Surf Breaks in Bali
a list of places
by Rick
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Medewi can be a very long workable left during a solid swell. This spot is known for being a lot softer than the waves of the Bukit, and longboarders, and less ambitious surfers flock to this place in search of their Bali High. Though Medewi is in Bali, there is a different feel to this place. Much of the population of Medewi are actually from Java, Islam is much more present than the rest of Bali, and it's almost as if you have traveled to a different island. -
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The wave at Balian is a rivermouth beach and rock break that offers up very rippable shifting A-frame peaks. Usually the lefts are better than the rights, and both can show an inside barrel section when it all comes together. Balian is not a place to go when there is a big swell running. It will be impossible to paddle out and the currents will become dangerous. If a big swell is running most surfers will continue west another half an hour to Medewi. -
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Canggu is a strip of black sand beach and reef breaks that is known for having something for everyone. There are a few soft rolling waves that are ideal for beginners, some hot dog, rippable peaks, for high performance surfing, and, when it's big, there are some gnarly, beachfront barrels for expert surfers. Canggu is more south facing than Kuta Beach and will usually be bigger. -
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Kuta was once a long stretch of empty beach with local fisherman heading out for their daily catch, that was 30 years ago. Now it is the center of the tourist industry, crowded, water can get a bit dirty but that hasn't stopped people from flocking to this break for years. It's a fast beach break that can get pretty heavy on really big days and is deceptively powerful.
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Kuta Reef is a long paddle for anyone and it's best to take a boat out there. Another thing about Kuta reef is that it can be wind affected and is usually best when surfed early mornings or late afternoons. As Kuta is close by, crowds can become an issue at Kuta Reef and some days it can seem like it's just more of a hassle than it's worth. -
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A right-hander in a sea of lefts, Airport Rights is much sought after by locals and travellers to Bali. On smaller days the wave can be a trickling right-hander that can be fun on high tides for beginner to intermediate surfers. However, proper Airport Rights can be awesome. A serious barrel.
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During a small to mid sized swell, Dreamland will break as a disorganized, rolling, outer beachbreak from mid to low tide. This is perfect for beginner to intermediate surfers, and it is common to see a crowd of longboarders and bodyboarders out there. On lower tides, there is a reform section on the inside of this beachbreak that can be fun for shortboarding, bodyboarding or bodysurfing. To the right of this beachbreak there are a series of rocks and clumps of reef that break in a semi-organized peak of lefts and rights. On smaller days these waves are nothing special, however, Dreamland is a swell magnet, and if there is a big swell running, and a low tide, the outer reefs at Dreamland can transform into some really good barreling A frames. -
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Balangan is the last of the major left hand reef breaks on the Bukit. On it's day, it is an epic big wave spot with shifting peaks giving way to 300mtr smokers. On smaller days, Balangan offers a few different peaks, and is best on a mid to low tide when they can connect and form a long, racy, wall.
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This wave at the end of the Impossibles' reef loves a four-foot swell and a mid-low tide. When it's on, every wave of every set will have a clean, open, perfect, barrel. If you want to get a barrel, this is the place where it's almost guaranteed. However, you will not be the only one in the water seeking this experience. Bingin can be a very crowded place to surf.
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Though Padang Padang breaks relatively frequently during the season, Classic Padang, is rare. For it all to come together, a strong, long period s/w swell, mid tides, and light offshores are required. Even with all of the elements in place, sometimes Padang Padang can pinch, or mutate halfway through the barrel. Not good when you consider that a wipeout in these conditions is very serious and means almost certain injury, broken boards, or both. When Padang Padang is classic, surfers can expect deep, dry, heavy, big tubes.
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Uluwatu is actually a series of breaks on the southwest tip of the Bukit Peninsula. These include The Racetrack, The Peak, Temples, Outside Corner, and The Bombie. With all of these breaks to choose from, Uluwatu is an ultra-consistent spot. Depending on the tide and swell size any of these breaks will usually be firing at one point during the day. When the Largest swells of the year hit Bali, Uluwatu transforms into a true Big wave surfing venue. -
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Though not a fantastic wave by Indonesia standards, Nyang Nyang is probably the most beautiful surf spot on the island and can provide for a nice alternative from the usual warung experience. The view from the top of the cliff is spectacular and the beach below is inviting. However, there are 600 steps between the top of the cliff and that beach. -
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Green Bowls is a lesser-known spot that is often mediocre. It requires a medium sized swell and a mid-high tide to be at it's best, and even this is usually not at all epic by Indonesia standards. Some days there is also a left-hander breaking on the other side of the reef. There can be a viciously strong current flowing through this channel and on bigger days, it's best to err on the side of caution if you are questioning whether or not to go out. A broken leash or board means that the surfer will be sucked out to sea. -
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Nusa Dua is the rainy season bread and butter equivalent to Uluwatu. There's always a wave, and often it's Big. Nusa Dua is a swell magnet and sometimes it's too big, in fact Nusa Dua is known to have the biggest rideable surf in Bali, and much of Indonesia. Nusa Dua can be a great wave and is usually a good place to ride a bigger board. -
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When Nusa Dua is huge and dangerous, it's worth a look at Sri Lanka. This wave is directly in front of the Club Med Resort. Often Sri Lanka is inconsistent and imperfect, sectioning, and offering only a fat end section. However, when it all comes together, this can be one of the best barrels anywhere. When it's on, Sri Lanka is a very challenging wave to surf, particularly on your backside. To make the wave, you need to drop in behind the peak and immediately enter a dredging barrel section. To misjudge this barrel section usually means a trip to a sharp and shallow reef. -
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Serangan is a great rainy season surf spot. There's almost always good rideable surf, there's several different peaks, and it breaks on almost any tide. For the most part Serangan is a group of hot dog waves almost resembling a beach break. However, during a huge swell Serangan transforms into a big, bowling, barreling right-hander.
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Just south of Sanur, way out at sea, surfer's can catch a glimpse of what appears to be a long, spinning, right-hander peeling along a huge stretch of reef. This is Hyatt Reef. Many days, distance is a friend to this wave, and on closer inspection, what will be revealed is an imperfect, ultra shallow, cluster of sections. However, with a solid swell, and a higher tide, Hyatt Reef can be as good as it looks. -
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Like it's dry season cousin Padang Padang, Sanur requires a huge swell to be hitting the coast. If Nusa Dua is over ten feet, then there's a chance that Sanur could be firing, however, a long drive often ends in disappointment when Sanur is only three feet and slightly onshore. When the swell is hitting Sanur at six feet or more, and the wind is offshore or glassy, and the tide is mid low-high, Sanur can be a world-class wave, as good as anywhere - a long, bowling wave with multiple barrel sections over ultra-sharp living coral. -
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It's an excellent reefbreak in a classic black sand beach and rice field setting, and.. In a land of perfect lefts, it's one of a few perfect rights.
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- total distance: 71 miles (114 km)
Followers
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Kris NewYokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
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Kirill KhizhinSt Petersburg, Russia -
ElizabethNorth Carolina, USA
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Surfing20 followers
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