How to get there
Unless you’re staying in the area on your Bali Surf Trip, Medewi requires a bit of a drive. Located 2 hours north of Kuta or about 2 and a half hours from our camp on the Bukit Peninsula. The drive takes you inland through Denpasar.
Hazards
The cobblestone and sand seafloor is great for beginners.
What’s close by
Despite Medewi’s remote location, there are plenty of dining options for a post-surf meal. Checkout Maruf Dewi Rasta-Café for healthy breakfast bowls or dine at Waroeng Batan Jati for some delicious local cuisine.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Medewi was once Bali’s best-kept secret. Located far north on the island’s west coast, Medewi is removed from typical tourists’ routes and therefore seen as a quiet and tranquil destination compared to many of the popular surf breaks on the island.
How to get there
Unless you’re staying in the area on your Bali Surf Trip, Medewi requires a bit of a drive. Located 2 hours north of Kuta or about 2 and a half hours from our camp on the Bukit Peninsula. The drive takes you inland through Denpasar.
Hazards
The cobblestone and sand seafloor is great for beginners.
What’s close by
Despite Medewi’s remote location, there are plenty of dining options for a post-surf meal. Checkout Maruf Dewi Rasta-Café for healthy breakfast bowls or dine at Waroeng Batan Jati for some delicious local cuisine.
About the wave
Medewi offers surfers a lengthy, friendly left point that moves across cobblestone and sand. The left at Medwi can be the island’s longest ride. Given the right conditions, the waves stretch to half a kilometer long.
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, but cannot handle southeast or northwest trade winds.
Skill level required
Medewi is great for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Located north of Kuta beach, Canggu offers an intermediate option to the beginner crowds scattered throughout Kuta and Seminyak
About the wave
The black sands of Canggu are home to a variety of waves that cater to both beginners and intermediates. The inside reef produces fun long rides. The lefts tend to be a bit longer than the rights. The reef is submerged, so the wave can be surfed by beginners
Ideal conditions
Canggu works best with a south-southwest swell with northeast winds at mid-tide.
Skill level required
Surfing Canggu is great for intermediate surfers
How to get there
Canggu is about 2 hours away from The airport The drive/ scooter ride will take you along the Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai through Kuta.
Hazards
Be mindful of the reef, especially those who have never surfed a reef break before.
What’s close by
Canggu is a yoga retreat hot spot and is therefore littered with Yoga studios, smoothie shops, and trendy bars/restaurants. Canggu is also home to the breathtaking Tanah Lot Temple, located just 300 meters offshore on a rock outcrop surrounded by ocean.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
Keramas sits roughly 38 kilometers away from our surf camp on the Bukit Peninsula. By scooter that translates to approximately 80 minutes of drive time between you and your first Keramas session. The drive bypasses the heavy traffic of Denpasar.
Hazards
The crowds and sharp reef are constant hazards at Keramas.
What’s close by
Warung Legong is right across the street from Keramas and remains a favorite spot among pro surfers
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Keramas is a current World Surf League World Tour stop, the island’s best right, and perhaps one of bali’s best surf spots
About the wave
Keramas is Bali’s premier east coast break. When the winds shift during the rainy season, the east coast lights up with swell and Keramas handles it best. The result is a combination of deep barrel sections, carvable walls, and launch ramps that breaks over a jagged lava reef.
Ideal conditions
Keramas is at its best form with a south-southwest swell and a northwest wind direction. The wave works well during all tides and can even stay consistent during a light onshore wind. Mainly a Bali wet season surf spot
Skill level required
Keramas is for advanced surfers. Don’t be surprised if you see a few pros in the lineup. The locals also surf at an extermely high level at keramas
Another east coast gem, Sanur will provide surfers with a reliable right with plenty of barreling potential.
About the wave
During a large swell, Sanur transforms into a freight train barrel that breaks for hundreds of meters over a jagged reef.
Ideal conditions
It takes well overhead conditions for Sanur to do its thing.
Skill level required
Advanced surfers only.
How to get there
Roughly 22 kilometers along Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai will bring you to Sanur in roughly 40 minutes.
Hazards
The live coral reef and crowds make Sanur an expert only wave.
What’s close by
All-Inclusive hotels, restaurants and shops Sanur is also home to the oldest artifact in Bali, The Blanjong Pillar which dates back to 914 AD.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
Access to surf Serangan is by boat only, since road access has been blocked in recent years. Boats charge 100K to 200K IDR for a return trip
Hazards
Crowds of tourists without surfing ability cluttering the lineup.
What’s close by
Boats to Serangan can also drop beginners and intermediates off at Baby Sanur reef
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Serangan is a fun reef break for intermediate and good surfers. Is the go to spot in Bali rainy season between November and March since the winds are offshore or side offshore
About the wave
Fun lefts and rights split between several peaks. Picks up a good amount of Swell
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, westerly (offshore ) winds. Best in early mornings with light winds
Skill level required
Intermediate and good surfers
Located just north of the Bukit Penisula is the once sleepy fishing village turned tourism capital of Bali. Kuta was the first location surfed on Bali and remains consistent for surfers of all levels.
About the wave
Kuta beach is great for learning to surf and kids. Kuta Reef is good for intermediate surfers looking to hone their reef surfing skills.
