Situated between Indonesia’s two largest islands, Java and Sumatra, the Sunda Strait is a dynamic marine corridor that offers a wide range of wave conditions suitable for surfers of all skill levels. The region is particularly renowned for hosting two of Indonesia’s most challenging and iconic waves – One Palm Point and The Steel Vagina – located on Panaitan Island, which lies within Ujung Kulon National Park. These breaks attract advanced surfers seeking powerful, technical waves in a remote and pristine setting, and while we do visit them our targets are the more user-friendly waves in the region.
Beyond surfing, the Sunda Strait and its surrounding areas are rich in biodiversity. The waters teem with marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and vibrant coral ecosystems, while the land is home to dense tropical rainforests that support rare and endangered species such as the Javan rhinoceros, found only in Ujung Kulon. On both the Java and Sumatra sides of the strait, the areas visited are protected nature reserves, ensuring that the natural environment remains largely untouched and preserved for future generations.
Trip 520: Mentawai Islands, August 2026
We have a spot open aboard MV Indies Trader lll for the charter that is departing Padang and headed for the quiet parts of the Mentawai Islands this coming August. The exact dates for Trip 520 are Sat 22-Aug-2026 to Fri 04-Sep-2026.
If you are an individual surfer looking to experience the premier surf charter in Indonesia in a prime part of the season, contact us to find out more about this opportunity. The group onboard are all looking for fun uncrowded 3-5 foot surf. If that sounds like your jam, go to indiestrader.com
About Captain Martin Daly and the Indies Trader Co
Globally acknowledged as the world’s preeminent surf explorer, Martin Daly has been scouring the globe for new surf locations for over 30 years. He’s variously worked as a treasure hunter, salvage diver, saturation diver, company director and has been at the pointy end of adventure most of his adult life. Famously, Martin was responsible for the discovery and pioneering of the world’s best known surf resource, the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra. More recently, the Indies Trader Co has pioneered the ultra-remote Marshall Islands in the deep Pacific, using it as home base for further exploration.