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Tanjung Lesung Sailing Club – March 2010

Are you looking for the ideal weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta? Tanjung Lesung Sailing Club, a mere 4 hour drive away to the west coast of Java may be the venue for you. Used as an outdoor education location for international school camps the Club offers a wide range of activities in a beautiful and relaxing bayside setting.

The accommodation comprises basic and clean 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom bungalows with all linen provided. Bathrooms are Balinese style and since the last edition of the Jakarta Family Guide, air conditioning has been provided to many of the rooms – although we must admit we give the children the air-conditioned bedroom, as we prefer the mosquito nets and cool sea breezes. At the time of writing, David Bayliss, the owner and Sophie Fabiyanti the manager, were adding water dispensers to all the bungalows. They also plan on installing mini bar fridges so that guests with young children can store snacks, baby food and other essential items that need to be kept chilled. It is a good idea to take snacks for your children to satisfy their appetites in between the excellent meals offered at the Club’s open-air restaurant.

Tanjung Lesung Sailing Club is Kid’s Club Au Natural for big and small. Activities offered are kayaking and sailing on a range of Lasers (if there is a great demand on the day David may even let you sail his). There are sailing instructors on hand for those who wish to view their partner or children’s sailing activity from the hammock or who are novice sailors and require tuition. There is a small pontoon children can swim to and from and the bay is a quiet safe area for all to paddle.

This is a Club so you have the opportunity to join as a member (which we have done) to obtain discounted accommodation and free sailing activities. For non members boats are hired at Rp100,000 an hour. Some members store their boats at the club whilst others may bring them down for the weekend. It is also an animal friendly venue and all guests are allowed to bring their pet dog should they wish to travel through the Jakarta traffic with them (and the children).

For the more adventurous, you can charter a boat to the nearby deserted island and go snorkeling, walking and then fishing. Alternatively you can book through the Club a boat to Krakatau with lunch included but you need to book ahead as there is always great demand). There is also a new reef which has been discovered not too far from shore, I was assured by a Norwegian family staying there that they had experienced “The best snorkeling they have ever done” at this reef. Alternatively you can take one of the mountain bikes for a spin to the surf beach, neighbouring Tanjung Lesong Resort beach club or around the countryside. David was an amateur 'professional' cyclist so be warned if you decide to accompany him for a short cycle!

For those less active, try one of the deck chairs on the beach or a hammock for size, with not one vendor in sight to harass you but the lapping of the sea, it is very easy to unwind and relax here.

David the raconteur host and his manager, Sophie are charming company in the evening at the restaurant for the bigs. Campfires at night on the beach with the occasional toasted marshmallow caps the day for any child (or adult) and a sky resplendent with stars is a reminder of what the sky looks like outside Jakarta.

Weekend prices are slightly more than on the weekdays. 1 bedroom cottages are Rp380,000 ++; 2 bedroom (2 AC) cottages are Rp875,000++ and 2 bedroom (1 AC) 750,000 ++ (All prices are subject to government 21% tax). Club members receive 25% discount and 50% off Friday night (if not a public holiday).

Contact details are here.

Happy Sailing!

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