Bali surf still exists despite the island having been on complete lockdown since mid-March. No tourist visas. No surfing. Nobody spending money. It went from 300 + planes arriving every day, with surfers and visitors swarming beaches and warungs across the island to a near ghost town. It’s been a rough few months, and there’s still a long road ahead for the locals who depend on tourism to survive.
For those of you still on the island or who have made your way here somehow, here is a guide to some of Bali’s surf breaks. I will be updated this guide regularly and adding new spots whenever I can.
Most surfers will want the waves to themselves without having to worry about being snaked by someone of any skill. Therefore, most of the surf breaks on this website are well known within the surfing community worldwide and while there’s a tradition of keeping secret spots under the radar, I could care less. There are enough spots in Bali to go around and Bali will need all the support they can get to survive this pandemic. Maybe by giving up a few secrets here and there will attract people to come again.
Bali SW Coast
Balis SE Coast
Mentawai
- A-frames
- Bank Vaults
- Beng Bengs
- Burger World
- Chubbies
- Ebay
- Four Bobs
- Hideaways
- Kandui Left
- Nipussi
- pitstops
- Playgrounds Left
Before the Storm
However, when there is a word of a big swell coming. All surfers and non-surfers are alike due to the sheer power of nature which triggers, adrenaline, curiosity, and excitement. In fact, there’s a certain formula to the way big swells play out in Bali, Surfers will keep their eyes glued to weather maps looking for the perfect combination of height, period, and direction which will most like produce bigger and more powerful waves especially when swells take longer periods to reach each buoy.
What Season Is The Best Time to Surf?
There’s a certain formula to the way big swells play out in Bali, Surfers keep their eyes glued to weather maps looking for the perfect combination of height, period, and direction which will most like produce bigger and more powerful waves especially when swells take longer periods to reach each buoy.
These swells make their way from the Antarctic and can generate good surf year round. But Bali’s two seasons determine where these waves will break. The general rule is; the east coast is the best place to surf during the wet season and the west coast of Bali is best to surf in the dry season.
Since everyone wants to visit Bali from June to September (Dry Season), the popular breaks get crowded. To avoid this, you must find breaks off the beaten track or come during the wet season.
Surfing Bali in the Dry Season
During Bali’s dry season the best waves can be found on the west coast between Kuta and Uluwatu, the western coastline provides the biggest and best swells generated by south-east winds.
Since everyone wants to visit Bali from June to September (Dry Season), the popular breaks get crowded. To avoid this, you must find breaks off the boonies or come during wet season.
Bali Surf Spot Guide for West Coast
Bingin
Bingin is perhaps Bali’s most perfect wave. It’s consistent, predictable and one of the ‘easiest’ waves to get barreled.
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Bingin
Minimum level: Intermediate
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 8ft Head high to double overhead. Barreling left over the reef
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Perfect barrels; A tight take-off opens up to a hollow left, on a mid-low tide for about 50 meters
Best season for surf: Dry season from April to November
Address: Jl. Pantai Bingin, Pecatu, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia (Map here)
MAP
Nyang Nyang Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Nayang Nayang
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 2-6ft
Ideal swell conditions: SE
Highlights: The long trail there keeps the crowds away, there’s plenty of sea life out whilst you’re in the water
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Nyang Nyang Beach, Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Uluwatu, Bali.
Google map here
Padang Padang
The waves here challenge even the most advanced surfers because the waves are super-fast and break left over a sharp shallow coral reef.
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Padang Padang
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 6ft to 12ft
Ideal swell conditions: SE
Highlights: Regular (and amazing) barrels
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
MAP
Sanur Reef
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Hyatt Reef
Minimum level: Experienced
Waves (Swell Range): South Swell, 3 to 6ft right-hander.
Ideal swell conditions: S swell with west winds at high tide
Highlights: Known to break best on larger swells (double overhead)
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Geo Map It:
Tukad Balian
good for intermediate to advanced surfers. Consistent long fat waves for goofy footers. The Balian River flows into the ocean here which creates strong riptides. Balian produces some of the biggest waves in Bali.
