The Complete Guide to Surfing Sanur

Sanur is a beautiful stretch of coastline featuring white sand beaches, incredible sunrises, and world-class waves. As Bali’s original tourist destination, a stop in Sanur should be on every visitor’s list of destinations to visit.

Sanur’s rise as a tourist destination began in the 1930s when European artists and writers started to settle there. Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeu home, which he shared with his Balinese dancer wife, Ni Pollok, became a cultural hub, attracting visitors and raising the area’s profile internationally.

In the 1960s, Sanur further raised its status as Bali’s first tourist resort when the island’s first major international hotel, the Bali Beach Hotel, was built there. This was a significant milestone in Bali’s tourism development, marking the beginning of the island’s transformation into a world-renowned tourist destination.

Sanur retains a more relaxed and traditional atmosphere compared to some of Bali’s more modernised areas, making it a popular choice for those seeking a quieter experience.

While Sanur offers a range of breaks for all abilities, an understanding of the nuances of winds, tides, swells, and seasonal variations is required to surf the area safely. 

Surfers should be cautious of strong currents from the Lombok Strait, characterised by deep channels and occasional shark presence. Additionally, Sanur Reef is known for its strong localism, requiring respect and awareness from visiting surfers.

When is the best time to surf Sanur?

Sanur is a wet season wave as the surf breaks fast east, and the wind is predominantly West and South West in the months from November to March. During the dry season from April to October, the trade winds blow from the Southeast, which is onshore. Change-over in the season, March-April and October-November are usually good as the wind is light and variable most days. In the dry season, it is possible to get clean waves early morning or on a cloudy, rainy day; however, the surf is usually blown out by around 10 am.

Most surf breaks in Sanur are accessed via boat due to their distance from shore, operating primarily on medium to high tides. While waves can work on low tide, accessing them often requires a challenging walk over reefs, making it impractical.

Planning a session in Sanur requires careful attention to the tides, wind, and swell period. Make sure you understand how to read a surf forecast.

Sanur surf spot information

Baby reef

Baby Reef in Sanur is a beginner-friendly surf spot located approximately 700 meters offshore, offering a controlled and protected environment ideal for developing surfers and longboarders. Baby Reef is especially favoured by surf schools due to its soft waves and consistency during smaller swells. This wave is best on a small swell and a mid to high tide when the break offers several slow left and right peaks.

The wave breaks nicely up to around head high; any larger and the wave becomes unorganised and closed out. To access this break, you can catch a boat from Pantai Mertasari, where locals will be waiting to give you a lift. 

Hyatt Reef

Hyatt Reef is located nearly 2 kilometres offshore at the southernmost and most exposed corner of the reefs protecting Sanur. The outside peak is a fast, heavy, and shallow right-hander- suitable for expert surfers only. The main peak and inside peak offer intermediate-friendly long rides, best on a high tide and medium swell. When the swell picks up, the sections can line up beautifully; however, the current can be intense. Given its distance from shore, it is advisable to surf early as the wind and current build through the day. Access is typically by boat from Pantai Mertasari.

Sindhu Right

Sindu Right, aka Tanjung Rights or Belan Belan (glass shards” in Bahasa Indonesian), breaks in front of Sindhu beach, further east along the coastline. This wave is known for its sharp reef and can offer world-class rights when the conditions align.

Similar to Impossibles in the Uluwatu area, this wave offers many fast sections that line up for an incredibly long ride when big enough or with the correct swell direction. The wave breaks better on a higher tide, and is a fun wave for intermediate surfers when head-high and below. On a low tide, best to find another location unless you are a very good surfer. This wave breaks much closer to shore with an easy paddle out from the walking path. Spectators can enjoy the surf action from nearby cafes, and during smaller swells at high tide, local groms often fill the lineup, adding vibrancy to the scene.

Sindhu Left

Sindhu Left, also known as Magic Wave or Jantuk, is a renowned left-hand barrel just east of Pantai Sindhu. This wave is famous for its intense top-to-bottom barrels, offering a challenging and thrilling ride for expert surfers.

