Seminyak beach is a more upscale shopping and hotel area that is bordered to the west by long stretches of open beach that connect all the way to Kuta beach. Although Seminyak may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Bali Surf, the expansive beachfront is home to several shifting sand bars that create fun, peaky surf. Seminyak’s coastline is more exposed to direct swell than Kuta’s, so the surf can be significantly larger.
While Seminyak is a great place to learn to surf, beginners should be aware of the strong rip tide that can appear during larger swells.
Most people believe that the Seminyak beach is simply a continuation of the Kuta beach further down Bali’s south coast. However, this is not entirely correct. Yes, there is roughly the same exposure to S-SW dry season swells here. And it’s true that the same glassy days occur when the offshores blow down between April and October. But we find that when the waves are bigger, the breaks this far north have a little more punch and a little more closeout potential.
The fact that Seminyak beach and Kuta are primarily beginner and intermediate areas is what unites them. The waves are, for the most part, forgiving. The waist-high conditions attract a slew of surf schools and private instructors, as well as whitewash-chasing kooks from the surrounding hotels.
Where is Seminyak Beach?
Seminyak beach is located in the heart of South Bali’s densely populated tourist district. We won’t lie: things are hectic here. The airport is just a short distance away on Denpasar’s south side, and the vibrant nightlife districts of Kuta and Legian are also nearby. Canggu, to the north-west, is where we’d recommend staying if you’re not interested in big resort hotels and prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.
Waves at Seminyak Beach
Type of break – beach break
Wave direction – right and left
Best at low, mid and high tide
Working with– 1-5 ft
Seminyak’s seasonal surf pattern is the same as the rest of Bali’s. In general, this means that the dry season is the best time to surf. But, in reality, there are waves all year.
The Wet Season (April-October)
The dry season in Bali is the best time to come looking for breaks on the southwest coast around Kuta and Legian. This also brings the Seminyak surf into play. The real treat is a strong E-NE offshore. It’s what gives Ulus and Bingin on the Bukit Peninsular their legendary status. It’s not quite offshore in Seminyak yet, but it’s getting there, and when combined with a SW swell in the Southern Ocean, it can help shape the waves into some pretty hollow barrels. If it’s overhead and you’re a total beginner, Seminyak beach waves can actually get pretty big in the dry season, so consider heading to the more sheltered breaks of Kuta.
The Rainy Season/Monsoon (November-March)
The smaller waves of the year occur during the wet season. That’s not usually an issue in the more beginner-friendly spots around Kuta and Seminyak beach. There is usually enough action in the waves to keep most surf schools and average surfers happy. The main issue is that there aren’t enough offshore NE earlies to keep the swell in check, so it can get big and unruly at times. To avoid this, arrive early. Don’t be too concerned about rain. During the Bali rainy season, it tends to come in short, sharp bursts, mostly at night. When it does, consider skipping surfing for a few hours.
There are a few surf shops in the area, but we recommend that you go to the drifter surf shop. They’ve been around for a while, and I’d say they’re one of the best surf shops in Bali. B
Drifter Surf Shop
Established in 2008, Drifter’s flagship Seminyak store was born of the necessity for surf apparel, accessories, and boards of the highest quality, beyond the conformity of more established brands. Incorporating ethical products of the highest quality, Drifter was founded not only to supply surfers with a more alternative genre but to provide conscious, ethical, and sustainable products to help people and the planet.
This surfboard depot is one of our favorite places to go when we want to add something to our quiver. It’s mostly pop outs, so no fancy shaped boards, but also no matching price tags. They carry everything from Al Merrick shorties to fat and affordable foamies.
