The West Bali region extends from just south of the airport runway to the northernmost point, Medewi. The coast changes orientation and faces more south as it travels north, which means that the southern waves, such as Kuta Reef and Kuta Beach, are offshore in the dry season SE trade winds, but as you travel further north, these winds become onshore and unsuitable. Mornings and afternoons are best from Berawa and the Canggu region north, with lighter winds.
This region is home to the tourist hotspots of Kuta and Seminyak, where there is no shortage of lodging, shops, bars, and nightclubs. Many people use Kuta as a base for day trips because drivers can easily take you north, east, and south, with most waves within an hour’s drive. The nightlife in this area is fantastic, and many tourists will stay out late!
Canggu is a little further north, a little quieter than its southern neighboring suburbs, but no less appealing. Canggu has an abundance of high-quality places to eat, stay, and party. The construction here is accelerating, and Canggu is expanding by the month. Canggu is quickly becoming the surfers’ preferred destination due to its proximity to some excellent waves.
Things will become significantly quieter if you continue north, towards Balian and Medewi. Tourist accommodation becomes more scarce, with only a few beachside destinations up the coast really offering it. Food is the same, and away from the beachside hotspots, local food is the norm.
A little Bahasa Indonesia will come in handy here. The main road from Java to Denpasar runs down the coast, and traffic can be a nightmare. Take care when riding a scooter because trucks can overtake on blind corners without warning!
West Bali Waves
West Bali waves are typically beach breaks, shorter reef breaks, and long point breaks breaking over boulders or volcanic rock. The exception is in the south, where Kuta Reef, Airport Lefts, and Airport Rights all crash into coral reef.
The Kuta area has a coral platform that wraps around the airport runway. As the plane approaches the runway, you can see the Kuta Reef, Airport Lefts, and Airport Rights. These waves can be powerful, but they require a little more swell than Uluwatu because the Bukit Peninsula can block the energy, especially in a south swell. All of these reefs are offshore, so getting a boat out is your best bet. Kuta Beach is a beginner hotspot, with many people offering surfing lessons in the protected bay, but it can get very good with a big swell! Further north, through Seminyak, is a long stretch of beach breaks with no reef options; if you’re lucky, you can find quality banks because the sand moves a lot here.
North of here is Canggu, which has a lot of good waves for all levels. There are a few beach breaks nearby at Berawa and Echo Beach sandbars, as well as volcanic reef setups like Pererenan Rivermouth and Old Man’s.
Echo Beach is the main surfing hub in this area, with three major waves: Echo Reef, Sand Bar, and Pererenan River-mouth. As the swell hits the coast more directly and with less of a wrap than on the Bukit Peninsula or around Kuta, you will find quality waves that break with power.
Expect crowds and a lot of good surfers in this area. Long boarders and intermediate to advanced surfers enjoy Old Man’s and Batu Bolong because they break over deeper reef and are more approachable than the echo beach waves.
Moving north, Balian and Medewi have point break style waves that break over smooth river stones and boulders. Both of these waves are relatively calm by Indonesian standards and provide long waves with opportunities to practice your turns. Other waves exist in the northwestern region, but for the sake of adventure, we have left them out of this guide.
Surfing Ability for West Bali
For different skill levels, there is a huge variety available, with great learner beaches directly in front of some of the most popular tourist spots, and quality barrels can be found at Pererenan for the more advanced surfer.
Moving up to intermediate waves is simple, with Batu Bolong and Old Mans providing excellent opportunities to ride green waves over a deep, weed-covered reef. This means you’ll have a nice long ride, and if you do fall off, the rocks are large, flat, and covered in green weed rather than coral-like elsewhere. Peaky beach breaks are also available at Echo Beach Sandbar and Berawa, which are great for intermediates on small days but can get heavy as the swell increases in size.
Surfing Season in West Bali
During the dry season, the south-east trade winds blow straight offshore all day, and large, long-period swells are more common, increasing the likelihood of the Kuta reefs breaking well and swell getting into Kuta beach.
As you travel north, the coast is not well oriented for either the wet or dry seasons. During the wet season, the north-west trade winds blow cross-shore from the north, while the south-east trade winds blow cross-shore from the south. Early mornings in both seasons are best before the trade winds arrive, and the wind will sometimes back off in the afternoon, providing some glassy conditions. Because there is no refraction to dissipate the energy, the dry season can see consistent large, long-period swells, which can max out a lot of the northwest coast. Lower temperatures and no rain make the area more comfortable during the dry season.
