When it comes to consistent, quality surf, Panaitan Island is one of the least crowded places in Indonesia. There is a good variery of waves to suit all abilities. These is no land based accommodation here so the breaks can only be reached by boat.
ONE PALM - A SHALLOW, OPEN RELENTLESS BARRELING LEFT
For the experienced surfer. This point reef break is one of Indonesia's left-hand wonders. Waves here peel perfectly from outside to inside, barrelling the whole way over a shallow bottom that inspires paranoia but creates record-time tube rides. Indeed this is not a place for timid or inexperienced wave riders, but it is a place to score the best, longest barrels of your life, period.
APOCALYPSE - A RIGHT PIT THAT'S BEEN COMPARED TO BACKDOOR PIPE
For the intermediate to experienced surfer. Apocalypse doesn't look like much as you approach it from behind, but paddle into its lineup from Just Dreaming and you will discover a feisty wave that peaks, walls, plumes, and fires. The water is quite deep at the take-off point, but a combination of funneled wave speeds, strong offshore winds and a receptive, stationary reef causes incoming swells to rise fast, hover, before hollowing out and breaking defiantly.
NAPALMS - A SMOKING LEFT
For the intermediate to experienced surfer. This is a fun, barrelling, left-hander located further inside the bay at Panaitan. If you know anything about barrel riding, you can't fail at Napalms. A perfectly shaped reef allows this left-hander to bend and refract at just the right angle for you to set your line, pull in and get spat out. Different swell angles and sizes make this more or less ripable, but it always remains fun!
ILLUSIONS - A GRINDING RIGHT THAT FULLY BARRELS
Beginner, intermediate and experienced surfers. Just seaward and up-shore from Apocalypse is yet another right, Illusions. A right hand point break, however not as reckless as the left at One Palm Point, Illusions is just as perfect providing barrels and ripable sections aplenty. A natural footers dream.
PUSSYS - LONG, LONG LEFT FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS
An incredibly fun, and incredibly long, left-hander. Sometimes this wave seems like it can go forever, judging from the burning in your legs. Picking up almost any swell, it can be a go-to wave when conditions are small or, conversely, it might be a good option when the heart has had enough racing from it's more intense neighbours. All comers are welcome at Pussys.
RANGER'S STATION - A FUN PEAK WHICH CAN TURN IT RIGHT ON
Directly in front of the only building on Panaitan Island, the Ranger's Station, lies an A-frame peak that throws out a playful, sometimes hollow left and a fast pockety right with an occasional killer air end section. With a great mooring right next to the left in an idyllic bay, it's a great place to get fun waves, watch your mates surf or just relax and enjoy the scenery.
RANGER'S RIGHTS - A HOLLOW, STEAM TRAIN RIGHT
Across the channel and seaward from the Ranger Station left lies a fast, open right-hander that can provide epic barrels when the conditions come together. Ranger's Rights shows shades of HT's in the Mentawais when it all comes together: paddle hard, take off, set your line, pull in, spit out. Of course, there is about 5% of the crowd here compared to HT's!
ANGELS - GREAT FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS
A super fun left-hander that breaks in a deserted, isolated bay. Starting off fast, and sometimes hollow, this gem races along and ends in deep water, catering to all skill levels. Another go-to spot when the heart needs a rest and the crew just wants to have some fun and smash out a few turns.
INDICATORS - FAST, DOWN THE LINE WAVE FOR ALL ABILITIES.
Just seaward from Illusions, (acting as an Indicator for sets at that break), this wave is a fun, swell magnet that can be by all abilities, across all tides. A good wave in small swells, or larger more challenging waves when everywhere else is only a 'fun' size, Indicators can serve up fast, walled-up waves, great turn sections and the odd barrel. More than just an 'Indicator' for Illusions, it can be a damn good wave in it's own right on it's day.
CROC 'N' ROLLS - HOLLOW, WINDING LEFT and A WEDGEY, RIPPABLE RIGHT
A couple of waves that wouldn't get surfed without local knowledge! Often working in conditions that see the other big-name breaks sub-par. Croc 'n' Rolls can really turn it on with barrelling sections, turn sections and mellow end sections that allows surfers of all skill levels to have a great session and push their surfing to new heights.
Panaitan Island is home to One Palm Point - a long, fast and hollow left, and Apocalypse - very intense right. Other waves include Napalms - a fun barreling left located inside the bay, Illusions - a right hand point break that is not as reckless as the left at One Palm Point, but just as perfect. There are also a couple of mellow breaks including Pussy's (left) and the Bommie (right). All breaks are fairly close together and easy to check out. Your skipper will get you to the best waves for the given conditions.
You can also fish, snorkel relax and explore the amazing natural jungle on land, which is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, or climb the famous Krakatoa or your way back to port - ask the skipper about this.
