Indonesia's First Fleet of
Traditional Bugis Pinisi Schooners

SURFING INDONESIA

THE BREAKS YOU ONLY READ ABOUT!

Surfing holidays have come a long way since driving yourself to coast and sleeping in the back seat of your car with your buddies, or if you were lucky, with a new friend.

Understanding the interests of today's diverse travelers, the vessels of Indonesia's Traditional Fleet have been involved in the surfing market for quite some time, and are for the most part charter based to small groups of friends. Well know Mecca's for surfers, such as the Mentawi's and Roti have been on the Traditional Fleet calander for quite some time, this is a speciality market and must sufers, looking for a boat, know where to find them. However in our capasity focal point for Marine Tourism in the Republic of Indonesia, we strive to provide you with information on a few boats that you may not be aware of:  

THE BEST SURF IN THE WORLD

KM MUTIARA, PADANG, MINTAWAI

The Mentawai Islands lie roughly 100 km off of the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. They consist of 4 main islands with many smaller islands scattered throughout. From north to south, the main islands are Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi, and South Pagi. These islands block most swells from reaching the mainland on Sumatra, but they offer some of the most perfect surf in the world. Access to the islands is by sea only with regular ferries to the main trading ports, but by far the best way to access the surf is by charter boat.

KM Mutiara, is somewhat new to the market, she is fast, comfortable and a capable local vessel geared for just this type of work. She is equpped with all the facilities the other big boats have, but her price perspective is below the standard rates offered from the port of Pandang. So if you are looking for a deal try this one.

KM Mutiara, is available for charter 2006-2007

KLM NOMAD, Panaitan Island, West Java

KLM Nomad is a 70ft. traditional Pinisi, with some real comfort perspectives to pamper her guests. Nomad, is fully air-conditioned, equipped with refrigerator and freezer, TV, Stereo, VCR, life raft, VHF/HF radios and a 4 meter launch with a quick 25hp outboard to drop you and your board on the right spot. Nomad's rates are inclusive of transport from your selected hotel in the city of Jakarta to the boarding point of the vessel. In addition 3 great meals are provided each day of this 10 day program of surfing dreams.

Nomad's capacity is limited to 8 passengers to insure a truly exclusive holiday on some of Indonesia's best surf.

Panaitan Island, or Pulau Panaitan, is a large and clawshaped island-nature reserve that sits by itself in open seas about 10 kilometers northwest of the Ujung Kulon National Park and just off the southwest tip of West Java. Panaitan is a bona fide no-man's island, except for a few Indonesian forest rangers who patrol its shorelines and isolate its population of wild deer, tigers, panters, snakes and numerous other forms of rare and endangered wildlife.

Beyond thin strips of beach the island is home to very dense forest and thick primary jungles alive with many dangerous animals of the meat-eating variety. Hepatitis, malaria, jagged coral reefs, rocky cliffs and, yes, even well-developed sharks, are other factors which could make this island interesting in the wrong way. Be prepared with plenty of food, water, survival gear and whatever else you might need when you head for this place because Panaitan is one of those end-of-the-world places where there is literally nothing between you and thousands of mils of open sea.

Getting out there in the first place can be a serious hassle, given bad roads, haggling for a boat, and perhaps even puking your way across a heaving sea, but once you are in the confines of Panaitan's picture-perfect bay on its south side you will find yourself in a great Indo surfing haven. You will also be very far away from crowds, civilization and the rest of the world.

Creations in this bay by God are several primo surf spots, ranging from huge outer-bay cloudbreak bombies, one of the most perfect left point breaks in the world, and inner-bay reef breaks that peel and fire like finely tuned machines. It's a beautiful place, an island of dreams, where you meet more dolphins than humans and where you really feel at one with the universe.
Text: Fielding's Surfing Indonesia, Leonard and Lorca Lueras, 1996

   

KLM Nomad, is available for charter 2006-2007