Just southwest of one of Java’s larger resort towns, Pelabuhan Ratu, Cimaja is a right hand point that breaks under all a variety of conditions and is one of many well known and secret surf spots found within Pelabuhan Ratu Bay.
When the conditions are right there are plenty of uncrowded waves to go around if you go searching some of the many rarely breaking reefs and points in the Pelabuhan Ratu Bay area. Check some of them out below.
Cimaja Point – Super fun point break where winds are typically on-shore in the dry season so if you’re hoping to make a short barrel section morning sessions are ideal. However even when on-shore winds are howling, you can expect an open shoulder ripe for maneuvers and ariels breaking for upwards of 50 metres. The Cimaja surf spot handles up to 6 foot in size before the point starts maxing out. While not exactly exemplary of the volkswagen size barrels that have come to be emblematic of Indonesia, Cimaja is a fun and rippable wave for intermediate surfers upwards.
Wave type:
Cimaja Point: Point break
Indicators: Point break
Loji: Point break
Wave difficulty:
Cimaja: Intermediate
Indicators: Experienced upwards
Loji: Intermediate
What way does the wave break:
Cimaja: Right
Indicators: Right
Logi: Left
Sea bottom:
Cimaja: Rock shelf, cobblestones and boulders
Indicators: Reef, cobblestones and boulders
Loji: Reef, cobblestones, boulders and sand
Booties:
Cimaja: Personal preference
Indicators: Yes
Loji: Can be handy
Surfboard type:
Cimaja: Standard shortboard
Indicators: Step up shortboard or semi gun
Loji: Surfboard that paddles well
Crowd factor:
Cimaja: Expect weekend crowds of expats living in Jakarta
Indicators: Uncrowded
Loji: Can get crowded
Hazards:
Cimaja: Water quality after heavy rains, sharp shallow rocks and the occasional shark
Indicators: Knee deep barnacles, urchins and a patchy shallow reef
Loji: Pollution from nearby river mouth feed by a large river. Sharks, urchins rips and deflated surf checks.
Best swell direction:
Cimaja Point: SW
Indicators: SW
Loji: SW
Best wind direction:
Cimaja Point: N
Indicators: N
Loji: ENE
What tide does it work best on:
Cimaja: Long fun walls on higher tides and sucky hollow walls on lower tides
Indicators: Higher tides
Loji: Low
Best tide movement for surfing:
Cimaja: Dead low tide
Indicators: Rising to high tide
Logi: Incoming tide
How consistent is the surf:
Cimaja: Consistent
Indicators: Inconsistent
Loji: Extremely fickle (breaks 2-3 times per year)
Best time of year for waves:
Cimaja: March – October
Indicators: May – August
Loji: May – August
What is the vibe like in the lineup:
Cimaja: Sometimes a bit of a vibe, use good etiquette and avoid any hassles
Indicators: Friendly locals and chargers
Loji: Surfers with a lot of luck!
What other names do the waves go by?
Cimaja: Cimaja Point
Indicators: Indicators Point
Loji: Loji Point
Redazione
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.