Medewi: Bali’s Premier Left-Hand Point

Medewi breaks the mould of powerful Balinese barrels and is almost unique in Bali for being a point break.

Located far up Bali’s West Coast, it holds a special place in the heart of surfers looking for long, mellow rides. Download our free PDF guide to all 75 Bali surf spots to plan the rest of your Bali trip around the right break for every tide, swell and wind.

Understanding the Medewi wave

Medewi is a playful soft-breaking boulder bottom left-hand point break. On its best days, the wave retains its shape and rolls for over 800 metres, offering one of the longest rides in Bali. It is also a much easier wave compared to the other long left-handers of Bali, such as the impossibly fast Impossibles or the challenging Balangan. Medewi stands out from the other more advanced-level surf spots in Bali due to being a more mellow and slow-rolling wave.

In other words, you are not going to get the barrel of your lifetime here, as the wave does not break powerfully enough. Rather, Medewi is a dream for goofy footers and caters to a range of surfing levels, offering a mellow, cruisy ride that is great for longboarders. The long and smooth rides here are perfect for practising manoeuvres like cutbacks. These waves break quite close to the shore, and there is an excellent vantage point to watch the surf.

Medewi is a less frequented surf spot, especially when compared to other spots on the west coast of Bali, such as those found in the Uluwatu region. This is largely due to its distance from the airport and Kuta, as well as the lack of nightclubs attracting the party crowd. Medewi offers a quieter and more relaxed alternative to the other bustling areas of Bali, such as the tourist hotspots of Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. Despite the long drive from the airport, Medewi is well worth the journey.

Safety and dangers at Medewi

While the vibe is relaxed and the waves are relatively gentle, Medewi is not without its hazards. Entry and exit to the water can be tricky because it involves navigating over rocks. The boulders can become slippery, and some are covered in barnacles that can cut your feet. Caution, attention, and careful foot placement are essential — booties are recommended when surfing Medewi at low tide to help protect your feet from sharp rocks both entering and exiting the water.

When is the best time to surf Medewi?

The ideal season for surfing Medewi is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. This time sees regular S-SW swells and offshore wind conditions, providing the most consistent and cleanest waves. Medewi is blocked by Java from SW swells, so it will be much smaller than Canggu and the Bukit if there is a lot of west in the swell. On southerly swells the surf will be similar in size to other breaks on the west coast of Bali. Unlike other spots on the west coast of Bali, which are easily blown out by the trade winds, the headland offers some protection from the SE winds that blow consistently daily from mid-morning to sunset.

The wet season tends to offer mushier and smaller waves, which can be ideal for novice surfers looking to practise and improve. Keep in mind that the water at Medewi can become dirty during the wet season. Medewi is a relatively consistent surf spot, and you can find surfable waves all year round except on a small west swell, when it can be too small to ride.

What are the best conditions for surfing Medewi?

Medewi is a year-round surf spot that works best with a N-NE wind. The ideal surf size is between head high and head-and-a-half. It holds bigger swells, but they break further out, making it more exposed to cross-winds, and the bigger waves breaking outside have a shifty peak.

Medewi works on all tides, but higher tides generally result in better-forming waves, and it is hard to get in and out of the water when the tide is low due to the rocks that must be navigated.

Early mornings are usually the optimal time due to wind interference (the trade winds are cross-onshore) later in the day, so Medewi is generally favourable in the early mornings when the wind is usually lighter. It is quite rare to get a north-northeast wind other than early morning or sunset, except after it rains and the land cools.

Medewi is always smaller than Balian, particularly so on southwest swells. If Medewi is flat or too small, it can often be worth the drive up to Balian (30 minutes), or Car Parks (20 minutes). You will generally want to avoid surfing Medewi at low tide, because the wave loses its quality and the danger of hitting the sharp rocks increases.

Can beginners surf Medewi?

Medewi is considered an easy wave because it breaks softly, but despite the soft-breaking nature, Medewi is not suitable for a complete beginner surfer. First, access into and out of the water can be tricky, especially for beginner surfers carrying big boards. Second, you need to be able to turn the surfboard in order to surf Medewi — if you ride the wave in a straight line, you will end up surfing into the reef, with a high chance of damaging your board and cutting yourself.

