Surfing Waves

Hi, so I'm heading to indo in febuary for 4-5 months with a budget of between 7-10k aus dollars to surf as much and as many waves as possible. It's my first time so have a limited idea of where to head to and where's good for the different seasons, I'm aware that I'll be going during two seasons. Was thinking of flying to Bali/Lombok, depending on the ash cloud. I'm an intermediate surfer, gooffy footed so prefer my lefts but also enjoy rights, only ever really surfed beach breaks, a couple of points. I really would liked to get barrelled at some point. As it's my first time going for reef breaks I would like to start easyish, although I like to push my ability as far as I can, biggest is best! (8ft-10ft faces is largest I've surfed mind you, but would like to surf bigger if I'm able to). I've read a lot about the mentawai islands, would love to go there but everything I've researched points to it being very expensive or inaccessible, but I've emailed a
Camp for prices, around April May time to hit the good season. My local beach is a crowded one so am used to crowds but would love some less crowded breaks. I ride a short board, was planning on taking two boards, a 5''10" and possibly a 6'4" for larger days. Would love some advice, itineraries, must visits, and date planning for maximum consistency of waves. I don't need much comfort, have been living out of a backpack for over two years, so cheap ad cheerful is Perfect for me Thanks in advance!

Ash cloud is manageable....airport stays open now for the most part...sometimes a little smell in the air and a bit of haze....not really noticeable....

Why Feb? Terrible time to come if surfing is the main priority. My advice is to seriously rethink that and push your timeline back to after the third week of March at the earliest.

Indo wise do some research on Lombok, G land, Sumba is cheap and has some nice spots according to friends and movies I've seen. There is a break in Lombok with cheap accommodations on the beach I heard about, in Kuta (Lombok) I think.

Wait till April is the advice.

Zacpro wrote:My local beach is a crowded one so am used to crowds but would love some less crowded breaks.

Well, that just about rules out Bali, crazy crowds here. I hear good things of the area around Krui in southwest Sumatra. There are some well know spots but with that much coastal area still plenty uncrowded gems.

Some interesting comments here. As for Krui, South Sumatra, the winds are notoriously onshore from December to March. That said, you could get lucky, so perhaps keep an eye on the surf forecast (https://magicseaweed.com/Ujung-Bocur-Surf-Report/629/) - and perhaps do a last minute mission if possible. That time of year its the "off season" but the swell will be ok for you at the beach break (Mandiri). Many of the waves are pretty heavy though so I would say your focus would be either the beach break or Ujung Bocur (long left) although it needs a bit of swell to get going.

Other options in Sumatra - well yes the Mentawais would have some great waves, they always do. But its super hard to find anywhere to stay for much less than $100 / night. If you were with other guests the price can get driven down, but as a solo surfer it'll be hard. Be careful because even if you find a good deal (staying at Ebay) - that time of year you will certainly need to take boats to reach the waves and that's where your money will go!

I would personally lean towards a trip to Simeulue in North Sumatra. Winds remain favourable that time of year and it picks up swell from the Bay of Bengal as well as the Indian Ocean. Expect plenty of head high waves and zero crowds. The main wave is a break called Jackals (aka The Peak). Its super consistent and a lot of fun. Here's a video of the wave:



A number of other waves there too. Accommodation is $50-$100 / night, so not cheap (but not expensive) and for 2 weeks you might be able to make it work.

With over 13,000 islands, Indonesia has something unique to offer everyone. From the cool white sands and raucous volcanoes of Bali to the vibrant capital city of Jakarta to the untouched lands of Sumatra, you can always find something different here. Indonesia is home to a vast array of indigenous animals, too including the Komodo dragon. Local food is extremely cheap, with street food costing under 10,000 IDR. For an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant, prices start around 14,000 IDR. For a meal at a mid-range restaurant for a nicer meal, drinks, and table service, expect to pay as much as 80,000 IDR.

Nicolas , please post your travel,experiences not a cut and paste from a tourist brochure, we are more interested innactual Hans on experiences a surfer encounters while traveling.

Nick's prices for restaurants sadly are well out of date here in Bali.

Rains are in full effect now.....island is washed out and garbage rolling in on the west coast.

Heard some chat about Lakeys in Sumbawa.....also heard it's a little dicey over there but that they get some swell in the wet months. Not exactly a wave to cut your reef teeth on even on average days however judging from photos and videos I've seen (have read that it is "world class" on it's days, so take that as you will). Never been there but would like to go.

