Surfing Bali - Best surf spots and low-budget homestays in Bali's south
This post shows you the best surf spots on Bali's Bukit-Peninsula. It will give a brief overview about the waves and information about the best tides for each surf spot. Additionally I listed homestays where you can sleep for cheap and close to the surf spots. You should definitely get a scooter to get around. The recommended homestays will be able to provide you with a scooter. Just ask as you check in.
Main season for the listed surf spots is from June to September. However, there are waves year round. They may not be as consistent and big, but therefore way more uncrowded.
Here are the best surf spots on the Bukit-Peninsula, Bali
BALANGAN
Get the location here (google maps)
Balangan is the most northern surf spot I will mention on the Bukit-Peninsula. At a good swell you will be rewarded with a barrel. It is a left-hander. The wave is located on the left side of the bay.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-to-High
- High
- High-to-Low
Forecast and tides for Balangan click here.
It is recommended to surf at a higher water level as the reef can be very shallow at low tide. But that depends on how good your surfing is.
Sleep cheap and close:
Dreamland
Get the location here (google maps)
Dreamland beach is located right in front of the glass-pyramid you see on the right side of the picture. It has two different waves to surf. Standing at the beach you will see one on the left side and one on the right. Both are beach breaks. So there is no reef underneath. However, there are few rocks close to the beach.
Both waves are lefts but they have some short right sections too. It always depends on the swell.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-Tide
Forecast and tides for Dreamland click here.
Sleep cheap and close:
PADANG - "LABUAN SAIT BEACH"
Padang Beach has two waves where you can surf. Located on the left behind the cliffs is famous Padang Padang. The wave on the right side is called Baby Padang as it is less powerful and way easier to ride.
1) PADANG PADANG
Get the location here (google maps)
Padang Padang is only for experts. As a beginner you should stick to Baby Padang. At big swells there are rip currents and strong currents to the north.
When there is a big swell you can watch Padang Padang from the cliff atop. Drive over the bridge of Padang towards Uluwatu. Right after the bridge is a restaurant called "Blue Heaven Bali" overlooking Padang. After that restaurant you will find a small unpaved road on the right. Follow that road to the end to watch pros get barreled at Padang Padang.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-to-High
- High
- High-to-Low
- Low-Tide (Kamikaze only)
Forecast and tides for Padang Padang click here.
2) BABY PADANG
Get the location here (google maps)
Standing on Padang Beach looking towards the ocean, Baby Padang is located on the right handside. It breaks right and left and is therefore very popular. You will find a lot of surfschools there as well as locals and others.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-High
- High
- High-Low
Forecast and tides for Baby Padang click here.
Sleep cheap and close:
The following homestays are located close to restaurants, shops, surfshops and the famous Padang Mart, where a lot of people meet before a party and right after. You will always find people there.
IMPOSSIBLES
Get the location here (google maps)
The wave is on the right side of Baby Padang. It breaks only to it’s left and can be very heavy. But you will be awarded with a long ride. It is a fun and powerful wave. The reef can be very shallow at low-tide. The best spot to paddle out is seen on the following map in front of „Bali Rocks Homestay“.
Paddle out from here (google maps)
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-High
- High
- High-Low
Forecast and tides for Impossibles click here.
Sleap cheap and close:
BINGIN
Get the location here (google maps)
Can you find that spot? Probably the best spot to watch the surf and sunset in Bingin.
The wave in Bingin is a lefthander. Depending on the swell you will have a long ride. It has a small take-off zone. Therefore, it can be hard to get a wave. On a good day it is packed. Stick to the "untold" rules of surfing.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-High
- High
- High-Low
Forecast and tides for Bingin click here.
Sleap cheap and close:
ULUWATU
UluWatu, also called Ulu’s, has three main waves. On the very left there is „Temples“, in the middle „Main Peak“ and on the right „Racetracks“. They are mainly left-handers. Sometimes close to Main Peak you can get some short rights depending on the swell.
You paddle out from UluWatu Beach which is basically a small cave (see pic below). If you want to surf Temples and save some of your power you can snitch through a small hole on the left side in the cave. You will get to another small beach. From there it is closer to get to Temples.
Best tide for the spot:
- Low-High
- High
- High-Low
Forecast and tides for Uluwatu click here.
Sleep cheap and close:
The following homestays are located around Uluwatu. You will reach Uluwatu in 2min and the other beaches in 5 -15 min.