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JOURNEY TO UNTOUCHED INDONESIA
Come with us to bodyboard one of the last Indonesian frontiers, a largely unexplored wave-drenched island, home to some of the sickest bodyboarding waves we’ve ever found. Perhaps you’ve had a dream trip like this lined up for years but not had the friends, confidence or knowledge to organise and tackle an adventure of this magnitude? Well, now is your chance!
Sumatra is frontier travel, where unless meticulously planned and without local on the ground knowledge, there is a high chance of missing out on so much of what this area has to offer or worse still, something going very, very wrong. Compared to the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra has more slabby waves, relatively few surfers in the water and is still an uncharted destination. It’s now or never to take on Sumatra!
Experienced bodyboarders looking for an off the beaten track adventure with expert guides. Those who don’t have the time to plan such a trip, but wish to meet likeminded bodyboarders and want to ride the best bodyboarding waves in Indonesia.
A member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport hotel in Jakarta, having tracked your flight. This is within the terminal. We will then check you in to your room before heading out for a welcome meal to have some intro’s and look at the plans for the week ahead. The following morning it’s time to fly to Sumatra. After a surf stoked week we will return you to the airport hotel in Jakarta in good time for a stress-free journey home.
Jakarta airport hotel (2 nights)
The first and last night of the trip are spent in a modern hotel within Jakarta International airport. This overnight stay at the beginning of your trip is a great way to reenergise and to acclimatise after a long flight. While on the return journey, it ensures you get to the airport on time and without hassle.
Southern Sumatra (7 nights)
Here we spend seven nights in traditional beachside bungalows surrounded by coconut palms and tropical jungle.
The local couple who own our accommodation are very humble and welcoming and share our excitement for these trips each year. As well as hosting us in such a perfect location they provide us with three delicious meals a day. The food is sourced locally and freshly cooked each day.
We order breakfast the night before so that we can take it on the road with us in the morning. After our first surf we’re met with hot coffee, watermelon salad and egg sandwiches on the shoreline. Lunch is back at the camp and takes the form of a large buffet. Then there are options of western or Indonesian dishes for dinner. All dietary requirements are catered for, and you will eat well!
Throughout the week we will deliver several bodyboarding related workshops during our analysis sessions, these are optional to attend, and can include the subjects below or others that are relevant:
We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to explore the local village, or simply chill in the pool or with a book in a hammock.
The benefit of having a 400m left hander only 7 minutes walk from our front door means that we have an epic location for and end of the day session. Not only that, there is a bar on the edge of the jungle where we buy cold drinks and watch the action. As a group we form a peanut gallery, watching the action as the sun drops behind the waves for some of the most jaw dropping sunsets. As night falls, we return to camp for our group meal, the those that fancy a chat and a drink will chill in our onsite bar. Some cool off in the pool. For many it’s time to relax with a book in the air conditioning of your room.
It’s the reason you’re here, so let’s take a little look at some of the perfect waves which reel, peel and bowl into this slice of paradise:
Ujung Bocur
A regional classic 400m left-hand point break, it’s a 7 minute walk away from our camp, and is viewable from the beach directly in front. It gets big, is entirely mechanical and is bang offshore in the trade winds, which clean up the swell into long, turquoise walls.
It’s a total swell magnet in the area, alternating between Uluwatu-style barrels and big sections for you to carve old-school hacks before setting yourself up for the next section. As with most places, it gets hollower at low tide, where you’re guaranteed some tube time out of the tropical sun.
Mandiri Beach
A beautiful 12km-long stretch of beach a short drive away, Mandiri offers endless empty peaks, allowing you to find some crowd-free banks and ramps to hone your skills and tidy up your game.
Being such a big stretch it almost always has a wave, and serves up a plethora of peaks, giving something for everyone, from beginner to the advanced rider.
Way Jambu
Speaking of advanced riders, Way Jambu is waiting for you. Only a 10-minute drive away, the ‘Sumatran Pipeline’ to a super-heavy, fast, barrelling left hander, throwing out seriously solid top-to-bottom pits.
This is a wave of consequence and you’ll need experience, barrel-riding skills and courage to drop and scoop in here. Get it right and you’ll be rewarded with a heavy, spitting tube and a moment to remember.
Krui Left
Right in front of the town of Krui, the reef’s left is a mechanical playground of fun, rippable barrels, ready to be plundered. Regardless of your rail control, here it’s actually harder to not be barrelled. At high tide it’s a super fun wall for practicing your combinations.
