Why Cimaja is a surfer's paradise
Located in West Java, Cimaja is a paradise for surfers. Whether you are just a beginner, or a more experienced surfer, this place has the right waves for every taste and level of experience. Cimaja also attracts those wanting to find some peace of mind in a serene and peaceful environment.
Contrary to its counterpart in the region, namely Sawarna, Cimaja is a popular surf destination not only among locals but among foreigners, too, who sometimes travel all the way to Indonesia simply to surf in its waters.
Rising off an impressive rocky reef, 300 meters away from the main road after the beautiful beachfront rice paddies, lies Cimaja’s hot spot, namely the Cimaja break. To the delight of surfers, waves there are somewhat consistent all year long. However, you should always bear in mind that the Cimaja break is not beginner-friendly.
Also, the break does not necessarily have one of the best beaches for those who just want to relax and not surf, as it is a cobblestone beach. For relaxing on the sand, reading a book, or sun-tanning, you would be better off by driving a little further to the Karang Papak beach, most commonly known as Sunset Beach.
It is also best for those wishing to swim, even though ‘swimming’ is a misleading word, as what you will be doing will look more like jumping with the waves rather than swimming per se. If you decide to venture into the waters, it is important to remain careful of the strong currents.
A highly recommended place to stay at is the Cimaja Square Hotel. Each room, or more exactly each eco-friendly thatched hut built out of natural materials, accommodates from 2 to 4 people at very reasonable prices. Prices vary between Rp 200,000 (US$15.20) to Rp 500,000.
Every Saturday evening, they host a wood-fired pizza night in their open-air restaurant. The all-time favorite for many is the Pizza Romana. Don’t forget to ask for an additional portion of pineapples on top: a delight to the tastebuds.
To make it even better, they are located right in the middle of beautiful rice fields. If you like to sleep outdoors, you can spend the night in a hammock that they provide on the ground floor of the bungalow and wake up against the stunning backdrop of the rice paddies to watch the farmers at work.
If, like me, you think that rice fields are some of the most relaxing environments you can find, then this place will literally be heaven on earth for you. You can spend some time reading a book, walking around or simply meditating. In any case, you will soon forget the hustle and bustle of big cities and wish you could stay there forever.
Don’t expect much nightlife, though, as Cimaja is primarily a little sleepy, rice-growing and fishing village, which, together with the mesmerizing natural landscapes, is exactly what gives it charm.
How to get there
Cimaja can easily be reached from Jakarta. The car ride takes around four hours if you avoid traffic hours.
The best route is to take the highway to Bogor, continue towards Sukabumi, then Palabuhanratu. Once in Cimaja, distances are walkable or a short drive away.
To get to the Cimaja break from the main road, you just need to walk through rice paddies for about 300 meters to get to the world famous cobblestone beach.
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