Located on the southern coast, Pelaburan Ratu (PR) is known as the closest surfing spot from Jakarta and takes 3,5-4 hours to get there on a perfect day (took us 6 hours on Sunday afternoon).
Where to stay
PR does not attract a lot of international tourists and most options are rather basic but affordable, clean and comfortable. We tried Ocean Queen, Seavibes and visited (but did not stay) at Kuda Laut. Of the three, Seavibes was our favorite. It can house large groups, has a big garden overlooking the ocean, just steps away from a surfing school.
Where to eat
When we stayed at Seavibes, we rented the entire house and brought a lot of food and kitchen utensils to cook ourselves (the kitchen is very poorly equipped). We also ordered one meal from the villa and went to Nurda Cimaja Point Restaurant. It’s a 10min drive and well worth the trip: the burgers and thai curries were delicious and the views over the garden and ocean were gorgeous. There are a few rooms for rent too but unfortunately without direct access to the beach.
What to do
Mainly 2 things: chill and surf. Our kids had loads of fun taking surfing and bodyboarding lessons (each child was accompanied by one instructor at all times).
I heard there are beautiful hikes inland that lead to pristine waterfalls but we didnt get to those.
What you need to know
Getting to PR by car is not exactly pleasant, half the trip is on small winding roads, going up and down the hills. A few kids in our group got car sick so It’s definitely worth packing some medicine.
PR is known for its waves but it is also famous for its unpredictable currents., which is why we felt safest swimming in front of the surfing school where instructors were always on standby.
All in all, PR is probably not for everybody. It is too far for a 2 day weekend and does not have a lot to offer to those who dont surf. I would go back but would probably combine it with a visit to Ciletuh Hills which we havent visited yet.
What to pack? Check my packing list here
