Bali is the surf capital of Southeast Asia — and for good reason. The Island of the Gods serves up world-class waves on every coast, year-round, from waist-high beginner rollers to overhead barrels that attract pros from around the globe. The west and south coasts fire during dry season (April–October), while the east coast lights up in wet season (November–March).
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/surfing, r/bali, r/BeginnerSurfers, and r/travel to find the breaks that actual surfers — not surf camp advertisers — recommend. We've organized them from beginner-friendly to expert-only, so you can find your level and paddle out with confidence.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 300+ Reddit posts and 2,000+ comments across r/surfing, r/bali, r/BeginnerSurfers, r/travel, and r/solotravel — spanning 2018 to 2025. Breaks were ranked by how frequently they were recommended at each skill level. We weighted advice from long-term Bali residents and experienced traveling surfers over first-time visitors.
🏄 Board Rental Quick Guide
Soft-top / beginner boards: 50,000–100,000 IDR ($3–6) per hour on the beach
Performance shortboards: 100,000–150,000 IDR ($6–9) per hour
Daily rental from surf shops: 150,000–200,000 IDR ($9–12) — cheaper than beach rentals
Weekly rental: ~$30–50 USD from shops on Uluwatu's main road or Canggu's Batu Bolong area
Pro tip from Reddit: "Rent from surf shops, not on the beach — it's always more expensive there."
🟢 Beginner Breaks
The wave: Gentle, rolling whitewash perfect for first-timers. Sandy bottom means soft landings. Multiple peaks spread across a long beach so there's room for everyone. Works best at mid tide, 2–4 ft. Best season: year-round.
"Along Kuta is the best bet for what you are after. Plenty of surf schools along there that will show you the ropes. Not to mention it's mostly soft sand instead of jagged rocks like in Uluwatu."
— r/bali · posted February 2023
"Beach breaks anywhere from airport, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak all the way along the coast to Canggu or even further. There's plenty of places."
— r/BeginnerSurfers · posted June 2024
tabiji verdict: Where Bali's surf story began and still the best place to stand on a board for the first time. Yes, it's touristy and crowded with surf schools — but that's because it works. Sandy bottom, warm water, and consistent small waves. Take a lesson for 350,000 IDR (~$22) and you'll be standing up by session two.
The wave: Canggu's most mellow break — long, slow walls ideal for longboarders. A gentle reef peak that peels both left and right. Best at mid to high tide, 2–4 ft. Dry season (April–Oct) is prime, but works year-round.
"Canggu has the optimal conditions especially in the early morning hours."
— r/bali · posted February 2024
tabiji verdict: The Instagram-famous surf spot of Bali — and honestly, it deserves the hype for beginners. Mellow waves, great cafés on the cliff watching the sunset, and a vibrant surf community. Gets very crowded, especially at sunset. Dawn patrol (6 AM) is the move for fewer people and better waves. Board rentals line the beach.
🌊 Reef break — fun, slightly more power
📍 Canggu, West Bali
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Just north of Batu Bolong with slightly more push. A great stepping stone — still forgiving but with enough power to practice turns. Multiple peaks, left and right. Best at mid tide, 3–5 ft, dry season.
"Old Man's is just slightly more advanced compared to Batu Bolong — also an advanced beginner / intermediate spot."
— kimasurfbali.com · Kima Surf Blog
tabiji verdict: The natural progression from Batu Bolong. Once you're comfortably catching green waves, paddle 200 meters north to Old Man's for a bit more size and power. Named because it's mellow enough for the "old men" longboarders. Still very friendly and forgiving — the perfect confidence builder.
🌊 Reef break — sheltered, small waves
📍 Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: A sheltered right-hander protected by the headland, resulting in smaller, less powerful waves than other Bukit breaks. Sandy patches between reef. Best at mid to high tide, 2–4 ft. Dry season (April–Oct).
"The waves at Padang Padang Rights are protected from the ocean swell by a headland, resulting in smaller and less powerful waves compared to other surf spots in Bali."
