So i was reading somthing on surfline i believe a few days ago. Article about best trip destinations for the average/non pro surfer. I was expecting places like CR and PR. PR was actually on the list of 5. CR wasn't. Any way, indo was on there. Kinda surprised me. I know there's alot of spots and places to go in indo, but the ones you always hear about and come to mind first are those shallow, grinding barrel, reef breaks. The article actually said it's good for everyone from beginner to pro. And for some reason (technology is scary) my suggested youtube videos have been filled with raw indo footage. The waves at some of these spots look amazing and fairly user friendly for your everyday intermediate surfer. I think some guys on here have been? Wondering what it's like over there. Feasible trip or leave it to the pros? Looks really crowded. Considering how machine like it looks, i got to imagine the lesser spots are less crowded but still plenty good by east coast standards. Not planning on going soon but if it's a feasible trip i would definitely start doing some research into it. Anyone been or know anyone whos been? Thoughts on it being "the Disney land for surfers with options for beginners through pros".
https://www.amazon.com/Stormrider-Guide-Indonesia-Indian-Ocean/dp/095624551X I bought this before I went. My perspective is limited to boat trip in North Sumatra and what I learned in this publication...which I found super helpful. I read it for months over and over again. There seems to be truth to “beginner-pro”. But, out of the 4-5 waves we explored, all intermediate, with 2 pretty advanced reefs. Knowing how to act and react over shallow reef is imperative IMO. Otherwise (except for the large swell days), it’s longer period and manageable as far as positioning and catching waves. The most important part is after the wave and where you end up. Making waves good. Getting closed out on and washed in, not so good. It was the single best trip and the best waves I have caught in my life.
Interesting. Thanks im going to have to check that out. I feel like indo had been on every surfers mind at one point. Round here i don't get many barrels. Im probably lacking there the most. Which always made me hesitant on whether that's i place i want to go. But after seeing footage of spots iv never heard of, I'm thinking i might live it there. It seems like the type of place surf dreams are made of. How did the intermediate and advanced reefs differ? Depths of said reefs (more critical wave) or just the line up in general and positioning? It definitely seems like the place to go if you want to improve barrel riding. That's for sure. Thanks for the input. Going to check that book out
There's no reason to be surfing in crowds in Indo, unless you want to surf a world-class destination spot. Its a chain of islands with dozens and dozens of epic spots that are not all easy to get to. I went with some friends for 10 days in 2007 and surfed every thing from big time spots (Lagundri Bay Nias), to moderately known spots (Bawa) to spots that I'm not sure are even named but our boat captain took us to. Lagundri Bay was obviously off the hook perfection, but some of the spots that were just remote reminded me of a really good Rhode Island cobblestone pointbreak going off, but with 5 of us out, and 80 degree water. I'm really glad we didnt hit a major swell because what our boat captain referred to as Indian Ocean 3 foot background groundswell was overhead on sets at every spot we went to.
Here are a few shots: Picture i took from our boat of our captain, Gus, at Bawa. It was breaking about like this the whole time we were there...2-3 days...two boats - ours and one other that had a few Australian rippers. They knew we were a little overwhelmed and were all about getting us to take off on set waves. Pure stoke. Another of Bawa. Another Bawa: Lagundri Bay Nias. It was a couple feet bigger than this most sesh's but i like this pic because it shows how perfect that wave is.
Those are some sweeeeet shots! But yeah when i said it looked crowded i meant in the footage i saw. There's so many options it's hard to wrap your head around. Im assuming you went between November-march? I looked into the mentawi islands before. Didn't realize they are technically considered western sumatra? I really want to go within the next few years. Just turned 29. Feel like if i go id rather go while I'm still young. Looks like the trip of a lifetime
Went to Bali in 1998. Had to take three flights to get there. Singapore Airlines now flies direct Newark Singapore. Just pull the trigger and fu##in do it already BassMon2! #bestdecisionever
I always said I wanted to go before 45...I was 43. I think I am glad I was in my forties. I think my barrel riding was better at 39 versus 29 due to experience. It definitely got better in Indo. Technique etc. I have a picture from a sesh I was trying to do a no hand backside tube. It’s on work computer I will try to post. To your intermediate to advance question. One of the reefs jacked up with a nice roll in drop and had three sections. It was super technical (to me anyways) negotiating turns/stalls/cover ups and the last section was at times super shallow reef. The sections would just throw and sometimes catch you off rail or slowing and just clip you. Super fast. Swell direction, tide and the overall set up on certain waves make it more challenging. I can’t emphasize enough to bring the right board...I spent a lot of time with shaper dialing in a 6’4” that worked very well. I brought a 6’8” and didn’t even surf it although two sessions I wish I did. I was so dialed on 6’4” I didn’t want to switch and it hindered me on a few critical take offs. LI Bro says just go and I totally agree!!!! You will get barreled...I promise!
