a good area to go surfing for the christmas period?
I'm looking somewhere in asia pacific.
I'm from Sydney with an intermediate level.
Looking for a surfcamp or just a good area where I can have fun in 2-6ft (max) waves.

I'm also kitesurfing so if I can find a good spot for both would be freaking awesome.

I really don't want a crowded/touristic area such as bali.

fiji?
lombok? Looks like it's the wet season..but does it work?


Cheers!

[jaffa1949]

Indonesia mostly is not super in the wet season as all the island effluent hits the sea with each rain, and Javan plastics follow the currents and wind down the archipelago . Lombok has some deeper bays that can moderate the winds and still pick up swells that come more from the south rather than SW, Grupuk and Ekas are deep bays that fit your level of surfing and the size you would like.
Heaven on The Planet, in Ekas is a good midrange resort 3 meals and a break right in front.
Boat to reefs outside the bay extra cost.
Surf camps in Grupuk too.

Fiji Lots of resorts most without access to surf look at Frigates and Momi Seashell cove Higher cost but probably out of intermediate league, Namotu or Tavarua , big dollars big challenging. Surf.
Good luck, if I was going ...... Ekas
But not a guarantee of surf at the variable times

[dtc]

PNG is a possibility, although you are leaving it late because mostly you need a camp rather than just rocking up and finding some surf.

What about the Philippines?

[marcolindien]

thx.

I checked forecast for dec/jan on http://www.surf-forecast.com/
Fiji is not the season and as you say may be too complicate.
Lombok, I like the idea. I've been there 8 years ago. Loved it. I did my first surf experience in grupuk.
I loved the place and atmosphere back then (there was no airport). not sure now.
Forecast look pretty crappy for this period. Like super-small. Not sure it will worth it.
Are you talking based on your experience there during christmas?

I checked mentawai. Seems like even on this period it's 100% to get at least 3ft waves. For real?
Is there a way to avoid boat charter?

Philippine, PNG why not. I don't care really. Those two countries seems great and not super touristic. Which is what I prefer. What do you suggest? Again have you been there in dec-jan?

Main thing is I want surf . I want to focus on surfing everyday on great waves not too challenging (not above 6ft!)

Maybe it's better to stay in Australia, NSW..

So where do you look for decent monthly forecast? Is there an equivalent of windguru for surfing??


Thanks for your help.

[jaffa1949]

December is not the best window for any of Indonesia. Particularly Mentawaiis ,,many camps shut down. And charters service their boats!

PNG. November to March , April is their prime season for swell and good winds, friends have recommended Nusa Island, or Vanimo, the NewGuinea Surf Association limits numbers and gets support from the camps by a levy!
Good value all round. Benefit too shorter flights.

Surf is good for your level, I'd probably suggest it before Lombok!

[dtc]

I know several people who have gone to Nusa Island in PNG and love it, suits an intermediate surfer and plenty of fishing and diving if you need time off. But I think its fairly upmarket - and I imagine will be booked out for Christmas already. But worth a look definitely. Vanimo also, there is a surf lodge there that can organise everything for you

I don't know much about the Philippines, although I gather that Christmas is a huge celebration so worth it for that alone. There are definitely reef and beach breaks, don't know about the infrastructure esp after the typhoon of a few years ago. Its probably a cheaper but more independent option

[marcolindien]

Thanks hips - I've finally decided to go to vanimo for 8 days.

Should I consider taking some malaria pills or more do preventions by using mosquito repellant and long sleeves?

[dtc]

I've been to PNG a few times, but only on the south coast where malaria is less prevalent. But given that 90% of the population has had malaria and 2m cases per year (and almost 1000 deaths per year), I would be erring on the side of caution. But, of course, see a doctor (who will no doubt tell you to take pills). Avoid doxy because it creates sunburn issues, but there are other options nowdays.

I've taken malaria pills for various travels and never had any side effects, but obviously you may differ.

The problem with relying on repellent and sleeves is forgetting or missing a spot, being bitten on ankles or back of your hand, being bitten while sleeping (even when using a net), having the repellent wash off, the repellent not working because of sunscreen etc. As an aside, you can buy some combined sunscreen/DEET (bushmans?) which is quite good, although the DEET can eat through leather watch bands as I discovered in India...

don't forget your hep shots as well, another highly prevalent condition

[jaffa1949]

Absolutely take anti malarials, doxycycline I
Does cause sun sensitivity , but being on the equator you need to block out wear a long sleeved rashly an. Maybe a surf cap or hat, sin cream too .
Lariam is another anti malarial but can have mental effects.
Have almost died of falciparum malaria ( the cerebral kind) I cannot afford to catch it again.
Note that these lessen the risk but not take it away completely , use the insect repellant , and mossie nets while sleeping.
You absolutely need to contine taking the anti malarial for the full period after you come back.
The camps have nets and usually spray the rooms each night.
Good precautions usually mean you'd have to be seriously unlucky to get it. Final word too, if you get a fever or flu like symptoms when you come back , head straight to your doctor who will prescribed the medication.

[dtc]

, sin cream too ..

Now now, he is just going on a surf trip. No need for sin cream.

[jaffa1949]

Could be , could be

[warmwindsshop]

I think Byron Bay, Australia

This onetime sleepy dairy town turned hippie-surfer-stockbroker enclave is quite possibly the best place in the country, maybe the world, to learn to surf. There’s a variety of waves to suit different levels, from gentle rollers off Watego Beach to the beach breaks of Tallows and The Wreck (in small swells).

[jaffa1949]

I think Byron Bay, Australia

This onetime sleepy dairy town turned hippie-surfer-stockbroker enclave is quite possibly the best place in the country, maybe the world, to learn to surf. There’s a variety of waves to suit different levels, from gentle rollers off Watego Beach to the beach breaks of Tallows and The Wreck (in small swells).

This advice has me really confused, an employee of warmwindsshop which is in Rhode Island, USA has an Indian (as in Subcontinent IP address) making a sort of Lonely Planet type quote about Byron Bay.
So I'll tell you what it is really like over Christmas, First word, AVOID there will be literally thousands of extra people there , the surf will be crowded to pieces with the hapless and hopeless, there will be hippies,retro surfers, kids learning and European newbies with their desire for the "Surfing Experience". Kayak surfers canoes SUPers.
Throw in a very experienced crew on all sorts of craft well wielded, carnage probably only exceeded by Bondi
Overpriced overpopulated, serious and drunken party land and serious passed out sunburn territory.
STRANGE.
It would have helped you if read the third paragraph of the initial post, he didn't want to go somewhere crowded or touristic, Byron is all of that over Christmas and further he decided to go to Vanimo.
Smart