— balisurfingcamp.com · Beginner surf spots guide
tabiji verdict: The Bukit's hidden beginner gem. While everyone talks about Padang Padang's heavy left barrels, the right side is a completely different wave — gentle, sheltered, and perfect for progression. The famous beach (descend through a rock cave!) is gorgeous. A great way to experience the Bukit without getting your head taken off.
🟡 Intermediate Breaks
🌊 Beach break — punchy, consistent
📍 South of Canggu, West Bali
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Consistent beach break with more power than Batu Bolong. Shifting peaks, both lefts and rights. Good for practicing turns and building speed. Best at low to mid tide, 3–5 ft. Dry season.
"Berawa offers fun, consistent waves just south of Canggu's main breaks. It's ideal for surfers progressing from Batu Bolong or Old Man's, with a mix of forgiving walls and occasional punchy sections."
— balisurfingcamp.com · Bali Surf Spots guide
tabiji verdict: The stepping stone between Canggu's beginner waves and real intermediate surfing. Less crowded than Batu Bolong, more power in the wave, and shifting sandy peaks that keep things interesting. Finns Beach Club sits right on the sand if you want post-surf cocktails with a view.
The wave: A long, peeling left over reef with a stunning white-sand beach. Multiple sections let you pick your spot. Best at mid tide, 3–5 ft. Dry season (April–Oct). Can get hollow and fast on bigger days.
"Balangan Beach is famous for its long, white sand beach and crystal water. Some of the best beginner spots can be found at Canggu, Padang Padang Right, Balangan and Dreamland."
— lushpalm.com · Surfing Bali guide
tabiji verdict: One of Bali's most beautiful surf spots. The white-sand beach backed by cliffs, the turquoise water, and the long peeling left make this feel like a postcard. On mellow days (3–4 ft) it's manageable for confident intermediates. On bigger swells it steps up considerably. The warungs (local food stalls) on the cliff serve cold Bintangs with the best view in Bali.
The wave: A punchy, wedging beach break with real power. Short, fast rides — lefts and rights. Sandy bottom but waves break with force. Best at low to mid tide, 3–6 ft. Dry season. Watch for strong shore break.
tabiji verdict: Dreamland packs a punch for a beach break. The waves are shorter and more powerful than Canggu — great for learning to handle speed and power. The strong shore break can be humbling, so be comfortable duck-diving before paddling out. Beautiful beach for non-surfing partners to hang at while you get worked.
The wave: Canggu's most powerful wave — a hollow left-hander that breaks over a rocky reef shelf. Much more serious than Batu Bolong. Best at mid tide, 4–6 ft. Dry season. Can barrel on bigger swells.
"Canggu: there are less shallow, more mellow spots but Echo Beach can get heavy. It's reef but the waves are quality."
— r/surfing · posted August 2022
tabiji verdict: The serious wave in Canggu. While Batu Bolong is all smiles and longboards, Echo Beach means business — hollow lefts over reef that will punish you if you're not ready. Solid intermediates can handle it on smaller days, but when it's overhead, it's an advanced wave. The sunset view from the warungs above is unmissable.
The wave: West Bali's longest wave — a peeling left point break over smooth volcanic rocks. Mellow and forgiving. Multiple peaks. Best at 4–6 ft, works both seasons but best in dry season mornings. Black volcanic sand beach.
"With a leisurely dawn patrol walk from a Medewi homestay onto the volcanic black sand beach, you can choose your favorite spot. Medewi is a mellow crowd also known to work wet and dry season, best in the mornings between 4-6ft."
— dawnpatrolbali.com · Dawn Patrol Bali guide
tabiji verdict: The antidote to Canggu's crowds. Medewi is 90 minutes northwest of Kuta — far enough that most tourists never make it — and the reward is long, uncrowded waves on a black sand beach. The local vibe is authentic and mellow. Great for longboarding, progression, and experiencing Bali beyond the tourist bubble. Accommodation is basic but charming.
The wave: East coast reef break that fires during wet season (Nov–Mar) when the west coast is blown out. Right-hander over coral reef, accessed by boat or paddle. Best at mid to high tide, 3–5 ft.