For intermediate to advanced surfers. Consistent long fat waves for goofy footers. The Balian River flows into the ocean here which creates strong riptides. Balian produces some of the biggest waves in Bali.
MAP
Impossibles
A popular surfing spot for the advanced surfer who enjoys solid waves and getting barrelled. Located in the beach resort of Pecatu, 30-minute drive from Legian.
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 4 to 8ft
Ideal swell conditions: S
Highlights: Doesn’t get overcrowded, long reef, with long swell and conditions are suitable for all tides
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
MAP
Uluwatu
The swells are fast and powerful. Ulu’s is a wide reef offering 5 different peaks that break different according to the tide. These main 5 waves all break left down the reef.
Bali Surf Spot Guide for 5 different breaks at Uluwatu
1.Temples: Longest Paddle, Less crowded
2.The Bombie: Needs Large swell and high tide
3.The Peak: In front of the cave, consistent waves
4.Outside Corner: Big swell low tide for experienced surfers.
5.Racetracks: Best at low tide but gets super shallow on a super sharp reef
MAP
Kuta Beach
Smaller and less aggressive, this beach break attracts beginners as well as advanced surfers.
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Kuta
Minimum level: Beginners
Waves (Swell Range): 1-8ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Good beach to learn
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
MAP
Brazilian Eloy Lorenzo Juniors ride
Surfing Bali in the Wet season
If you absolutely dislike crowds or want to relax between sets without having to fight over the next wave, then come during wet season.
During this time of year, the winds change direction but surfers can still find decent waves along Bali’s west coast. The waves are typically smaller and break left, but when monsoons are brewing out in the sea, the best waves can be found on Bali’s east coast where the winds are strong and the swells produce nearly perfect regular footed waves (right-handers).
Bali Surf Spot Guide For The East Coast
Nusa Dua
This break produces heavy regular-footed waves that have been known to get double overhead and barrelled.
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 4 to 8ft
Ideal swell conditions: S
Highlights: Doesn’t get overcrowded, long reef, with long swell and conditions are suitable for all tides
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
MAP
Hyatt Reef
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Hyatt Reef
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 6ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Great learning spot for beginners, with soft, slow waves. Three different surf spots, with something for everyone
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Address: Jl. Duyung, Sanur, Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80716, Indonesia
Google Map here
Keramas
The waves are powerful here and attract more advanced surfers. In addition to lots of sea urchins and sharp shallow coral reefs
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Keramas
1.Temples: Longest Paddle, Less crowded
2.The Bombie: Needs Large swell and high tide
3.The Peak: In front of the cave, consistent waves
4.Outside Corner: Big swell low tide for experienced surfers.
5.Racetracks: Best at low tide but gets super shallow on a super sharp reef
MAP
Kedungu is an easier spot, perfect for smaller days. The beach itself is ideal if you don’t like crowds. It has practically nothing apart from one or two warungs. The wave is fun, long, and quite mellow. Though it is a relatively easy wave, when the swell picks a bit, you should be prepared for some quite big sets to come out of the blue. For some beginners, this was one of their favorite spots, especially on smaller days. For others, it was when the dreadful wipe out day happened. So if you are less comfortable with Bali waves, better try it out on a small swell day.
Yeh Gangga is north after Kedungu. This is a much more difficult spot, mainly for intermediate to advanced surfers depending on the swell. The beach itself has volcanic black sand and is a beach break. It works up to 5ft and is generally recommended on a small swell day. The wave is powerful and tubing but can also be fun.
Medewi
Left break -good for any level of skill depending on the wind this place is usually smooth and fat.
