Indonesia

North Sumatra

Banyak Islands

The remote area in North Sumatra that is the Banyak Islands has been a closely guarded secret and could be described as one of the last surf frontiers of Indonesia! It is a surfers paradise and sets the scene for any kind of surfer /adventurer, with the safest and best way of getting around being aboard an air-conditioned surf charter vessel.

Many of your surf breaks have remained nameless and there is still more exploring going on. There is a huge range of left and right-handers so that your back-hand and fore-hand can both be easily satisfied. There are waves for every surfing style and ability ranging from long deep barrels, fast hollow down the line peelers, perfect peaks to long cruising walls with plenty of time to rip the faces apart.

The Banyak Islands in North Sumatra are located approximately 60 miles off the northwest coast of Sumatra, Indonesia’s northern most and largest Island. There are two main islands in the Banyak Islands- Treasure Island and the island of the Bay Of Plenty harbouring incredible breaks angled perfectly to catch the clean consistent swells of the Indian Ocean.

Surfing charters in North Sumatra and particularly the Banyak Islands are less likely to encounter numbers of charter boats unlike the Mentawai’s. No need to feel lonely though, as these islands are exposed to pretty much the same swell as the Mentawai Islands, giving you plenty of surf to keep you busy.

Uncrowded barrels, plenty of waves, untouched natural rainforest, wildlife, epic Sumatran sunsets; remote islands and warm tropical waters await you. You can also go fishing, snorkelling, spearfishing, jungle-trekking-no mass tourism here, just fun and adventure in the comfortable luxury of an air-conditioned motor yacht.

South Sumatra

Sumatra is the second largest island in the Indonesian archipelago and is formed by a long spine of mountains. Most the population live in the foothills, plateaus and highlands. Sumatra is beautiful island with volcanoes, hot springs, lakes and rivers, and wild jungle. The island boasts many reserves that protect the island's wealth of indigenous wildlife, including elephants, tigers, rhinos, orangutans and tapirs.

Just a short flight from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung, then a 5-6 hour car ride through the mountains brings you to South Sumatra, a wave rich area where it’s still possible to surf with only you and a few fellow adventuring surfers in high quality waves.

The main town is Krui but there are surf spots an hour or so either side of the town. There are many waves in the area - lefts, rights and beach breaks. Ideally you need transport if you want to be flexible with the surf. The most consistent and perhaps the best all round wave is Karang Nyimbor, a long left hander that breaks off a reef point to the south.

West Java

West Java & Panaitan Island is one of the best places in Indonesia to find uncrowded, consistent, quality surf….. Panaitan Island has to be one of Indonesia's best kept secrets. The island is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, located on the south western tip of Java and is literally a wave park full of right and left hand reef breaks.

You will find world class waves such as One Palm Point, a long, fast and hollow left, and Apocalypse, very intense right - as the name suggests!

On the way back, you can sail past the island remains of Mt Krakatau, the site of the largest volcanic explosion in recorded history. The tsunami waves created in 1883 were 120 feet high and over 36,000 people died and 16 villages were destroyed. Eruptions still occur every year, so it is too dangerous to get close. Great sunsets from the mainland though.

North Sumatra

Banyak Islands

• Treasure Island - Known to be one of the best right-hand point breaks in Indo, consistently offering up to four mesmerising barrels a wave with a nice almond-shaped ripable face. This is one of the jewels in the crown of sheer Indo perfection running a few hundred yards down a perfectly shaped reef. Always a favourite amongst guests as it satisfies all abilities. A taste of “Treasures” has you hooked for years to come.
• Indies 1& 2 -“Indies” get their names as being the outside breaks and indicators for “Treasures”. These two waves are for the experienced only and produce heart-pumping barrels over shallow reef. The bigger the swell the better!
• Mini's - Located deep in the bay “Mini’s” is a playful right which peaks up offering a short barrel and workable face which starts working on larger swells as it picks up half the swell of Treasure Island.
• Gorilla's - An untamed right-hand beast that is rarely surfed and will sort out anyone’s ego. If you are keen- make sure you pack your peanuts!
• Cobra - A world-class left-hander which can produce an epic 8-10 second barrel or nice ripable face depending on swell direction. Cobra’s clean blue lines peel down the reef into a channel, which can provide a perfect photo opportunity.
• Warren,s - A fun right-hand peak opposite Cobra’s breaking over a combination of reef and sand which can finish on the beautiful white sandy beach.
• Turtle's - A fun, playful left-hand peak which peels along finishing on the beautiful white sandy beach. A great take-off and workable wall which depending on swell direction can produce a nice barrel also.
• Clarets - A beautiful long left-hand point which peels down the line offering a perfect open workable face. You will be able to perfect your big carving turns or hunt out the inside barrels.
• Joysticks - A super fun right-hand peak which produces a perfect barrel on the take-off going into a nice wall for some turns. If you have enough speed you can link up into the inside bowl for a nice long ride.
• Toytown Lefts - A perfectly shaped peeling left located deep in the bay which starts to work on larger swells. You can cruise down the line or hit the lip over and over again.
• The Pig - A deep water right-hand break exposed to all possible swell. Rarely below head-high and will give you some exhilarating drops and big open faces.
• Migila's - Located inside of “The Pig”, Migila’s is a right-hand peak with a short perfect barrel on take-off and peels off slowly to the beach.
• Lizards Nest - Somewhat fickle but if the conditions come together you will experience one of the best waves in Indo. Known to produce a magic 10-second barrel and any of those who have seen or surfed it are simply awe-struck!

