Bali Surf Spots
Dry Season Waves
Medewi
Medewi is located in the western part of Bali in the Jembrana Regency. Allow a 2-3 hour drive from Kuta. It is a long left point breaking over a rock bottom. Mainly a slow, full wave but at times can have a fun, racy end section. It breaks on any tide but medium to low tide is best. Medewi handles swells up to 8 – 10ft and is a good beach to get away from the crowds. Accommodation is available.
Balian Beach
About 35 km before you reach Medewi is Balian beach. It is a river mouth which has a nice left hander breaking over a triangular ledge. There are also rights that breaks off the peak but you have to pick your waves. It's best on a medium to high tide and swells up to 6-7ft. Balian is another beach to escape the crowds. Accommodation is available.
Canggu
This area consists of 2 lefts and a right. The first left closest to Kuta is short and fickle. However, with the right conditions it will produce some nice barrels. This wave does not handle low tide and gets backwash on the high tide so medium tides are best with swells up to 5-6 ft. Approx 200m west is a right hander breaking into a river mouth. It is the pick of the three waves but also gets very crowded. It is not an intense wave but great fun. Depending on conditions this wave does produce nice barrels and is best on medium to high tide with swells up to 6-7 ft. Another 100m along the beach is the second left which is known as Pererenan. An average wave but provides relief if the other waves are crowded. It is also best at medium to high tide with swells up to 5-6 ft. In the trade wind season this area blows out about 11-12 o’clock. In the off season, depending on the conditions these waves can be surfed all day. Accommodation is available.
Gecko Reef
This wave is a slow left hander with the odd right that is situated about 1 km towards Kuta from Canggu. On the right conditions it can be a good option for getting away from the crowds at Canggu. This is a good wave for beginners. Gecko Reef is best on a low to medium tide with swells up to 6 ft.
Oberoi
Follow the Legian road past the jail then turn left. Follow the road all the way to the beach. A right hander forms from time to time near the Oberoi Hotel. The bank here can hold bigger swells than the Kuta-Legian area up to 6 ft but it is less consistent. Best on low to medium tide.
Kuta/Legian/Seminyak beach breaks
There are beach breaks all along the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak stretch that come and go depending on the right conditions. The main Kuta Beach area is generally a closeout, but will have a bank or two from time to time. The best and most consistent parts of the beach are the breaks known as Halfway, Padma and Blue Ocean. Halfway has some nice rights and lefts that form near Poppies Lane 2. Padma in the Legian area, at the end of the street with the same name, is where you can find top quality lefts and rights. Further along the coast going towards Canggu you will find Blue Ocean. This part of the beach often gets good quality breaks as well, but is not as constistent. These beach breaks close out at low tide so medium to high tide is best up to 5 ft. At times, crowds can be a problem and locals tend to dominate.
Kuta Reef
Kuta Reef sits about 1 km west of the airport. You are faced with a half kilometre paddle from the shore or alternately you can hire a boat. On its day it’s an excellent hot dog lefthander with long walling sections and good tube rides can be had as well. With size, this reef gets a weird double-up affect. Kuta Reef handles all tides with a swell up to 6 ft is best. Expect big crowds.
Airport Lefts
This left hander is located on the Kuta side of the airport’s runway. You will need to rent a boat or face a long paddle. Airport lefts is a fullish wave that breaks into a channel with a short to medium length of ride. This wave handles swells up to 6-7ft on a medium to high tide.
Airport Rights
On the other side of the airport runway is a medium to long right hand reef break. It is a fast breaking wave with a nice wall and the occasional tube to be had. This wave is fairly exposed and will get blown out when the trade winds are up. Airport rights needs bigger swells to start working. It works up to 8ft and will be best on a medium to high tide. Because the boat trip is longer and more expensive to get to than the other reefs the crowds can often be small.
Belangan
A left hand reef break which at first glance looks world class but often is just too fast. Although on the right swell direction it can get good. Belangan needs a medium or high tide with swells up to 8ft.
Dreamland
Dreamland is a beautiful white sandy beach a short walk from Impossibles and Bingin. It is a quality beach break that produces lefts and rights breaking over a sand bottom. Dreamland is a good wave for surfers of all levels and works on all tides and in most conditions. Although it’s a good wave for novice surfers, at low tide on a bigger swell it can barrel nicely. There is also a nice shore break that produces some fun waves.