The wave requires a solid swell to function properly; otherwise, it tends to offer a very short left. Suitable for both high and low tides, it remains extremely shallow, posing a risk of breaking boards and causing injuries. Despite its proximity to shore and ease of paddle out, the wave’s dangerous nature keeps the crowd thin. Light winds are ideal for optimal conditions, making it an intermittent gem among Bali’s surf spots.

Sanur Reef

Sanur Reef, situated in front of the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel, is regarded as one of Bali’s premier waves when the conditions line up. This surf break is characterised by its fast, hollow barrels, which are ideal for advanced surfers due to the shallow reef and significant localism. Sanur Reef gets epic during large swells, which are less frequent during the wet season. The wave operates within a narrow tidal range; too low, and it becomes excessively shallow and hazardous; too high, and the wave loses its shape and power.

During smaller swells and high tides, the wave becomes more suitable for intermediate surfers, providing long walls perfect for executing turns. However, surfers should remain vigilant as the spot is known for its heavy localism.

Serangan (Turtle Island)

Formerly a secret beach hangout, Serangan is now a boat-access-only destination that serves as the ultimate “Wet Season Saviour.” As a massive swell magnet, it guarantees a surfable wave even on the smallest days and works best during the wet season when the trade winds blow offshore. You must take a boat from Pantai Mertasari or Benoa to reach the lineup. The wave works on all tides, but a mid-tide is the “sweet spot”; low tides can be too shallow and fast, while high tides tend to make the wave fat. The reef offers shifting peaks: the Main Peak (South) is a consistent right-hander with a steep, powerful takeoff that softens after a few turns, while the North Peak is a deceptive A-frame that looks perfect from the boat but rides soft and mushy. Due to its consistency and ability to hold swell up to 1.5x overhead, it attracts heavy crowds from Kuta and Canggu.

Can beginners surf Sanur?

Most of the surf spots in Sanur are too far offshore and break too fast and heavy to be suitable for beginners. However, Baby Reef is a safe and fun beginner surf spot. It’s a long paddle offshore, but there is a boat service which will drop you very near to the surf break. We recommend that beginners arrange a boat that will stay nearby in case there are any incidents. For more advanced surfers, a shuttle boat would be OK.

Want to know more about beginner surfing in Bali? Read our guide to Bali’s top beginner surf breaks and join us for a beginner surf lesson.

Can intermediates surf Sanur?

Yes, Baby Reef and Serangan are excellent intermediate spots when other breaks are too big, as it picks up less swell and breaks softly. With a local surf guide to navigate the currents and boat logistics, Hyatt Reef, Sanur Reef, and Sindhu Right become fantastic intermediate options—but strictly on a high tide with a small swell.

Where to stay in Sanur

Hyatt Regency Bali is a classic beachfront hotel with modern facilities, lush gardens, and multiple restaurants. For mid-range pricing, we recommend Puri Santrian which also has a beachfront location with a range of room options to cater for most budgets. Sanur has a variety of homestays which can be ideal for travellers looking for a more local experience or longer stays.

Where to eat in Sanur

Warung Little Bird is a good option is you are looking to eat authentic Indonesian food. Kayu Manis is more upmarket and offers a fusion of Indonesian and Western food. For Italian food we can highly recommend Massimo, which serves pizzas and homemade pasta.

For budget travellers, or those who just want to try street food, Sindhu market has a traditional food court with typical Indonesian food, including Satay, Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Bakso (meatballs). It’s a great place to experience authentic Balinese flavours at very affordable prices.

What to do for non-surfers in Sanur

Sanur offers several highlights beyond surfing, including picturesque views from beachside restaurants and bars, stunning sunrises, clean water, and a relatively uncrowded atmosphere compared to other parts of Bali. Enjoy the restaurant/cafe/hotel lined 5 5-kilometre walking path that runs from the harbour to Pantai Mertasari by bike or by foot.

Icon Bali opened in 2023 and is the newest shopping mall in Bali. The mall was designed to complement Sanur’s laid-back atmosphere while providing a contemporary shopping experience. It also hosts events and exhibitions, making it a vibrant addition to the area and it has a great view of the surf.

We hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge you’ll need to surf in Sanur.

Click here to book surf guiding at in the Uluwatu airea without accommodation. Click here for information on staying with us.

Book your surfing adventure today and experience why Bali is the world’s most consistent surf destination. 🌊