10 Reasons Why Bali Is the World’s Best Surf Destination
1. BALI IS A YEAR ROUND SURF DESTINATION
First and foremost why Bali is the world’s best surf destination, is the consistency and quality of the surf. Unlike the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans which deliver swells intermittently, the Indian Ocean is a consistent year-round swell-making machine. The swell travels thousands of miles, so when they reach Bali, they are perfectly organized into long-period quality waves. The local offshore wind grooms these waves, and the reefs are perfectly sculpted by the Gods, to exactly match the swell direction, and thus give consistently long peeling waves.
The main surfing season coincides with the high tourist season which is from April to October and is known as the dry season. During these months, the trade winds blow from the South East which is offshore at most of Bali’s famous surf breaks, and the weather is consistently sunny, but not too hot. The weather and wind are very consistent, and the surf will vary in size from head high to massive, at exposed spots like Uluwatu which is always sunny and offshore. No matter how big or how small the surf, there are always some breaks that are the right size, either because they are sheltered from the swell, fully exposed, or partially sheltered. It is a little-known fact that in the early morning, most breaks are offshore so it is possible to surf the less popular East and South coasts during this time and find near-empty line ups. Seek and you shall find!
The rainy season is from November to March. During early and late seasons (November and March) the winds are typically light and variable, which means all surf breaks on the East, South, and West coast come into play. From December to February the wind is predominantly from the west and southwest, and this is when the East Coast will be consistently good. There are countless different breaks on the east coast and some are truly world-class such as Sri Lanka and Keramas.
Bali does not have monsoons and even in the middle of the rainy season, there is an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day. Most days in the rainy season the weather is sunny, interspersed with heavy showers. Most of the rainfall is overnight or early morning, and there are always sunny spells. Rainy seasons can be surprisingly dry if it is an El Nino year, but La Nino years are always wetter.
What makes Bali so special as a surfing destination is that it is never ever flat, and there is always somewhere nearby that is offshore. Padang Padang Surf Camp is strategically located to be within close distance of the world-class dry seasons waves such as Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin, but it is only 10 minutes to south coast waves such as Nyang Nyang, Green Bowls, and Pandawa which pick up any swell from any direction. Nusa Dua is just 20 minutes away and the choice of surf breaks include, Nico, Geger left and right, Chicken wings, Mengiat, Black Stone, Mushroom Rock, Sri Lanka, and Benoa. During the rainy season, the island blooms with tropical vegetation, and the crowds diminish so you can find quiet surf breaks, and don’t need to make a reservation for your favorite restaurant.
Please read our blogs for details on the best beginner, intermediate and advanced surf spots.
2. BALI HAS A UNIQUE CULTURE AND RELIGION
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim with some Christian enclaves. Bali is unique within Indonesia in being a Hindu island. Religion is so entwined with the culture, that it is hard to differentiate the two. The rhythm and central tenet of Balinese life revolve around the ceremony, which is unique to Bali and breathtakingly beautiful. The most important aspect of anyone’s visit to Bali is the ceremony. It is impossible to try and understand the meaning and importance of ceremony, from reading any guidebook or blog. You need to immerse yourself in the culture and attend the ceremony with friendly Balinese locals, to get a real perspective on the purpose and spiritual feeling of this holy event.
Uluwatu temple is very close to Padang Padang Surf Camp and the highlight of our daily activities is a trip to the Kecak (Monkey) fire dance, which is performed at sunset every evening. Go early and stroll around the temple, and take in the amazing views of the surfers riding Bali’s premier surf spot. You are guaranteed to be mesmerized by the traditional dance and come away enchanted.
There are many temples in Bali, but none compare to the majesty of Uluwatu which is located directly above the surf break and has views all the way from Kuta to Java. Uluwatu temple is known as the mother temple, and Balinese will travel from everywhere on the island to pay homage to the Gods that live in this holiest of places.