Bali Surf Spot Guide For Medewi
Waves (Swell Range): 2ft to 9ft, average size 2-3ft
Ideal swell conditions: S-SW
Highlights: Longest left-hand point break on the island
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Pantai Batu Bolong Street, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Google map here
Green Bowl
-nice little trek to get to the beach, strong currents and rip tide
Minimum level: Intermediate to advanced
Waves (Swell Range): 1 to 5 feet
Ideal swell conditions: W – NW
Highlights: less crowded
Address: Jl. Bali Cliff, Ungasan, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Google Map here
Suluban Beach
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 12ft, average wave size 3-5ft
Ideal swell conditions: WE
Highlights: Loads of barrels, perfect left and right-hand breaks, consistency
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Google Map here
Batu Bolong
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Batu Bolang
Minimum level: Beginners
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 10ft
Ideal swell conditions: SW
Highlights: Mellow waves, perfect for longboarding, and newbies
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Address: Pantai Batu Bolong Street, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia Google Map here
Echo Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide to Echo Beach
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 4 to 8ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Consistent with fast tubes, lefts, and sometimes, a shorter, right-handed wave
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Google Map here
Balangan Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Balangan Beach
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): 4 to 15ft
Ideal swell conditions: SW
Highlights: Good for surfing all tides!
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Address: South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia Google Map here
Yeh Gangga
Yeh Gangga is north after Kedungu. This is a much more difficult spot, mainly for intermediate to advanced surfers depending on the swell. The beach itself has volcanic black sand and is a beach break. It works up to 5ft and is generally recommended on a small swell day. The wave is powerful and tubing but can also be fun.
Jungut Batu Beach @ Nusa Lembongan
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan, Jungut Batu and Mahana Point
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 8ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Easy paddle, closer to the shore and good low tide breaks
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Geo track it: Gg. Nusa Indah, Jungutbatu, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia Google Map here)
Razors @ Nusa Lembongan
Waves (swell range): long left-hander
Ideal swell conditions: S–W swell with SE trade winds
Best season to surf: dry season. (May-Oct)
Geo track it:
Lacerations @ Nusa Lembongan
Waves (swell range): right-hand barrel
Ideal swell conditions: 5 foot S-W swells with SE trade winds
Best season to surf: dry season. (May-Oct)
Geo track it:
Mahana Point @ Nusa Lembongan
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Mahana Point
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 10ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Got a nice steep pocket for breaking into and not into the reef
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Sep)
Address: Lembongan, Nusapenida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771, ID
Google Map here
Shipwrecks @ Nusa Lembongan
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Shipwrecks
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 10ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: The line is filled with all level surfers, so no need to feel intimidated in the water.
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Gg. Nusa Indah, Jungutbatu, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Google Map here
No Man’s @ Nusa Lembongan
Bali Surf Spot Guide for No Man’s
Minimum level: Intermediate
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 4ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – SW
Highlights: Smaller swell and waves
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Gg. Nusa Indah, Jungutbatu, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Google Map here
Playgrounds @ Nusa Ceningan
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Playgrounds
Minimum level: Intermediate
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 10ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Good for all surf types; short boarders, longboarders and bodyboarders, gnarly right with an epic open tube time
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Gg. Nusa Indah, Jungutbatu, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771 Google Map here
Balian Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Balian
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 12ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: There’s often big swell here with nice long, powerful left, where the swell at other west coast beaches may not be as big.
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Address: Lalanglinggah, West Selemadeg, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82162, Indonesia
Google Map here
Blackstone Nusa Dua Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Blackstone
Minimum level: Advanced/Pro
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 5ft
Ideal swell conditions: SE
Highlights: Soft waves, perfect for beginners to learn
Best season for surf: Wet Season (Oct-Apr)
Address: Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Google map here
Dreamland Beach
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Dreamland
Minimum level: Beginners
Waves (Swell Range): 2 to 10ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Mellow waves, beautiful surroundings
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Jl. Pantai Balangan No.54, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia Google Map here
Kedonganan Beach @ Jimbaran
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Kedonganan
Minimum level: Beginner
Waves (Swell Range): 3 to 5ft
Ideal swell conditions: W
Highlights: Beach break and no reef to worry about.
