BALI Surf information
THE WAVES ON THE ISLAND OF BALI
AIRPORT LEFTS
As the name implies, Airport lefts is in front of the northern side of the airport runway in Tuban, about 1.5kms south of Kuta Reef and approx 1km from the beach. Hire one of the local boats to get there, and save your energy for surfing. Approx cost is 20 000 Indonesian Rupee (R20.00 for a return trip)
Season - Dry Season (May-September)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - At 4 to 5 ft Airport Lefts begins to close when it gets bigger than this
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - This break is a favourite of Japanese surfers so it can get crowded. Good for girls and "beginner" surfers. The waves are not super powerful and the only runs for about 70 metres.
AIRPORT RIGHTS
Airport Rights is on the southern side of the airport runway and the wave can not be seen from the Kuta/Tuban area. The only way to reach this break is by hiring one of the local boats and do expect to pay a little more than for the other breaks in the area as its a lot further out.
Season - Dry Season (May - September)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 3 to 6 ft
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - When the swell is big on the reefs along the Kuta stretch it's worth taking a trip around to Airport Rights as it does take a bit of big swell before this break starts to work. With a high tide in the morning and a big swell to go with it, the chances are that this break will be working. Airport Rights is a classic right hand wave with rides up to 100 metres or more. When it's working in the 2 - 4ft range you can generally expect it to be crowded.
KUTA REEF
Kuta Reef is located approx 800 metres offshore, just to the left of the Discovery Kartika Plaza Resort. Hire one of the local boats to get out to the break - for a few dollars they will take you out and then pick you up when you're finished surfing (sometimes best to make a pre arranged time for a pickup with the boat operator that takes you out and only make payment upon your return!)
Season - Dry Season (May - September)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 5 ft is the best and also better on a middle to high tide
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Kuta Reef is a very popular break and due to its convenient and central location it is not hard to find 15 to 20 surfers in the water. Have patience and pick you times and you will end up with a fun surf. When conditions are right, Kuta Reef produces a world class lefthander with waves travelling for up to 200 metres or more with some good barrel sections.
CANGGU
Canggu is situated on the southern coast between Seminyak and Tanah Lot. If you travel by car, there is only a very small car park so it can be more convenient with a motorbike. This reef break has a regional classic wave that should be sampled while in Bali. It has both lefts and rights but the lefts are much better than the rights and the waves can be very fast and the ride is short. It works best on the mid and high tides with a swell size of 5 to 6ft. Surfing hazards are the rips and rocks in the surfing area. A number of locals surf this break so be prepared for a little attitude from some of them. The surf can blow out if the wind picks up and the break can get crowded at high tide as it only supports about 25 surfers. The warung at the beach has a toilet and there is also a well where you can wash off after the surf. The warung also serves basic food and drinks.
SANUR
Sanur, Tandjungs and Hyatt are the three main reefs at Sanur. To get there just follow the bypass main road to Sanur and then turn right at either of the two sets of traffic lights in Sanur. From any of the beach areas you should be able to see at least one of the reefs. Hyatt Reef is, as the name implies, is infront of the Bali Hyatt Resort.
Season - Wet Season (November - April)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 6 ft
Best Winds - West South West
Break - The breaks in the Sanur area require a lot of big swell to get them working properly. If there is huge swell at Nusa Dua you will find some perfect right handers along the Sanur reefs. Be warned that the local surfers are very 'wave hungry' and also not too happy about sharing their local break! They can make it difficult for any newcomer, especially when the waves are under 5ft and this can make it difficult to get waves. Be polite and show respect.
PADANG GALAK
Travel through Sanur and turn off onto the new bypass road (called Ketewel bypass) on the far side of Sanur. Padang Galak is the first place you come to after turning onto this road. Park your car at the edge of the road and walk through the rice paddy field. There are a couple of warungs where you can leave your belongings. There are plenty of peaks along the break.
The beach is a black sand beach and the break works best in the wet season when Kuta and other breaks are onshore. The black sand can get really hot to walk on. It is also popular with Japanese surfers so it sometimes can get a little crowded.
Padang Galak is a beachbreak with a standard right and left wave that will suit all levels of surfers. The break generally suits all tides and works best on a South West or Southerly swell of 3ft to 8ft with winds from the North West or West.