3. BALI HAS INCREDIBLE NATURAL BEAUTY
Bali is surrounded by stunning white sand beaches and soaring cliffs, while the interior is a lush jungle, mountains, rivers, and thundering waterfalls. No other surfing destination compares with Bali for its natural beauty and cultural sites. The view of the surf break is incredible and in fact, is only surpassed by the view from the water.
Vertical cliff faces, soaring mountains and volcanoes, picture postcard rice fields, ancient holy temples, fast-flowing rivers, and beautiful traditional villages are the views from Bali’s world-famous surf breaks. Uluwatu, with its famous beach cave, has a perfect view of the 11th-century Hindu mother temple above; Keramas has a direct line of sight to Mount Agung which is a 3000M2 high active volcano, and would be above the snow line if not at a tropical latitude; Balian surf break is formed by the mighty sacred river, and has perfect views of rice terraces and majestic mountains that form the interior of Bali. These mountains are not just beautiful to look at, they are so high and cool, they drive an offshore wind every morning (irrespective of the season) to all the surf breaks in the region. The mountainous interior of Bali is the reason so many surf breaks are offshore in the early morning before the trade winds rise up around 10 am-11 am.
4. BALI IS SUITABLE FOR ALL BUDGETS
You can stay for $1 a night, $10,000 a night, or any price range in between. For surfers on a shoestring, the longer you stay, the cheaper the trip works out, as the main cost is the flight. Eat local food, and stay with a local family on the beach, and it’s possible to live on much less than you would spend living at home.
On the other end of the spectrum, Bali has the most amazing and luxurious hotels and resorts. 5-star hotels in Europe and America are a pale imitation of Asian luxury hotels, which are built on a much bigger and grander scale, due to the lower operating costs. Staff heavily outnumber the guests, and the service levels here are truly out of this world. Of course, Bali has everything from a shoestring budget to movie star opulence. Every budget and style is catered for so you are guaranteed to have something to suit your tastes as well as your bank account.
5. BALI HAS WORLD CLASS CUISINE AND NIGHTLIFE
In the early days of surf tourism, the nightlife was centered around Kuta, but now you can listen to world-famous DJs on the Bukit near Uluwatu, and Canggu is now the party capital of Bali. There is an abundance of amazing restaurants and bars all the way from Uluwatu to Canggu, with Seminyak setting the bar very high for world-class cuisine.
Fresh seafood on the beach, Australian BBQ, Balinese, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian, French. All styles of cooking for all budgets with the only consistency being excellent value and outstanding quality.
Within a short distance of Padang Padang Surf Camp, the entertainment highlights include live music at Kashew Tree on Thursday night, DJs and amazing food at Ulu Cliff house Friday, world-famous DJs at Savaya Saturday, the biggest event of the week anywhere in Bali is Sunday’s at Single Fin with bars and dancefloors at many levels.
6. BALI HAS COUNTLESS ACTIVITIES
Even if you’re hardcore surfing from sunrise to sunset, you will need to take a break from the mid-day sun and do different things occasionally. Bali’s waves are so good and consistent that even the most surf-starved surfer will eventually become “surfed out”.
The surf breaks are breathtakingly beautiful, and it is mesmerizing to watch perfectly sculptured waves. However, Bali has so much more to offer than perfect reef breaks and white sand beaches, world-class restaurants, bars, and clubs.
The list of activities is endless but includes world-class white water rafting, snorkeling, scuba diving, big game fishing, swimming, paragliding, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, paintballing, quad biking, cycling, nightclubbing, fine dining, and tasty street food. Visiting ancient temples and attending at least 1 ceremony is a must. Most tourists stay within the southern strip between Canggu and Uluwatu but there is so much more to see in the mountainous interior. Ubud is a cultural center, Candi Dasa and Amed have world-class snorkeling, and Bedugul is the capital of the lake district. Bali is a tourist’s dream. Service levels and friendly smiles are out of this world. Find yourself spiritually, experience the delights of yoga, or spoil yourself with a spa treatment. Bali is the jewel in the crown of tropical Asian holiday islands.
