The East Coast of Bali, distinct from the more developed West Coast and the Bukit region, offers a unique surfing experience with its picturesque landscapes, rice fields, and views of Mount Agung. Navigating this region demands local knowledge, patience, and effort. The world-class surf, including renowned Keramas, plus a collection of underrated right point breaks and excellent reef breaks, makes it more than worthwhile.

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.

As you travel along the Indonesian highway past Sanur, the (artificial) transition from white-sand beaches to volcanic black sand becomes apparent. Vast rice fields dominate the landscape on the journey eastward towards the revered Mount Agung. The deep channel between Bali and Nusa Penida directs surf towards the breaks dotting the coastline, creating powerful waves reminiscent of Hawaii’s North Shore. Many breaks are still accessed via small paved roads primarily used by farmers, providing glimpses of local life, such as duck farmers guiding their flocks. This slow, relaxed pace of life is changing now, and like the rest of Bali, the area is undergoing rapid development.

Known for its thumping, chocolate-coloured waves breaking over sharp reefs, the surf breaks on the East Coast demand careful consideration. Unlike many breaks in Bali, these can be fickle and, under the wrong conditions, treacherous. Armed with accurate information and a spirit of exploration, the East Coast beckons.

When is the best time to surf the East Coast?

The East Coast of Bali is known for its wet-season surf breaks. Contrary to common belief, some East Coast breaks are surfable year-round. However, south-east trade winds affect the quality of the surf from May to September, making these breaks surfable only in the mornings. From October to April, favourable wet-season winds can persist throughout the day. In the wet season (November to March) the winds are predominantly from the south-west or west; south-west is side-shore, while a west wind is perfectly offshore for most breaks in the region. The more northerly breaks like Keramas and Klotok benefit from a cold offshore wind blowing from the high mountains in the interior most mornings, enhancing wave quality. The breaks along this stretch of coastline are excellent reasons Bali is a great place to visit during the wet season.

A guide to every East Coast surf spot

Maura Beach to Kubur Beach

The first set of waves you reach beyond Sanur is the stretch of shifting beach breaks at Pantai Maura, Biaung, Lembeng, Gumicik, and Kubur. These breaks are all similar in nature, and which is best is determined by how the sandbanks are formed at that specific time. They all work on low to mid tides, depending on the current formation of the sandbanks. On a high tide, backwash, shorepound, and rip currents develop, degrading the quality of the surf. Get the tide right, and with a clean sand formation, you can score long lefts and rights with a light crowd, and depending on the day, you can have barrels or turn sections. Like Sanur Reef, the locals here are quite protective of their waves, so it is best to paddle out with a guide.

Pantai Gumicik is shaped by a river mouth, which is often marked by chicken feathers and trash from improper waste disposal. These breaks are best at under 1.5x overhead, all the way down to longboard size; any larger and the waves begin to close out and become disorganised. In the wet season, there is often no wind or offshore wind until mid-morning, when the wind turns to side-shore. During the dry season, the trade winds blow onshore all day, making these spots for the wet season only.

Ketewel

Ketewel is a long right-hander that breaks over a sharp and shallow reef in front of a river mouth. The higher the tide, the better for this wave, given its shallow nature. If the swell is over head-high or the tide is below two metres, this is an advanced surfers’ only wave. It is less crowded, partly due to the very shallow section near the end of the wave. Usually the wave is fast, sucky, and hollow, which means it will break your board and send you bouncing off the reef if you are not careful. When under head-high or with over two metres of tide, the wave becomes rippable with fun turn sections, suitable for intermediate surfers. During the wet season, this wave features windless mornings but often turns side-shore by late morning, and during the dry season it is usually onshore from dawn to dusk.

On a big day, you can walk to the river mouth after Pura Rangkan temple for an easier beach break surf. On big days with low-tide mornings, Pantai Purnama, just up the road, offers intense slabs and barrels for rippers only. This is the best place for uncrowded barrels under the right conditions.

