The Ultimate Guide to Surfing Toro Toro

Toro Toro is the most popular wave at Bali’s Airport Reefs, known for its long, mellow right-hand walls and easy, predictable nature. This wave is an intermediate surfer’s paradise and the highlight of many surf trips, thanks to the fun traditional boat ride to the lineup, relaxed waves, and length of ride. It is our surf camp’s favourite wave and number one on our list of the best intermediate surf spots in Bali, offering the perfect platform to hone fundamental skills such as cutbacks and bottom turns.

Download our free PDF guide to all 73 Bali surf spots to plan your trip around the right break for every tide, swell and wind.

In this guide to surfing Toro Toro, we will reveal everything you need to know to surf one of Bali’s most fun waves.

Understanding the Toro Toro wave

Toro Toro is a right-hand reef break on the south end of the airport runway, breaking inside Jimbaran Bay and accessible by boat from Jimbaran or Kuta. It breaks closer to shore than Airport Right and has a single main peak that breaks both left and right over a sharp reef. It is known for long, mellow right-hand walls that run at an easy, predictable pace, ideal for intermediate surf lessons. While it is not suitable for first-time surfers due to the sharp reef, it is perfect for progressing surfers looking for long rides with many turn sections.

The right-hander is the star of the show, offering long, flowing rides perfect for cutbacks and rail work. Take-offs are moderately steep, followed by a growing section that you need to move quickly to get around. Once around it, the wave forms into a clean, open-face wall moving at the perfect pace for working on turns, often continuing for much longer than expected. Pro tip: commit to the take-off, do not outrun the wave, and focus on technique, as the wave gives you time to work on what you have learned in our surf coaching program.

When the swell is shoulder-high and below, surf the right on a lower tide to allow the maximum number of waves through, though the trade-off is that the sections do not connect as nicely. On a head-high or overhead swell, low becoming mid-tide is perfect for long, open walls to do your best turns. On a larger swell, mid to high tide is best, but you need to pick your waves carefully, as many rights break wide of the peak. On a larger swell and low tide, the wave breaks in many sections.

The left-hander is shorter, shallower, and runs straight into the channel. There is a large submerged rock that causes a steep, shallow take-off. When shoulder-high and below, the wave is short but punchy; when head-high, it can be a fun ride with a steep drop followed by one or two turn sections. On large swells at high tide, the left can barrel briefly, but it breaks into shallow water and requires caution. Toro Toro is protected from the prevailing swell direction, making it a good option when other breaks are too big. On very large swells, it reforms into an inside wave, which is much slower and softer than Toro Toro proper.

The best days at Toro Toro happen when the wind is light and variable. The break is far from shore, so it is exposed to the wind; the dry-season trade winds blow offshore, but the lineup can become choppy if the wind is too strong. The wet-season wind is onshore, and the runway affords some protection from a north wind.

Safety and dangers at Toro Toro

The reef at Toro Toro is sharp and often shallower than it appears. The water is usually murky, making it difficult to see the bottom. Learn how to fall correctly over the reef and avoid diving head-first. If you do not make a wave and find yourself on the inside, do not paddle directly out through the pack of surfers; instead, paddle towards the runway, staying clear of the impact zone and other surfers. The break can become crowded when the conditions line up perfectly, especially on a smaller day with a low tide and no wind, so be aware of other surfers, follow proper etiquette, and always protect your head when falling in a busy lineup.

How to enter the surf at Toro Toro

The fastest way to reach Toro Toro is by boat from Pantai Kedonganan, just south of the fish market. The ride takes around five minutes and costs approximately 150,000 IDR for a return trip. You can also access the break from Pantai Jerman, north of the runway, though this trip is longer and more expensive, and the boats cannot leave the beach on very low tides. Once at the wave, jump from the boat and head towards the lineup, and always remember what your boat looks like, as drivers frequently move and re-anchor while you are surfing.

How to exit the surf at Toro Toro

When you are ready to exit, locate your boat and paddle over. Be patient if you need to wait for others to climb aboard. Once on board, relax and enjoy the view on the return trip to shore.

When is the best time to surf Toro Toro?

The best time to surf Toro Toro is during the transitional months of November, December, March, and April, when winds are light and conditions are often glassy in the morning. First light is the best time of day: enjoy the incredible sunrise and beat the crowd and wind. This break is quickly affected by the wind, given the distance from shore, so it is best to get out there early.

Can beginners surf Toro Toro?

Toro Toro is not recommended for beginners, due to its distance from shore and shallow reef. Beginner surfers will have a better experience at Kuta Beach, which breaks over sand, or the gentle waves at Baby Padang. That said, you do not need advanced skills to surf Toro Toro; once you are confident standing up, paddling, falling safely, and understanding basic surf etiquette, it becomes accessible for improving surfers.

Can intermediates surf Toro Toro?

Toro Toro is an excellent wave for intermediate surfers. The long rides, mellow pace, and organised shape create a perfect training ground for dialling in your frontside top turns, backside top turns, cutbacks, bottom turns, and transitions between manoeuvres. The length of each ride allows for multiple repetitions within a single wave, making it an efficient break for building technique.

Things to do at Toro Toro for non-surfers

For non-surfers, the nearby Kedonganan fish market offers a local cultural experience. Alternatively, a stroll south along the beach towards Pantai Muaya is a relaxing way to enjoy the coastline.

Where to stay near Toro Toro

While there are hotels lining Pantai Muaya and Ahimsa to the south, Toro Toro is in a largely local neighbourhood with limited tourist infrastructure, nightlife, and dining. We recommend staying in Kuta (15 minutes away in early-morning traffic), Canggu (30 minutes), or Uluwatu (30 minutes) for a better selection of accommodation, dining, and entertainment.

Where to eat near Toro Toro

There are several seafood restaurants along the beach at the south end of Jimbaran Bay, though post-morning surf options are very limited. Pantai Kelan, just north of Kedonganan, has become popular for its beachfront dining and views of planes landing at the airport. Every evening, seafood BBQs are set up on the beach, offering fresh fish and excellent sunset views.

Is Toro Toro worth surfing?

Toro Toro is a consistent, mellow right-hand reef break well suited to intermediate surfers. The long, soft walls offer a great platform for practising cutbacks and other frontside manoeuvres. Access is straightforward by boat from Kedonganan, and conditions are best during the transitional seasons with light winds and small to medium swells. While not suitable for beginners, those with basic surfing ability and ocean awareness will find Toro Toro a productive and enjoyable wave to progress their skills. If you are an intermediate surfer looking to surf Toro Toro at its best, join our Uluwatu surf camp and experience this wave with expert guidance and personalised coaching.