The Ultimate Guide to Surfing Balian

Balian is a small village located on the west coast of Bali, very near the main road from Java to Bali. It is famous in the surfing world for its excellent rivermouth surf break.

It is located about 20 miles northwest of Canggu, and 30 minutes before you reach Medewi — a different pace altogether from Canggu’s crowded lineups. Download our free PDF guide to all 73 Bali surf spots to plan the rest of your Bali trip around the right break for every tide, swell and wind.

Balian is becoming an increasingly popular surfing and yoga destination. It is a place where you visit for a short time and find it very hard to leave. Some never leave. It is reminiscent of how Bali was in the 1970s before mass tourism arrived.

It retains a friendly and less crowded vibe compared to other surf spots in Bali, so it is ideal if you are looking for a more relaxed and less competitive surfing environment. Balian is especially well-known among the international surfing community for being a consistent surf spot that is suitable for a variety of surfing levels and perfect for intermediate surfers. Whether you are a novice or an advanced surfer, Balian can provide you with an excellent surfing experience.

Understanding the Balian wave

Balian is situated in a unique location, nestled beneath the mountains on the west coast of Bali. The unique topography of Balian contributes to the exceptional surfing conditions: the cool mountain air creates a reliable offshore breeze almost every morning, resulting in clean-breaking waves. The sacred river of Balian has carved a deep-water channel, funnelling and amplifying the swell’s energy directly toward Balian Beach. So, even tiny swells get magnified, making Balian a year-round surfing destination and one of the world’s most consistent surf spots. Balian is never flat and is always big enough to surf.

Balian provides a diverse surfing experience with three different surf spots catering to surfers of varying skill levels. The Peak is an extremely reliable surf spot, and the waves are always the biggest here. It is an A-frame, so the wave breaks both left and right: the left is a slow-breaking wave that can wall up perfectly and break all the way to the beach, making it a dream for goofy footers, while the right is a fast-breaking, high-quality wave that often barrels, though it can be difficult to paddle back from when the swell is large — wave selection is key on bigger days to avoid getting stuck inside.

Ketuts is positioned on the east side of the river. It is a speedy, high-performance, right-hand breaking wave that can throw barrels and is great for regular footers, though it is worth noting that Ketuts breaks heavily on the inside and the end section bowls — it is a very intense wave and always a bit smaller than the Peak. Paddle diagonally away from the river if you get stuck inside. Inside Lefts is found on the west side of the river, where the waves are smaller compared to the Peak. It is a cruisy left-hander and a popular spot with novice surfers; when the trade winds kick in, you will find that Inside Lefts is cleaner than the other spots mentioned above, as the whitewater from the Peak breaks up the chop.

Balian is generally less crowded compared to other surf spots in Bali, such as those found in the Uluwatu and Canggu areas, so it offers a more peaceful surfing experience. It can get busy on the smallest days with day-trippers and surf schools from Canggu in search of a wave when Canggu is too small to surf.

There are plenty of warungs (local eateries) on the beachfront where you can grab something to eat and have a great view of the surf. Dekkies Warung has a great bird’s-eye view of the surf from above, and Pondok Pitaya is located directly in front of Inside Lefts.

Safety and dangers at Balian

The wave does not break very heavily, but rolling whitewater will push you inside and can make paddling out quite difficult on the bigger days, so make sure you are well aware of your surroundings and are comfortable with the conditions before paddling out. If you do get stuck inside, paddle perpendicular to the beach to the west, where there is deeper water — the current will help you.

There have been a number of shark attacks in Balian recently, and we would advise caution when surfing when the water is brown from the river, as this is the most dangerous time. Sunrise and sunset are particularly dangerous, as this coincides with feeding times, when sharks take advantage of the low light to hunt.

When is the best time to surf Balian?

Balian offers rideable waves year-round, making it a great place to surf regardless of the season, but it can often be too big in the dry season. Balian does not handle a high wave period very well and is better on a low period of 12 or 13 seconds. In general, reef breaks in the Uluwatu area are best when the period is 15 seconds or longer.

