Serangan, also known as Turtle Island due to the turtle sanctuary on the island, is a fantastic place to spend the day. A true swell magnet and a surfer’s bread and butter during the wet season.
This wave breaks from waist high to double overhead on all swell directions, from low tide to high tide, and is offshore from the north to the west winds.
It has a variety of shifting peaks that provide good sucky barrel opportunities on lower tides and super fun rippable walls on higher tides. Because of the nature of this coral platform, it can handle a crowd, and it does get crowded, often with people of all levels. Looking out to sea, there is a right and left peak, with the left being the best and offering long waves, and the right being shorter and ending in a close out but potentially uncrowded.
The main attraction is right in front of the warungs, with random peaks appearing and disappearing with the tide. Choose a location, purchase a ticket, and wait for a wave to come to you, as the wave of the day can appear anywhere and at any time. Just to the right of this is a lower-quality right-hander that, on smaller days, can be a great option for beginners to hone their skills on the coral reef.
Best Serangan Conditions
Serangan breaks from waist high to double overhead on all swell directions, from low tide to high tide, and is offshore from the north to the west winds. A very consistent wave, which will be fun if it is off shore here. On high tides, paddle straight out through the breaking waves in front of the warungs, and on low tides, walk across the reef, beware of urchins in holes in the coral. Coming back in is the same as going out.
Where is Serangan?
Drive over the causeway on Jalan Pulau Serangan, past the island’s garbage dumps, to get to this wave. When you reach the end of the causeway, turn right and go through the security checkpoint, where you must pay a fee and exchange a form of identification for a numbered docket.
After that, turn left and make your way through the maze of dirt tracks, which can become very slippery after heavy rains, to the beachside warungs (restaurants). Lock up your belongings or leave them with one of the lovely ladies in the warungs. There are plenty of massages and trinkets for sale here. You will not need to seek out the sellers; they will seek you out.
At Serangan, be cautious of the reef at low tide, as there are urchins in the holes.
This spot can get crowded with surfers of all skill levels, so stay alert and surf within your capabilities.
Waves at Serangan
source: indonesiansurfguide