Keramas area

There are three breaks that make up the famous Keramas area, with its feature wave being so good they built a resort in front of it. These breaks all work best at mid tide. On low tide the reef becomes dangerously shallow, and on high tide the waves lose their shape and power. This is a windy area unless it is morning or raining; in the mornings or after rainfall, a cold wind from Mount Agung produces an offshore wind. These breaks are advanced waves, as they break fast and heavy, and the reefs are known to have plenty of sea urchins waiting for an unsuspecting surfer. When head-high and below, these breaks are suitable for intermediate surfers. Any larger and the waves are too fast, too powerful, and too shallow for all but advanced surfers.

KFC’s is the easiest wave in the area and the most intermediate-friendly. It is also a long right-hander on a high tide, and the least crowded break in the area, as it lives under the shadow of Keramas.

The next break up the road to the north is Carparks. This break is known as a short, fast, and powerful right-hander for airs and big turns. It is a shallow wave, but the reef features more seaweed, so it is less sharp than the reef at other locations.

Just up the road is Keramas, one of the most famous waves in Bali, known for being featured in hi-fi surf flicks and as a stop on the pro tour. Many consider this to be the best wave in Bali. The speed, power, and perfection of this wave result in everyone doing better turns and bigger airs (for the rippers). It is an incredibly fun wave, but you will get slammed on the reef if you are not careful of the end section before the wave fizzles into deep water. This is a high-performance barrelling wave that gets very heavy when big, and it holds up to a massive swell just as perfectly as a small swell. It is very crowded with top surfers, making it difficult to get a set wave. There is also a short left that works on a small swell and a high tide. Intermediate surfers can surf this wave when smaller, but will have to wait for one to slip past the pack of top locals and travelling shredders.

Masceti

Pantai Masceti serves as a primary training ground for local youngsters improving their shortboard skills. If under head-high, you can find some OK lefts and rights, but the wave is much lower quality than other waves in the area. This wave is best on a mid to high tide and a small swell, and features the same wind patterns as Keramas.

Cucukan

Cucukan is a good small-wave location that breaks in a small bend in the coastline. This is a very rippable wave when head-high and under, a medium-length wave with fun turn sections and the occasional barrel. It is a high-tide-only break, thanks to a sharp reef and a shallow end section. This is a great wave for intermediate and up surfers; just be careful not to surf when the tide is not high enough.

The wave that breaks just before Cucukan is called Cucukan Uppers. This is the heaviest slab in Bali, making it for pros and rippers only. It is short and heavy with not much of an exit before running to dry reef. This wave will break your board and send you to hospital, so it is best left to the pros.

Klotok

Klotok is an excellent rock-bottomed right-hand point break that features long rides with an easy take-off followed by a plethora of turn and barrel sections. This is the most intermediate-friendly wave in the area, but it still breaks with that thumping East Coast power the region is famous for. Similar to Keramas, it holds a very large swell and is surfable from small to big. This wave is farther from tourist accommodation and facilities, so it is sometimes less crowded than other breaks, though more and more surf camps from Canggu are beginning to bring guests here. This break needs a low to mid tide to work properly; when the tide gets too high, the wave is degraded by backwash bouncing off the walking path. Wet-season mornings are often dead calm until late morning, after which the wind becomes side-shore, while the dry season is windy side-shore or onshore all day.

On the south side of the point at Klotok, there is a short left-hander that barrels over shallow rocks. This wave is usually empty, as most surfers prefer to keep their fins attached to their surfboards. Given the rocks on the inside, this is a high-tide-only and advanced surfers’ only wave.

On the other side of the wave at Klotok, there is a mellow beach break called Jumpai. This wave works on all tides and is better on a small swell; above head-high, it becomes unorganised and closes out. This is a good spot for beginner surfers in an area filled with challenging waves. The wave breaks over rocks and there are known to be urchins present, so beware of the shore break if there is a decent swell running.