Whitewater rafting is possible year-round, but during the rainy season the rivers swell and you can ride the rapids for a thrilling 20 km. Countless waterfalls in Bali’s interior are incredibly powerful and must-see.
7. IT HAS AN ESTABLISHED AND THRIVING SURF CULTURE
Bali has the most surf shops in the world and every leading brand is available. As Bali is a year-round destination, surfing brands use it as a testing ground for product development. Many of the products are manufactured locally, and that makes the price very competitive. Surfers were amongst the first tourists to visit Bali, and have become closely embedded into the lifestyle and culture. Surfing is very popular amongst the local Balinese, and surfers are well-liked and respected here. This makes it a great place to meet other surfers, learn how to surf from qualified instructors, and take advantage of the 100+ surf spots, many of which are world-famous.
8. BALI IS THE IDEAL PLACE TO LEARN HOW TO SURF
Bali has deep water reef breaks which are perfect for learning to surf due to the consistency, quality, and length of the ride. There are many expert surf breaks, but also many soft breaking waves that are suitable for complete beginners to learn for the first time, and for intermediates to improve. Learning how to surf in warm water is so much easier without the restrictions of wearing a wetsuit. Not only is it easier to learn without a wetsuit (lighter and freer movement) it is also much more fun.
Suitable beginner and learner waves very near to Padang Padang Surf Camp include Baby Padang, Dreamland, and Balangan (when very small swell). Our instructors know the best surf break for any ability, swell size, and tide. Baby Padang is arguably the best spot in the world to learn to surf, due to the wave characteristic, which is soft breaking and offers a long ride to enable you to find your balance.
We are located near the very best locations to learn to surf. Our beginner surfing lessons are suitable for anyone who has; never surfed before, has very little experience with surfing or it’s been a long time since you last surfed.
9. BALI HAS A HUGE VARIETY OF BREAKS TO SUIT ANY LEVEL OF SURFER
The Bukit is not just incredibly beautiful with soaring cliffs and white sand beaches, it is also home to an incredible cluster of world-class surf breaks. Though known for its big waves spots like Uluwatu and perfect barrels of Padang Padang Left (Balinese pipeline) and Bingin, there are also great beginner waves like baby Padang Padang which break right into a deep water channel and peel left all the way to the beach.
A boat trip to airport reefs is a highlight of every surfer’s trip to Bali. Airport Rights is a perfect advanced wave and if you are lucky, you may spot Kelly Slater in the lineup. 300 meters from this advanced wave is Toro Toro which is always smaller and breaks mellow. Toro Toro is a perfect wave for intermediates as it breaks softly and consistently in deep water, and produces very long rides. Inside from Toro Toro, there are smaller waves that are suitable for beginners at high tide.
10. BALI HAS OVER 100 SURF SPOTS THAT ARE ALL REACHABLE IN 1-2 HOURS DRIVE FROM THE AIRPORT.
Nowhere compares to Bali for the sheer number of quality waves. On any given day 50 or more of these surf spots will have good surfing conditions, due to the consistency and quality of the swell that propagates here from the Indian Ocean.
The west coast has great waves from the long coastline that includes Medewi-Balian-Canggu-Legian-Kuta-Airport reefs-Balangan-Uluwatu. The south coast picks up all the swell and has left and right waves from Nyang Nyang all the way to Nusa Dua including Green Bowls, Pandawa, and many secret spots which we will not name. The East Coast has great waves all the way from Nikko to Jasri and includes Geger, Blackstone, Sri Lanka, Serangan, Sanur, Ketewel, and Keramas. There are so many surf spots, no one can can quantify the number, and no one has surfed all the spots. So many of the surf spots are still undiscovered by the masses, as the famous breaks are so good, it’s hard to move from the known spots. Bali has lefts, rights, A-frames, reef breaks, point breaks, beachies, and river mouth breaks. Bali ticks all the surfing boxes and every other positive box. No one has ever been disappointed on a Bali surfing holiday, but if you want to make the most of your experience, best to stay with operators that understand both the surf breaks and local culture.