The Ultimate Guide to Surfing Carparks (Keramas)

Located in the shadow of world-famous Keramas, Carparks gets its name from its central location among the three main breaks on this stretch of black sand on Bali’s East Coast. While it does not boast the mechanical perfection of its famous neighbour, it serves a vital purpose: it is the high-performance “overflow” spot where rippers go to launch airs when the main peak is too crowded.

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: in terms of wave quality, Carparks is a mile away from Keramas proper. It is fickle, prone to closeouts, and short. For surfers looking to practise big turns and aerial manoeuvres without fighting for every inch of water, though, it offers a punchy, powerful ramp that can be incredibly fun on its day.

Understanding the Carparks wave

Carparks occupies the middle ground between Keramas and KFC’s. It is an A-frame setup that produces hefty right- and left-hand breaking waves.

• The “air” section: This wave is mostly short and punchy. It is usually good enough for two solid turn sections before the wave meets a section coming from the opposite direction. This collision creates the perfect launchpad for airs, which is why you will often see pros and local groms choosing this spot to practise their aerial game.
• The right: The right-hander generally has a better shape than the left, allowing more time for a couple of turns before the air section arrives.
• The left: The left is straighter and faster, with a line that is not as clean. It tends to close out sooner than the right.
• Reef bottom: The reef here is shallow, but it features more seaweed coverage than other locations, making it slightly less sharp, though still dangerous if you hit it hard.

Best time and conditions at Carparks

Like all waves in this zone, Carparks relies heavily on the tide and wind to work.

• Tide: This spot works best on a mid-tide, specifically on an incoming push.
  • Low-tide warning: When the tide gets too low, the wave gets slower and almost disappears. It also becomes too shallow to surf safely.
• Swell: The ideal conditions are small to medium swells. Unlike Keramas, which holds massive size perfectly, Carparks tends to close out or become disorganised when it gets too big.
• Wind: This is a windy area. The best window is early morning or immediately after rainfall, when the cold air from Mount Agung flows down to produce a clean offshore wind. Late mornings usually turn onshore.

Safety and dangers at Carparks

Despite being an overflow spot, this is not a soft wave.

• Power and speed: These are advanced waves that break fast and heavy. Even at head-high, the wave packs a lot of punch.
• The reef and urchins: While the seaweed offers some cushioning, the reef is still shallow, and there are plenty of sea urchins waiting for unsuspecting surfers who put a foot down.
• Crowds: Although often less crowded than Keramas, it can still get busy because it is visible from the main lineup. Good surfers often drift down here, making the competition for the peak higher than at the more isolated KFC.

Access to Carparks

Access is incredibly easy. The wave breaks in front of Loca’s warung, just south of the main Keramas surf break. Paddle out directly in front of the road. To come in, simply ride the whitewater in, but be careful of the shallow reef on a mid or dropping tide.

• From Keramas: It is just a short walk south down the black-sand beach from the main Keramas resort (Hotel Komune).
• From the road: You can access it via the main parking areas that service the Keramas stretch.

Can beginners surf Carparks?

No. The waves are too fast, too powerful, and break over a shallow reef. Beginners are not suited to the punchy nature of this break, and are much safer at Baby Reef in Sanur or the gentle waves at Baby Padang.

Is Carparks good for intermediates?

Yes, conditionally. When the swell is head-high or below, it is a suitable challenge for intermediate surfers looking to experience a faster reef break. Any larger than head-high, though, and the wave becomes too fast, too shallow, and too powerful for anyone but advanced surfers.

Is Carparks worth surfing?

Carparks is the “stunt park” of the East Coast. It is where you go to burn speed, hit the lip, and try the biggest air of your life. While it lacks the length and perfection of Keramas, it offers a fun, punchy escape for competent surfers who want to stay busy. If you want to surf the East Coast’s best waves, whether that is the perfection of Keramas or the hidden peaks nearby, join our Uluwatu surf camp and let our guides make the call on when to head east.