Activities
Popular sports include soccer, badminton, table
tennis, tennis and swimming, generally available at major hotels.
Beach resorts offer sailing, surfing, scuba diving
and windsurfing. Many areas are legendary for good diving, snorkelling
and surfing. Of the 60-plus golf courses in Indonesia, Bali offers
three of international standard, including the Greg Normandesigned
Bali Nirwana Golf Course. The more adventurous can tackle Mt Bromo
in Java or Agung in Bali for a day climb, or try more strenuous
climbs such as Gunung Rinjani, the volcano that dominates Lombok.
Traditional spectator sports include bull races, bull fights,
rowing and unique ram fights, all held during festivals. Silat,
a martial art is regularly performed as a dance or an exercise
and is similar to karate.
Surfing
Indonesia has some of the best waves in the world and is home to surf competitions attended by the best surfers in the world. Surfers are literally spoiled for choice. Beginners can start at one of the better surf schools. Try a beginner course at the Cheyne Horan Surf School in Bali ranging from half a day to five days with a surf tour.
Starting from the West - Nias and the Mentawai Islands has world-class surfing. The lineups are relatively empty and wave after glassy wave is ripe for the taking. For the surfer who wants to bring along a non-surfer, stay at the newly opened Wave par - the first land-based surf destination in the area. Located on a white-sand island (it is simply perfect) and run by Californian Christie Carter, think loads of cold beer, fresh seafood and great waves.
There are also about fifty surf charter boats in the area, some that offer a range of boats and prices.
Peak season is from March to October but book soon as they fill up fast. For seasoned surfers, nearby Nias is paradise on earth. At just 130km long the waves at Lagundri Bay have been ranked among the ten best breaks in the world and are home to the World Professionals Qualifying Series. Charters can be booked from Padang.
West Java faces the Indian Ocean with a southwesterly aspect, notably the province of Sunda, which takes in the following surfing areas, Pelabuhan Ratu Bay, Bayah & on to Panaitan, Dili & Tinjil Islands. The best waves of West Java are on offshore islands but there are exceptions. Swell is providing good waves, with good barrels, with a possibility for long rides. The waves in this part of West Java are underrated. It still offers relatively uncrowned waves.
The dry season is the main surfing season & is approximately from April through to October. The wind is mainly offshore on spots. The wet season is from November through to March, while the surf is less reliable; there are still waves to be had.
Flying
An hour from Jakarta lays the serene Lido Lakes which contains the Lido Aeroclub with different types of light aircraft ranging from the tiny trike and ultra light to bigger planes. The most popular craft is the trike of which there are there are three types with top speeds ranging from 60 to 80mph. Back at the base there are the usual hotel facilities such as tennis, volleyball, fitness centre, kid’s playgrounds and massage facilities.
Diving in Manado
The famous diving site among thousands of beautiful diving sites in Indonesia is Bunaken Island in Manado, North Sulawesi. Less than 30 minutes by boat from the docks of the picturesque Christian Harbor lies the Bunaken Sea Gardes, also known as one of the world's best scuba diving destinations. Featuring no less than 13 dive sites, the sites are similar in that they feature steep walls of coral, pocketed with small caves, and buzzing with small and medium-sized reef fish.
With over 2,300 species of fish and coral this underwater experience is an incredible experience. Being amongst hundreds of spectacular fish of every possible shape and color is something you won't forget. But the most outstanding view is the 1500-meter vertical coral wall off Bunaken Island.
The area's hotels include Tasik Ria Resort, a well-appointed dive resort, located on the secluded west corner of Manado bay. If you like cottages the Bunaken Cha Cha Dive Lodge is another choice offering guests a taste of adventure without excluding certain luxuries. Located in a lush tropical setting in the Bunaken Marine Park, Siladen Resort and Spa is the ideal location for exploring one of the world’s richest diving sites. There is another resort located on the tip to the small island called Gangga, Tha Gangga Island Resort & Spa, built under the shady palms and surrounded by tropical gardens.