Krui Right
The right at Krui is a straight-up fast reef break, offering some decent hollow sections and fast shoulders to carve tropical buckets from.
The Peak
A booger’s heaven, The Peak is basically a coral slab which kicks up short but solid A-frames, giving riders a fast drop, scoop and tube – every, single, time.
The Peak needs a bit of swell to get going but delivers a pocket-sized punch of pure bodyboarding fun when it does – the view from the pit makes everything worth it.
Honey Smacks
A hot shot of adrenaline at size, Honey Smacks is a short, fast, left-hand barrel, giving the booger population some of the sickest pits in the area.
While it can be a hectic air-drop when big, on smaller days it opens up down the line giving you a wholly smackable section that’s sweet as honey.
Jenny’s Right
Around the headland from Honey Smacks, Jenny’s right is a throaty, right-hand barrel, breaking over dead coral and packing an equal punch.
As with the committed lefts of Honey Smacks, it guarantees you some fast tunnel time and gives you a vertical shoulder to launch off.
We have also discovered many off the radar waves that rival the quality of the well known names breaks but have absolutely zero crowds. We’ve put in plenty of hours search for hidden waves so you don’t have to.
It’s so easy to focus on the waves when planning a bodyboarding holiday that you often overlook another important element – your accommodation. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here too. What better way to enjoy the full South Sumatran experience than staying just metres above a white-sand beach complete with a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon. There are few better ways to recharge between sessions; either snorkelling for fish or kicking back and spotting a myriad of birds and monkeys in the trees overhead.
The accommodation comprises traditional detached bungalows and further purpose built buildings with air conditioning, private toilets and showers. On-site there is a bar with ice-cold beers and drinks, TV, karaoke and music, as well as a refreshing swimming pool to cool down after a day of wave riding. The accommodation is traditional, we choose it as we have worked with the local family for many years and helped them to grow their business. It isn’t 5 star, it is clean, safe and extremely well located. During sunset you can often watch the local fishermen and farmers bringing the evening’s food in – you won’t find a fresher menu! Our hand-picked Indonesian-owned pad gives us direct access to world-class point-break barrels whilst being surrounded by coconut trees within a tropical jungle. However, the true beauty of this location is that beyond Ujung Bocur’s splendour, there are many other breaks to explore just a short drive away.
The local couple who own our accommodation are very humble and welcoming and they share our excitement for these trips each year. As well as hosting us in such a prime location and providing us with fully inclusive meals and snacks, one of the owners is also a medic and will be on hand to treat any battle wounds you might pick up.
We’ve spent a great deal of time in South Sumatra over the years speaking to local businesses and engaging with the community. For us, a huge part of running these trips extended far beyond good waves and orange sunsets. In running these trips we want to make sure that we support local people, provide excellent bodyboarding holidays and build strong relationships with the Sumatran residents for many years to come.
ROOMS
Imagine waking up in the midst of a tropical jungle, the sound of lapping waves and bird song fill your traditional Sumatran bungalow as the light of sunrise shines through. You grab your sand coated board and head straight back down to the shoreline to grab some pre-coffee waves.
Our South-Sumatran base has an appealing mixture of traditional bungalows and modern brick-built rooms. The apex roofs that reach up into the tree line give this special place a very old-school tropical feel. Contrasting the authentic traditional ambience, you’ll find everything you need for a clean and comfortable stay. It’s no frills and in parts quite basic, but the benefits of the location, our relationship with the owners and the local community far outweigh the need for satellite TV of piping hot water.
Some of our rooms have a sea-view, while others take you closer to the enveloping tropical jungle. All rooms are light and airy and give you plenty of space to fully settle into the lush surroundings. Air-con will keep your room cool so you have somewhere to relax after hours of epic bodyboarding. You will also benefit from a private bathroom and a terraced balcony to enjoy the evening sunsets.
FACILITIES
Well, where to start with the food. The hospitality provided by our South-Sumatran hosts cannot be spoken about highly enough, and this carries into the kitchen too. These guys put a real emphasis on enjoying your food as much as your frothin’. This isn’t just somewhere to refuel your body; the meals served in this perfectly-located ocean view restaurant are delicious, fresh and made with love.
The menu is changed daily so there’s always a new dish to try too. Not only are these guys experts in local Indonesian cuisine, they’re also well-versed in providing high-quality international options for the not so daring foodie. Western, Mexican and Japanese dishes all have their own place on the menu throughout your stay.