KERAMAS
Travel through Sanur and turn onto the new bypass road that is known as the Ketewel bypass and keep travelling north along this road through Ketewel, Pabean and Saba until you reach Keramas. When you reach Keramas (approx 15-20 minutes depending on traffic) you will see a small blue sign on the right hand side of the road with Keramas painted in yellow and this takes you down a dirt track. Keep your eyes open as it can be hard to find.
Keramas is a traditional beach break with a right and left and is a world class wave that is powerful and fast but fun. This break is more suited to experienced surfers. It is best at mid and high tide with a swell from 3 to 5 ft up to 8ft and the wind is best from the West on a North West or Easterly swell. If Keramas isn't working there are three other beaches within walking distance and the breaks on these may be working so it is worth checking out. It is generally not crowded, friendly and relaxing with great waves.
SERANGAN
From Nusa Dua, Jimbaran or Kuta/Tuban areas follow the bypass road to Sanur. About half way to Sanur from the large Kuta roundabout you will see a large wholesale store called Makro. On the other side of the bypass, almost opposite the entry to the Makro store, you will see a new, unsealed limestone (white rock) road. Do a U-Turn at the next turn-through area and turn into this road and it will take you through to the Serangan surf break.
Season - Wet Season (November - April)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 6 ft
Best Winds - West South West
Break - Not very long ago this was a 'secret' spot known only to the local surfers but these days it is very popular, particularly with the Japanese surfers and does get crowded. Very early morning (if conditions are right) is usually the least crowded.
NUSA DUA
To get to this reef you have to drive in to the town itself and then weave your way south, there are a couple of other good waves in this area so it pays to do a bit of exploring.
Season - Wet Season (October - April)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 8 ft
Best Winds - West North West
Break - Nusa Dua is a popular break in the wet season so it can get crowded. Best thing with this break is that the actual reef stretches over a very large area and there are at least three or four take off spots to surf. Even though this is a popular break in the wet season it is not as crowded as the popular dry season breaks as it is also a low season for visiting surfers. The waves are powerful with a good tube section but be warned that the break usually has a very strong current running and this usually works against you and gives you a lot of work to do to stay on your take off point. The reef is almost a kilometer offshore so it is better to hire one of the local boats to reach the break in comfort. It is best to stay at the 5* Nikko Resort in the area to get direct and easy access to the wave.
BALANGAN
Balangan is located on the southern (Uluwatu) peninsula. Not too long ago it was a hard place to find but now there is a sealed road that will take you almost to the break. The reef is conveniently situated right in front of the beach and only a short paddle out required.
Season - Dry Season (May - October)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 8 ft
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Before the new road, crowds were never a factor at Balangan but with the direct, easy access it is attracting more surfers. The Balangan waves are very fast and best on a mid to high time.
BINGIN
Bingin is the next reef south of Balangan and has always been fairly easy to reach and is well known by surfers. Traveling from the Kuta area through Jimbaran and onto the Uluwatu road you are on a good sealed road, but be warned the last 500 metres or so is a very rough, unsealed road. The reef, like Belangan, is close to shore and a short paddle out.
Season - Dry Season (May - October)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 3 to 5 ft
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Bingin is a very well known break and can get very crowded in the peak season. There is only one take off area and the wave itself is good but a short ride.
IMPOSSIBLES
The well known Impossibles break is located between Bingin and Padang Padang, so if you're surfing at either of these breaks you will be able to check out what's happening at Impossibles.
Season - Dry Season (May - October)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 8 ft
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Impossibles, although popular, does not suffer from crowds as the reef stretches over a large area giving the surfer a large choice of take off spots. When the wave at Impossible is lining up well and the height gets over the 5ft mark on a mid range tide, you can expect to get some fast, long rides.
PADANG PADANG
Padang Padang only begins to work when there is a big swell running. A sealed road now takes you all the way to the top of the stairs that lead down to a beautiful white sandy beach in front of the reef. It is an easy paddle out to the break through the channel.
Season - Dry Season (May - October)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 5 to 8ft
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Padang Padang can get extremely crowded when it is working and this is due to its fame and popularity with surfers. With a large crowd it is not hard for tempers to flare up and arguments begin which are often caused by drop-ins. Best time to catch a wave at this break when conditions are right is early in the morning. It is a great wave and one that you will long remember.