Due to the difficulty of getting into and out of the water, and the rocks on the inside when riding a wave, Medewi is unsuitable for complete beginners. Here are more suitable surf spots for beginners in Bali. Beginners are recommended to seek out a reputable surf school that offers surf lessons tailored to beginners.

Can intermediates surf Medewi?

Medewi can be a great surf spot once a surfer has advanced beyond the complete beginner stage and into the novice-intermediate level. In fact, Medewi is an excellent wave for intermediates due to its slow speed, easy take-off, and long ride. If a surfer has gained the ability to ride an unbroken wave and turn the board, then Medewi becomes a playground for the developing surfer looking to improve.

Medewi is usually less crowded than others in Bali, partly due to the distance from the main tourist area and the lack of things to do other than surf. It does not attract advanced surfers because the wave lacks power. As an intermediate surfer it can be very hard to get quality waves elsewhere, as you are competing not just against the waves but also against better surfers — Medewi is one of the best spots in Bali for intermediates to get good-quality waves suited to their ability.

How to enter the surf at Medewi

The entry point to the surf spot is difficult to access at high tide. It is a two-minute walk from the car park directly in front of Umadewi Surf & Retreat. You need to paddle directly away from the shoreline and then turn right to get to the surf break. Be very careful, as there are hidden rocks — if unsure of the right place, it is best to follow other surfers, as it is not obvious where to paddle out and you cannot see the hidden rocks.

How to exit the surf at Medewi

Exiting the surf at Medewi is tricky, particularly on bigger days, as you need to climb over slippery rocks. The shortest route is to paddle directly towards the car park and pick your way through the boulders. High tide is easiest and low tide is the most difficult. If it looks too challenging and you are not in a rush, you can take a long paddle to the beach and walk the longer distance.

Where to stay at Medewi

Umadewi Surf & Retreat has the best location, with a great view of the surf, and has been newly modernised. If you are looking for something cheaper, Medewi Beach Inn is about half the price and just a two-minute walk away. There are also a few homestays that are very cheap but not the same quality.

Where to eat at Medewi

Mai Malu is a very good restaurant and just five minutes’ walk from the surf break. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they have a good-sized menu to cater for all tastes. If you like to eat local food while watching the surf, Warung Gede is a great lunch option — the BBQ fish and BBQ chicken are highly recommended and at a very reasonable price.

Are there any other breaks near Medewi?

Yes, there is a beach break five minutes’ drive further west that is a fun right-hander. Check out Kelly Slater surfing Medewi and the beach break below.

What to do for non-surfers at Medewi

Medewi is a black sand beach, but the calm atmosphere makes it ideal for relaxing. Pulukan Village is just a five-minute drive from the surf break but has a very different feel and gives a glimpse into traditional Balinese life, surrounded by rice paddies and lush greenery.

Bunut Bolong is a unique tree with a natural tunnel carved through its trunk. The large banyan tree has cultural significance and is revered by locals — remember to bring your camera. Rambut Siwi Temple is one of the largest sea temples in Bali, located just ten minutes from Medewi, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. A one-hour drive to the north-west will bring you to Bali’s only national park; Menjangan is a world-class snorkelling and diving destination and very peaceful.

Why Medewi is worth the long drive

Medewi is an excellent surf spot that caters to surfers of a variety of levels: a forgiving left-hand point break that on its best days offers astonishingly long rides. Medewi breaks the mould of traditional powerful Balinese barrels and instead stands out for its softer, slow-rolling waves, extending a warm invitation to goofy footers, longboarders, and those seeking a more relaxed surfing experience.

With its distance from the bustle of Kuta and the nightclub scene, this less frequented surf spot is more like Java than Bali. With a chilled vibe, Medewi could be the gem you have been searching for if you want to get away from shopping malls, clubs, and fancy restaurants — it is a fishing village, and it is a delight to eat fresh fish at a beach restaurant for lunch while watching the surfers nearby.

Medewi is not only a playground for experienced surfers, but also for those looking to refine their skills once they are past the complete beginner stage. With fewer crowds than the more popular surf spots in Bali, it provides a much-needed respite for those wanting to focus on improving their skills. Medewi is also one of the only places in Bali where you can surf during Nyepi.

Whether you are an intermediate surfer seeking long, cruisy rides, or a novice surfer ready to graduate to the next level, Medewi has something for you. Join our surf camp and let our guides put you on Medewi, or wherever else on the coast is firing that day.