The Ultimate Guide To Surfing Geger Right

Geger is the original Nusa Dua surf spot. It is the longest beach in Nusa Dua and picks up the most swell, thanks to very deep water offshore. Geger in Balinese means uproar or disturbance, a name earned by the large surf that regularly pounds this shoreline.

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Geger is located directly in front of the 5-star Mulia Hotel and St Regis resort. The break sits some distance from the shore and is always bigger than it looks. At low tide you can walk over the reef and it is just a short paddle to the lineup; at high tide it is a very long paddle, and you would be best advised to take a boat out.

Geger Right is never flat and can be Hawaiian size on the biggest swells. This is a wet-season wave, as it is often too big in the dry season when the trade winds are onshore. If Geger is too big or choppy from a south-west wind, it can be worth taking a look at the more sheltered right-hander at Sri Lanka, which is nearby but always smaller and better protected from cross winds.

How Geger Right breaks

Geger Right is a huge reef without any clearly defined sections. It only ever breaks right, due to the shape of the reef and the swell, which must wrap around the southern end of the Bukit. The current can be incredibly strong, which makes it hard to stay in position. Getting caught inside, even on small days, can be a nightmare to paddle back out from, as it breaks consistently and the current pushes you inside.

Geger is a fast, powerful wave that rises quickly out of deep water. It is an extremely long ride if you can make it all the way from the first section to the end. It is a consistent wet-season spot that is surfable on all tides and directly offshore on a westerly wind. For some reason this spot is popular with Japanese surfers.

Geger Right works best from November to March, when the wind is predominantly westerly or south-westerly. During the dry season it can be good in the early morning but is quickly blown out by the trade winds, which are very strong in July and August.

Chicken Wings: the end section of Geger Right

The end section of Geger Right is very close to Chicken Wings. A 20-metre-deep water section separates the two. The swell is always a little smaller at Chicken Wings and the current a little softer, so this is where you will often find intermediate surfers. Chicken Wings is a high-quality wave that can run for about 300 metres, roughly half way to Mengiat, which is a good place to park and take a boat.

When is the best time to surf Geger Right?

Geger Right is on Bali’s east coast, making it a reliable option during the wet season, when west winds blow offshore and the swell is usually smaller (October to April). From May to September, the wave is usually blown out by the dry-season trade winds, which are directly onshore. That said, if you watch the forecast closely, there are occasional dry-season windows when the trade wind backs off and the waves become clean, and often empty.

Because of the very deep water offshore, Geger Right is never flat and holds size better than anywhere else on the Nusa Dua coast. If it is too big or too heavy, the nearby breaks at Sri Lanka and Benoa are just minutes away and are easier to manage on a large swell.

Dangers of surfing Geger Right

Geger Right is a powerful, open-ocean reef and its main hazard is the current. It runs strongly enough to make holding position hard and the paddle back after a wave even harder. Getting caught inside is punishing, as the wave breaks consistently and pushes you further in. When the swell is more than double overhead, it is for experienced surfers only, because of clean-up sets that can hold you down and currents that mean endless paddling. The reef is shallow in places, and the ride finishes well inside, so you need the fitness and the equipment to match the conditions.

Can beginners surf Geger Right?

Geger Right is not suitable for beginners. The very strong current, powerful wave, paddle distance, and shallow reef make it unsafe for learners. If you are new to surfing, the inside of Black Stone in Nusa Dua or the gentler waves at Baby Padang in the Uluwatu area are far better places for beginner surf lessons. For more, see our guide to the best beginner surf spots in Bali.

Can intermediates surf Geger Right?

On head-high and under days, Geger Right is suitable for intermediate surfers who are strong enough paddlers to handle the current. On most days, though, it is only suitable for advanced surfers. Intermediates looking for the gentler end of the reef are usually better off at Chicken Wings, where the current is softer.

Is Geger Right worth surfing?

Geger Right is a solid wet-season option for surfers seeking long rides and quality waves who can handle the crowd. It is a big-wave spot that holds any size of swell, but you need to be on top of your game with the right equipment for the bigger days. If you want to surf it safely, in the right tide and with someone who knows the currents, join one of our advanced surf guiding sessions.