Bingin
Bingin is a high quality left hand coral reef break of short to medium length. The take off zone is tight and can get crowded easily. Bingin is a really consistent wave that breaks on all tides but is suited more for the average to advanced surfer. At low tide it gets shallow and hollow. At mid tide Bingin will still have some nice left barrels breaking over the reef. At high tide it is a much more surfable wave. Bingin handles most swells up to 6-7ft.
Impossibles
The next wave along from Bingin is Impossibles which is a fast, racy left hand reef break. There are 3 separate peaks on this wide reef which breaks up the crowds. Impossibles is a wave for good surfers only and when the right conditions, a good swell and offshore winds come together it can link up for a long ride with some nice barrels to be had. The ideal wave size is about 4ft to 8ft.
Padang Padang
This is a Balinese version of Pipeline - a world class left hander breaking over coral reef. Padang Padang is a fast, intense tube for advanced surfers only. This wave needs a medium to high tide with a 5-6ft swell to get going. It can hold swells up to 10ft. The crowd levels are high and getting a wave can be difficult as the take off zone can get packed.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is one of the best known waves in Bali. It is actually a collection of left handers that break over one long coral reef. Uluwatu is for advanced surfers although average surfers can get some good ones when the wave size is smaller.
As mentioned, this reef offers many different breaks which depend on different tides and swells. The Peak is directly in front of the warungs. It is a consistent wave that peaks on the takeoff then runs through to the cave. This wave works best on medium to high tides but can section out if the swell doesn’t line up properly. It breaks on any swell from 2ft to large swells. Outside Corner runs parallel to racetrack (also known as Inside Corner) It starts working as the wave size hits the 7-8ft mark. This wave is best at low tide on any swell. A world class wave. Racetrack is a fast, racy wave that starts in front of the cave then runs down the reef. It offers an intense tube that can get gnarly at times. Racetracks can be affected by face chop in the morning created by the trade winds. Low to medium tide in the afternoon will provide optimum conditions. Works best up to 6ft. Further out from The Peak is a wave called Temples. It is a bit of a paddle so it tends to be less busy. The take off is a big peak that runs off into a nice workable face. Tends to work in larger swells.
Nusa Lembongan
This is a small island sitting off Bali’s east coast. To get there you will need to catch a boat from Sanur. Boats leave just to the left of Sanur reef. The trip takes about 3-5 hrs in a local outrigger but there are faster (but much more expensive) ways to get there. Just grab a tourist brochure from most hotels.
There are three main breaks all within walking distance from the accommodation which fronts right on to the main beach. Shipwreck Is a right hand reef break that’s situated right in front of an old shipwreck. This is the most consistent of the three breaks. This wave produces nice workable faces and barrel rides up to 8ft. Shipwrecks handles all tides but is not for the faint hearted on low tide. Lacerations This break is a super sucky wave that has near perfect barrels from start to finish. This wave is for experienced surfers only and breaks over finger coral. Each wipeout often causes lacerations to your body as the name of the wave suggests. Handles waves up to 10ft and is too dangerous on low tide. Playgrounds Across the channel from Lacerations is a peak that breaks left and right over a coral reef. This is a fun hot dog wave up to 8ft but in larger swells positioning is difficult due to a strong rip. A medium to high tide is best. Ceningan When the swell is small there is a peaky shifting left reef break off Ceningan Island that sits just behind Nusa Lembongan. You can walk there or the local fisherman will take you there for a fee. It is best up to 5ft on a medium to high tide.
Wet Season Waves
Nyang-Nyang (Yang Yang)
Just back on the main road from Uluwatu but on the opposite side of the peninsula is Nyang-Nyang beach. To reach the beach you must follow a track down the cliff face. This reef produces left and right peaks. Nyang –Nyang is not an outstanding surf spot but is the place to check in the wet season when all else is flat. This wave is best on medium to high tides with swells up to 6-7ft.
Greenballs
To get to Greenballs, head out towards Uluwatu then follow the signs to the Bali Cliff Resort at the intersection at Balangan. Green Balls is just on the other side of the Bali Cliff Resort. Be prepared for a long walk down steps to get to the beach at the bottom of the cliff or to ease the burden you might be able to hire a board carrier. The break is a good fun right hand reef break of medium length of ride. This wave tends to section but with the right swell direction will be good. It breaks best on a medium to high tide with swells up to 6-7ft. There is also a left across the channel from the right but it always seems to have a strong rip running into it which causes heavy face chops. Greenballs is usually a good spot to escape crowds.