Im doing it. I just looked up flights...that looks brutal. But yeah, I'm going 100%. Just found one resort type place that includes boat trips to all diffrent spots in the price. Looks like a place that caters to surfers but wifey could enjoy. Going to check a few other options out. Bali was actually almost our honeymoon destination. So that's on the table. Got to iron out the details but it's decided. Im going. If i don't just pull the trigger and do it it'll be somthing i regret. Thanks for pushing me over the ledge guys. Next surf trip decided. Commencing planning operation.
Did an indo trip 4 years ago. Two weeks in Bali/Buket, three weeks in west Java, and 2 weeks in West Timor, and another week in Bali. Indo seems really exotic and remote to us but it's pretty much Australias Costa Rica. They can pop over there in 3 hours. So it's full of Aussies. You have to work to get away from the crowds....basically wont happen in Bali. What was said abov e is pretty true....if you want to surf not crowded you have to go to lesser known/not as good breaks or be on a boat with a captain that is willing to put you in those spots. The waves are indeed epic and the culture is great too....although we were in Java during Ramadan and it was hard to find food. In the end, for me Mexico is more my spot since it is very easy to get away from crowds there and it is so easy (drive) to get to. But the best waves in Mex are an 8 and the best waves in Indo are a 10 so it's more perfect. Anyway, enjoy.
That looks cool as hell. Also, the white background makes it look super dreamy ha. Loving this thread.
I'd be interested in what Jay spent as well. We also stayed on a boat and it was 11 years ago so probably outdated costs; Flights from JFK to Sibolga Sumatra (where our boat was docked) $1100 R/t 11 days on the Bohemian Catamaran all meals included. $2500 $3600 is obviously a big chuck of money for 11 days of surfing. Two thoughts: The memories from that trip, the big challenging waves, surfing off of deserted jungle island reef where the only sounds you heard were the crashing waves and LOUD monkeys howling, all of the experiences I had were priceless. $3600 is 10 car payments.... Second - consider staying on a boat. I really think it is the way to go. So you're surfing a left and the wind goes sideshore....hop back on the boat, motor around to a sheltered side of an island and two hours later your surfing a right that is offshore.
I flew into Medan via Singapore. I think all in, I spent $5,000. Included $100 worth of Sushi on the way home (Tokyo). I think the boat including all of the transfers of boards to from airport was $3100... We stayed a night in a nice hotel the day we got there which was additional $100. $200 for photographer. The boat trip made the trip and I totally agree with Mitch. We fished and caught some just about every day. Kayak fished too. Having options with wind/swell conditions and a captain who has it all dialed in was awesome. Getting up and having coffee and watching a killer point break reel down the reef is epic. In the evening sitting on top and having a cold one and watching sun go down was cool too. Having a guy run you out to the edge of the break and pick you up was sweet. The food and the chef dialed in every meal...especially the fresh fish (sashimi, fried whole, and some other steamed fish with fresh ginger and garlic). My friends I went with are going on same trip in two weeks and the cost was about 1/2. I could not go since I am going to Hawaii. I would do again in a heartbeat. One guy brought his chick. She surfed and was super friendly (Aussie). I would probably be okay with bringing my girl (depends on how you girl is with adventure etc on that call).
Yeah im still deciding. I personally would love a boat trip. My lady would not. Thing is, we want to travel and see these places. She's totally down but just needs a few things here and there. And i ofcourse want to surf. Our plan is a trip every year. That one resort type place i mentioned seems pretty on point for our needs and wants. All the benefits of a boat trip. Just with more accommodations. Wake up hop on the boat and go. Then the benefits of a resort at night. Plus they help out the locals. A certain percentage of what they take in goes to the locals to help fight the poverty. I can get down with that. When i looked at flights they were about 2000 round trip each. 28-33 hour flight. Im thinking about maybe doing a week in Australia then a week in indo? Not sure. Still planning. Weighing out options. This seems like a trip you don't just wing it on. Alot of money but seems like an trip you'll never forget. Worth it. By the way Mexico is another one we want to do. Maybe after indo!
I'm doing a Mexico trip in 2020. La Salidita. It's an old-head break with other decent breaks within easy driving distance. Cheap too. Easy to get to and relatively secure.
