After a very long 3,5
hours trip we arrive to the port in Menjangan Bay where we jumped on the boat to carry us
to Iwan resort name Shorea Beach Resort right in the national.
As soon as we arrive I was quite surprise to see white
caps in the bay between the 2 shores. How could it be! We
are facing North and behind us there are hills but still the wind
was blowing...
So quite puzzled we end
our journey to the resort and just after lunch with all our
kitesurfing gear ready we left to explore the area.
Listening to the stories
of the local diving boat captain the first stop was at Menjangan
island that is famous as a diving paradise.
He told us that the wind
there was always very strong and really annoying for the snorkelers
and boats carrying them.
It took us about 20
minutes boat ride to get to the island and during navigation I could
feel a strong breeze but it was coming from the head land of the
National park and was 100% off shore!
Menjangan island is about
700 meters from Bali coast and the wind was blowing strong but being
just off the land it was really gusty accelerating over the high hill and
not having enough space to build up consistency before hitting our spot.
I pumped up my 14m not
sure of what to expect and launch in the gusty wind. It was like a
rodeo trying to ride a crazy horse. Wind was so gusty from pretty
much nothing to over 20 knots! So after few tacks I gave up and
decide to get back to the beach already exhausted from trying to
tame my kite..
Definitely not a good
place for kitesurfing but what a spectacle the water! So clean and
clear of an azure that is impossible to find in the rest of Bali.
While riding I could see so many fish and corals in the pristine
clear water! That was just incredible.
I for sure will be back
for some diving there!
Then we move to another
spot more inside the Bay that is been now named "Menjangan Bay Kite
Beach". Is a nice white sandy beach facing the port where you take the boat to go to the
resort and the Island. The
wind get pushed between 2 hills and come down with good power in the
bay. As the beach is about 2 km from the main land the wind have
enough space to build up consistency and become very nice and
regular.
Beach is big enough for
prepare and launch the kites, direction is perfect side shore and
water in area is quite calm and deep right away. Surface is slightly
choppy but become smoother in the lagoon just downwind of the
launching area.
Tide here do not really
affect the riding.
Next day the conditions
where about the same and after a nice dive just in front of the
resort me and Iwan took off with 2 motorbikes and went to explore the rest of
the National Park looking for the magical spot where the wind would be coming
from the perfect direction.
After 2 hours of riding
in the jungle we finally arrived on the other side of the promontory
to the point where the wind was again side shore and to our surprise
we were just a mere 2 km downwind of the Gilimanuk Ferry terminal
where people embark to cross to Java that was right in front of us
with the Merapi volcano towering in all his majestic 2,500 meters.
A beautifull white
sandy beach with a sand spit creating a super flat lagoon, clear &
clean water with all different tones of blue and some strong wind! We had no time that day
but I promise myself to come back and kite there too.
And that I did just after
few weeks when in Sanur the wind was already weakening.
Took some friends with me
and finally got to Kited at what is now call "Gilimanuk
Kite Point", woooowwww.....
I'm not a fan of flat water as I'm a wave
junkie but here is sooo flat and the wind so strong that I still ad
a ball with my twin tip jumping really high and trying some of the
old freestyle moves.
Wind was 20+ knots and I
was fully lit on my 9m, even in such strong wind the sand spit keep
the water super smooth.
Java is right in front
and I went almost to the other side taking on the channel that have
some dangerous current.
Inside the bay instead is
very safe as the wind is perfect side shore and due to the bay
curving at worst case scenario you get push to the beach about 1 km
downwind.
In very low tide there
are some corals sticking out and the bay shrink so booties are still
recommended..
IT IS THE WINDIEST AND
MOST CONSISTENT SPOT IN BALI?
Since then more friends
have been there and always got good wind. Pretty much any day there
is wind from the south quadrant the venturi effect betwen Bali and
Java accelerate the air that here explode in all his power. When in
south of Bali we get 10-12 knots here you can be sure to find 15 to
20 if not more. When in Sanur we get 20+ knots the TV news station
report that the port of Gilimanuk is closed due to too much wind for
the ferries to operate.
30+ knots are not
uncommon here and still you will have super flat water for the first
300 meters from the beach.
After so many years
of exploring Bali and most of Indonesia we were able to find 2 new spots
that are very windy! For sure the windier so far in Bali..
Between May till
even November is wind wind wind...
Unfortunately no waves
and is very far from Sanur/Kuta & the others more tourist areas. You
need to consider at lest 3,5 to 4 hours drive to get there.
Where to stay: There are
many hotels in the Pemuteran area to choose from, pretty much for every pocket.
We really like the Shorea
Beach Resort that is in the Menjangan Bay and nestled right in the
national park. No cars, no roads just nature and incredible
snorkeling/diving just in front of the Resort beach. Great food too.
Price around 110 US$ per
night but our friend Iwan is offering special deals for kiters:
iwanjps@gmail.com
Web
site:
www.shoreabeachresort.com
Also they are building a
camp by Menjangan Bay Kite Beach that should be ready for the beginning
of the season.
Call Wild West Beach
Camp, will offer simple bungalows accommodations and tends for
nature lovers that want to be right where the action is. (more infos
to follow soon!)
What to do: Off course
all kinds of wind sports!
But the area is very
famous for diving and snorkeling!
Menjangan Island Marine
Park area is always been considered the best diving site of all Bali
so even if there is no wind you will note get bored.
Also bird and animal
watching, the National park is home to some wildlife. Monkeys,
dears, boars are pretty much every where. We had them coming in
front of our room all the time looking for food..
For more information's
about the National Park and the area you can also check:
www.wikitravel.org/en/West_Bali_National_Park
Hope you enjoy the story
and to see you all in Bali.
Bye Jankie
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