Sunset at Kuta Beach

Welcome to Kuta Beach, Bali. Kuta is the mostfamous tourist destinationin Bali. It is famous with the spectacular white sandy beach and its Sumur (susu berjemur) hehee bit cheeky, several of hotels from luxury and until budget hotels are available, hilarious nightlife, plenty of restaurants with international cuisine, bars, pub, Water Boom Park and shopping center. It is one stop place for holiday in Bali by offering the plenty of selection we need and make it the right place to visit on your holiday in Bali.

Kuta History

At three hundred year ago, in this place had been built a Konco (Buddhist Temple) located beside of Tukad Mati ( Dead River ) where it river can be navigable at that time. The boat steps into the hinterland of Kuta, so that Kuta is a port trade. Mads Longe is a merchant from Denmark in 19 century had built its trade station in the river periphery. During living in Bali, he often becomes the medium between king of Bali and Dutch. Mads Longe has mysteriously died and his grave is located inside of Konco ( Buddhist Temple ) right in the river periphery. Kuta is quiet fisherman countryside in the past, but now it has been turned into the hilarious town and it is completed by post office, police office, market, pharmacy, photo center, and shop. There are a lot of hotels which are designed luxury and comfortable set in a long side of white sandy beach of Kuta .

What to see in Kuta Bali?

Kuta is situated in 11 KM southern part of Denpasar town and it can be easily reached by transport from airport, about 15 minutes. Kuta is the fastest growing tourist place in Bali and it is the heaven for local and foreign countries tourists. Kuta is well equipped by tourist facilities like white sandy beach, bars, restaurants, cafeteria, disco and others spectacular nightlife. We can also meet a lot of mall, good shops selling multifarious items of tourist need like clothes, cd/dvds, airplane ticket, souvenir, handicraft, sport gear and others. It is a popular place with the surfing activity besides of beautiful sunset. Mostly the tourists come and stays in this place are coming from the low budget traveler especially young tourist. There is a new tourism object in Kuta built in the center of this place called Bali Bomb Monument to commemorate the Bali Bomb Tragedy on 12 October 2002. Bomb which burst at Sari Club and also Paddy’S club have killed 202 people. feel sad about it.

Silver and Gold Jewelry Factory Outlet

Batubulan, Tohpati and surrounding, the famous village in Bali as a tourist destination cause of the local residents is very proactive and full of innovation to the gold and silver jewelry. This countryside is located in sub district of Sukawati, Gianyar Regency and owns the individuality and excellence in production of gold and silver jewelry. Most of them are Balinese professional, artistic and skillful of design development related to the silver and gold jewelry.

The productions of gold and silver at this village have penetrated to the local, national and international market. It can be measured from the type of artwork result and variation of ornament, good as present and also export commodity.The type of gold and silver jewelry has been produced in this countryside are covering various of rings, bangles, chokers, earrings, mother of pearls, Tusuk Konde, broach and other types. Beside of that, the workers are able to response the market demands and produce the modern product like medal, market and culture symbol. In spanning of artistic growth history, the silver and gold jewelry had been started by a group of family pertained by Clan Pande. From this family circle, the activity of gold and silver jewelry has disseminated to entire society as a top profession which are previously as the farmer. In year 1970’s decades, it has been happened the change of countryside society culture significantly from agrarian society structure to industrial society structure of crafting. Even nowadays, some of them have jumped again to the economic structure of service by focusing in tourism industry. The change and jumping movement of these structures have brought the new positive impact for prosperity.

Location, strategically located in main road from Denpasar to Ubud which is about 7 km from Kuta. This village is also famous of Barong dance and stone carving, Next, Batuan, Mas and Singapadu Village with the art of paintings and equipped by places of recreation such as Bird Park and Bali Zoo Park. Along the way from Denpasar to Ubud we will find some of gold and silver factory outlet which we can watch hundreds workers making silver and gold jewelry.

