bali, lombok, sumbawa

[one0one]

planning a surf trip on these three spots. only have 11 days. anyone got any tips. not going to them all. thinking 3 days uluz bali then boat/fly somewhere near by less crowded. my plans are to possibly travel by boat every morning somewhere.. each day.. basically to try and get waves without too many people.. or should I just fly straight to sumbawa from depensar??

[jaffa1949]

Your plans are pretty vague and could cost you a lot of surf time lost in travel.
3 Days at Ulus, it is regaining its Zoo level of crowding but still less than pre covid.
So inter island travel involves Bali traffic to ferry terminal or Benoa where Charter Boats leave, the are fast ferries and day ferries then overland drive to where you plan to stay? Surf pretty much the whole of the south coast of Lombok or the eastern or western ends of Sumbawa, if you have resort or camp stay planned they will possibly have ferry or airport pick up.
Flights to Lombok 30 minutes an Sumbawa slightly longer, just an adventurous overland journey.
If you were more specific I might be able give better advice , have fun

[jaffa1949]

Just a further heads up there has been an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in cattle in Bali, may cause quarantine issue on return. both in Australia and NZed.

[one0one]

Thanks for the info @jaffa awesome.

Some of the boys want to surf uluz. i'm not that keen being a regular footer and the crowds. I'm hoping there is a few boats that leave in the mornings to take people to some outer breaks away from crowds. Ive been told leave the plans loose because of the wind and swell. Never been surfing that side before so no idea what to expect. everything I plan has 5 others in the picture too lol.. doesn't help. They are ok with Lombok travel. I think its two hours on the fast ferry. So probably surf that morning then checkout straight to the ferry. I think we staying at kuta lombok but haven't booked anything yet only booked staying near temple in uluwatu. We have a guide recommended that we are in contact with, and have guide for lombok too but unsure of the extent of knowledge. one guide was suggesting west sumbawa straight but i'm still 50/50..

you been there? bali? what was your favorite breaks?

[jaffa1949]

I have surfed Indo since 1979 from one end to the other, Bali used to love Ulus but I consider it a bucket list Zoo now anywhere on the Bukit peninsular can be good Padang Padang (so good they say it twice) , Dreamland etc if you have a guide that’s good.
You can also consider Canngu , Bantu Bolong and along the coast west to Medewi
If you want day boats consider Nusa Lembongan there are rights there, Razors Shipwrecks, Laceration and the boat will take you right to the beach behind the breaks TIde dependant.

Fast ferry to Lombok as a day boat will fail as you have to go overland from Mataram interesting journey , I have never used day boats just picked my spot and go,

Regardless of what you choose it will be interesting and hopefully not too crowded, warmer than NZed, what is your home break?

[one0one]

my closest break is Kariotahi. its a beachy. i go there when its small. Port is my other break that i go more often. Where in the world are you jaffa? Are you just another friggin aucklander by any chance lol.. i'm gussing no, but could be..

[jaffa1949]

0ne0one, I am an ancient Aussie surfing since 1958 around the Pacific islands and especially Indonesia since 1979, New Zealand counted in the Pacific Islands.
I now live in Austria and surf the Austrian rivers and point breaks , covid has closed down my access to the Atlantic Coast of Europe , tried the North Sea surf in Holland, but doors are opening agai. Body condition needed severely to be up to surfing standard again.
Curious a lot of details about round the world spots available if you read other posts, do you browse other stuff on the forum?

[one0one]

little bit lol..

my mate just moved to the netherlands.. He is going on a surftrip soon around somewhere in europe.. his lady is from there and was doing masters while he was here fixing up a few houses.. i'll try get some photos when hes surfing

[jaffa1949]

A quiet spanish point wave on our last trip to Spain and Portugal

Me playing in Indo well away from popular spots

A day at Schevingen Dutch surf the horizon has lots of shut down cruise ships due to Corona

[one0one]

that first waves huge.. big points are fun hey.. do you surf Raglan when in New Zealand? that wave reminds me of Raglan.. I see you rocking the booties on your indo photo.. I'm thinking the same.. I don't care if I look like a kook rather have fast entry and exit with no probs lol.. mean photos

[jaffa1949]

Yep surfed Raglan, Aripara Sumner and Kaikoura on the south island, some local Iwi beaches with permission the Mount , all good fun. Probably wont get back from Europe again. but hey 64 years of surfing when crowd away from cities didn’t exist!

[one0one]

chuuuuur those are some good spots.. i've never been to the south island lol.. too cold down there.. Ahipara is onnnnnn we stayed there a few nights.. good spot.. Taranaki is another good spot.. I'm thinking Bali is going to be like Taranaki, but hopefully better!!

