The 19 Best Places to Surf in Bali Right Now

Bali is arguably the most famous surfing destination on the planet. Its coastline is dotted with an incredible variety of waves, ranging from intimidating, world-class barrels to soft, rolling beginner breaks. However, because the island is subject to dramatic seasonal wind shifts and massive tidal swings, knowing exactly where to surf in bali at any given time requires serious local knowledge.

Whether you are travelling during the dry season or the wet season, the Island of the Gods always has a wave working perfectly. If you are planning your itinerary and want to score the waves of your life, we have curated the ultimate guide. Here are the 19 best places to surf in bali right now, categorised for every skill level.

Located just south of the airport runway, Kelan Beach provides a remarkably tranquil alternative to the bustling lineups of Kuta and Seminyak. With its gentle, crumbling waves and soft sandy bottom, it serves as an excellent Kelan surf spot for beginner riders eager to learn without the intimidation of heavy crowds or shallow reefs.

You can practice your paddling and pop-ups in a relaxed environment, often sharing the water only with a few other learners and the colorful, traditional jukung fishing boats anchored nearby. Booking a lesson with a local surf school here guarantees a stress-free introduction to the sport, topped off perfectly by watching the sunset over Jimbaran Bay after your session.

Situated at the far southern edge of Jimbaran Bay, Muaya Beach is famously sheltered from the heavy swells that pound the outer Bukit Peninsula. The gentle, crumbling waves breaking over a soft sandy bottom make this an incredibly forgiving Muaya surf spot for beginner surfers seeking a stress-free introduction to the sport.

Without the worry of sharp coral reefs, you can comfortably focus on mastering your paddle technique and finding your footing on the board. After a rewarding lesson with a local surf school, the location offers the perfect post-surf treat, as you can step right out of the water and enjoy the famous Jimbaran beachfront seafood as the sun goes down.

No list of surfing destinations bali has to offer is complete without Uluwatu. This mesmerising left-hand reef break sits beneath towering limestone cliffs and an ancient Hindu temple. It handles massive swells and offers multiple peaks, including the famous Racetrack section. It is strictly for highly experienced surfers, but an absolute must-see for anyone visiting the island.

Whilst the main Padang Padang peak is a fierce, expert-only tube, its neighbour, Baby Padang, is the total opposite. Featuring a deep-water channel for an effortless paddle-out and long, forgiving right-hand walls, it is undoubtedly one of the best waves in bali for learners looking to safely experience the Bukit Peninsula.

Bingin is a mechanical marvel. It breaks over a shallow, concentrated coral platform, producing a lightning-fast, hollow left-hand barrel. The takeoff zone is incredibly tight, meaning lineup etiquette and local knowledge are non-negotiable. If you want to refine your tube-riding skills, a session here with a local guide is essential.

Balangan is a breathtakingly scenic, white-sand beach. On a large swell, the outside reef produces a racing left-hander for experienced riders. However, on a smaller day or during high tide, the inside white water transforms into a fantastic, safe classroom for novices, making it one of the most versatile bali surf beaches.

A rare sand-bottom break on the reef-heavy Bukit Peninsula. Dreamland offers punchy, fun A-frame peaks. It is a brilliant option for those who prefer falling on sand rather than coral, though it is best surfed by beginners only when the swell is relatively small.

When the wet season arrives (November to April), the west coast is blown out by onshore winds. Nusa Dua becomes the island’s sanctuary. The offshore winds here groom the deep-water reef breaks into glassy perfection. It is uncrowded, pristine, and offers peaks for both absolute beginners and seasoned experts.

Known as Bali’s ultimate wet season swell magnet, Serangan draws in waves when everywhere else is flat. Accessed via a local boat ride, this sprawling coral platform offers powerful A-frames and long walls. It is a highly competitive lineup, so booking a local coach to help you navigate the peak is highly recommended.

Hidden inside a protected East Coast lagoon, Baby Reef is the ultimate slow-motion wave. Accessed by a short boat ride from Pantai Mertasari, this soft, rolling right-hander is arguably the safest environment on the island for a novice to practise their pop-up.

Canggu has exploded in popularity, and Batu Bolong is the epicentre of the longboarding scene. It offers a fat, slow-peeling wave that is incredibly fun for cruising. Be warned, however: it is one of the most crowded top surf spots bali has, so immense patience and good wave-reading skills are required.

For 90% of the year, Jimbaran is a flat, calm bay perfect for swimming. However, when a massive, unruly swell hits the island and closes out the main beaches, Jimbaran Bay acts as a natural shelter. It catches the wrap-around swell, producing tiny, perfectly formed waist-high waves on a sandy bottom—the ultimate gentle backup plan.