Denpasar the Capital of Bali

Denpasar, located geographically in coordinates: 8° 39′ 0″ South, 115° 13′ 0″ East, with the area of 127.78 km2, or 12 778 ha, is the capital of Bali Province where previously it was a capital of Badung Empire which is controlling the south part region of Bali Island from the end of 18 century until conquered by Dutch in 1906. Denpasar is a place for Bali Governor’s office therewith all offices from private sector until important government office like telecommunications, post office, bank, schools, airline and hospital (Sanglah Hospital, the biggest hospital in Bali), Bali Museum, public temple Jagatnatha. Taman Budaya or Bali Art Center


The word of Denpasar, den-pasar is means in north of market. It is a fast growing town especially since the tourism industry growth around 1960. Denpasar is populated by 642.358 people, (2008 census) with population growth 8,9 on average. Gajah Mada Street is main road in this town as the shopping centre, Pasar Badung and Kumbasari traditional market and numerous shops on the edge of this street, exactly in the middle of crossroad had been built a statue which is called Catur Muka Statue. Caur Muka Statue is a statue owning four faces by observing four directions from north, south, east and west. This statue is made on 972 and it’s building to commemorate the Badung War on 20 September 1906 which is well known as Puputan Badung. (puputan means all-out war until death)

The courtyard which is located in the south east of Catur Muka Statue is named Puputan Badung Field where the Badung King with its people had battled until him dead against the Dutch colonist. In north side of Puputan Badung is standing up the office which is called Jaya Sabha that is an official office for Bali’s Governor accepts the important guest for having dinner while enjoying the Balinese Culture Show. In eastside of Puputan Badung, it had been built a Hindu temple on 1968 that is called Jagatnatha Temple. This Temple is a public temple to worship Ida Sang Ida Sanghyang Widhi / God. Especially each full moon, The Hindu people in Denpasar come to this place in particular at the evening time. In south side of this temple, there is Bali Museum built on 1931 by architect of Curt Grundler. Its architecture is a combination between temple and empire palace. This Museum contains the artistic object collection or artifact from prehistoric era until modern-day. Another place is becoming tourist destination is Puri Pamecutan/Pamecutan Palace. Lodgings for the tourist accommodations are available in this palace. This palace is rebuilt as according to its geniuses after broken by Dutch soldier on 1906 and in this palace is kept a set famous Gold Gamelan as empire heritage. The other Puri / Palace located in Denpasar are Puri Satria or Satria Palace and Puri Kesiman or Kesiman Palace.

So don’t miss these places during your holiday in Bali, please contact us or you may join our Gorgeous Bali Tour; Denpasar City Tour. Have a nice holiday…

Bali Tour – A Tour to Surfing Beaches

Much has been written about this arid and rugged area, which forms the southwest most tipoff the island. Limestone cliffs of up to 100 meters in height provide some of the best views in the world, along with some deserted white sandy beaches. Bukit Ungasan is a paradise for the surfer around the world. Some surfing spots / surfing breaks are located on this area from the north to south such as Balangan Beach, Dream Land Beach, Bingin Imposible Beach, Padang-padang Beach / Labuhan Sait, Suluban Uluwatu Beach / Blue Point, Nyangnyang Beach, and Green Ball Beach. In this Bali Tour article I will describe all surfing beaches in the southwest coast of Bali.

Balangan Beach is one of surfing beach on the western side of Bukit Ungasan, just one km north of Dream Land, turn left at the crossroad on Jalan Uluwatu main road, about 30 minutes drive from Kuta heading to the south. Some facilities such as bungalows and restaurants are available here.

Dream Land Beach is located at Pecatu Graha area, on the main road of Uluwatu, see the fancy fence on right side with a big Garuda Wisnu (God Wisnu riding eagle) statue, enter the gate, come down hill heading to the beach, we will pass golf course, hotel and resorts of Pecatu Graha, about 15 minutes drive from the main road Jalan Uluwatu till arrive at parking and toll gate. Need to walk down 200 meters to reach the white sandy beach. Dream Land beach is surfing beach and great for sunbathing, numerous restaurant and warungs are available here. The fancy Klapa restaurant is located here on the cliff of Dream Land Beach.

Bingin Beach and Impossible. Go head to the south from DreamLand’entrance following the main Uluwatu street till you get the road junction at Pecatu village, turn right come down hill, about 2 kms you will see the sign of Bingin Beach, 300 meters walk down to reach the beach. This beach nice for surfing an sunbathing, some warungs and bungalows are available here.