Padang Bai Harbour

When the swell is maxing and Keramas and Klotok are closing out, there is a left that forms on the north-eastern side of Padang Bai Harbour, opposite the ferry terminal. This is a sectiony reef break with a difficult take-off. This wave is seldom surfed, due to the distance from the main tourist areas and the potential for polluted water from the ferry system.

Jasri

Jasri is a stunning right point break that is a world-class wave under the right conditions. It is incredibly beautiful, with clear water and views of Mount Agung in the not-too-far distance, and the lineup is frequented by turtles and plenty of sea life. The wave requires a mid-tide and a big swell to form long, fast lines with several turn sections and a barrel mid-wave. Like other waves in the area, a high tide will ruin the wave due to backwash off the walking path. Entry and exit are tricky, as you must hobble over the various-sized cobblestones and rocks to get past the closeout into deep water; once you are out, the current takes you to the lineup. Jasri has become popular with surf schools, particularly when other areas are too big. Peculiarly, there used to be a “local time”, when only Indonesians local to Jasri were allowed to surf. This was aggressively enforced until the government intervened and outlawed the practice. The vibe is friendly now, and it is a great place to spend the day.

Can beginners surf the East Coast?

Generally speaking, the East Coast is not a beginner-friendly zone. With the solitary exception of Jumpai, the coastline is defined by sharp rock and reef bottoms combined with fast-breaking waves and strong currents. These conditions make it unsuitable for those still learning the basics, who are far better served by the softer Baby Reef in Sanur or the forgiving reef at Baby Padang. If you are learning, join us for beginner surf lessons in the Uluwatu area instead.

Can intermediates surf the East Coast?

On smaller days, the East Coast offers excellent opportunities for intermediate surfers to step up their game on punchy right-handers. The intensity ramps up quickly with the swell size, though. When the waves hit overhead, this region becomes the domain of advanced surfers. Keramas in particular transforms into an expert-only barrel machine when sets approach overhead, demanding high-level tube-riding skills and confidence over a shallow reef.

Things to do for non-surfers on the East Coast

The East Coast and its hinterlands offer some of Bali’s finest cultural and natural attractions, making it a great region for day trips. Ubud, the island’s cultural crown jewel, is a short drive away and essential for arts and dining. For nature lovers, Amed and Candidasa provide stunning snorkelling and diving in clearer waters than the south. Other highlights include the Bali Safari and Marine Park, the impressive Tirta Gangga water palace, and sunrise treks up Mount Batur, an active volcano offering breathtaking views over the crater lake.

Where to stay on the East Coast

Accommodation choices here let you set your own pace. The Komune Hotel is an incredible setup if you are surfing Keramas, and there are many other homestays and villas to match any budget. Ubud is highly recommended for a 2–3 night stay, acting as a perfect base for culture and gastronomy amid the jungle. For a seaside vibe, Candidasa offers beautiful coastal charm ideal for divers, while Sanur provides a laid-back, quiet atmosphere that is popular with older travellers and families seeking tranquillity away from the hype of Canggu.

Where to eat on the East Coast

Ubud serves as the culinary capital of the region, boasting world-class fine dining at institutions like Mozaic and Apéritif. Closer to the waves, Keramas offers excellent options: the Komune Resort features a restaurant with a front-row seat to the surf action, while nearby local favourites like Locas Worung in front of Carparks and Swan Restaurant in front of KFC’s serve decent meals with a great vibe.

Surf the East Coast with us

Bali’s East Coast offers a distinctive surfing experience defined by powerful waves and picturesque black-sand landscapes. From the shifting peaks at Biaung to the mechanical perfection of Keramas, this region rewards those with patience and a spirit of exploration. It is a zone that requires local knowledge and skill, offering a stark contrast to the predictable points of the Bukit. If you want to discover the East Coast and surf the best waves Bali has on any given day, join our Uluwatu surf camp and let our team take you to the right break for the day.