indo / sumbawa

[nath85smokin]

hi im going to indo in august for about 3 months im just wondering if anyone can give me some info on cheap places to stay in Sumbawa as near as pos to scar reef as i really wanna hit that looks awesome also how much roughly will a boat cost to get out there all i seem to be able to find is prices for doing a surf cruise which is outa my budget cheers in advance!

[Hooked Cabarete]

The following information I picked from www.baliwaves.com
I never have been there my self but certainly going to visit this wonderful spot in the near future. The hotel right in frond of the spot is called Lakey peak also.
People who I know have been there and they say it's an awesome place. They recommended me to combine Sumbawa together with the inland of Bali.
Have fun on your trip.


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Lakai Peak, Hu'u. SUMBAWA

Like Bali the islands to the East are home to so many waves it's not funny. One of them is Sumbawa, and certainly is worth the short flight if your in Indonesia. Merpati has flights, Bali to Bima and Bima to Bali on a daily basis. Flights can be arranged here in Bali for around AU$160.00 return. The flight itself lasts only a couple of hours, now that Merpati is back to using jet engines. There you will be met by your driver for the remaining 2 hr drive to Lakey's. Transfers from Bima Airfield to Lakey Peak cost around AU$50.00 per person, return trip.

Accommodation at this location is a real surprise and not what you'd expect to find at such an untouched region. There are low budget Losman style hotels starting around AU$7.00 per night, and then there's always the other option of staying in relative luxury with swimming pool and A/C, room service/cable TV/ hot an cold water for around AU$50.00 per night based on twin share (so split the price with a friend) Or if your travelling alone there are single rooms at cheaper prices (A/C or non A/C).

Excellent food is available in the restaurant, there's a huge menu to choose from at excellent prices. Besides surfing, kite surfing and wind surfing there's not a lot to do except chill out and relax. For the surfers I've never seen the Peak go flat, there's usually always a wave out there. Surfing conditions through the early to mid morning are World class and a big choice of options to surf. Then when the cross-shore wind kicks in it's time for the wind crew to get out there and have there fun. This works in pretty well without any conflict. Then most afternoons the wind backs off and allows for another session for the surfers.

Here's a bit of a run down on the surf in the Lakey peak area. Firstly there is a nice little stretch of clean white sand in front of all the hotels and calm lagoon for swimming. And every local you meet in this area will be friendly and very well mannered. If you would like a hand organizing a trip over to Lakey's just drop us an email.

Lakey Peak:
Situated right in front of your hotel you can't help but notice the old 2 storey high photographers tower which still stands strong like a sentinel on duty. Just 30 meters in front is the famous Lakey Peak. The Peak is just what it says, a perfect wave that when breaks peels off both left and right into channels either side. Not a long ride by Indonesian standards, but still manages to get you going for 30-40 meters in each direction. The right hander will often open up for a back door tube ride while the left is perfect for lip bashing and the occasional barrel ride. Lakey Peak works the best with the high tide happening around mid morning making those early morning mid tide sessions pure gravy. You don't have to be a pro surfer to enjoy the Peak that's for sure, but you do have to be aware of the mainly flat bottomed reef as the tide drops. Especially when the calendar is showing the Full or New moon phase. Getting out to the Peak is easy with only a short 450 meter paddle or you can take the zodiac for around 2 dollars return. Lakey Peak can hold waves up to triple over head in that 6-8ft sector, but the optimum time to hit it is when it's in that perfect 4-6 Feet.

Lakey Pipe:
Just another 400 meters to the left of Lakey Peak is perfectly shaped Lakey Pipe. Now "the Pipe" is a little more serious than "the Peak" when it comes to scoring your tube time I have to say. Situated around 250-300 meters from the shore line and breaking in front of a more narly shelf of rock and reef. The mid tide rising is usually the best time to safely get what you came for, as the lower end is just getting to damn shallow. The wave itself has a fairly sedated take off, once you negotiate it and get to the bottom the wave then hits the shelf and throws out a solid backdoor barrel that leaves enough space to drive a small car through. This wave is suited best for surfers and body boarders with tube riding experience. Optimum wave height is always in that magic double over head range, but the Pipe can also take it bigger. Through the afternoon when the wind usually turns cross-shore and up to 20 knot in strength the Pipe turns it on for the more experienced kite and wind surfers.

Nungas:
Off to the right of "the Peak" and down about 300 meters is another section of reef called "No-Mans" and that's a pretty good description as it generally just shuts down. But down towards the end of this reef ledge is whole new story. This is where "Nungas" begins to peel off in a mini version of a G-land line. A long left hander that can often run for 200 meters plus with a couple of serious bowl sections and lots of whackable sections to play with. A lot of surfers start off walking down to Periscopes, take one look at Nungas and go out there instead. This wave also lets you ride the wave all the way into a big calm bay. A longer paddle out, but well worth the effort. Nungas is another World class Kite and Windsurfing wave when that strong afternoon wind blows perfectly cross-shore from behind.

Periscopes:
Periscopes is located at least a 30 minute walk if your pacing it out hard along the beach. Just keep walking down past Nunga's (mini G-Land like walls) until the beach curves around and you'll find Periscopes. The line up for Periscopes is only a short 100 meter paddle out, and there's usually a current making the paddle even easier. This wave can hold it up to triple over head so far as I've seen it. The best time to make the trek down there is first thing in the morning with a coinciding high tide, this wave needs plenty of water over the reef to make it out of the barrel. This is a natural footers tube riding paradise, for sure one of Indonesia's World class surfing locations. Make sure you take a bottle of water with you for the return hike back to the Hotel.