Padang Padang beach or Labuhan Sait Beach. This beautiful beach is several hundred meters south of Bingin Beach. As its neighboring beach, Padang Padang offers a refuge for surfers and great beach for relax and sunbathing. Even Oscar-winner Hollywood actress Julia Roberts has been here filming on her latest Hollywood project, “Eat, Pray, Love”. Yeah, gorgeous beach. To reach the beach, a quick 4 minutes down some steps, and through a narrow crack in the cliff.

Uluwatu beach or Suluban beach or Blue point beach. Located about one km south of Padang Padang beach and one half km north of the ancient Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu beach is the most favorite place for the surfer, one day I saw more than 200 people on the sea. Walk down 250 meters to reach the beautiful white sandy beach, it’s good for your belly lol.

Nyang Nyang Beach. Nyang Nyang Beach is known for its white sandy beach, facing the vast Indian Ocean and its perfect waves for surfing. It is located east of Uluwatu temple, just follow the main Uluwatu street, about 1.5 km from the temple you will see sign of Nyang Nyang on the right side, follow that narrow street, it will bring you to Nyag Nyang beach. This deserted surfing beach offers the complete privacy and satisfaction for Bali Tour or surfers.

Green Ball Beach. This beach is a bit separated from the other beaches, located south of Bali Cliff Ungasan, facing the vast Indian Ocean. From the parking area, one must walk down about 400 steps (I’ve never count) before reaching the wide beach area. The sea water here is crystal clear and the large wave make it one of the nice place for surfing in Bali.

Beside famous for its surfing beaches, in Bukit Ungasan also lies numerous world class hotels such as Bvlgari, Versace, Bayan Tree,Blue Point and the latest ones are Karma Kandara / Karma Di Mare, the Rock Bar at Ayana Resort and Spa. Yeah these places are deserves to be visited during your Bali Tour, so pleasecontact us to get some assistance, Have a nice holiday…

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot

This temple was built in the 15th century by the priest Pedanda Bahu Rawuh or Danghyang Nirartha from Majapahit Kingdom. During his voyage along the south coast he caught sight of a rock island and rested there. Some fishermen noticed him and invited him to stay at their hut. Nirartha refused, saying he preferred to spend the night on the little island. That evening, he talked to the fishermen and advised them to build a shrine on the rock. Nirartha felt it would be a holy and appropriate place to worship God.

Tanah Lot Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan Regency. It is situated in 30 Km in west side of Denpasar town and about 11 Km in south side of Tabanan town. The temple is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip. This temple is very famous among tourist destination in Bali with spectacular view of sunset. At some nooks of coral reef around Tanah Lot Temple there are holy tame snake in black and white color where according to the local society believe that it as a deity property and as the guard of the temple from the bad influence.

The word of Tanah Lot is consisted of two words that are Tanah word interpreted as a reef looking like gili or isle. Lot or Lod word has meaning the sea. So Tanah Lot is meaning the small island floating on the sea. The location is now called as Tanah Lot has been used at a Megalithic period as a place that looked into holy, proven from the existence of menhir. Pursuant to environmental condition, hence the structure of Tanah Lot Temple is built at irregular reef plain of its angle which is only consisted of one plain yard as Jeroan.

The function of this temple can be realized from the function of the main temple building which is located in the temple main area. In this place, there is a main temple to worship the god in form of Dewa Baruna or Bhatara Segara, the sea power. The media of worship to this god is the temple building with 5 storied meanwhile the 3 storied temple building in north part of this area is purposing to worship to Dang Hyang Nirartha.

In order to know the status of Tanah Lot Temple can be realized from the temple history, function and also incoming devotee existence pray when temple ceremony is held. In this case can be realized as follows:

• Tanah Lot Temple as dang Kahyangan(the big Holy Temples in Bali ), because the history and the Penyiwi (The people taking care of the temple) are from the local people from Tabanan regency and surrounding area
• Tanah Lot temple as Segara Temple, because its function as sanctum to worship the Bhatara Segara, the God with manifestation as the ocean Power Deity

The unique animal can be seen in this temple area is the snake which are generally can be met in the coast. Part of its stomach there are no athwart skin, there is only small skin, but this sea water snake very noxious but snakebite case are very seldom happened, because the sea water snake generally very passive.