ULUWATU
Uluwatu is situated almost at the southern tip of Bali. Once it was quite a trek to reach the break but, these days, you can drive or ride all the way to the warungs and steps on a sealed road. There are 4 different sections to surf at Uluwatu. Temples has a long, hollow wave that works well on a mid to high tide. The Peak is right in front of the warungs on the cliff and in line with the cave and this break is also best on the high tide. Racetracks is a super fast but makeable barrel that works on a low tide, but does get seriously shallow. Outside Corner is considered by many surfers to be one of the best waves anywhere in the world, The Corner won't even begin to break until the swell is at least around 8 ft then, if you are game, you are in for one long, fast ride.
Season - Dry Season (May – October)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 3 to 10ft Uluwatu always seems to have waves and rarely goes flat. All conditions seem to work.
Best Winds - South East Trade Winds
Break - Uluwatu would be the most well known break in Bali and has become the break that all surfers want to surf at least once. Because of its popularity it can get crowded in almost any conditions but will always be crowded with the swell in the 2 to 6 ft range. When the corners are also breaking, the crowd becomes less of a worry. The crowd of surfers generally spread out over a reasonably large area between Temples and The Peak so if you use a little patience, you will get enough waves.
GREEN BALLS
To get to the break at Green Balls, head out towards Uluwatu and follow the signs to the Bali Cliff Resort at the intersection at Balangan. Green Balls is just the other side of the Bali Cliff Resort and but be warned that there are over 600 steps to get to the bottom of the cliff!
Season - Wet Season (November - April)
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Size - 4 to 6ft
Best Winds - West North West
Break - The Green Balls break is at the bottom of a cliff so just follow the staircase down to the bottom. No problem getting down but remember that after you have been surfing for a couple of hours the return trip back up the steps will be quite a bit harder. There are usually people around that you can pay to carry your gear for you. Because of these factors the break is never crowded.
NYANG NYANG
Nyang-Nyang break is on the old Uluwatu road. Look for the Nyang-Nyang Hotel. It is a well known break and most people can direct you to the break. When you reach the break you will need to go down the cliff via the steps. The break has a quality right and left wave that produces a ride of 50 - 150 metres depending on conditions. This is a wave that should be sampled and not missed on your next surfing trip to Bali. The break tends to work on all tides and begins working with a swell of about 3ft through to 8ft plus. The break will never be crowded due to its location and access via the long set of steps.
BALIAN
Balian is on the west road that travels to Medewi and Java (G-Land). It is a great place to stop off and have a surf on your way there. About 1.5hrs after leaving Denpasar area, you will see a broken surfboard on the left hand side of the road with Balian written on it. Follow the road for about 5 minutes and park at the warung at the top of the cliff.
The break is made up of reef and rocks and has a quality right and left hand wave producing a ride of about 150 metres on a good day and is suitable for all levels of surfer. The break can work on all tides and optimum swell size is from 3ft to 8ft. The lefts are usually longer and better shaped than the right handers. When you enter the water you will be taken out by the current to the right. Do not try to master the current because you simply will not succeed! After a 50 metre offshore paddle to the left, it's a long paddle to the peak but you will be rewarded with some very long rides. Balian is a nice quiet spot, not crowed and a typically beautiful Bali surf break but, like Medewi, surfing must be done in the early morning as by mid to late morning the onshore winds will begin to blow the surf out.
MEDEWI
To reach Medewi you have to drive north west from Kuta for around 2.5 hours in hellish traffic conditions. As this is the main traffic artery between Java and Bali it is always clogged with cars, vans, trucks, buses and motorbikes so the best option is to leave very early in the morning and beat most of the traffic. There are also a number of good breaks at the river mouths along the way, and you will rarely see anyone surfing them. Leaving Kuta head through Denpasar and follow the signs to Tabanan and keep following the main road north west.
Season - Wet & Dry Seasons: Early mornings are best as the winds can blow the surf out by midday
Swell Direction - South
Ideal Wave Size - 4 to 6ft
Best Winds - Early morning with light winds
Break Popularity - There is usually no crowd problems which is probably due to the distance from the main tourist areas on the Southern Peninsula. Also many only make a day trip as there is no nightlife available but the locals are very friendly - even in the surf. When working, the Medewi waves will give you long ride but does not offer many tube sections.
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