Learn to surf in Indonesia
Replies: 16 - Last Post: Dec 13, 2012 3:36 PM Last Post By: vasenka
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Learn to surf in Indonesia
Hey fellow travelers :)We are to young guys (21 yrs) travelling in Indonesia right now, and we would like to learn to surf (none of us have ever tried it before). We are currently on Pulau Weh and don't know were the good spots for beginners are. So far we have found out that Sumatra have a lot of world-class spots, but since we don't know how to surf we think it would be better with a more safe place (not hard reefs and 7m high waves that could kill newbies like us :)
We have read that Bali should be a good (but expensive) place, so if possible in Sumatra that would be the best.
So if anyone know anything about were to go please let us know, thank you! :)
Best regards
David and Sebastian
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Beginners- go to Kuta beach Bali.It breaks over sand and there are many options from the longboards for hire from locals to the kind of expensive surf schools run by hotels and expats.
Hang five!
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Thanks for the quick replies guys! Awesome! :)Bali sounds like a good option, but still there is the problem with it being expensive and we don't have much time left in Indonesia, leaving the 18th dec and are spending the next 5-7 days on pulau weh to do the diving course and also wanna visit Brestagi and see volcanos before leaving.. So if we could avoid spending time (and money) on flying to Bali that would be the best, but if the best option is to go there, we'll consider it :)
We have also looked at www.authenticsumatra.com, but don't know anything else than what the homepage says?
And we'll also try giving Alan a call tomorrow :)
Edited by: snuf1991
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West Sumatera especially Mentawai island, natural to explore the natural beauty of the surf and the beauty of the forest. There are two options to be able to go there first with wooden boats and iron ship / ferry. many options that can be done in the main Mentawai is the beauty of its natural forests.There is also to just relax while enjoying the natural beauty in the highlands surrounding the Bukitinggi. the city became a great selection of foreign tourists who love to spend time relaxing in the cool of the city and beautiful. a city full of history and hospitality values into its own attraction and binding that make this city a decent place to live for a few days.6
Not sure i agree with Mentawai islands being a beginner-friendly destination for surfing...7
Yeah- surf lessons in Bukitinggi. Hmmmmm........8
The Mentawis are set up for experienced surfers either live on board boats or on island surf camps where you go out to the waves on a speed boat each day. If you can find and get to a cheap surf camp I doubt they will be set up for beginners with lessons and beginners boards.As already mentioned most of the surf breaks are over coral reefs - not the best for beginners!!! However the big surf has now finished - big surf season typically finishes October.
Bali/Kuta will be relatively cheap - accommodation, meals and surf lessons. The big cost (time and money) will be to get there from Aceh. That said you will need to get to somewhere like Padang to get to the Mentawis.
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Hey everybodyThanks for all the replies!
We are still not sure what to do. Bali is pretty much out of the picture and Nias is a bit far away, so we'd like to do it somewhere near to banda aceh and the nearby areas.
Atm. we are thinking about trying to find some spots around Banda Aceh. Lhoknga/Lampuk should apparently be the place to go, but we're still not sure whether it offers beginner waves??
We've heard of eddies homestay (www.eddieshomestay.com) and joels bungalows (www.joelbungalows.hpage.asia)- can anyone recommend any of these places?
And what about the islands up here... Sure there is no beginner's surfing around here? :P
Thanks!
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Never been to either of these places but from the page you linked to it looks like there should be some beginner friendly waves (shorebreaks over sand). It's not the highseason at the moment so waves are generally smaller and less powerful so it'd just give it a go if i were you. Go and find out--if the waves happen to be too big for you, the place looks nice enough to hang out or just move on. Cheers!12
I went swimming for the afternoon at the beach near Eddies a few years ago. A nice sandy beach no surf (on that afternoon) but there did seem to be be some waves on a reef in the distance some way off the beach.All I can suggest is you give them a call or send an email and see what happens. It's less than 20 kms out of Banda Aceh.
It will be even less developed (for backpackers etc) than Pulau Weh so don't get your hopes up for organised beginners surfing.
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Hi David and Sebastian,The best place for beginner in sumatra is Nagari Sungai Pinang village near Padang.
There are bungalows and if you wanna learn surf the surfboard + teacher are free (you just pay the room and it's included).
The waves are not too big.
You can check on Google :)
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Hi David and Sebastian,Heading to Pulau Weh in a couple of weeks - can you just give me an idea of what the weather is like there at the moment. we are just going to chill out and will not be surfing. Thanks