"My wife done her first lesson at Babies Reef in Sanur and found it way easier than the west coast. Sanur will be your best option while the swell is big and the wind is down."
— r/BeginnerSurfers · posted June 2024
tabiji verdict: Sanur is the wet season move. When Canggu and Uluwatu are being battered by onshore winds from November to March, Sanur's east-facing reefs get clean offshore conditions. The main reef break is a fun right — not as intense as the Bukit breaks — and the nearby Babies Reef is genuinely beginner-friendly. Boats out are cheap (~50,000 IDR).
The wave: Reliable right reef break on the east coast — a wet season staple. Long, workable walls that are great for practicing carves. Accessed by boat from the beach. Best at mid tide, 4–6 ft. Wet season (Nov–Mar).
tabiji verdict: Nusa Dua is the other side of Bali's surf coin. When every YouTube video shows crowded Canggu, Nusa Dua offers quality right-handers with a fraction of the crowd — because most surf tourists don't think to come here. Boat access keeps the lineup thin. The surrounding resort area is upscale, making it a good base for couples where one surfs and one relaxes.
🔴 Advanced Breaks
The wave: World-class right-hander that hosts WSL events. Fast, hollow, powerful barrels over shallow reef. Best at mid to high tide, 4–8 ft. Wet season (Nov–Mar) is prime but can work year-round. Night surfing under lights is legendary.
"Keramas: powerful waves in the wet season, ideal at mid to high tide. Bingin: perfect left-hand barrels, best during the dry season."
— findsurfcampbali.com · Bali surf spots guide
tabiji verdict: Keramas is Bali's east coast crown jewel. The Komune resort installed floodlights for night surfing sessions — one of the most unique surf experiences on earth. The wave itself is heavy: fast right-hand barrels that break over shallow reef. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you've got the skills, a dawn session at Keramas is unforgettable.
🌊 Reef break — short, hollow left barrels
📍 Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Short, intense left barrels over very shallow reef. Rides are brief but incredibly hollow. Best at low to mid tide (higher tide kills it), 4–6 ft. Dry season only. Reef booties essential.
"Bingin — nestled between Uluwatu and Dreamland, Bingin is a picturesque surf spot that offers perfect left-hand barrels. Although it can be challenging and shallow, experienced surfers will appreciate the hollow tubes and thrilling rides."
— sundazesurf.com · Bali Surf Season guide
tabiji verdict: Bingin is the Bukit's tube-riding playground. The wave is short but perfectly hollow — duck into a barrel, spit out the end, paddle back in 30 seconds, repeat. The beach below the cliffs is tiny and beautiful, lined with rustic guesthouses. Very shallow reef means wipeouts hurt. Booties are non-negotiable.
🌊 Reef break — long, connecting left peaks
📍 Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Three connecting left-hand reef peaks that can link up for 300+ meter rides on bigger swells. Fast, powerful, and long. Best at mid tide, 5–8 ft. Dry season. Named because connecting all three sections was once considered "impossible."
"As the name suggests, Impossibles is not for the faint-hearted. Places like Uluwatu, Impossibles, and many other breaks can be alright for an experienced intermediate surfer on the right day — smaller swells and usually a mid to higher tide."
— lushpalm.com · Surfing Bali guide
tabiji verdict: When the swell is right and all three sections connect, Impossibles offers some of the longest rides in Bali. The wave is fast and the reef is unforgiving, but the payoff — speed runs along a seemingly endless wall — is pure magic. Accessed via the cliff path between Bingin and Padang Padang. Strong currents can push you toward the rocks.
🌊 Reef break — barreling left, the "Balinese Pipeline"
📍 Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Perfect, heavy left barrels over dangerously shallow reef. Only breaks properly on bigger swells (6+ ft overhead). The barrel is wide, round, and terrifyingly shallow. Dry season only, best at mid tide. Hosts the Rip Curl Cup when conditions align.
"Don't limit yourself to just Padang. THE TIDE: There are big tide swings & Padang (along w/ Ulus & Bingin) are totally different beasts high vs low tide. Beware of shallow-to-dry reef of larger sets."
