CIMAJA SURF SPOTS

Surrounded by lush jungle foliage, Cimaja is a fast breaking, fun right hander that bowls out for long rippable rides in between two river mouths. Occasionally you’ll find a barrel on hand at low tide, but Cimaja is better known for its long right shoulders.  Just a short ride from Jakarta, Cimaja should definitely make the list of breaks you’re looking to score surf in West Java.  Read on to discover what Cimaja has to offer.

Indicators – Fast hollow right hand point that is more exposed to the open ocean than Cimaja Point and is usually bigger in size than its neighbouring point Cimaja. Indicators is a sketchy and dangerous wave when its small so it only starts working when its well overhead. You can count on knee deep barnacles, urchins and a patchy shallow reef. Indicators works when its solid so if you can handle it, you can charge plenty of hollow right hand pits double overhead and above. 

Karang Cibang Haji – Known as Karang Haji for short this surf break is located in front of the Ocean Queen Hotel near the boat harbour. Here the sand regularly shifts and moves about depending on the conditions over the previous month or so. Karang Haji can form nicely shaped sand banks around the nearby the sea wall to produce some super fun and bowly little lefts and rights depending on the conditions. Easy access and rarely surfed if it hasn’t been working for a while. Needs a bit of swell as it is in a more protected area of Pelabuhan Ratu Bay.

Cikembang – A very fickle but fun right hand point break when it is working. Cikembang surf spot needs a good ground swell from the south to start working as it is in very sheltered section of Pelabuhan Ratu Bay. When its on there are a lot of options to go round so you can be lucky enough to score uncrowded waves. The set up is a mix of reef, cobblestone shingles and sand on the inside.

Sunset Beach – Also known as Karang Hawu is a fun beach break that works best when the swell is small. Sets of waves break right and left however the lefts are usually better than the rights. Karang Hawu is a great surf spot for beginner surfers with a surf school conveniently located on the beach.

Samudra – Further east where the two point breaks in Cimaja become beach is Samudra surf spot which is fun on smaller days as the beachie here is quite exposed and closes out when it gets to big. Best early morning or during the evening glass off as it is rarely offshore.

Loji Point – is a fickle surf spot that needs a huge swell to start working. When Cimaja Point is maxed out and out of control you could be in luck. A handful of times a year when all of the conditions align fortunate surfers can go left at Loji point as the wave peels for hundreds of metres. Loji point is situated approximately 7 kms south of the port at Pelabuhan Ratu.

How do you get in and out of the surf?

Take the channel near the river mouth and work your way towards the peak.  You can also take the long trek towards the peak along the boulders and try paddling in from the backside but expect shallow rocks so watch your fins. If your making the walk along the boulders on the beach bring some booties for a bit of extra grip (especially if you are not a rock hopping pro).