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Indonesia, otherwise known as “Indo“ to surfers is the world's largest archipelagic state. Can you imagine how endless the potential for surf is here! One island, out of them all, called Bali has been attracting surfers and tourists for three decades now from Australia but also now from the USA, Brazil and Europe.
Flights to Indonesia
The majority of travellers enter Indonesia through 3 airports; Denpasar Airport on Bali and Jakarta Airport on Java and Padang Airport on Sumatra. Surfers going directly to the Mentawaii Islands fly into Padang airport before getting local transfers onward. The vast majority of surfers fly straight to Denpasar Bali where they can enjoy all those epic Balinese waves or travel on to G-Land by boat or get a boat trip east to Lombok and Sumbawa. Visitors usually only connect at Jakarta. Visa restrictions limit your stay to 30 day before you'll have to grab a cheap flight to Singapore and then back for another stint.
Money in Indonesia
One of the major bonuses of surfing and staying in Indo is the ridiculously low cost of everything. US $1 is worth almost 10,000 Indonesia Rupiahs (IDR). You can typically shack up over Bingin, Uluwatu or Padang Padang etc for less than $5 a night!
Surf Spots in Indonesia
Health and Safety
Although there have been serious problems in the early 2000's will several high profile bombings, most of the regions where surfers go to surf should be considered surf if caution is taken. Be vigilant for pickpockets and thieves on the beach and on the streets.
Asides from food poisoning and other minor tropical ailments, the island of Bali is malaria free. However, if you travel to the rest of Indonesia you should take preventative measures such as using DEET and wearing long sleeved shirts and pants for sleeping at night. If necessary take malaria medication if you are going west to Java, north to the Lagrundi Bay and the Mentawaii Islands or east to Lombok, Sumbawa and Timor. Be careful what you eat as food poisoning can happen.
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