Board sizes? All kinds of waves here and all kinds of swell.....can even surf on and offshore in the same day going from one side of the island to the next. People here surf whatever....surf what you are comfortable with and I'd further that by saying surf what you can win waves with. I don't know how crowded it is where you are from but it can REALLY get crowded here.

During the rainy season, East is the place. Not giving away any secrets here. Of the point on the East, that is where I leave you to search out which is the best fit for you.....just be careful as some spots (Nusa Dua, Green Bowl) get really big and have killer (literally) currents and rips....that and they are relatively isolated spots (nusa well offshore, green bowl at the bottom of 300+ steps with rips heading to China), no one will (or can) help if you get in trouble.

Look for Kosts (single room closet sized apartments) inland from the beaches....can get some dirt cheap depending on your standard (or lack thereof) of living. Don't go for the 1k/month Kosts....they are cheap for a reason and have doors that barely lock, no AC, no screens, shared squat toilets that have a big bucket in the corner with a bucket inside that you use to wash your bum after a poo OR pour over your head to bathe......communal living means a certainty of heavy amount of fecal matter in that fetid tub. A bit more will get you locking doors, a toilet in your room, minimal furnishing and AC. Having someone nego in Bahasa will get you a discount.

Can eat indo mie from street vendors and homemade tuna fish sandwiches every day and be under 50k/day, but realistically you don't have (or me, even after nearly 13 years) the intestinal fortitude to eat exclusively in the streets, regardless of price. Motorcycles can be rented for around 600k/month.....stories all the time about the bodycount on the roads (so many road deaths in Bali....looking for the exact figure but I remember hearing and can't find it but it was huge for this year , almost exclusively from motorcycle accidents I read as of the end of September this year....I have personally seen 7 dead bodies in the streets this year alone and 4 persons from my job have passed away in accidents. Numbers are unbelievable until you experience the traffic here then you wonder why it isn't higher). Do not rent a motorcycle if you have never ridden one before, and even if you have, reconsider if you have not lived and driven in similar conditions. Here is a link to an article with the unbelievable numbers from a few years ago......much more traffic now than there was then.

http://jakartaglobe.id/archive/758-die- ... accidents/

...and from 2015...

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016 ... gners.html


The volcano here started to finally erupt this past Tuesday.....nothing overly dramatic but there is the threat of it increasing in strength and potential evacuations more widespread than have been evacuated already.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 69966.html

jaffa1949 wrote:Nicolas , please post your travel,experiences not a cut and paste from a tourist brochure, we are more interested innactual Hans on experiences a surfer encounters while traveling.

Being in Osterreich I'd think you have more opportunities for "Hans on" adventures than we might.

Nice typo spotting H!
Gingerbread Jaffa Haus

Big H wrote:so many road deaths in Bali....

Just to add to the 'paradise', the hospitals were out of Rabies vaccine some weeks ago. I was seeing these desperate facebook postings of people being bitten by a dog and couldn't find any vaccine..

I'm selling a certificate good for 11 nights on the Surf Charter: Seriti, by SURFBANYAK (this is to surf the Banyaks, super remote, consistent, and more chill waves & WAY less crowded than the Ments .... I booked it when I was exactly in your shoes (goofy, mostly surfed beach breaks, looking for a non-crowded indo spot for intermediates, etc)

Here's the info from my certificate they sent me - if you're interested, you can contact them to confirm I own and can re-sell this certificate & they'll confirm that they will honor it.

Welcome onboard the

SERITI

An 11 night charter onboard the Seriti, plus return domestic
flights and transfers from Medan to Nias, valued at

$3495.00 USD

Included:
• Meet and greet in Medan airport by Surfbanyak ground
agents.
• Domestic flights from Medan to Nias and return.
• Road transfers to the Seriti.
• 11 nights accommodation onboard the Seriti (Banyak Islands)
• All meals, snacks and non - alcoholic beverages.
• Unlimited surfing fun!

Find us on Facebook: Surfbanyak.com
Booking agent: Mathew Badger: +61402227566

Email: info@surfbanyak.com
http://www.surfbanyak.com

*** Please research it and if anyone is interested in buying the certificate from me, reach out directly to my Gmail at chadfullmer at gmail.com - thx

Mahal bgts!!!!