The Ultimate Guide to Surfing Maura, Biaung, Lembeng, & Kubur

Located on Bali’s East Coast, the black-sand stretch comprising Pantai Maura (Tangtu), Biaung, Lembeng, and Kubur beaches offers a functional, no-frills alternative to the famous Sanur reefs just to the south. These four beaches sit side by side in a long coastal stretch and share a similar character: moody black sand, punchy waves, and variable quality.

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.

Let us be honest: these are not world-class waves. You do not fly to Bali specifically to surf here. They serve a specific purpose, though. When the wet-season trade winds blow out the West Coast and the reefs are overcrowded, this stretch provides a powerful, uncrowded option for surfers willing to roll the dice on a shifting beach break. On its day it can be fun and punchy; on other days it is a frustrating wall of closeouts.

Understanding the East Coast beach breaks

This zone is a classic sand-bottom beach break setup. From Maura to Kubur, it is essentially one long stretch of coast where the peaks shift constantly depending on the sandbanks. Notably, these waves turn on when the tide is too low for the rights at Ketewel and Cucukan.

• The “sand pump” issue: Historically, these waves worked on higher tides. However, land reclamation projects (pumping sand to create Serangan Island) have caused significant coastal erosion. Today, the high tide often results in waves smashing directly against the breakwater pathway, creating terrible backwash that ruins the wave.
  • The reality: These breaks now work almost exclusively on a low to mid tide.
• River mouths and rain: The quality of the waves depends heavily on the seasons. There are several river mouths along this stretch, and after heavy rains in the mountains, these rivers flush out massive amounts of sand, which can groom the banks into decent shape. Consequently, the waves are often best after a storm.
• Wave character:
  • Waist-high to overhead (the window): This is when the spot is actually surfable. You can find punchy A-frames and fast shoulders.
  • Overhead and above (the closeout): Once the swell gets bigger than head-high, the lineup generally becomes shifting, disorganised, and wonky. While expert surfers might find a rare corner, it mostly turns into a heavy, inaccessible closeout.

Finding the best conditions

This stretch is primarily a wet-season option, coming into play when the dry-season spots are off-limits.

• Season (January–March): This is the prime window. The heavy rains flush the rivers, helping to build the sandbanks that are necessary for a rideable wave.
• Wind exposure: This break gets windy quickly. As it is far from Mount Agung, it does not have the cold-air protection that Keramas and Klotok have, so you can count on these waves being onshore all day in the dry season.
  • The morning window: You can often surf from first light until mid-morning before the wind inevitably picks up and turns onshore.
• Swell: Facing the deep-water channel between Bali and Lombok, with little blockage from the south of the island, these beaches are open swell magnets. They pick up any pulse in the ocean, making them a viable option when the waves are small elsewhere.

Dangers and hazards (read carefully)

Surfing here comes with specific risks you need to be aware of. This is a raw, urban beach experience.

• Water quality (serious warning): The water here is frequently dirty, chocolate-coloured, and filled with runoff. Debris from the mountains, including chicken feathers, plastic, and other waste, is common after rain.
  • Our advice: We strongly recommend using earplugs to prevent infection. If you have open cuts, stay out of the water.
• Localism: These breaks can be more localised than other spots in Bali. While crowds are not usually heavy, the locals who are there can be protective of the few good peaks.
  • Strategy: Respect is key. It is highly recommended to surf with a local friend or guide to navigate the social lineup safely.
• The bottom: It is predominantly a sand bottom, but Pantai Lembeng has some rocks on the inside that can catch you out.

Access

Access is straightforward via the East Coast bypass road. You can park at any of the three beaches, Biaung, Lembeng, or Kubur, and check the banks. Since the spots are close together, it is easy to check all three to see which sandbank is working best that day.

Can beginners surf here?

No. The combination of fast, punchy waves, strong currents, dirty water, and a localised lineup makes this unsuitable for beginners, and the waves often break heavily in shallow water. Beginners are much safer and will have more fun at Baby Reef in Sanur or the gentle waves at Baby Padang.

Is it good for intermediates?

Yes, conditionally. On smaller days (up to head-high), intermediate surfers can find fun, punchy peaks here without the crowds of Canggu. You need to be confident reading shifting beach breaks, though. If the swell picks up to overhead, it becomes difficult and heavy, best left to advanced surfers.

Local amenities and vibe

• The vibe: This is a local surf zone, not a tourist destination.
• Facilities: There are mostly simple warungs serving local food (nasi goreng, coconuts), but do not expect the beach clubs or western cafes found in Sanur or Uluwatu. The Beach Break cafe in Lembeng is a nice spot on the beach serving local food, with coconuts that come with a big mug of ice.

Are these breaks worth surfing?

Biaung, Lembeng, and Kubur are useful “Plan B” spots on the East Coast. They are not the prettiest beaches, and the water quality is poor, but when the banks align after wet-season rain, they offer a powerful, rideable wave away from the masses. Because of the variable conditions and the localised lineup, local knowledge is essential to scoring a good session here, so join our Uluwatu surf camp and let our guides take you to the best waves for the day, whether that is a hidden East Coast peak or a pristine reef in Uluwatu.