The Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Java
Surfing in Java is about much more than just the world-class tubes of G-Land. Beach breaks, points, and epic reefs abound here. Plus, there are upcoming all-level, longboard, and begginer locations on offer on the south coast that just about everyone loves – we’re looking at you Batu Karas!
An introduction to surfing in Java
G-Land has pretty much singlehandedly placed Java up there with the Ments and Bali among the top Indo surf regions. That’s deserved, too, since G-Land is as epic as they come.
Thing is, the rest of the finger-long island is often completely overlooked. We’re not sure why but it might have something to do with hard-to-access breaks and the ever-encroaching sprawl of the big city of Jakarta, which often puts travelers off even leaving the airport (why would you when there are connecting flights to Lombok and Bali that take under an hour?)
Our advice? Leave that airport! Don’t be put off by a surf trip here. This island oozes quality on the waves, gets excellent coverage in the SE and SW swell directions, and is nowhere near as busy as the Isle of the Gods.
There’s also good variety in the breaks, with something for levels, from low intermediate all the way to total pro, from chest-high beach cruisers to echoing barrels you’ll never forget.
On top of all that, Java brings some enthralling colonial history, UNESCO Buddhist temples, and arty cities like Yogyakarta into the mix. There’s shed loads to get through once you’re off the waves.
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!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing Indonesia
Surfing in Java at a glance
The good:
- This is still untrodden surf territory really
- G-Land
- Some beach breaks and spots for beginners
The bad:
- It can be hard to get around
- G-Land is hotly contested stuff
What’s in this guide to surfing in Java?
Where is Java?
Java is the long, thin island that dashes right through the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. It’s actually one of the most populous islands in the country but you wouldn’t think that when you’re on the empty breaks of Panaitan!
The reason is really because the huge capital of Jakarta makes its home here. That’s where you’ll want to fly into to reach the surf spots. There are long-haul links in from Europe and the US, along with loads of short haul flights from the rest of Southeast Asia.
From the terminals, expect a transfer of at least a few hours to reach the waves, which are predominantly on the south shoreline. It will be longer – a lot longer – if you’re headed to G-Land or Panaitan.
Where to surf in Java?
iStock.com / ibenk.88Let’s take Java from west to east. That’s a good way to do it, becuase this island is long and thin and ALL of the breaks and surf towns string along its south coast (which faces the Indian Ocean).
Panaitan Island
The hallowed western tip of Java is where you find Panaitan Island. Less-visited than G-Land, but on its day just as good, this one’s slowly rising to the fore of Indo surfing because it has peeling reef lefts that work well into the late summer months of September and October. The best is One Palm, where you’ll whiz through very tight barrels over a reef so shallow you can almost reach out and touch the urchins (don’t do that though!). Naplams is also there, a lippy left reef point that breaks deeper in the main bay. This is boat charter territory and dang good stuff.
Sawarna
There’s a reef shelf that drops out from Sawarna beach to create a series of neat left shoulders that feel a little like one of the reefs of Bali’s Bukit when there’s a good SW swell in the pipeline. They are pretty nice for intermediates, though, as there’s a tendency for the water to crumble rather than hollow out. Also, the spots here tend to be totally empty.sc
Batu Karas
A fun right-hand point that can handle some good size, Batu Karas bucks the trend of the beach breaks that make up the southern shoreline of Java. But it’s no Slater magnet. It’s actually considered to be one of the top learner spots on the island. That’s because it has mellow right hand shoulders that run neatly off a point. Hell, you don’t even have to paddle out because there’s a walkway on the reef that takes you straight to the drop-in zone.
Here’s our full guide to the Batu Karas surf
Pangandaran
The western end of the isthmus beach at Pangandaran hoovers up the SW swells that churn through the Indian Ocean in the dry season. They hit the sandbars and form into something more like a French beach break, getting big and beefy in the center of the beach but mellowing into crumbly ankle burners for beginners at the eastern end.
We have a complete guide to the surf breaks in Pangandaran
Parangtritis
Parangtritis Beach is a long sand stretch that slopes off the southern side of Java. Without the shape offered by the outlying reefs, it can get messy here on the biggest days. But it’s also great for beginners when it gets smaller. The sets come in nice and crumbly and there’s no dangerous stone or coral underfoot. Look for surf schools and hotels in the beach town of Parangtritis itself – the local town of Kretek is too far to make it fun.