Ideal conditions
Best in Dry season with offshore winds. Picks up a decent amount of swell size.
Skill level required
Kuta beach is great for beginners, Kuta reef is good for intermediate surfers
How to get there
Half an hour driving via Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai will take you to Kuta Reef.
Hazards
Crowd levels and the reef at Kuta Reef
What’s close by
A better question might be, “what’s not close by?” Kuta is the center of Bali tourism and is home to hundreds of shops and restaurants.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
Organize a boat from either Jimbaran Bay or Kuta beach to drop you off and pick you back up
Hazards
Shallow reef on lower tides. Big crowds when it’s good
What’s close by
Kuta reef is another surf spot close by
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
The surfbreaks at the airport are a great alternative for people based around the Kuta and Jimbaran area looking for high quality reef breaks without having to go to the Bukit
About the wave
Left and Right reef breaks that break on the western side of the runway at the Airport.
Ideal conditions
Best on the higher tides and expct rides of up to 100 mteres with fun barrel sections
Skill level required
Advanced and expert surfers
Nusa Dua is a righthand swell magnet located on Bali’s East coast.
About the wave
Copious amounts of swell are funneled into the Lombok straight and bent over 2 kilometers of coral reef to produce a shifty, peaky right-hander. The wave combines heavy lip bowls and long speedy walls.
Ideal conditions
Nusa Dua works best during a southwest swell with northwesterly wind directions.
Skill level required
Due to the reef, Nusa Dua is an advanced surfer’s wave.
There are other surf spots close by: Mushroom and black rock that also cater for beginners and intermediate surfers
How to get there
40 minutes by car or scooter via Jl. Dharmawangsa will take you to Nusa Dua beach.
Hazards
The sharp reef and crowds can be a danger at Nusa Dua.
What’s close by
After a long surf, enjoy local flavors for a great price at Warung Bule & Susy.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
An easy 10-minute scooter ride from Swell Bali brings you to the white sandy beach of Balangan
Hazards
Sharp reef and crowds of mixed abilities
What’s close by
Dreamland is just around the corner. Several warungs right on the beach serve cold beers and nasi warungs in a friendly vibe
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Balangan is a consistent left hand wave that has big walls and barrel sections. Located at a pretty white sandy beach.
About the wave
Powerfull left hander with barrels and rippable sections. Picks up plenty of Swell
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, Can handle swell size from 2′ to 12′
Skill level required
The inside is a good spot for beginners and intermediate surfers to practice their skills, the outside is good for advanced and expert surfers
Pretty beach with awful development on and around the beach and golf course.
About the wave
Fun mellow left and right waves that break over a mellow & flat rock shelve
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, better on lower tides.
Skill level required
Intermediate & advanced surfers
More info
Surfing Dreamland Spot guide
How to get there 10 minute walk or 3 minute scooter drive from Swell Bali
Hazards Shorebreak and submerged rocks What’s close by Walk to Bingin on low tide
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
Walk to the beach from Swell in minutes
Hazards
Sharp reef, level of surfers in the water is high.
What’s close by
Kellies Warung on the beach offer good food and drinks and a great view of the wave.
More info: Surfing Bingin
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Stunning white sandy beach and a machine like left hand wave
About the wave
On low and mid tides it’s a machine like left hand barrel . On high tide it’s a great spot for beginners and intermediates.
Ideal conditions
Dry season offshore winds and any swell size between 1′ and 10′
Skill level required
Depends on the tide: see above
Long left hand walls that can be ridden for 200 meters +
About the wave
A couple of different sections make up this 400 meters long stretch of reef. The bigger the Swell the better and longer the waves
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, all tides and best on bigger swells
Skill level required
Advanced to experts
How to get there
Walk from Swell to Bingin Beach and paddle 5-10 minutes to the line up
Hazards
Rhe reef on the inside is sharp and close on the lower tides.
What’s close by
Bingin beach and surf spot and BabyPadang further up the reef
More info
Surfing Impossibles Spot guide
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
How to get there
7 minute scooter or taxi ride from Swell
Hazards
The reef, the wave, the crowds, the waterphotographers.
What’s close by
Baby Padang in the inside, On the main street in Padang Padang there are a ton of nice restaurants
More info: Surfing Padang Surf spot guide
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds
Bali’s best surf spot when it’s on. Perfect barrel, the indo pipeline
About the wave
Perfect heavy barrel, short and ultra intense left-hand wave
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest big swell,
Skill level required
Padang is expert only. Baby Padang (further inside) is ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers
Uluwatu, or Ulu’s, is Bali’s most famous wave. Super consistent. Multiple sections and long left handers. Stunning setting.
About the wave
Uluwatu has several different sections, spread out over 1,5 km. The Peak is a ultra-performance wave right in front of the cave at Uluwatu
Ideal conditions
The wave works best with a south-southwest swell, Any wave size and best with offshores in the dry season
Skill level required
Advanced to expert surfers only!
More Info: Surfing Uluwatu
How to get there
10 minute scooter or surf transport ride from Swell bali
Hazards
Strong current so don’t miss the cave entrance when coming out of the water. Sharp reef, big crowds, powerful waves.
What’s close by
Single fin bar overlooks the waves. Big parties there on Sundays for the younger ( 18 to 25 year ) crowd.
1= Ultra Crowded 10=No crowds