Located along the pristine coastal stretch of Nusa Dua, Blackstone Beach gets its name from the distinctive dark rocks that mark the shoreline. Operating best during Bali’s wet season, this approachable break offers a fantastic Blackstone surf spot for beginner riders looking to escape the more crowded west coast lineups.

The waves here tend to crumble softly rather than pitching heavily, providing a smooth and predictable ride over a relatively forgiving reef. For the most enjoyable and safe experience, renting reef booties and paddling out with a local instructor is the perfect way to confidently catch your very first green wave.

A short boat ride away from mainland Bali, Mushroom Beach on Nusa Lembongan offers a beautiful, sheltered bay renowned for its crystal-clear water and pristine sand. While the outer reefs attract more experienced riders, the softer inside section provides a fantastic Mushroom surf spot for beginner surfers when the ocean swell is small.

The playful, rolling whitewash allows new surfers to comfortably practice their pop-ups and board control away from the heavy pounding of exposed breaks. Because of the active boat traffic and live coral reef in the bay, paddling out with a local instructor is highly recommended to keep your session safe, relaxed, and incredibly fun.

Hidden behind towering, deeply carved limestone cliffs, Pandawa Beach offers a breathtaking setting with its bright turquoise water and expansive stretch of pristine white sand. While the outer reef break can pick up decent swell for more advanced riders, the forgiving inside whitewash provides a surprisingly tranquil Pandawa surf spot for beginner surfers.

Practicing in these shallower, rolling waves allows you to safely nail your pop-up and build your confidence away from the island’s more intimidating and crowded lineups. With several board rental shacks right on the sand, teaming up with a local guide ensures you have a fun, secure, and highly scenic introduction to surfing on Bali’s southern coast.

Accessible via a short, scenic boat ride from the Jimbaran shoreline, Toro Toro is a classic right-hand break that caters beautifully to newer riders. While it is highly loved by longboarders, the softer inside sections and smaller swell days transform this area into a fantastic Toro surf spot for beginner surfers.

The wave breaks over a relatively forgiving reef at a relaxed, predictable pace, giving you plenty of time to paddle, pop up, and find your balance without feeling rushed. Because it is an offshore break, hiring a local instructor who can arrange the boat trip and guide you safely through the lineup is the easiest way to enjoy these incredibly fun and iconic Bali waves.

Located deep inside the Airport Reefs near Toro Toro, Tower is a hidden gem that truly comes alive when the outer ocean swells are massive. As the huge waves break out the back, the whitewash rolls over the inner reef and gracefully reforms into a gentle, soft-peeling right-hander.

This dynamic creates an incredibly forgiving Tower surf spot for beginner riders looking for a stress-free session while the rest of the coast is maxing out. Because the paddle from the nearby beach can be exhausting, hiring a traditional boat to drop you fresh into the lineup—along with a local instructor to help navigate the tides—is the perfect way to score long, easy rides and safely build your confidence.

Located a short boat ride off the bustling shores of Kuta Beach, Kuta Reef is traditionally known as a world-class left-hander reserved for advanced surfers. However, on days with minimal ocean swell, the inside section transforms into an unexpectedly fun Kuta surf spot for beginner riders.

While most learners stick to the heavily crowded sandbanks right on the shoreline, taking a traditional jukung boat out to the reef offers a unique, adventurous experience away from the chaos. By working with a local guide who knows exactly when the tide and swell are right, you can practice your pop-ups on the softer, rolling reforms while enjoying a stunning view of the Bali coastline from the water.

Located on Bali’s lush east coast, Keramas Beach is famous for its sparkling black volcanic sand and a world-class, high-performance right-hand reef break. While the main lineup frequently hosts professional competitions and is strictly reserved for advanced surfers, the inside foam can occasionally serve as a workable Keramas surf spot for beginner riders on very small swell days at high tide.

Practicing your pop-up in these gentler white water sections allows you to experience the striking beauty of the east coast away from the busier southern hubs. Because the reef here is notoriously sharp and the ocean power is intense, hiring an experienced local instructor is absolutely essential to ensure you are only in the water when conditions are safe and forgiving.

Knowing the best places to surf in bali is only half the battle. To truly score the best waves, you need to understand the tidal swings, the seasonal winds, and the complex reef systems.

Do not leave your surf trip to chance. Connect with the premium local coaching team at Surf Journey Bali. We will tailor a bespoke itinerary, handle the logistics, and guide you safely to the perfect wave for your exact skill level.