Places to stay in Indo

Theres a lot of options, Starting with West Java you have a lot of options itself, penaitan island, pretty heavy waves, both many lefts and rights, all need different winds to eachother and swell directions.
You can go pretty cheap but the fishing boats often break down, or something like just dreaming or the nomad which i believe both still are the best boats for the area. There's a couple of spots on the way that are sometimes worth a visit too.

Palaban ratu area, mostly rights, ive never been here but they are a surf melting pot for apparently pretty relaxed surfers. If it gets big eough theres a really long mellow left nearby, Loji that handles the trade wind, anda rivermouth tht does too but the other rights all need early surfs this time of year. Sawarna has a decent left and camp there that can handle light trade wind i think. Gets powerful so they say but not full on like g-land id say.

Genteng area has some options like turtles, im not sure if they have rental houses but they have a camp or two near turtles. Lots of lefts and possibly a right on the other side of the outer harbour.
Freeline run a good camp near turtles, one of the better waves there.

heading east there are some waves but not many non feral options untill you get to batu karas(a coupl of longish mellow rights, or Pandandaran, some different styled waves around here near a jail where they exucuted the Aussies pair recently.
This is however supposed to be a nice place, a lot of Jakarta people will try to convince you to visit there even tourists told me the waves were pretty good. I believe it has a smal airport.

Next option east for non feral or homestay would be pacitan, a couple of waves in town and a nearby bay with a surf camp. There area couple of hotels in pacitan, a guy named daru sadki might help you out if you add him on facebook.
The bay i mentioned has been getting lots of attention these last few years as it has a very good right on one side and a slabby left on the other. Its fickle though and tidal. Its called Watu karung.
Personally i'd like to visit this area just to explore east of pacitan as the bays look amazing. The surf camp in watu karaung is around $1000 a week or so.

Then you have g-land, what needs to be said has been a thousand times. Good consistant waves that even when small can get serious. Good food but apparently the hospitality has gone down hill a bit in recent years.
Lombok, desert point, as good as any left in indo but crowded, i think you can stay there now in better huts than they used to have.
Kuta lombok anrea and a lot of the other bays nearby have accom, just rock up unless ts july or august.
A few excellent serious waves and a lot of fun waves too. Check out a surf guide book on the area and take a pick for your tastes.
east coast lombok has a few waves but they seem to be very blocked from swell.

Agree with what groundswell has said.

I've surfed around West Java plenty so can shed some light on the area.

PBRatu is fairly relaxed for waves, nothing too heavy apart from one wave which is a dangerous, fast, shallow right hander which only breaks when it's well OH (though make sure not to surf if it's been raining too much, should be ok in the dry season). Crowds are an issue around here as it gets many folk from Jakarta particularly on weekends. Attracts many who can't surf that great (lots of Japanese tourists), so if you're confident you'll still get your fair share of waves. Sawarna used to be very quiet but now extremely busy with a lot of Indonesian tourists, still not too many people surf there however the vibe of the place was kind of ruined in my opinion. Went from deserted, tranquil beach to bustling busy beach! Plenty of places to stay at both Sawarna and PBR. West of here there's really not much worth visiting and limited accommodation options. You'll see no tourists and also not be able to buy beer as the villages are very religious.

Genteng area doesn't have as many waves, certainly not the variety as PBR, however turtles is a really fun wave and can hold good size. Gets heavy too with a nice barrel section - not the longest but can be serious. Never surfed the right on the other side. Ombak Tujuh is nearby too if you have a gun and the balls to put it to good use. Fewer people down this way and plenty of accommodation options. Only a 4hr drive from Genteng to PBR, so can always traverse between the two easily.

Pandandaran.. haven't had much experience with this joint. Some waves there, bit of a mission to get to (like anywhere in Java really) but you can drive there from Jakarta ok, just takes time. Not sure about accommodation options.

That said, if I was to travel across to Indo from Aus on a shortish trip (less than 3 weeks), I certainly wouldn't be basing myself in West Java on land. A bit fickle, roads are terrible, can be crowded. Better off to get yourself onto a boat and go out to Penaitain islands. If you have time and are keen to snoop around, then West Java could be fun for you. I'd prefer to go to GLand or Lombok any day. They have a reputation for a reason!

Watu Karung (Pacitan) was packed when I was there last September. Heaps of euro bodyboarders hassly as all fuck. Good tubes when you got one though

I am interested in the waves east of Kuta Lombok but was recently told (from 2 locals) that it isn't safe to go by road past Grupuk and that locals are patrolling the road from Kuta-Grupuk to keep it safe right now.

Anyone else know if this is legit?

mk1 wrote:

I am interested in the waves east of Kuta Lombok but was recently told (from 2 locals) that it isn't safe to go by road past Grupuk and that locals are patrolling the road from Kuta-Grupuk to keep it safe right now.

Anyone else know if this is legit?

Many places up in indo deemed unsafe...pretty much all hype if you just do your own thing.area your thinking very little english speaking folk.dont dwell on this just go...you will be fine.buy a couple cartons of gudang garams and hand em out if any trouble..the locals will fight over them.

I always find it hard to imagine anywhere in Indo feeling unsafe but Lombok does have a bit of a reputation for hold ups on remote roads, so perhaps there could be some truth in it?

But on the other hand it could just be the locals in Grupuk/Kuta area not wanting you to venture to other areas as if you do they lose your business.

hired a fishing boat out to panitan once in the late 90's with a few mates.had to change boats and crew half way through,that was agreed...second boat arrives..fuck all waves...bought some cartons from just dreaming..lets fuck off....back to simur 2days early...thru the night.the skipper got into the cans and me porno mags.got sideways..when we reached simur it went pear shaped...the crew argued over money.we had the whole village gather and it became abit heated.one of the boys spoke bahasa and we came to a amount with the bloke with the cap..the one you get from mecca.even he was into the binnie cans....thought those cunts didn't drink...

Cheers indo & norchock. Will go next time I'm back there for sure. Might just plan the trip properly and go in a car instead of on the scooter. Keep practicing the bahasa till then.

Cars are fairly cheap.get a map no worries.bikes are good to d.p...watch that hill..other than that get a car..snd watch the insurance...scams i mean.