Now you can helicopter to Asia’s greatest surf break
Traditionally difficult to reach, this revered wave is now just a short flight from Bali.
Related articles
One of Bali’s most luxurious beachside resorts, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, has teamed up with Tropicsurf – the pioneers of luxury surfing – to offer Asia’s first heli-surfing adventure. It’s an exclusive day trip to G-Land, one of the world’s best surfing spots, that whisks you from villa to wave for the ride of your life and back in time for sunset cocktails by the pool.
If you’re a surfer, you’ll already know all about Grajagan’s (aka G-Land) perfect break. Long and almost always rideable and blissfully crowd-free, the legendary wave runs for kilometres along a coral reef off the south-eastern coast of Java. It’s hailed as surfing nirvana.
Discovered by two American surfers in 1972, who spotted the long line of breaking wave from the air and then spent days trekking through the jungle to find it, part of G-Land’s mystical appeal has always been its remoteness. It’s surrounded by national park and notoriously difficult to reach by land. Claiming the honour of riding the world’s most famous left-hand break has meant enduring a long boat crossing from Bali and roughing it in rustic surf camps. Until now.
Exclusive to guests of Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, the private heli-surfing tour provides unprecedented access via a 45-minute flight across the strait from Bali to a landing area right in front of G-Land’s waves on the edge of the national park.
“Tropicsurf’s mission is to maximise wave-count and wave-quality for our guests, and it doesn’t get much better than G-Land, one of the planet’s most legendary waves,” says Ross Phillips, founder and director of Tropicsurf.
“There are also some nice spots for beginners, often with nobody else out. So whether you want to test yourself in one of the world’s best breaks or simply seclude yourself from Bali to enjoy some rippable jungle perfection, one thing is certain – you and your friends will command some serious bragging rights.”
Worth knowing is that G-Land’s ultra-fast tubing and shallow breaks are best suited to brave and skilled surfers, but there are some good sheltered locations nearby for those with less confidence.
The best time to go is from April through to November. The heli-surfing tour’s US$10,000 ticket includes return private helicopter charter from Bali, transport of surfboards, transfers and a private speedboat at G-Land to access various waves, plus a surf guide and coach.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
What Venice’s New Tourist Tax Means for Your Next Trip
The Italian city will now charge visitors an entry fee during peak season.
May 1, 2024
Polar Opposites
A journey north to one of the harshest, remotest spots on Earth couldn’t be more luxurious.
April 18, 2024