G-Land, Paradise for Surfer

Plengkung is known as one of the best surfing beaches in the world. G-Land is an internationally renowned surfbreak situated in front of the Bay of Grajagan, East Java, about half a day by road from the popular tourist destinations of Bali

The word of “G” in “G-Land” derives from Grajagan, the name of the bay where the huge waves were found at the south of the Banyuwangi. It is surrounded by virgin tropical land forest. G lad offers the worlds most demanding surfing sport, and recommended for professional surfers only. May to October is the best time for surfing. 

It is situated about 8.3 km south of Pancur or about 50km from Ketapang Bay. The visitor reach this place by take a walk (about 2 hours) or by a particular transportation (a half hour). All along the road can be seen a very beautiful natural scenery of the beach with its specialty flora, Sawo Kecik (Manikara kauki). Plengkung has its own uniqueness with good waves for surfing. According to world champion surfers, the waves at Plengkung are among the top five in the world and have been the site for international competitions four times. Now, there are four natural tourism company which provide both means of surfing and accomodations. They are Wana Wisata Alam Hayati Ltd., Plengkung Indah Wisata Ltd., Kenari Wisata Ltd. and Wanasari Pramudita Ananta Ltd.

No doubt it is a world of surfer paradise. Most surfers start from Bali, take an overland to Banyuwangi and directly to National Park of Alas Purwo, G-Land or cross the Grajagan Bay to Plengkung beach where the waves challenge invite the surfers. However it is not recommended for novices

The south coast of Java faces the Indian Ocean, so it is exposed to large swells generated by low pressure systems circling Antarctica, many thousands of kilometers to the south. G-Land is situated on the eastern side of the Bay of Grajagan, so it has a westerly aspect; i.e. at rightangles to the predominant swell direction. As a result, swell wraps around the point and into the eastern side of the bay, producing long, walling left-handers, which peel at a rapid rate along a half kilometer stretch of shallow coral reef, forming perfectly hollow tubes that remain open the whole way.

The wind at G-Land blows offshore between the months of April and September, which also happens to be when the swells are at their largest and most consistent. Since the swells are generated by low pressure systems circling Antarctica, their regularity coincides with the passage of these lows. So, the swell arrive in pulses, each lasting for a couple of days, with a couple of days between each swell.

Waves tend to be bigger and better at high tide, so it's best to plan a surf trip for the week following a full or new moon, since this is when the tide is high during the middle of the day.