What to See in Tanah Lot

As a favorite tourism destination in Bali, Tanah Lot owns a magnificent view in particular at the sunset time where the sun slows down to the earth stomach. Every visitor who visiting this place will be marveled to see the beauty panorama of Tanah Lot. Tanah Lot is related to several sea temples on the south coast of Bali: Pura Sakenan, Pura Uluwatu, Pura Rambut Siwi and Pura Petitenget. All these temples are related to the primary mountain sanctuaries: Besakih at Mount Agung, Pura Batur at Batur and Pura Luhur Watukaru at Mount Batukaru.

Don’t miss this favorite place during your holiday in Bali, ask your guide to visit Tanah Lot, or join our gorgeous Ubud, Tanah Lot Tour or Tanah Lot, Alas Kedaton Tour, have a nice trip…

Tanah Lot,Alas Kedaton Tour

Departure 08.30 AM and 02.30 PM (Approx. 07 Hours )
Price : IDR 300.000, or about US$ 32  per car

Afternoon tour visiting the royal family temples of Taman Ayun at Mengwi, this temple built in 1634. Next stop is in Alas Kedaton, monkey forest and fruit bats, we can enjoy hundreds of little cheeky monkeys Finally reach the coast line admin the world famous temple of Tanah Lot, this lovely temple was built on promontory offshore truly a perfect setting to watch a stunning sunset. Dinner will be served around the temple.

TamanAyun Temple

Taman Ayun Temple is a temple which is used as altar by Hindu people specially exists in Bali Island and it is one of the heritages from Mengwi Empire. It is encircled by big fishpond with huge temple area. The temple buildings are boosting high with high philosophy, story and religious. Inside of this temple area, there is a small fishpond encircles the main temple building. Other buildings in this temple area are reflecting to the empire power with each function. Taman Ayun  is also called Mengwi Royal Temple cause of the story and it is the famous place in place to visit on this tour.

Alas Kedaton is come from the word Alas mean forest and Kedaton. It is a small forest dwelt by a group of monkey and big bat hang-on the trees. The tropical trees are fertile growing in this forest that makes it an ideal habitat of monkeys and other animals. All monkeys living in this forest are chummy and tame with human being. There is a Hindu temple existing in the middle of forest and rice field are located outside of it.

sunset at Tanah LOt

Tanah Lot is a Balinese Hindu Temple on the rock and the seawater encircles it when the sea water is tide. It is looked to be adrift in on the ocean and owns the magnificent view of sunset in the late afternoon. There are several points to see this temple with all amazing view. At this temple, we can find other Hindu temples like that make it a holy place in Bali. There are sea snakes dwell the cave in front of Tanah Lot which you can see with small donation and those of them are believed the holy snake by the local community.

Beratan and Buyan Lake

Beratan Lake is a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1231m above sea level and it is located atBedugul, the famous tourist destinations in Bali.This lake have wide 3,8 km2 and also its deepness is up to 22 meters. The water volume in this lake is about 0,049 km3, so Beratan Lake is the closed lake. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock which have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities like doing recreation to look around in dock or do the other outdoor activities. The various water recreation activities can also be conducted here, for example riding the boat motorize to circle the lake, canoeing with the traditional boat, banana boating, water skiing, and others. Fishing activities are also available in this places for who one love fishing in the lake.

Magnificent View

Beratan Lake is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it. It is an ideal place for relaxation while enjoy the beautiful panorama of lake. The accommodations are also available in this area where is the perfect place for overnight stay, resting and enjoy the beautiful panoramic of lake with the Ulun Danu Temple as a magnificence. The small scale of agriculture activities are likely conducted around this lake and can be perceived at the same time circle around it. If we encircle it, we can take photograph with the beautiful background view or make the picture sketch face in painting mini studio at the lakeside with a short time as a souvenir.

Other Places of Interest in Bedugul

If the tourist paying a visit to the Beratan Lake, they also can visit other places of interest in Bedugul Tabanan Bali nearby like Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya where the visitors can relax while enjoy the various of flora types,traditional Balinese houses and others. Candi Kuning Market is a Traditional Vegetable and Fruit Market located at Candi Kuning countryside which can be reached only in a few minutes from the lake. Various fruit type, vegetables and also mace can be bought here with many choices. It is not far from Ulun Danu Temple. Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake are the next places of interest existing near the Beratan Lake and it is just 3 minutes drive by car from this place. Beratan Lake can be reached easily from the main road from Denpasar to Bedugul and it takes about 2 hours from the town with the good road access. 

