general information

Grajagan epitomises perfection. A long, fast, left-hand barrel, you surf in board-shorts while living in the dense jungle of east Java, Indonesia. For a surfer, it doesn’t get much better than this. 

G-Land is a consistent wave. At three foot (head high) it is fun, but at six foot (double overhead) and bigger it gets serious, and exceptionally good.  G-Land is only for experienced surfers. It is a difficult and dangerous wave to surf, especially at low tide. It maxes out at 12 foot (six times overhead).

On a typical G-Land day, the trade offshore wind kicks in at around 9am and top-to-bottom barrels wind down the point all day. In the evenings, the words ‘the best wave of my life’ are often uttered. On the flip side, the waves at G-Land will often section, and barrels will ‘pinch’ at the end, not letting a surfer out. Sometimes there’s a doctor in one of the camps, sometimes there’s not…

There are two main options for accommodation at G-Land - the original G-Land camp- Bobby’s, and Jungle Camp. Bobby’s is a little more expensive, but it is a nicer camp with more facilities. Both the camps offer real value for money when compared to the huge prices most surf camps and resorts charge these days. Both the camps can be booked through surf travel agents. Getting to G-Land is quite an experience if you take the overland option. If you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can take the more pleasant fast boat straight from Bali to G-land. Transfers are arranged by the camps when you book.

The wave itself has three main sections. Up the top is Kong’s, where the swell is at its largest. The waves do barrel, but big open faces are more common. It’s a good place to escape the pack further down the line up. 

Once the waves wind their way down to Moneytrees, G-Land really starts to line-up. The take-offs are fast and steep, but quite makeable. The wave moves quickly through Moneytrees and allows for barrels, and the opportunity to crack a few big turns. 

Next is Launching Pads, right up the top of the last section, Speedies. Speedies is where G-Land becomes really serious. Water drains off the reef to create a top-to-bottom barrel that detonates onto the shallow coral reef below. Speedies is fast, and the barrels are big. 

It isn’t possible to ride a wave the entire length of G-Land, it doesn’t link up. When G-Land is 10 foot (four to five times overhead), other waves in the area such as 20/20’s, Chickens and a right hander called Tiger Tracks will be three foot (headhigh).  

On high tide you can get the boat to drop you in the line up. On low tide you paddle, if you time it right you can sneak out between Kong’s and Moneytrees without any hassle. Paddle out with someone who knows what they’re doing the first time you attempt it.

There are no tigers in the jungle these days, despite the stories, and the only thing bigger then the barrels at G-Land might be the rats. The perfect wave and jungle setting at Grajagan creates an atmosphere where you feel you are almost living in some sort of surfing fantasyland. 

BT