The Best Beaches in Bali for Surfing with Map & Surf Roundup
You can use our other specialist articles to choose the best Bali beaches for swimming🔥families, teenagers, couples, honeymoons, learning to surf, watersports, sunsets, sunrise, secret beaches and more!
The local talent crushes it on Dreamland Beach | Image: KopralTuuf
Table of Contents Show
Why is Bali so awesome for surfing?
Bali is considered one of the best places on earth to surf because there are few other places in the world that have so many different surfing spots within close proximity to each other.
Take a quick look at our map below that shows the best places to surf in Bali, and you can see the shape of Bali Island means surf spots are close together. The fact that some locations are on the west coast, others on the south, and still others on the east coast means no matter what the weather is doing, there is bound to be a good place to surf right now within a relatively easy drive (traffic aside!).
Let’s ride the list and check out the top spots to surf in Bali. We’ll give a general description of each beach, followed by a surf roundup giving a surf profile for each beach.
The 14 Best Beaches and Breaks in Bali for Surfing
1. Pantai Medewi Beach, West Bali
Image: Global Zoo | Click to watch the video
Address: Jl. Pantai Medewi, Medewi, Kec. Pekutatan, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali, Indonesia
Medewi Beach in Bali is a quiet and unique spot with clear waters, sandy beaches, and abundant marine life. It's also a popular surf point for intermediate and above surfers. However, its peaceful atmosphere and picturesque scenery make it one of Bali's best beaches for watching sunsets and appreciating nature.
Surf Roundup: Medewi, located on Bali's west coast, is a serene surf spot that's a bit of a drive from Kuta or the Bukit Peninsula. It's ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers, offering lengthy, mellow lefts over cobblestone and sand. There are dining options nearby, and the spot is best from April to October. While great for beginners, the seafloor has cobblestones and sand hazards, and the wave works best with a south-southwest swell, but not with southeast or northwest trade winds. The area has urchins and sharp rocks and is very crowded, with only a few other spots nearby. You can expect to rub shoulders with world-class surfers at Medewi - here’s a video of Kelly Slater surfing Medewi
2. Pantai Impossibles Beach, South Bali
Image: Global Zoo | Click to watch the video
Address: 54R4+CWW, Bukit Peninsula, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Surf Roundup: Impossible's long left walls can be ridden for over 200 meters, with various sections on this 400-meter stretch of reef. Ideal for a south-southwest swell, this spot is for advanced to expert surfers with hazards like a sharp reef. A 5–10 minute paddle from Bingin Beach, the wave is best between April and October. Baby Padang and Bingin Beach are nearby spots.
3. Airport Lefts and Rights, near Pantai Tuban Beach, South Bali
Image: Anak Mandeh | Click to watch the video
Address: Tuban, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
We’ve plotted this as Tuban Beach just to give you the nearest land location, but to access this surf break, you organise a boat from either Kuta Beach or Jimbaran Beach to drop you off and pick you up.
Surf Roundup: The surf breaks at what is called the ‘airport left and rights’ are a good alternative for those around Kuta and Jimbaran. The left and right reef breaks break on the west side of the airport runway, offering high-quality reef breaks for advanced and expert surfers. The waves are very exposed to wind, and a boat transfer is required. Best between April and October.
4. Pantai Bingin Beach, South Bali
Image: Global Zoo | Click to watch the video
Address: 54V7+Q42, Jl. Pantai Bingin, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Bingin Beach on the Bukit Peninsula boasts pristine white sand and world-class surf, with fast left-hander barreling waves favored by experienced surfers. However, it's not just for surfers, as it has beautiful shorelines, beachside restaurants perfect for sun lovers, and little beaches beyond the rocky outcrops. The sunset view is also stunning, making it a dream destination for all.
Surf Roundup: Bingin Beach has a machine-like left-hand wave, good for intermediates and beginners at high tide, and barrels on low tide. There's a sharp reef, and it gets crowded when the conditions are perfect. The best time to visit is between April and October.
5. Pantai Canggu Beach, South Bali
Image: Surfer2000 | Click to watch the video
Address: 84RH+QFP, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Canggu Beach is a popular destination among surfers, backpackers, and sun lovers. The beach boasts impressive surf, stunning sunsets, and several on-site restaurants and bars. It's a must-visit spot in Bali that provides a unique experience for both locals and tourists alike. Canggu is also hipster central, with digital nomads flocking to cool bars and co-working spaces, lending the place a scruffy-but-chic feel.
Surf Roundup: Canggu, located north of Kuta Beach, offers an intermediate option for beginner surf spots. The black sand beach has submerged reefs, producing fun long rides that cater to both beginners and intermediates. It works best with a south-southwest swell with northeast winds at mid-tide. Surfing Canggu is great for intermediates, but the area is ultra-crowded with questionable water quality. It's best from April to October and takes about 2 hours from the airport. Beginners should be mindful of the reef.
6. Pantai Dreamland Beach, South Bali
Image: KopralTuuf | Click to watch the video
Address: Jl. Pantai Balangan No.54, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Dreamland Beach, located on the Bukit Peninsula, South Bali, is a paradise for surfers and yoga lovers alike. Visitors can relax with a Bali massage on the beach or check out local shops. Despite recent developments in the area, it remains a popular surfing spot and a great place to unwind.
Surf Roundup: Dreamland has a pretty beach, but the development around it is, well……., nuff said (they call it ‘New Kuta’). The fun waves are mellow lefts and rights that are best with a south-southwest swell and are good for intermediate and advanced surfers. Hazards include submerged rocks and shore breaks, and Bingin is nearby. Best between April and October.