Best season for surf: Dry Season (May-Oct)
Address: Kedonganan, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Google Map here
Airports Right and Left
One of the first surf spots you’ll see when you flying into Ngurah Rai International Airport, accessible by boat,
Bali Surf Spot Guide for Airports
Minimum level: Intermediate
Waves (Swell Range): 2-4 ft
Ideal swell conditions: S – W
Highlights: Less crowded;
Nias
Afulu
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left-break
Ideal swell conditions: SW swell with NE winds during all tides
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
Asu
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left break
Ideal swell conditions: W swell with E winds during all tides
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
Dipi
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left and right break
Ideal swell conditions: S swell with NW winds during mid-tide
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
Hilisataro “Rock Star”
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): right break
Ideal swell conditions: S swells with NNW winds during mid-tide
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time)
Coordinates:
The Point
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): right-break
Ideal swell conditions: SSW swell with N winds during all tides
Highlights:
Best season for surf: Year around
Coordinates:
Indicators point
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): right-break
Ideal swell conditions: WSW swell with N winds during high-tide
Highlights:
Best season for surf: Indicators point in West Java is an exposed reef break that has reliable surf. May-Oct (Dry Season) is the best time of year for waves. Works best in offshore winds from the northeast. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the optimum swell angle is from the southwest. A reef breaks right. Sometimes crowded. Take care of urchins, rips, pollution, sharks, rocks. Starts working when Cimaja is starting to max out – if Cimaja’s 4-5 foot, indicators is probably 6-8
Coordinates:
Secret
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left-break
Ideal swell conditions: SW swell with NE winds during all tides
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
The Machine
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left-break
Ideal swell conditions: SSW swell with ENE winds during high-tide
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
Walohiu
Minimum level: All levels
Waves (Swell Range): left-break
Ideal swell conditions: SW swell with NE winds during mid to high-tide
Highlights:
Best season for surf: May-Sept or in some years it’s April-Oct August= hammer time
Coordinates:
Surf Breaks in Java
G-land
Minimum level: Experienced
Waves (Swell Range): left-break
Ideal swell conditions: S SW swell with SE winds during mid to high-tide
Highlights: consistent waves all through dry season- bring booties
Best season for surf: Dry season; April – October
Coordinates: 8.7258° S, 114.3626° E
Hazards: sharp shallow reef, and sea urchins, bring booties
Where is G-Land?
G-Land is located on the southern tip of the island of Java. At the far end of a peninsula facing west into the Indian Ocean. It’s situated near Taman Nasional Alas Purwo.
Closest surf camp:
How to get to G-Land from Bali?
- Option 1: Take a 2hr fast boat from Kuta, Bali.
- Option 2: Drive 7 hours including a 4-km ferry ride to Ketapang, located in East Java from the Western tip of Bali.
Cimaja
Minimum level: Intermediate
Waves (Swell Range): right-break
Ideal swell conditions: SW swell with N winds during high-tide
Highlights: consistent waves all through dry season- bring booties
Best season for surf: March – October
Coordinates: 6.9306° S, 106.4907° E
Hazards: Sharp Rock shelf, shallow cobblestones
Where is Cimaja?
Cimaja is a small village in the West Javan regency of Sukabumi. About 8 km, or a 15-minute drive, west of Pelabuhan Ratu.
How to get to Cimaja from Bali
- Fly to Jakarta and then rent a car
Cimaja Surf Spots
Indicators, Karang Cibang Haji Known as Karang Haji -6.9614° S, 106.4200° E, Cikembang, Sunset Beach – Also known as Karang Hawu, Samudra, and Loji Point
Other Nearby Surf Breaks closest to Indicators point:
- Closest break Cimaja1 km
- Second closest break Karang Haji – OceanQueen Hotel4 km
- Third closest break Samudra 6 km
- Fourth closest break Loji 10 km
- Fifth closest break Baya Reef 27 km
Check out other articles about surfing here: Surfing Culture in Bali