Bali surf forecast

Surfing in Bali

Bali's surf is set by the monsoon. The south-west coast and the Bukit Peninsula face the Indian Ocean and take Southern Ocean groundswell, while the south-east coast faces the Badung Strait and the Lombok side and works when the wind turns westerly.

In the dry season, roughly April to October, south-east trade winds blow offshore on the west-facing reefs of the Bukit. Uluwatu is a series of left-hand reef sections that hold big swell. Padang Padang is a short, very hollow left over shallow reef that needs solid swell and is for experts only. Bingin and Balangan are fast left reef breaks, Balangan a little friendlier for strong intermediates. The trade wind usually strengthens by mid-morning, so early sessions are cleanest. On the West Coast, Canggu has a mix of beach and reef peaks that work most of the year and is a main learning hub, though wind can affect it more than the Bukit. Medewi, further west, is a long rocky left point that is mellow and suits intermediates and longboarders.

In the wet season, roughly November to March, westerly winds blow out much of the Bukit and the East Coast takes over. Keramas, a fast, hollow right over a reef near a river mouth, is the standout; it is best early in the morning and on a mid to high tide.

Tide matters on the reefs: several Bukit breaks get dangerously shallow at low tide, and coral cuts are common, so check the tide before paddling out. Lineups at the famous reefs are crowded. Most spots are within an hour or so of Ngurah Rai airport, though traffic can make it longer.