For a majority of us, Bali has been one of the most ultimate, tropical, exotic, surfing locations. The waves of the Island of the Gods are as relevant as ever, with Keramas, Padang Padang, Uluwatu and other spots for surfing antics. However, there are more things to do in Kuta too, especially when you use a site like Tabi Together.
However, we are focused on surfing. These locations are great for plenty more still, with friendly and hospitable locals, incredible cuisine, and a bright and vibrant culture. Let’s not forget the crazy nightlife.
Bali has little to complain about, perhaps aside from the crowds, but if you can see past that, it is an amazing place to visit, and the perfect location to catch some epic waves!
When To Go?
The best season to visit Indonesia is the dry season which starts in April and ends in October. If you visit during this time you will find southern swells to be a constant occurrence, and southeastern trade wind often.
The off season does get even more of a swell, however, with light winds hitting during the wet months from November to March, providing some quality waves, especially on the East coast.
April through to October is the prime time to visit, but there will be epic waves in Bali all year.
Where To Surf?
Where should you surf when visiting Bali?
Well, it depends on your level of experience really.
Let’s take a look at your options dependent on your level of experience on the waves.
Beginner Surfers
For beginners there are 3 beaches.
Old Man’s/ Canggu: This has a soft reef break which is very popular with beginner surfers. It is a friendly option found in the generally crowded Canggu region.
Kuta Beach: This is the original surfing spot in Bali. It is gentle, and fairly nondescript. It is found right in the center of all the chaos and craziness of Bali. A majority of visitors tend to avoid surfing here, however for beginners and surfing schools it’s an obvious best choice.
Dreamland: So many people visit Bali looking to live their Surf dream, however, they end up finding that waves are heavy, and the reefs are sharper than they hoped. Dreamland is the escape from these problems, with a dreamscape for new surfers who want their first experience here.
Intermediate Surfers
Impossibles: This long, speedy, and left-peeling reef point, you can find this beach on Bukit, and enjoy the groomed conditions whenever the southeastern trades are blowing in. Although it will depend on the swell direction, it can be the optimal place for very fast open faced carves!
Racetracks/ Uluwatu: Near to and similar to Impossibles, Racetracks is another fast, long, left-hand point break that winds into a shallow reef offering barrels and rippable areas.
Medewi: This is another long left-hander, which is something of a theme of Bali beaches. However, it is a traditional point break over bland sand and boulders. It is not as powerful as Bukit, however, it offers the longest wave on the whole Island!
Expert Surfers
Padang Padang: This is the premier barrel, it offers a shallow, powerful, incredibly hollow left-hander which breaks on large swells and should be seen as an expert-only option. It is also uncommon, so you should expect to see a lot of local surfers, and visiting pros crowd the lineup here.
Keramas: This was actually a stop on the world tour for a little while, and you can see why as it is the perfect mixture of rippable bowls and draining barrels. It is a bit shallow on small days, but when the swell kicks up, the barrels are gnarly. Approach big days with tentative caution.
Bombie/Uluwatu: This is the big wave spot of Bali. It is at the very top of the Uluwatu stretch and brings in huge swells. It is a 1-time-per-year wave that needs a pro board and plenty of big wave experience. If you have the skills, gear, and desire, it can give you a whole new outlook on surfing in Bali.
Getting There
The easiest way to get to Bali is by flight. Once you have arrived, taxis are many, and will happily get you to wherever you want to go on the island. Some further places will need a connecting flight or boat trips.
However, if you book a stay via a resort, you can get clear instructions on how to get where you need to be, some will even sort out travel for you!
