The Ultimate Guide To Surfing Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings is one of the Nusa Dua area’s best-kept secrets, located at the end of the long right-hander at Geger Right. It is a favourite of ours for its high-quality, long rides and the fact that it carries significantly less current than its punishing neighbour.

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.

Chicken Wings is an exceptionally beautiful reef break that shines during the wet season. It is a fantastic substitute for Geger Right, producing strong, performance-oriented waves that suit both confident intermediate and advanced surfers looking for a fun, less intense challenge.

Understanding Chicken Wings’ long, fun rides

Chicken Wings is a classic reef break located about 600 metres offshore near the north end of Nusa Dua beach. Despite its odd name, it is a high-quality wave that provides consistently long rides.

• The wave: The wave is fun, connecting several sections, with plenty of barrels and turn sections. The rides can be very long, linking up multiple peaks and carrying you a long way towards Mengiat beach, but you must go really fast to connect all the sections. It is not as heavy as Geger Right, nor as perfect as the barrelling right at Sri Lanka.

The multiple peaks at Chicken Wings

The break is made up of several peaks, which dictate where different skill levels should sit:

1. The south end (advanced): The peaks here are larger and closer to Geger Right. Advanced surfers can sit at the top of the reef, connecting multiple sections for some really long rides, which requires serious speed to link the whole wave.
2. The north end (intermediate): Down towards the end of the reef, the waves are smaller and slower. This section is better suited to intermediate surfers and is less exposed to large clean-up sets from the south.

Finding the best conditions at Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings operates on a specific wet-season schedule and is a prime example of a spot we rely on when the wind shifts.

• Ideal season: This is a wet-season wave, with the prevailing west and north-west winds often blowing offshore.
• Ideal wind: It is one of our favourites when the wind is calm or blowing north or north-west on a medium swell. The best sessions are in the calm morning, even if you miss the sunrise waiting for the boat.
• Ideal tide: The wave works best at mid to high tide. On too low a tide, the wave breaks on dry reef and is too fast.
• Swell: The break picks up substantial swell, making it a great option on small days.

Safety and access at Chicken Wings: the boat trip

Accessing Chicken Wings safely is non-negotiable and requires a boat trip.

• Access: The easiest and safest way to get here is by taking a boat from the white-sand beach at Mengiat.
• The current: The current is not as strong as Geger Right, and getting caught inside is less punishing. As a bonus, the current moves back towards Mengiat, making a one-way drop from the boat an easy option.
• Big-swell danger (no-go zone): When the swell is big, the boats do not run at all. An intense current also runs down from Geger Right, making paddling from shore virtually impossible. Do not attempt to paddle from shore in a large swell.
• Time restriction: Boats do not leave from Mengiat until 7:00am, so sunrise sessions are not an option here.
• Local tip: Go on a neap tide, when the tidal swings are at a minimum. Days with big tide swings will most likely have a strong current pushing you back towards Mengiat beach.

Can beginners surf at Chicken Wings?

No. While the spot is less intense than Geger Right, Chicken Wings is an exposed reef break requiring boat access, strong paddling skills, and the ability to ride unbroken waves. We recommend beginners stick to safe, sheltered spots like our namesake break, the gentle waves at Baby Padang.

Next step for beginners: Book your beginner surf lesson with us for safe, professional instruction in a controlled environment.

Is Chicken Wings good for intermediate surfers?

Yes. Chicken Wings is one of the best choices in the Nusa Dua area for intermediate surfers looking to progress.

The north end of the reef provides smaller, slower waves that are far more forgiving. Since the current is manageable and you are unlikely to get caught out by clean-up sets at this end, it is a perfect place to practise connecting sections and building speed.

Local amenities and views at Chicken Wings

Since access to Chicken Wings is exclusively by boat, all the amenities for your surf session are at Mengiat beach in the ITDC Nusa Dua tourist zone.

• Amenities: Mengiat beach is the launching point, placing you near a full host of amenities, from warungs and restaurants to five-star resorts, with everything you could need before or after your boat trip.
• Beauty: This is an exceptionally beautiful spot in the morning. The ocean is often very calm with a light offshore breeze, with stunning views of Nusa Penida to the east and Mount Agung to the north.

Is Chicken Wings worth surfing?

Chicken Wings is a highly reliable and exceptionally beautiful spot that provides long, fun rides with less risk than its famous neighbours. It is a fantastic wet-season alternative that truly shines on a medium-sized swell, and a must-surf for intermediates ready to level up and advanced surfers looking to escape the crowds. Because the boat logistics, tides and wind all have to line up, it is a spot where local knowledge pays off, so to surf it at its best, join our Uluwatu surf camp and let our local team get you out to the right peak on the right day.