Read our full guide to Parangtritis surf
Pacitan
Hardly a soul goes to the Pacitan beaches of south Java. We can never understand why. They are truly fantastic, with palms threading rocky headlands before a frothing Indian Ocean. The surf points are mainly left-hand reefs that ooze quality – think big bombs that run off the rocky headland at Watu Karung. But there’s also a speckling of sandbars and beach breaks for low-level surfers. We think this is one to watch. Could be the next Bali!
Read our full guide to surfing in Pacitan right now
Tiger Tracks
Another G-Land jewel only not located on the main reef, Tiger Tracks is more of an A-frame but the lefts are the best. It’s the rare intermediate choice in West Java because a high tide keeps the reefs nice an deep. It’s also way more forgiving than Money Trees et al.
20/20s
There’s a smaller wave that can work when the rest of G-Land is totally blown out. It’s around 15 minutes’ walking from the end of the main Grajagan reef. Known as 20/20, the name probably comes from the fact that there’s a left and a right, although goofies still get the better deal here. Sometimes, though, the right can hollow out and curl over for a backdoor section if you’re game.2 desc
Grajagan/G-Land
It doesn’t get much better than this. G-Land is a sweeping curve of reef that hugs a huge bay at the end of eastern Java. It’s not just one break but a cluster of about five that can even link up when the power is on 11. A huge underwater canyon churns out strong groundswells during the dry season months, throwing them into the epic drop ins of Money Trees, one of the cleanest left tubes on this here planet, and into Speedies, the fast, finishing section of the main Grajagan reef.
We’ve got a complete guide to surfing the epic breaks of G-Land right here
Surf camps in Java
Java has been a little slow on the uptake when it comes to surf camps. That’s probably because neighboring Bali still has the spotlight and most learners will go there.
But there are options on this island, and becuase Java ain’t so well known, they can be positively off the beaten path, offering access to empty line ups and interesting waves in remote settings.
- Mojosurf Camp Red Island – Mojosurf are now a tried and trusted brand name in the space, having cut thier teeth offering backpacker friendly jaunts to Byron Bay and secret locations in NSW. They’ve since expanded to Bali and Portugal, and, thankfully, to Red Island on the gorgeous Grajagan Peninsula in southern Java. Book into one of thier bungalows to enjoy walking access to left- and right-hand breaks, plus a communal pool by the coast palms.
- Big Daddy’s Surfcamp – This one’s gotten a rep for offering super-fun surf accom and was one of the first surf camps in the Pulau Merah area. It has a charming, ramshackle vibe and you can organize surf rentals and lessons on site. Waves are a walk away.
We have a complete guide to the best surf camps in Indonesia right here, just in case you’re after a big more inspiration.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more surfing in Java camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
Where to stay when surfing in Java?
One of the downsides of surfing in Java is that there’s not the same surf infrastructure as you get on neighboring Bali. Proper surf camps are out and local homestays are in. You’ll also need to be ready to travel some to get to the surf spots.
Jawa Jiwa G-Land Resort
Do G-Land in style. Old-school surfers here will frown at the sheer luxury on offer from Jawa Jiwa but why not? If you have cash to splash then the Superior Chalet options in this jungle-shrouded resort are a fine, fine choice. Ask at reception when you arrive to organize boats out to the breaks and they’ll sort the whole thing.
RNV Family Guesthouse Eco Resort
A charming little homestay with a small pool and an eco vibe that’s close to the beginner-friendly breaks of Batu Karas, RNV Family Guesthouse Eco Resort is a great option on the south shoreline of Java.
Wonderloft Hostel Jogja
We don’t recommend Wonderloft Hostel Jogja if you want the surf breaks right on the doorstep. However, it is great for seeing the mystical temples and old town of backpacker-fav Yogyakarta. From there, you can organize surf outings with the local tour operators to nearby Parangtritis Beach (great for beginners)
When to surf in Java?
The dry season between May and August is the peak surfing season in Java.
There’s no better time to surf in Java than the Indonesian dry season. That starts in May and lasts until around late September. It brings regular pulses of swell in the SW channel and to the S, which are perfect for firing up G-Land and all the beaches and points that line south Java. In fact, the rule pretty much holds true all the way to Panaitan Island in the far west. Of course, there are still waves in the wet season, but they come in SE channels, so G-Land isn’t as clean and tend to be smaller overall.
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!
This article is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Indonesia