The Balinese’s Knowledge Day

Saraswati Ceremony.

On Saniscara Kliwon Watugunung (Balinese Calendar) The Balinese Hindus have a special day devoted to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. Saraswati is God’s manifestation of knowledge and wisdom.
She is depicted as a beautiful and gracious goddess, a personification of all knowledge, with four arms holding the following item; a chain symbolizing the ever lasting quality of knowledge, a “lontar” palm book symbolizing the source of accumulated knowledge, a lotus water lily as the symbol of beauty and purify and the “rebab” (Balinese violin) the symbol of science and culture. Saraswati ride a white swan which s the symbol of prudence. It is though prudence one’s knowledge can be used to distinguished good from bad. The swans struggle to keep floating on the swift unending current of passing time. Saraswati itself means flowing in Sanskrit which represents knowledge.
The Saraswati holiday’s believed as the day knowledge descends to earth and ever six months or so, according the Balinese lunar “wuku” calendar, Saraswati as the source of knowledge and guardian of all books and learning, is given a well-earned rest for one day and material is temporary made unavailable to mortals. On that holiday, Balinese refrain from reading and writing, for to do so, would show their ingratitude to the goddess.

Some students are praying on Saraswati Day

On the Saraswati day ceremonies will be held all over Bali, however Balinese people learn or work, using written materials. The celebration begins with a prayer requesting a blessing for peace and knowledge which has descended to the earth. Special offering called “Canang Saraswati” are made for all books, including “lontar “traditional palm leaf , the source of knowledge. The tool of knowledge will be blessed and showered with offering; not only the old holy “books” (written on along, thin, slabs of stiff lontar palm), but all other form of written material and this now include computers and typewriters with their built-in memory. Children have their school books blessed at home but may still make a trip to school to help organize the blessing of other written material kept at school. Libraries temporarily off laden books from shelves so the books can be blessed. Offices attend to their books in much the same way and people visit their temple as “the island of the Gods” says thank-you to the Saraswati.
The following day, the Balinese will have a self purification ceremony to enable them to receive the knowledge and wisdom from the goodness. Four days after Saraswati ceremonies, the Balinese will hold “Pagerwesi” which a continuation of the Saraswati ceremonies. This is hope that knowledge will make people aware of their duty of their fellow beings and that man will use science for improvement not destruction.

Although the ceremony is in the Balinese month of “Sasih”, on the day called “Watugunung”, it is always falls on the western Saturday. If you wish to see mass of offering being carried out by the Balinese on this special day, you can visit the Jagatnatha Temple in central Denpasar at about 09:00 a.m. Perhaps with the blessing of the goddess Saraswati, a little knowledge concerning this day can be bestowed upon you. We wish you a Happy Saraswati Day!

World’s best festivals: Nyepi (Balinese New Year)

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This is an excerpt from Lonely Planet’s A Year of Festivals.

Location: Throughout Bali

Dates: The Lunar New Year, according to the Balinese saka calendar, falling on the first new moon after mid-March

Level of Participation: 1 – enjoy the Nyepi eve parades then settle back for the quietest New Year’s Day of your life

Bali’s major festival pushes one year noisily out the door and very quietly ushers in the next one – if raucous, riotous New Year events are not your thing, then Bali well and truly has the celebration for you. If you keep alert you’ll probably notice Nyepi preparations beginning three days ahead of the New Year, with all the statues of gods removed from temples on this day and paraded to rivers, where they are washed and bathed before being returned to the temples. The day before Nyepi, Tawur Agung Kesanga, is when you’ll see most action around the island. This is the ‘Day of Great Sacrifices’, with ceremonies held at town squares and sports grounds throughout the island. At about 4pm villagers dressed in traditional garb gather in town centres, playing music and offering gifts of food and flowers to the ogoh-ogoh, which are huge monster dolls with menacing fingers, bulging eyes and faces fit to give a child nightmares. This is followed by the ngrupuk, a grand procession in which the ogoh-ogoh figures are lifted on bamboo poles and, accompanied by gamelan music, paraded through the streets to frighten away all the evil spirits. After prayers and speeches, the ogoh-ogoh dolls are burnt with torches and bonfires in a final symbolic gesture to be rid of the evil spirits for the year ahead. Much revelry ensues. Wherever you are in Bali, you’ll almost certainly find a ngrupuk procession in the nearest large town, with the island capital, Denpasar, staging the most impressive parade. The day of Nyepi itself officially lasts for 24 hours from sunrise, and is one of complete inactivity, so that when the evil spirits descend they will decide that Bali is uninhabited and leave the island alone for another year. They call it the ‘Day of Silence’, and all human activity stops – all shops, bars and restaurants close and no-one is allowed to leave their home or hotel. Even Bali’s international airport closes down. No fires are permitted and at night all buildings must be blacked out – only emergency services are exempt.