South Sumatra

• Ujung Bocur - Right out in front of Ombak Indah Losmen and Damai Bungalows, this wave handles most swells and caters to surfers of all abilities.
• Way Jambu - Way Jambu or Sumatran Pipeline, as it’s also known, is one of the most perfect waves around - but for experienced riders only.
• Mandiri - This quality beach break is a 20 minute drive from Karang Nyimbor.
• Osamas - These beach breaks is an ideal learner wave and conveniently close to the camp.
• Bali Village - On its day this left and right breaking wave is a must visit.
• Krui Left & Right - A quality bowly left hander that needs a bit of swell to start to work. Meanwhile, nearby Krui Right is a superb right hander, one of the best in the area but needs a bit of swell to start to work. While at Krui, you can also catch a boat to Banana Island (see breaks out of Drew's).
• Mosquito’s / The Peak - A heavy peak that offers a short but perfect barrel.
  Drew's Right - This idyllic right hander is the perfect surf spot if you want to surf on your own as although there are local people around, there are no local surfers. Breaking for approximately 100 metres, this right breaking wave offers a bit of everything - from decent barrel sections to big open faces. Unlike Karang Nyimbor, this wave’s entry (although steep) is relatively easy. Once on the wave various sections are on offer - depending on the size of swell and its direction. The end section will always close out - and can be pretty shallow. This wave breaks year round, but is offshore more in the off season. It faces more south east, but still receives a large amount of swell - as most swells are from the south or south west. The wave breaks on coral reef and therefore reef boots are recommended. Getting out to the lineup is quite straight forward - you just have to time your entry. Coming in can be slightly trickier on a lower tide as it can get quite shallow.
• Jimmy's Left - 10 minutes from Drew's, this world class left hander produces endless barrels.
• Jimmy's Right - A stone’s throw away from Jimmy's left, but nothing like it if you want heavy sucky barrels.
• Walur - Just a short drive from Drew's, Walur produces heavy sets of perfect waves.
• Banana Island - Take the short 15 minute boat ride from Krui to ride these two rarely ridden waves that break around the island.

West Java

• One Palm Point - is a reef break, marked by a single sentinel palm. It is one of Indonesia's left-hand wonders. Waves here peel perfectly from outside to inside, barreling the whole way over a shallow bottom that inspires paranoia but creates record-time tube rides. Indeed this is not a place for timid or inexperienced wave riders.
  Apocalypse - is a great surprise because it doesn't look like much as you approach it from behind, but you will discover a feisty wave that peaks, walls, plumes, and fires. The water is quite deep at the take-off point, but a combination of funneled wave speeds, strong offshore winds and a receptive and stationary reef causes incoming swells to rise fast, hover before hollowing out and then break defiantly.
  Napalms - a fun barreling left
• Illusions – a right hand point break nearly as perfect as One Palm Point.
• Dave’s Place- fast barreling left
• Crock and Rolls- another classic left hander
• SS- Ideal wave for the natural footer looking for the keg of a lifetime
• There's also a couple of mellow breaks including Pussy's (left) and the Bommie (right).

South Sumatra

Sitting astride the equator, Sumatra's climate is about as tropical as tropical gets. Daytime temperatures generally reach 30°C on the coast. The dry season runs from May to September. The timing of the wet season is hard to predict, in the south the rains usually start in November, peaking in January/February..

The best time for swell and consistency is May to October, but it is possible to find waves here year round, although the winds can sometimes be detrimental in the off season. Karang Nyimbor is one of the few waves that can handle a south westerly wind no problem.

West Java has a tropical climate being just located below the equator. Temperatures average around 30'C all year round.The wet season occurs October to March, and as with all tropical climates the humidity at this time can be oppressive. The dry season occurs from April to September, with less humid conditions and sunnier weather. Most rainfall in West Java will occur during the wet season, but downpours are typical and can occur at anytime, usually not lasting too long.