Pacitan surf works in all seasons and caters to lots of levels, but it’s hard to reach and not quite the quality of G-Land or Bali.
An introduction to Pacitan surf
While G-Land and Panaitan at either ends of Java steal the show, the south coast of the island is largely still unknown or undersubscribed surf territory. So it is for the Pacitan surf, where a series of about five or six bays open to face east, west, and south at the wide Indian Ocean. The varying orientations mean that different spots work in the wet and dry seasons. Meanwhile, the combo of sand-bottomed breaks and rocks (specifically high cliffs and islands) means there’s actually something for all levels.
Really, though, it’s the rifle left at Watukarung that is the star of the show. It’s fast, furious, and downright fun when the dry season swells roll through. The problem? Pacitan isn’t easy to get to. You’ll need to ask yourself if it’s worth venturing here when the best swells of Bali, Lombok, and G-Land are thumping around you. We’d say for smaller lineups and charming homestays by the waves, the spot could just win out.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guides to surfing in Java and surfing in Indonesia
Pacitan surf at a glance
The good:
- Variety of spots that work in all seasons
- Good for all levels
- Never busy
The bad:
- Hard to get to
- Not as good as Bali or Lombok
- Few hotels and surf camps
What’s in this guide to Pacitan surf?
Where is Pacitan?
The Pacitan Regency sits right between East Java and Central Java. That puts it cleanly on the surf-facing Indo coast for surfers en route to the more iconic breaks of G-Land et al. The main town of Pacitan itself is the hub of it all. It’s accessible from Yogyakarta in two or three hours by private minibus. There are also direct buses in from Surakarta further north, but they are an arduous affair – think five hours of dangerous driving on winding mountain roads through the jungles!
A guide to the Pacitan surf spots
Nyoroboyo
The black-sand beach at Pantai Ngiroboyo has a mushy beach break on sand bottom that can be good but can also be awful. Better on smaller days with more west elements in the swell. One of the few beginner-friendly options around too.
Pantai Langitan Wetan/Blosok Point
The beach that runs in front of one of the few dedicated surfing homestays in Pacitan Regency is consistent but lacks a little quality. The main break is in the middle of the beach, so we’re not sure why people refer to it as a point. It’s a rising sandbar-reef mix that gets hollow but really loves to close out. When it works best with a SW swell and a north or east off/crossshore, it seems to struggle to hold shape. The left is the better ride because the right has a pretty daunting double up section just after you’ve bottom turned. There’s also a nice rippable left on bigger days at the eastern end of the beach.
Watukarung
This is where you should base yourself when you hit the Pacitan surf. The clutch of homestays and homes just behind Watukarung Beach is uber-authentic stuff. They’ve only just realized the tourism potential of the waves and there are some lovely B&Bs to chill at. The east side of the bay, which is a lovely honey-tinged run of sand – is where the goods get turned on in dry season SW swells. The huge island there with the gnarled trees on top forms a tubular left hander that spins fast into the middle of the bay. It’s been called Bingin on steroids.
Pantai Srau
Apart from being a downright stunning little cove with turquoise waters to rival Greece and the Maldives, Pantai Srau has a point break that’s worth a mention. It breaks on the big rock stacks that sit a stone’s throw off the main headland. A bit of moxie is needed to get the sets to curl in and get rideable. That, or you can wait for the wet season swells that come directly south or south east – they are prime for the angle of the beach here.
Telengria Beach
The most protected part of the main bay in the city of Pacitan itself is the western end. That’s known to surfers and sunbathers alike as Telengria Beach. Swells need some more energy to make a mark up this end of the bay, since the headland is there to cut off and temper the main SW dry season pulses. There is often a little left peeler that’s good fun and frequented by learners.
Pancer Door
The opposite end of Telengria Beach at the eastern end of the bay in the city marks the end of the Pacitan surf. The beaches beyond this get rugged and rocky and virtually totally inaccessible to anyone carrying five foot of fibre. Pancer Door does finish in style though. It’s a consistent left on the river mouth that gets its shape from the silt sandbanks that form at the estuary. We’ve been assured there are no nasties in the water but, as ever, DYOR. The ride is a long one, curling nicely into the middle of the bay on decent head-high swells. Pretty darn fun when it’s working.
Where to stay when surfing in Pacitan?
The Pacitan surf scene is pretty new, so don’t expect five-star hotels with spa facilities and whatnot. In fact, that’s part of the charm for us, because you’ll bed down in rustic surf camps and homestays that ooze real Indo vibes.
Batu Hill Villa
Batu Hill Villa is the prime choice for groups of up to six surfers with their hearts set on the empty waves of Pacitan. It’s a true retreat amid the coast jungles, with a perch (mini dip pool included of course) gazing down at the right and left breaks on the beachfront below. You get a fully equipped kitchen and lovely outdoor bathrooms.
Harry’s Ocean House Pacitan
Check out the traditional south-Java architecture of the amazing Harry’s Ocean House. It’s right by the main urban beach of Pacitan city, where you get a small right and left at both ends, great for beginners. The pad itself is simple but uber-charming, with a neat bathroom and mod cons like WiFi. It’s a stay you won’t forget in a hurry.
Arrys Watukarung Surfcamp
Arrys Watukarung Surfcamp almost warrants a trip to Pacitan in itself. It’s just such a chilled and lovely place to unwind for a couple of days, especially after the hubbub of Jakarta or Yogya. In a grove of tall coconut palms by the side of a winding river, you’ll get a basic room in a pad that’s shared between other surfers and travelers. It’s very chilled, breakfast is included, the waves are really close, and it won’t cost a bomb. What’s not to love?
Step-by-step guide to planning your Pacitan surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Pacitan surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Pacitan?
As with anywhere from the west end of Java to the points of Sumbawa way further east, it’s the dry season that brings the goods for Indo. Strong S-SW groundswells are the name of the game when the monsoon departs in March. They last and even grow in strength throughout the season from June to September, giving pulse after pulse to the beaches of Pacitan. There’s also Pacitan surf in the wet season, though, which is one of the joys of the area’s east-facing beaches (better for Nov-March swells) like Pantai Srau.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
