The Surf
One Palm Poin
This point reef break, marked by a single sentinel palm, is one of Indonesia's lefthand 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 waveriders. One Palm Point works best on a good-sized swell, a southeasterly and offshore wind, and at a more medium than low tide. It is ridiculously shallow, here, so wear any protective gear you can find.
The wave that put Panaitan on the map. One of the world's longest (up
to 800 yards), most perfect, most dangerous shallow left-hand barrels
reels across a reef point. You need a sturdy board to get into the wave
as early as possible, then set a rail and go for maximum speed. Mid
tide seems best and the wave starts to work at just 3ft of south to
southwest swell.
Napalms
Probably the most frequently surfed wave at Panaitan, and with good
reason. The left-hand reef here delivers barrels with mechanical
perfection, and they are more makeable than One Palm thanks to a
defined channel. Take-offs are straight-forward, then a lined-up wall
leads to a full-on barrel before tapering off into deep water. Higher
tides are best if you want to avoid the shallow second section. This is a fun barrelling left-hander located at Inside Panaitan.There are also other soft, fun, and relaxing waves here.
Pussy
At the head of the inner bay are some very well lined up, fun long
lefts. Generally a good warm-up spot for Panaitan proper, the lefts
need a good south swell but work at any tide, although low is often
best.
Insight Rhight
Opposite the lefts, on the west side of the bay is a right-hand reef
break that works on wet season west breezes and any swell direction. A
solid south swell at low tide will get this alternative spot firing.
Best at lower to mid tides, but varying with swell size.
Illusion
the leftsRight-hand reef break with approachable take-off and variable barrel and wall sections. Just seaward and up-shore from Apocalypse is yet another right,
Illusions. Illusions, a right hand point break, that is not as reckless
as the left at One Palm Point, but just as perfect.
Appocalypse
Extremely square right-hand barrel; pull in or don't go at all . The tasty Apocalypse is a great surprise because it doesn't look like much as you approach it from behind. Paddle into its lineup from the boat 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 and stationary reef causes incoming swells to rise fast, hover before hollowing out and then break defiantly. A lot of waves here close out, or race on past you, but the ones you do mange to snatch are a memorable rush of seapower. This spot is best ridden at a lower tide when the waves are less jumpy
And...A secret spot on the mainland of west Java
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