Indonesia

Pristine waters, white sands and waves that are six meters tall – welcome to G-Land or as it globally called ‘Indonesia’s Surfer’s Paradise’. Located to the south of Banyuwangi city, G-Land derives its name from Grajagan, the bay that attracts tourists from all over the world. The waves here at Plengkung Beach are a huge draw for professional surfers given that one gets to experience seven huge rolls of waves that are nothing less than six meters in height.

Nicknamed the ‘Seven Giant Waves Wonder’, there is much to do at this tropical heaven. Whether you are a professional surfer looking to ride the gigantic waves of G-Land or a laid-back tourist looking to soak in the sun or simply enjoy nature at its best, Plengkung Beach never disappoints.

The waves at G-Land are second best in the world for surfing, Moreover they ranked above Australia and South Africa. Furthermore G-Land has also hosted international surfing championships and is best visited from the month of April through to August. To make the most of the locale, a Banyuwangi tour guide would be greatly helpful to experience the best of this region.

How to get there

Getting to Plengkung Beach is easy. You can opt for either of these routes. The first route is by land and is longer than the second option. The mode of transportation is by car and you will have to cover 86 km. Your journey will begin at Banyuwangi and take you via Kalipahit-Pasaranyar-Trianggulasi-Pancur to your destination at Plengkung. The second option is a land-water trip and you will have to cover around 53 km. This route begins at Banyuwangi and takes you to Grajagan via Benculuk then or the final leg of the journey, take a speedboat from Grajagan Beach and head to Plengkung Beach. To have a hassle free experience, just talk to your tour guide from Locaguide and seek his help in planning a visit to G-land.

If an escape from your routine life is what you desire, G-Land is the best place to holiday in Banyuwangi. With no phone reception, you’re sure to relax and rejuvenate, far from hustle and bustle of life in the city. 

Snuggled away among the quiet villages of Sukawati is a little gem that though hidden, is no secret— the Beji Guwang Hidden Canyon. It boasts remarkable rock formations and is a haven for those who want to enjoy some peace and solitude.

An excursion to this little paradise will excite the adventurous at heart with a 2-to-3-hour trek, involving rock climbing and wading through knee-deep water.

Beji Guwang’s deep and rugged ravine was formed with thousands of years of erosion from the Oos River. This eventually left it looking like the masterpiece it is today. The excursion will follow the Oos river and will take you through a set of three canyons, where you will navigate slippery rocks and varying water levels. You will trek for as long as you can enjoy the sunlight. If hiking isn’t really your forte, you can enjoy serene spots within the canyon that are perfect for yoga or meditation.  The raw beauty of the chasm is bound to enchant you. There are several sections hidden by a canopy of plants and trees that entwine themselves on the craggy surface of the rocks. So, it is always safer to call your guide in advance before you head out.

While you may like to venture out on your own, the slippery steep rocks can be risky to navigate, unless you have an experienced guide alongside. Locaguide can help you find a local tour guide who can not only help you navigate these canyons safely but will give you the chance to discover the lesser traveled parts of the gorge. You will need to do a considerable bit of climbing, jumping, balancing and pulling yourself up rocks, but they will seem much less daunting if there’s someone to guide you. 

Imagine a tropical archipelago crowned with a lush green canopy. Pristine turquoise water lapping on to the white sandy shore. Colorful coral reefs — home for millions of exotic marine life. An idyllic beach with a few bamboo gazebos. That’s Raja Ampat for you!

Raja Ampat, which is directly translated as ‘Four Kings’, is an archipelago that consists of more than 1500 mini islands. As the name suggests, there are four main islands here — Salawati, Misool, Waigeo, and Batanta.

Home to one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet, the archipelago of Raja Ampat is part of the coral triangle, consisting of the islands of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea — making it a perfect incubator for the exotic biodiversity.

The ecosystem of this region is so rich and unique that it is often considered as the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity. With more than 1508 species of fish, 699 species of molluscs, and 537 coral species, the Raja Ampat islands is ranked first for its marine biodiversity as per the surveys conducted by Conservation International.

The islands are largely untouched. That is why, it remains a safe haven for a variety of endemic species of fish, such as the wobbegong sharks and harmless jellyfish. Studies have also found out that almost 96% of Indonesia’s stony corals and 75% of the world’s hard coral species are found on this archipelago.

How to get there

If you’re planning to be at one with nature at Raja Ampat, accessing this region is not that difficult. You need to take a six-hour flight from Jakarta to Sorong and a boat for the remaining journey. You can arrange a local guide from Locaguide to pick you up at the island. He will accompany you along your journey, meanwhile explaining all the interesting myths and legends surrounding this beautiful archipelago. He can also arrange a deep sea diving expedition, snorkelling, and other activities for you to bask in the immaculate beauty of nature.

Hailed as one of the top destinations for nature lovers and photographers, you can be sure to enjoy your days in Raja Ampat to its fullest!

Its the scenic beauty of lush green paddy fields, equatorial rainforests, volcanic mountains, pristine white sand beaches and the ancient temple architecture that draws one to the south-eastern paradise Bali; but there’s more in Bali for everyone. How about experiencing some unusual and unique activities in Bali, that you generally don’t hear out there? Here is a list of some of the fun things to do in Bali to make your trip an awesome one!