7. Pantai Serangan Beach, South Bali
Image: IndoEye | Click to watch the video
Address: 766R+2QF, Serangan, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar City, Bali 80229, Indonesia
Surf Roundup: Serangan is a popular reef break for intermediate and advanced surfers. It offers fun lefts and rights split between several peaks and is best surfed in the morning with light winds. However, it can be crowded and has strong currents, so it is not recommended for beginners. Serangan is also a good option during Bali's rainy season, between November and March.
8. Pantai Uluwatu Beach, South Bali
Image: Global Zoo | Click to watch the video
Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Surf Roundup: Uluwatu is Bali's most famous wave, with multiple sections and long left-handers. Ideal conditions include offshores in the dry season, and the best time to surf there is between April and October. Advanced to expert surfers should only attempt this spot due to the powerful waves and sharp reef. Hazards include a strong current, big crowds, and not missing the cave entrance.
9. Pantai Padang Padang Beach, South Bali
Image: Surfers of Bali | Click to watch the video
Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Padang Padang Beach is a great spot for experienced surfers looking to ride challenging waves. The beach has a strong surfing history and was even featured in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Beyond surfing, Padang Padang Beach offers a peaceful place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of Bali's coastline.
Surf Roundup: Bali's best surf spot when on; perfect, heavy, intense left-hand wave. Ideal conditions are a south-southwest big swell. Expert surfers only; shallow reef; and an ultra-competitive crowd. Best from April to October.
10. Pantai Balangan Beach, South Bali
Image: Skysharks Bali | Click to watch the video
Address: South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Balangan Beach in Bali is a picturesque spot, popular among surfers due to its beautiful golden sand and long left-handed surf break generated by a nearby reef. The beach is also surrounded by other famous surfing spots on the southwestern Bukit coastline, such as Dreamland and Padang Padang, making it an ideal destination for surfers. While swimming is possible here, it's not the best option for serious swimming fun. Read more about Balangan Beach
Surf Roundup: Balangan is a consistent, powerful left-hand wave with barrel sections and big walls, located at a pretty white sandy beach. Crowds of mixed abilities can be found here, and the inside is a good spot for beginners and intermediate surfers. Ideal conditions for the wave are a south-southwest swell, and it works best between April and October.
11. Pantai Kuta Beach, South Bali
Image: Skysharks | Click to watch the video
Address: Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Kuta Beach is Bali's original beach and a popular destination for tourists. It offers white sand, beautiful sea views, shopping, and dining experiences. Kuta's soft waves make it a perfect place to swim or learn to surf. While it is known for its party scene, traveling northward to Legian and Seminyak offers a more sober and stylish experience.
Surf Roundup: Kuta is the original home of surfing in Bali, so it has the pedigree. Kuta is a tourist hub with consistent surf for all levels. Kuta Beach is ideal for beginners, while Kuta Reef is good for intermediate surfers. It's best in the dry season, but it's crowded and has a reef hazard.
12. Pantai Sanur Beach, South Bali
Image: Skysharks | Click to watch the video
Address: Jalan Cemara, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Sanur Beach, the original Bali beach holiday spot, offers a traditional Balinese village feel with golden sands and calm waters. It's popular for relaxing and unwinding with its vibrant nightlife and dining options. Ideal for boardwalking and catching sunrise, it offers beautiful views of the sea and nearby volcanic mountains, making it a great destination for tourists seeking a "real Bali" experience. Read more about Sanur Beach
Surf Roundup: Sanur is an advanced surfer's paradise, with a long barreling right-hander that requires overhead swell conditions. Hazards include a live coral reef and crowds, and it's best to visit between November and March. Sanur is located about 0.5 hours away from the airport.
13. Pantai Nusa Dua Beach, South Bali
Image: KopralTuuf | Click to watch the video
Address: Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Nusa Dua Beach is ideal for families and resort vacationers who enjoy water sports. It is clean, secluded, and offers a wide range of dining options. Nusa Dua Beach provides a fantastic beach vibe and is well-known for its luxury resorts. One can enjoy various water activities, including snorkeling and kayaking, and hop from one resort to another for meals and cocktails. Whether you want an all-inclusive Bali experience or a relaxing beach getaway, Nusa Dua Beach has it all. Read more about Nusa Dua Beach
Surf Roundup: Nusa Dua is a right-hand reef break located on Bali's East coast, with heavy lip bowls and long, speedy walls. It works best during a southwest swell with northwesterly wind directions, but due to the reef, it's for advanced surfers. Other surf spots close by, like Mushroom and Black Rock, cater to beginners and intermediate surfers. There are hazards to be aware of, including the sharp reef and crowds.
14. Pantai Keramas Beach, East Bali
Kelly Slater at Keramas Beach! Image: Surfers of Bali | Click to watch the video
Address: Jl. Pantai Keramas No.80551, Keramas, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
Keramas Beach in Southeast Bali is a top surfing destination with fast-paced waves that challenge experienced surfers. The beach is known for its simplicity, with basic seafood served by local warungs mostly to locals visiting for ceremonial purposes or Sunday outings.
Surf Roundup: In the image above and this video you can watch Kelly Slater surf Keramas Beach. Keramas is one of Bali's best surf spots, with a sharp and shallow reef. It is best surfed by advanced surfers, and is ultra competitive. It has a perfect right-hand barrel and performance wave, and is a current World Surf League World Tour stop. Ideal conditions for the wave are a south-southwest swell and a northwest wind direction. Keramas is mainly a Bali wet season surf spot, and is best between November and March.