During the dry season, which falls between April and October, the wind is reliably offshore in the mornings from the cold winds coming from Mount Batukuru in the north, which is 2,200 metres high. By mid-morning the trade winds will kick in and overpower the local convection winds, so it will usually be choppy by around 11 a.m. If lucky, the wind will drop late afternoon in time for a sunset session. The dry season is predominantly sunny, and the water is cleaner due to less water flowing from the river.

The wet season, which spans from November to March, can be perfect at Balian. The wet season has less crowded lineups, and it can be an excellent time to visit Bali, especially if you are looking to avoid the crowds and surf Balian in relative solitude.

Do note that the wet season tends to come with more unpredictable weather, but rainfall cools the land, and this will often change the wind to offshore.

In summary, you can get a rideable wave at Balian all year round, but the dry season can often be too big. Insider tip: Balian is very open to south swells, but the surf is diminished in size from a southwest swell, as Java blocks some of the swell. Many people will avoid Balian when the swell is forecast to be big, but a SW swell is always smaller at Balian than at Uluwatu and Canggu. The best months are generally during a change of seasons, i.e. March–April and October–November, as the winds are generally light and the surf is usually the right size (head to head-and-a-half high). January can often be a poor month with strong westerly winds and lots of rain. In July and August, the trade winds tend to start early and blow hard all day.

What are the best conditions for surfing at Balian?

Surfing conditions in Balian are shaped by a mix of factors, including swell direction, wind conditions, tide, and size of the waves. Balian breaks well on any swell direction, but a SW swell can be better, as the swell wraps around Java, which generally improves the wave quality — though as mentioned above, SW swells can be smaller than expected. The more west in the swell, the more protected Balian is from the eastern tip of Java. South swells come directly into Balian unfiltered and can often be too big for Balian to handle well.

Balian is extremely fortunate as a surfing destination, as the cold wind from the mountains blows directly offshore almost every morning of the year. Balian has its own micro-climate, such that light westerly winds are negated by the effect of the cold mountain air. The worst winds for Balian are a strong westerly or south-westerly wind (a wet season cyclone) or south-easterly trade winds.

Balian can be surfed on all tides, but is best at mid to high tide. At low tide, the wave lacks definition and tends to close out on bigger days. If the surf is very small, Balian can be very good at low tide, but the bigger the swell, the higher the tide needs to be for it to break optimally. Balian handles spring high tides better than anywhere else in Bali if there is enough swell; with a tiny swell and a big tide it can be too deep for the waves to break, but if the swell is big enough, the waves will break very well even at the most extreme high tides.

Balian works best when the surf is head to head-and-a-half high. It can be excellent up to double overhead, but any bigger than that and the waves tend to break across such a wide range that it is difficult to find the right spot. As the bathymetry is quite flat, big swells can break very far out, and you always end up getting caught by set waves that push you inside. Below head high there is not much power in the wave, but the rides can still be long and fun. High-period swells cause the waves to break wide of the peak and be disorganised — Balian is similar to a beach break in that it does not handle high-period swells well.

Remember, surfing conditions can change rapidly, so it is always recommended to check a reliable surf forecast before you head out. Make sure your skill level matches the day’s conditions, and recall that all swells at Balian get magnified due to the sacred river, which has created a deep-water channel beyond the surf break. Understanding and respecting the conditions is important for a safe and enjoyable surfing experience.

Can beginners surf Balian?

Yes, Balian can be a suitable spot for beginners to surf when the surf is very small. Among the three surf spots in Balian, Inside Lefts is the most beginner-friendly. The waves at Inside Lefts are smaller and less powerful than the Peak or Ketuts, so it is a good place for beginners or less experienced surfers to practise and improve.