Essentials: On the day of Nyepi you must stay in your hotel. Consider it a day to catch up on sleep and some reading. Resist all other hotel-room thoughts and temptations since sex is also supposedly forbidden this day. Most places will arrange to serve you meals but should you wander off, the pecalang (village police) will politely but firmly send you back to your hotel.

Local Attractions: From Denpasar, hit the beaches of Kuta or Sanur, or cool down on higher ground in Ubud, Bali’s culinary capital.

Surfing Indonesia: where to find the perfect wave

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Surfers have long been known for a nomadic lifestyle spent scouring the globe in search of the perfect wave, and at some point in their search every self-respecting surfer will find themselves drawn to the wave gardens of Indonesia. Here’s where to find them, whether you’re a beginner or after something more challenging:

Bali

Bali, with its glut of world class surf spots, is the epicentre of Indonesian surfing. Any surf trip here almost invariably begins on Kuta beach, the original Indonesian beach resort. The waves here offer something for everyone; advanced surfers will revel in fun, peaky conditions whilst beginners will find the soft sand beach breaks, and numerous surf schools, the perfect setting for a first taste of surfing.

Not far from Kuta is the Bukit Peninsula where the best waves in Bali can be found. Padang Padang is one of Indonesia’s banner spots. It only comes to life on the biggest of swells but when it does you can expect one of the most intense lefthanders in the world. You can also expect serious crowds and lots of aggro in the water.

Nusa Tenggara

Just south of Bali is the island chain of Nusa Tenggara, which is rammed with surf spots. Lombok, the closest island to Bali, is the most visited by surfers and the jewel in the surf crown here is the legendry Desert Point; possibly the best wave in the world. It’s a highly fickle wave but when all the elements come together this near endless, freight train lefthander offers tube rides of up to twenty seconds. For something a little more beginner friendly try either Don Don or Inside Ekas both of which are found on the south coast of Lombok.

Java

The most famous wave on Java, Bali’s northern neighbour, is G-Land (also known as Grajagan). This is one of those freak of nature waves against which all other waves are measured. Endlessly long, flawlessly perfect and super consistent, G-Land is most commonly reached via boat charter from Bali.

For something less nerve-wracking, try the long, mellow sand bottom right point inBatu Karas. Needing a really solid swell to get going this is probably the most user-friendly spot in Indonesia and though experienced surfers might find it a little uninspiring it seems almost tailor made for learners and intermediates. There are a couple of surf schools and board hire places here as well as a few cheap places to stay.

Sumatra

Surfing Sumatra is all about the necklace of islands that lie off the west coast. Nias, in the far north, is the most famous. An almost hypnotically perfect righthander, this wave has always been considered perfect, but following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami the wave actually improved dramatically after the reef rose upward by around a metre and made the wave hollower, faster and much more consistent.

Good as Nias is though if you ask the average surfer where they’d most like to go surfing the answer will almost invariably be the Mentawai Islands. These islands are home to more world class surf spots than any other place on Earth and it’s almost a given that on any single day of the year unbelievable waves will be breaking somewhere in the Mentawais. Surf trips here have long been the preserve of (expensive) boat charters and (equally expensive) surf resorts, but for the adventurous it’s still possible to charter a local fishing boat and put together your own Mentawai adventure.

When to go

Indonesia is basically a year-round surf destination, but it’s the dry season (May-October) – when the offshore southeast trade winds blow and the swell, pouring out of the Southern Ocean, is at its biggest and most consistent – that is far and away the best time to venture here.