Cobble Stones:
Now this wave is for the serious reclusive type surfer who does not want anyone else in the line up ! To get there you either have to keep walking down to the left of Lakey Pipe for another 45minutes (or take the zodiac..) The wave it self is impossible to miss once you have walked around the next two points. An absolutely beautiful wave set up with a perfect channel cut out of the reef running all the way onto the beach. On the far side as you approach you can see the left handers standing up straight and barreling out into the channel. There's usually always more swell hitting up that way, up towards the open ocean. You do not want to surf this place if the tide is too low better on the mid to high end, she also holds some solid size. This is another area where you need to take your water bottle with ya.

Nunga Dora:
Do not attempt to find this wave on foot, you won't make it ! You need to arrange a lift on the back of a motor bike to get to this location that is 2 to 3 times further down than Cobblestones and offers both a perfect left and right hand waves. Make sure you take a friend with you cause there will not be any other surfers anywhere near the place. This spot also picks up more swell than the others we have mentioned. Rule No.1 at these places that are not directly in front of the Hotel area is, DO NOT SURF ALONE incase you need a hand getting back.

[O_Danny_Boy]

lakeys central sumbawa, scar reef is in western sumbawa. if you try and find accomadation in taliwang, you might be able to communte from there

[indahvoo]

I think the most expensive and toughest part of your trip to Sumbawa will be getting there. Your nearest international airport will be Bali. They have flights to Lombok and then you have to continue by bus or chartered van. It's not a remote island, but not many people go there. I'm sure by the time you get there, food and accommodation will be cheap. But don't expect 4 or 5 star hotel treatment. I know traveling like this (where you have to exchange buses or car several times) can be difficult when you bring your boards. So good luck mate!

[nath85smokin]

im goign to be in indonesia any how flying into bali in mid august then traveling about from there so already shelled out for getting there pretty much im gonna go to lombok anyways so figure its not much further to go to subawa!! and then on to komodo to see some dragons!!

NEXT QUESTION.....

im trying desperately to book my outward flight (im applying for the 60 day visa) as its needed for the visa requirements, cheapest flight out of and then back into indo is with AIRASIA.COM but i cant seem to make payment to them for the flight it works out as about £60 return after taxs an extras any ideas any other companys that would compare price wise to these that i could try, i need to book over the web soon as really!! cheers again in advance
Nath

[indahvoo]

Hey Nath, I'm in Bali now for 3 weeks up to Augusts 2nd. For other airline option you may want to check out Lion Air at www.lionair.co.id

[nath85smokin]

thanks thats actually a good site price wise especially flying from bali itself but im still having problems making payment cant do online banking and i dont have a credit card bit stuck!!!
i think im just going to have a bit a mission up to jakarta and fly from there using malaysian airlines as i can pay them!! the price is the same its just the hassle of travelling up to the airport in java but i think it will be good hit a few spots on the way up i guess> G-Land??

has anyone else had this prob with having to get an outward flight of indonesia just to get a visa?? i was planning on travelling around for 2 months then getting a flight out and back in then travel up and get ferrys eventually into singapore and up an away this would be alot easier if i didnt have to book everything before i get out there!!

[indahvoo]

Matey, go to a travel agent. Then you can pay them in cash, so you don't have to go to airports everytime you need to fly. Your travel agent will set up all your flights and hotels if needed to be. Good luck!! Let me know if you need more help. It rains and lots of clouds here in Bali.

[nath85smokin]

cant go through the travel agent as they rip me off the only way of getting a flight at a reasonable cost is booking it myself over the internet!! think im gonna book through malaysian air (they have an office in England that i can ring) tonight get it sorted its only £77 ($150) after all taxes from java to kuala return then when im out there i can book my next flight and pay cash for the next leg of my trip and the next!!!

anyone had any probs getting let back in ive been told its fine to basically turn aound at the airport and cue up straight away for anouther 30 day visa, anyone had a different experience??
im staying for 4 days in KL then coming back to java an back down to bali i guess maximise surfing time!!


there may be clouds in bali but it cant be as boring and bleak weather as in england rain or shine its gotta be better!

[indahvoo]

Nath,

When you land in Jakarta airport, make sure you have exact change of USD25 for your 30 day visa. If not the immigration can rip you off. So please have all documentation ready. Like your return ticket, hotel reservation (even only for the first few days), etc. Let me know if I can be any help. Just got back from bodyboarding in Kuta today. Not many surfable waves, but water temperature was superb.

Cheers mate,
Indahvoo

[nath85smokin]

is a hotel reservation for the 1st few days essential??? cos i havent made a booking and wasnt planning on doing so for my entry into indonesia flying into bali or for my re-entry when i fly into jakarta should i definatley do this?

if we definately have to do this where would you recommend in kuta indahvoo? somewhere cheapish closer to the beach the better and big enough for three people to stay in??
cheers again nath

[indahvoo]

Nath,

It's not necessary to have a hotel reservation, but I think don't you need to put an address in the entry form given out on the plane before you reach Indonesia? It's been a while since I fill out those forms, so I will find out on this soon. So there will be 3 of you. If I may know, how much is your budget for hotel? I can help you find a cheap place to stay that will allow 3 people to share a room. When did you say you'll get here?

[indahvoo]

I forgot to tell you, while you make your stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia before heading to Jakarta, get some money exchanged to rupiah, just in case you need to get a cab or other spending. Indonesian airport money changers give sucky rates. Not too much, maybe about 20 pounds, that should last you for a few meals for 3 people. Just in case your plane got delayed or whatever.