[jaffa1949]

Yes better, Bali will shock you delight you, remember Bali is largely a Hindu population, Lombok is much more Muslim, everything is easy going if you are respectful, there are scams of all sorts, if it sounds too good to be true, it is the introduction to a scam .
A good skill to learn is to bargain down to a fair price and have fun doing it, it is a social way of life there, convert rupiah to to NZed dollars and you will have a true idea of what you are paying.
Currently 10,000 rupiah equals about NZ dollar 1.08, be aware. that brand name surf shops are pretty close to standard world prices as are shops in major hotels.
Check out some shops in Kuta Bali, I currently don’t know any as it has been a while.
A useful guide if you can buy the book , Indo Surf and Lingo by the late Peter Neely, has some phrases to use what to look out for, vouchers, surf spots and heaps of valuable stuff!
I am a veteran of Indo but this still helps lots!

[Geezer]

I know some good shops in Kuta that will set you up with a good board for a decent price. PM me and I’ll let you know.

[jaffa1949]

I know some good shops in Kuta that will set you up with a good board for a decent price. PM me and I’ll let you know.

No better offer than one on the ground, could be another Forum meet up!

[one0one]

Indo Surf and Lingo by the late Peter Neely, has some phrases to use what to look out for, vouchers, surf spots and heaps of valuable stuff!
I am a veteran of Indo but this still helps lots!

Yeah i heard about that book. someone over here told me the same. said its like the one we have here, but better.. forgot what our one is called, its a little hand sized book.. nz breaks and how to get there.. used in taranaki was useful as.

I'm a talkative fulla so i'm probably going to enjoy the bartering. too nice sometimes though so probably going to end up donating lots lol.. probably to kids.. might even leave a board for a young fulla who needs it.. see how it goes

what boards should i need there ? i got a sweet spot 3 for bigger days heavy glassed and a 6'0 stacey roach that i usually surf.. and a twinny for smallish days 4 foot and under.. i'm thinking of just taking the step up, and getting another board there? something like a Lost Driver 2.0 with standard glassing.

but depends whats available second hand.. or should i just take my stacey? worried if its fast and 5 foot might struggle on rail.. but i never have on that board.. only once when i had the wrong fins.. Toledos seem forgiving and give it the hold but tbh the waves are going to be next level i'm hoping lol.. a 6'2 @35 Litres would be mean

[jaffa1949]

I have the NZed book you talk about.
Just be a little aware about donations and stuff as you walk the streets of Kuta you will be hassled with offers good bad and scammy, if you are obvious in donating you will inundated!
Bali and Indonesia is not a naive third world country, culturally very strong and different, you will stand out and your relative wealth and lack of BAli sun tan, makes you a target!
Sounds rough, it isn’t but needs care, respectfully hold your boundaries, smile a lot, only give any gifts at the end of your stay as a thank you.
things to do, if your driver waits and their price has been fair buy them lunch at a warung, try to use the same person as your driver through out let them know when you will return and use their services.

Boards what suits your surfing at a faster more likely to get barrelled level especially if hitting ULus or Padang Padang , have bit of meat to give fast paddle speed to match incoming wave speed. Your call

Have any of your other crew been to Indo before?

[Geezer]

Why not just take the sweet spot and the Stacey? You’re familiar already; only thing is if you don’t want the hassle of transport. I’d leave the twinny; any day that you’d want to use it will be so crowded with beginner intermediates ((blanket term) that you’ll pack it in quickly in disgust. Waves have enough push here that your better wave board will be your daily driver, then if you want a little edge when it picks up have a step up. Personal go to boards are a 6’2” daily, 6’10” step up in same volume and a 7’ with extra volume. This time of year no need to bother with small wave boards.

[one0one]

yeah two of the 6 have been. not sure how much they surfed though.. some good tips there regarding locals etc.. i'll make sure of that.. i'm probably a board short in my quiver the 4-6 foot waves board.. something with a round tail.. or a performance short board.. and whatayaknow, brought another smallish wave board today, the fishbeard lol.. see how she goes, probably not the best board for indo though..

If i had seen your post probably wouldn't have brought the fishbeard lol.. price was goodish and the boards as new hardly any pressures on the deck.. yeah I might try get a 6'2 round tail.. i'll probably take the sweet spot too.. i might be able to get away with the fishbeard and sweetspot quiver, but maybe not.. suppose it depends on the swell..

i'm keen on some right had barrels, we hardly get right hand reef swells here

[Geezer]

https://balibelly.com/pages/pererenan

Right hand barrels this time of year, swell over 2m and it’s on.

I’m posting only becoz it’s far from a secret spot. Would be like saying padang2 fires hard. You definitely won’t be alone on a good day.