Breakfast is mostly enjoyed on the beach between morning surfs. Luxurious, hey? There’s coffee, fresh fruit, omelettes and sandwiches to tuck into so you can fuel your morning the right way. Back at camp in time for lunch and you can expect to find a variety of dishes including nasi goreng, beef rendang, lobster, burger & chips, fresh fish, tempeh tofu and tacos; all cooked fresh to order.
The evenings bring a buffet-style dinner served in an ocean view restaurant under the backdrop of a purple sky. Enjoy plenty of fresh food and an array of options to pick from as well as cold local beers and cocktails. The chefs here are always happy to accommodate any dietary requirements so just let them know in advance.
Oh… and before we forget to mention – all of the food during your bodyboard holiday is included. 3 square meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner; at no extra cost. Seriously, what more could you ask for?
Tiered ability groups available.
This trip is home to some of the best waves in the world, and from the minute you arrive we expect you’ll be frothing to wax up and get on it.
While there are mellow waves to be found, South Sumatra is becoming famous for its heavy, fast, hollow reef breaks – so we know many of you won’t be needing to learn how to duck dive or pull-in!
Advanced Coaching
Our qualified coaches are of course on hand to provide you with any guiding, tips, hints or advice you might need in the water, but many of you will no doubt just want to paddle out and charge, and save any coaching til the video analysis back at camp.
Intermediate and Foundation level Instruction
This is perfectly cool – and for those riders less advanced, we’re equally happy to run daily clinics at more cruisey spots like Mandiri Beach or elsewhere if you want to solidify the foundations of your riding and/or brush up on your general skills.
Make no mistake though, South Sumatra is a place to take your riding to the next level. Maybe you want to perfect your rail control in long, running barrels, or nail your timing and speed line to the lip to boost higher and further, or maybe you’re wanting to get more consistent on landing moves. Perhaps you just want the moral support of a crew in paddling out when it’s 4, 6 or even 8ft and absolutely booming?
Our instructors can help you achieve whatever goals you set yourself on this trip, from bespoke, one-on-one coaching on correct weight distribution and perfecting a 360 spin, to just taking a backseat and hooting you from the shoulder, Go Pro in hand, as you scoop into a screamer and get spat out.
Getting to our Sumatran bodyboard camp is not as straightforward as our other trips. But fear not, we take care of all the logistics, which includes helping you book your return domestic flights from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung AIrport. We organise the transport from Bandar Lampung to our accommodation in Krui. We will explain all of this via the video call after you have booked on the trip with us.
You will need to arrange your own flights to Jakarta International Airport Soekarno–Hattai (CGK).
We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog post to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
FLIGHTS
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times:
We will discuss the booking of your international flights during our video call, we will then discuss the booking of the domestic flight. This will be from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung (TKG) in Sumatra. This inter-island flight takes 40 minutes. We will also advise the return domestic flight to book for your journey home. There will be a 7 hour drive from Bandar Lampung to our accommodation which takes in the national park. We will stop numerous times through out the journey and arrive in good time for an evening surf and a sunset drink.
Check-in time at the accommodation in Jakarta isn’t until 12:00pm and this is when the Bodyboard-Holidays team will be expecting you from. Our welcome meeting is at 20:00 so please try to arrive with plenty of time to spare. If you arrive later you will be supplied check-in instructions and will then meet us the next morning.
On the penultimate day of the trip, we will drive 7 hours from our accommodation back to Bandar Lampung, in good time for the domestic flight back to Jakarta. Then fly to Jakarta in the afternoon. The last night of the trip will be spent back in the airport hotel. This means after having a good night’s sleep you will be ready for your flight home the following day.
FLIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop on the way to Jakarta, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Jakarta if possible.
ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
We will be spending our first night in the airport hotel in Jakarta. We will send you directions on how to find this hotel in your pre-arrival information email.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a group meeting (at 18:00 on the first day) to chat about the trip and to start getting excited for the waves ahead.
You’ll find some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet in this natural paradise, always giving you a cheerful wave or wanting to stop and learn a bit more about you. They will even ask to have their photograph taken with you! Here you can witness traditional ways of building, cooking and living amongst beautiful rainforests, rice fields, natural lakes and waterfalls.
If you imagine Bali and rewind the clock about 40 years, you’ve pretty much got South-Sumatra in a nutshell. Extremely accommodating locals, friendly faces and largely untouched beauty. Yes, it might be a little harder to get on the internet and it might take a bit longer to get to where you need to be, but the trade-off is undoubtedly worth it.