— r/surfing · Padang Padang thread
tabiji verdict: The Balinese Pipeline. When Padang Padang turns on — overhead-plus swells wrapping into perfect barrels — it's one of the most beautiful and terrifying waves on earth. This is for expert tube riders only; the reef is inches below the surface and the crowd is elite. Most visitors are better off watching from the cliff above with a cold coconut.
🌊 Reef break — multiple world-class left peaks
📍 Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula
📌 Google Maps →
The wave: Bali's most iconic surf break — five distinct peaks (The Bombie, Temples, Peak, Racetrack, Outside Corner) stretching across a massive reef. Long, powerful lefts that can run for 200+ meters. Best at mid tide, 4–10 ft. Dry season (April–Oct). Enter via a cave, exit the same way — and time it right.
"Ulus is an intense wave. It has intermediate days and waves however it's generally an advanced wave only. It is fully 100 percent open to the swells of the Indian Ocean. It's a swell magnet. It also breaks on reef."
— r/bali · posted May 2023
"Uluwatu: main peak is fun at mid tide and not too shallow. Beware of timing your way in because you have to aim for a cave to get out of the water and it is tricky with current."
— r/surfing · posted August 2022
"If you do decide to go, only go at high tide to allow as much water between you and the reef as possible."
— r/bali · posted April 2024
tabiji verdict: The crown jewel of Bali surfing. Uluwatu is a swell magnet that works on almost any south swell, offering multiple peaks for different skill levels — though none of them are truly "easy." The cave entry and exit is an experience in itself. On a solid 6-foot day at mid tide, surfing Uluwatu's long left walls with the cliff temple towering above is a bucket-list moment. Watch the sunset Kecak dance at the temple after your session.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to surf in Bali?
Bali has two surf seasons. The dry season (April–October) brings consistent south swells and offshore winds to the west and south coasts — prime time for Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Canggu, and the Bukit breaks. The wet season (November–March) shifts the action to the east coast: Keramas, Nusa Dua, and Sanur Reef. Beginners can find surfable waves year-round at Kuta and Batu Bolong.
Where should beginners surf in Bali?
Kuta Beach is the classic beginner spot — soft sandy bottom, gentle whitewash, dozens of surf schools. Batu Bolong in Canggu is the next step up with mellow waves perfect for longboarding. Padang Padang Rights on the Bukit is a sheltered reef break with small, forgiving waves. The key: stick to sandy beach breaks (Kuta to Canggu coastline) to avoid reef injuries.
How much does it cost to rent a surfboard in Bali?
Surfboard rental is very affordable. Soft-top beginner boards: 50,000–100,000 IDR ($3–6 USD) per hour on the beach. Performance shortboards: 100,000–150,000 IDR per hour. Daily rental from surf shops: 150,000–200,000 IDR ($9–12). Weekly: ~$30–50 USD. Pro tip: rent from surf shops (not on the beach) for better prices and board selection.
Is Uluwatu too dangerous for intermediate surfers?
Uluwatu is generally an advanced wave — reef bottom, fully exposed to Indian Ocean swells, cave entry/exit. On smaller days (3–4 ft) at mid to high tide, confident intermediates can surf the inside sections. But be honest about your ability. If you're not comfortable with reef breaks and strong currents, Canggu's beach breaks are a much better fit.
What's the difference between Bali's west coast and east coast?
The west/south coasts (Canggu, Uluwatu, Bukit) work best in dry season (April–October) — south swells + southeast trade winds create offshore conditions. The east coast (Keramas, Nusa Dua, Sanur) fires in wet season (November–March) — northwest winds blow offshore. Result: Bali has year-round surfing if you chase the right coast.
Do I need reef booties for surfing in Bali?
For beach breaks (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu), no. For reef breaks (Uluwatu, Bingin, Padang Padang, Keramas), strongly recommended — the coral is sharp and sea urchins lurk. At Uluwatu, you walk across reef to enter and exit through a cave. Buy booties at any Bali surf shop for 150,000–300,000 IDR ($9–18).