Nusa Dua
This right hander is another reef break that sits almost a kilometre offshore so it is better to hire one of the local boats to get out there. There are different peaks that hit at different points along the reef which tend to keep the crowds down although the hordes can be hectic at times. The surf here is powerful and will often section out. However, if you choose the right one you will score a long workable face with the odd tube section. Take notice of your position while surfing as a strong current runs down the reef. Constant paddling is needed to stay in your desired spot in the line up. Nusa Dua handles all tides and will handle large waves up to 15ft. There is also a left hander adjacent to the end section of the right but can it be fickle. It is best up to 6ft on a medium to high tide.
Mushroom Rock
Approximately 1 km from Nusa Dua towards Sri Lanka is a small bay where you will find a fickle right hand reef break. It is worth a look if you want to escape the crowds. This wave is best on high tides up to 6ft.
Sri Lanka
This wave breaks directly in front of Club Med. It is an excellent right hand reef break but needs the right swell direction to line up. It is usually smaller than Nusa Dua and is best on a medium to high tide and handles swells up to 10ft.
Serangan
This right hand reef break is situated a long way off shore on what is known as Turtle Island. This break handles swells up to 8ft and produces a nice long wall with the odd tube. Not so long ago Serangan was a secret spot but now crowds can be a problem.
Hyatt Reef
Another right hand reef break which is situated a long way off shore in front of the Bali Hyatt Hotel. Unless you are keen for the paddle, renting a boat is a must. Hyatt Reef consists of an outside and inside peak which is best on a medium or high tide with swells up to 8ft. Anything over this tends to create a strong rip rushing out to sea. On its day you will find some nice tubes at this spot.
Tanjung Sari Lefts
Situated in front of the Sanur beach market you will find a short, hollow left reefbreak. This wave needs high tide with swells up to 6ft. It is not for the faint hearted.
Tanjung Sari Rights
Directly adjacent to Tanjung Sari Lefts is a right reef break. It is an average wave with a short length of ride. This wave tends to section without the proper swell direction. Tanjung Sari Rights is best up to 6-7ft on a high tide.
Sanur
This is the best right hander on Bali. Sanur breaks a long way off shore over a coral reef. This wave needs to have a big swell to get it working. If there is a huge swell at Nusa Dua then Sanur will come to life with long walls and plenty of barrels. Ideal wave size is from 4 – 6ft but this spot can handle much bigger. Sanur can be ridden on all tides but beware of the shallow end section when the tide is low.
Padang Galak
Travel through Sanur and turn off onto the new by pass road (called Ketewel By Pass) As you travel north-east for about 5km, Padang Galak is the first place you will come to. Park your car at the edge of the road and there is a gravel track that leads you to the beach. There are a couple of warungs where you can leave your belongings. Padang Galak is a beach break with rights and lefts that will suit all levels of surfers. The break will work on all tides and works best with a swell of 3ft - 6ft. It can get crowded at times.
Ketewel
About 2km past Padang Galak near the Patasan rivermouth you will find a sucky right breaking over a lava reef. This wave breaks on a high tide only and needs a large south swell to break. It is for experienced surfers only.
Keramas
Travel through Sanur and turn onto the new by pass road that is known as the Ketewel By Pass. Keep travelling north along this road for about 20 minutes until you reach Keramas. Look out for a small blue sign on the right hand side of the road with Keramas painted in yellow then make your way down a dirt track. Keramas has some nice left and right beach breaks. This break works best on a mid to high tide with swells from 3-5 ft up to 8ft. Keramas can become crowded.
Lebih Beach
Keep travelling past Keramas and watch out for the right turn at Gianyar then follow the road down to the beach. This wave is a right hander that breaks over a sand and rock bottom. Lebih Beach is best on a medium to high tide with swells up to 6ft.
Padang Bai
This is the harbour where the ferry leaves for Lombok. Padang Bai is a good right hand reef break that breaks within site of the ferry wharf. This place needs a huge swell to travel down the Lombok strait for it to start working. It is best on a medium to high tide up to 6ft. It rarely breaks so if you get it on crowds will be small.