Surf - Batu karas


Batu karas - west java- Indonesia

Batu Karas offers fun, user-friendly waves but please keep in mind it doesn't have the consistency of other Indo surf spots.If you're looking for G-land style barrels or Mentawai-like perfection Batu Karas probably won't suit what you're after

 

 

 

 

 

The point  at Batu Karas

Righthand pointbreak that rolls through a sand bottom bay in front of the hotel for up to 400 metres.
The takeoff is up to you: fast and hollow beyond the point, or slow and easy at the shoulder section. After takeoff the wave mellows out with workable walls through to the far end of Batu Karas bay.

The Reef at Batu Karas

Righthander with an easy takeoff that leads into fast walls unraveling over a lava reef.
This high tide spot can turn on some real quality with clean walls to work on your top/bottom turn combo and down-the-line speed reeling to the beach for around 150 metres. Breaks from waist to head high.

Other option

There's other surf options accessible by car or boat if you're up for a bit of adventure.
Plenty of beachbreaks nearby, and 40 mins drive from Batu karas is a lefthand barrelly reefbreak that works on small swells and is offshore with the SE tradewinds from June-Sept.

Timing

Jan, Feb: all-day offshore winds but inconsistent swell and generally wrong swell direction for The Point, however swell direction and winds are best for The Reef.

Mar, Apr, May, June: offshore winds, medium-sized swells (waist to head high with the occasional bigger day). This is the best time to surf in the area because the conditions are usually good for both The Reef and The Point.

July, Aug, Sept: larger consistent swells (waist high to overhead), cross-shore winds at The Point, although some inside sections of The Point are wind protected.

Oct, Nov, Dec: offshore winds, small swells. Uncrowded!


The Point at Batu Karas is perhaps one of the best places to learn to surf anywhere! Here's why:

  1. Sandbottom bay with tropical warm water means user-friendly conditions - surf all day if you want.
  2. Slow peeling waves means plenty of time to work on the basics and improve your style.
  3. Long waves with different sections. Move 'up the point' as your surfing improves - rolling walls in the middle of the bay, faster & hollower at the take-off.
  4. The wave is right in front of  hotel, only 10 metres from the hotel entrance - no daily road trips to get to the beach.

Surfboard rental available from Batu Karas Surf Club for around US$8/day (short/longboards).
No need to pre-book a surfboard, just arrange it directly with the local boys when you get here. Please note the boards that are available are rental boards so quality can vary! If you are after a specific surfboard type it's best to bring your own board.

Batu karas has the best value surf lessons anywhere!
Under US$20 for a 2-hour lesson, including board rental.
No need to book your lesson now - just book and pay for your stay at JavaCove and we'll introduce you to the local surf instructors when you're here. It's a casual approach to the whole idea, but hey, you'll be learning to surf in an Indo village with local surfers - it doesn't get any more real.