On bigger swells Balian can be a challenging surf spot. The paddle out to the lineup is a long way, and you will always get caught by sets, as the bottom is quite flat, meaning set waves break very far out. As always, beginners should consider taking surf lessons from a reputable surf school, which can provide valuable guidance and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience while learning to surf in Balian. Balian picks up a lot of swell, so it can often become too big for anyone other than advanced-expert surfers — here are some great surf spots for beginners in Bali.

Can intermediates surf Balian?

Yes, Balian can be perfect for intermediates when the surf is around head high. If the Peak is too big, Inside Lefts is always smaller and is a shorter paddle from the shore. Ketuts breaks quite fast but is suitable for regular-foot intermediate surfers in the shoulder-to-head-high size range.

When Balian is too big, intermediates may want to go about 15 miles west to the next surf spot, Medewi. Medewi is a soft-breaking left-hander and one of the best surf spots for intermediates in Bali.

How to enter the surf at Balian

When the swell is small, the easiest and shortest paddle out is via the river. The water is deeper here and the river flow will assist you. At low to mid tide you can walk most of the way, and if you time the waves correctly, you will easily pop out the back. Turn left for Ketuts or turn right for the main peak.

On bigger days, to access Ketuts it is better to paddle out near where the right-hand wave ends on the western side of the river. There is a current working against you, but you avoid paddling through the whitewater and getting caught by sets. To access the main peak or left-hander on bigger days, it is best to paddle out directly in front of Pondok Pitaya. The shore break at high tide can be quite challenging, but once past the shore break it is deep water and the waves do not break. It is a short paddle to the left-hander and a longer paddle to the main peak.

How to exit the surf at Balian

Getting into the shore is usually very easy — just paddle direct for the beach after riding a wave. However, if you end up in the river and the flow is quite strong, you will need to paddle diagonally and look for whitewater to take you onto the beach. On bigger days the shorebreak at high tide can be quite a challenge; time the break between sets and be quick to run up the beach.

Where to stay in Balian

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Balian, we recommend Beach Villa Balian, which is located directly in front of the A-frame peak and has great views of Ketuts and Inside Lefts — you can check the surf conditions without even leaving your bed.

Beach Villa Balian offers the ultimate surfing experience with the beach and river literally at your doorstep. Equipped with modern amenities, spacious rooms, and a private pool, the villa offers a perfect balance of luxury and comfort for relaxing after a day of surfing, and is ideal for surfing enthusiasts, providing direct, hassle-free access to the surf break. Availability can be limited due to high demand, so it is recommended to book in advance.

Where to eat in Balian

Both Deki’s Warung and Pondok Pitaya have great views of the surfing and are popular all day. Balian Beach Cafe is located on the beach very close to where you enter the surf break; the fresh fish is as great as the views, but opening hours are sporadic and unreliable.

Away from the shoreline, both Casa Cafe and Tekor (located adjacent to each other) are excellent and very reasonably priced. The best dining option is perhaps Yama, which is located on the river, but check first that they are open to non-residents, as they regularly host retreats and close their restaurant to the public.

What to do for non-surfers in Balian

Yoga is very popular, and there are daily yoga classes at Pondok Pitaya and other places. A walk along the sacred Balian river is a must. At sunset the beach is very popular and a great place to hang out and watch the sunset.

Pura Luhur Batukaru is one of the nine directional temples of Bali, located near Mount Batukaru. It is a sacred site surrounded by lush rainforest and offers a peaceful atmosphere. Pura Rambut Siwi is located just past Medewi, on the coast in a beautiful location. The iconic Pura Tanah Lot is about the same distance away in the other direction, but is much busier with throngs of tourists and hawkers selling their wares.

Why Balian keeps surfers coming back

Balian is a fantastic surf spot for anyone looking to escape the traditional tourist hotspots and enjoy a more laid-back surfing experience. With its consistency, diverse variety of waves, and welcoming local community, Balian promises a rich and rewarding surfing experience, with rideable waves year-round and the assurance that it will never be flat.

To time your trip around Balian’s magnified swells and the rest of the west coast, join our surf camp and let our local guides put you on the right peak on the right tide.