Our base is sandwiched between the ocean to the west, and the dense tropical jungle to the east. With so much natural beauty in and around the area, you’ll be hard-pressed to find time for boredom. There are several nature preserves in South-Sumatra, each one offering the chance to hike, bird-watch and discover local wildlife.
The close-by Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park spans an area of almost 4000km and sprawls across three different provinces. It forms part of a World Heritage Site for the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. This expansive national park boasts mountains and rainforests and is home to some of Sumatras most endangered species. These include Sumatran tigers, elephants, striped rabbits and rhinos.
THINGS TO DO
Our customer feedback has shown us that the trip to Banana Island is the most popular activity day whilst spending time in South Sumatra. This is a day where we surf in the morning, have lunch at our base, then take a short ride in a traditional Indonesian ‘phinisi’ boat to Pulau Pisang (Banana Island).
On the way to the island, you’ll see local fishermen catching big game fish such as Marlin, and if you’re lucky enough you might also spot dolphins as we race across the water. If you fancy a wave while you’re there, this special place boasts empty line ups of its own, including left and right-hand point breaks on either side of the island guaranteeing you clean waves. We plan to spend the afternoon there where you can swim and snorkel looking for fish, turtles and an abundance of other marine wildlife, or you can take a trek and circumnavigate the island meeting friendly locals as you go.
Check out the ‘Air Terjun Way Karang’ – a small set of waterfalls located in the jungle just beyond a wide river where locals collect stones for age-old building methods. Further afield is the opportunity for a closer look at the wildlife of the Lampung National Park.
And don’t forget Krui town itself – here you can explore the markets, pick up clothes or buy jewellery and trinkets for loved ones back home.
For a relatively untouched island, there really are countless ways to keep yourself entertained. Activities could include:
INTERNAL FLIGHT
You need to purchase your internal flight from Jakarta to Sumatra. These are approximately £35. Don’t worry, we will tell you what flight to book so we all travel together.
DRINKS & SNACKS
Unless you plan to eat more than 3 hearty meals a day there isn’t really anything to budget for. Maybe £10 if you buy a few drinks while watching the sunset.
Timing the trip to South Sumatra on the shoulder season for peak swells means you get the best of both worlds – waves without crowds.
We’ve done the hard yards so you don’t have to – having travelled on multiple recce missions to the region at this time over the last 12 years, we can report the climate is generally dry, with just the odd tropical shower scattered here and there.
With the seasons just starting to change, this is the perfect time to visit Sumatra, enjoying empty line-ups in bath-warm sea water. Virtually every morning we’re greeted by gleaming sun, offshore winds and perfect head-high plus waves.
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday to Southern Sumatra.
What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss, with Grant the trip leader, the required kit and equipment, on the pre-trip video call.
We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same.
Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.
We have a great mix of all ages from young whipper-snappers to silver surfers.
The gender ratio at the moment is around 60% men to 40% women. However, this is constantly changing and Bodyboard Holidays is inclusive to all.
Most international mobile’s work in Indonesia, you should check with your supplier before you fly.
Yes there is WiFi which is of a good standard for the area. It can be temperamental but can be used for daily emails and WIFI calls.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the accommodation and during our social evening meals.
We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
Please take a look at our Area section for more information. We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.
The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.
Please refer to the Waves section for more details.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you. Upon booking the trip the trip leader will share their direct mobile number so that you can contact them if you need them
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard. For the Sumatra trip you also need ‘Medi Vac’ and ‘Repatriation’ cover. We will discuss this during the video call to ensure that you have exactly what you need.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities. It is essential that you know your travel insurance works if you do need to contact them in the case of an emergency, again we will discuss this with you during the video call.
Health and safety medical advice for UK travellers can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/world
Otherwise, contact your GP or the Department of Health (DoH) for further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also issues up-to-date information on safety issues for countries world-wide. Contact the FCO travel advice line on 020 7238 4503/4504 if you have any concerns.
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit. According to netdoctor.co.uk, the risk is very low.
It is difficult to obtain Indonesian Rupiah outside the country so we recommend taking a debit or credit card and using cash points once you’ve landed. You will find some ATM’s at the airport. Our accommodation has lock boxes for both passports and cash. You can exchange sterling cash with Balinese money-changers but this is less convenient than using cards.
We recommend taking at least two bank cards in case one becomes lost or damaged.
Please refer to the “What to budget for?” section.
We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation terms:
We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.
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