The Complete Guide to Surfing Bali’s South Coast

The south coast of the Bukit is densely populated with surf breaks, but there are no towns or even villages, so it remains a pristine location.

Here you will find 6 known surf spots which we will document in this guide. There are, however, many other surf spots in this area which are left for you and others to seek and find.

All these south coast spots are located below very high limestone cliffs. In days gone by some of them were very inaccessible, but now it is possible to drive to some of them and park directly in front of the surf break.

All the south Bukit surf spots break quite close to the shore and pick up a lot of swell. They all work best on a small swell and light winds, but on different tides. White sand beaches, crystal clear water, lefts and rights: this is a surfers’ paradise.

Getting to any of the breaks from the surf camp is easy, as we are strategically located for all the Bukit surf breaks.

All of the south coast spots are suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers when the swell is not too big. Due to the amount of swell these spots pick up, and the trade winds in the dry season, these spots are usually best in the wet season or at the beginning and end of the dry season, i.e. April and October.

Bali south coast surf spot information

Nyang Nyang

The Balinese love to use the same name twice for a location. Nyang Nyang Beach is a perfect destination for those seeking a more tranquil and less crowded beach experience compared to some of the more well-known beaches in Bali.

Nyang Nyang is a powerful right hander that works best on a high tide. It is the go-to spot when Uluwatu is too small, as it is always 1 foot bigger. Nyang Nyang is a quality wave that gives a long ride, but at mid-tide it breaks too fast.

There is a headland at Nyang Nyang that gives some protection from westerly winds, which are predominant in the wet season.

When you are at the top of the cliff looking down at Nyang Nyang, it is like looking down from an aeroplane. If you are looking for something novel, there is an aeroplane perched on the cliffs that serves as a restaurant.

Nyang Nyang has the highest cliffs on the whole Bukit. It used to be an arduous climb up the steps after the surf, but there is now a road that allows motorbikes to access the beach. There is now also a warung where you can change your clothes and enjoy a cold Bintang after your surf session.

Nunggalan

Be very careful to check the conditions before you walk down, as it is a grinding walk back up. There is fortunately a small cafe on the cliff where you can drink a cold coconut while observing the surf and contemplating the long climb down.

When the conditions are right at Nunggalan, it is very much worth the effort to get to this beautiful secluded beach. A high-quality left-hand wave forms perfectly when the tide and conditions are right. It is only suitable for intermediates on the tiniest of swells due to the power of the waves. Advanced surfers will need bigger boards on even a very small swell.

Nunggalan is a very wind exposed wave and is usually best in the early mornings when there is no wind. It breaks too fast at low tide and is best from mid to high tide.

Melasti

Melasti has changed unrecognisably recently. Previously it was very difficult to access, but now it has become a trendy hang-out spot with beach bars that could rival Canggu.

There are 2 surf breaks nearby which are both easily accessible from the shore. At mid tide there is a shifty left and right breaking wave that works well on a very small swell, but there is a strong current and it is quite challenging as it breaks fast. This wave is for advanced surfers only, as you need to be a strong paddler and quick on your feet to make the sections.

To the east of the advanced left hander there is a beginner spot that is more sheltered from the swell and has rolling whitewater with a much lighter current.

Green Bowl

The original south coast surf spot has not changed much since the 1980s when it was first discovered. It still has over 300 steps, but there is plenty of foliage that offers protection from the sun and space to rest.

Green Bowl is always bigger and better than it looks from the cliff top. There are 2 surf breaks separated by a channel. The right hander is a shifty, powerful wave that ends in a deep water channel. Be careful not to snap your leash here, as the rip current is deadly strong and will sweep you out to sea. The right hander works at both low and mid tide.

The left hander is not so well known and not surfed so much, but it is a better quality wave. It breaks best on a dead low tide. Spring low tide is best, i.e. around 0.0 to 0.2 metres; this is a great wave and well worth the climb back up.

Pandawa

Pandawa is a high quality left that is fast and powerful. There is also a right hander, but be careful taking the right off the peak, as the paddle back can be grinding.

Pandawa was for a long time a secret spot called Timbers, and the go-to break for the surf camp in the rainy season. When the road was built Pandawa was well and truly on the surfing map, and the days of scoring the break with no one out are now just a fond memory.

Most reef breaks are best at mid-tide, but the reef at Pandawa is formed higher than any other reef in Bali. Pandawa is best at high tide, and will break on the biggest spring high tides. It is surfable at low tide but it is experts only, as it breaks so fast and shallow.

When Pandawa is double overhead plus, it breaks almost like Teahupoo. It was called Timbers due to the crashing sound the wave makes. There is always a strong current and the wave is best around head to head and a half high. There is also always a pack of hungry surfers here, so it is not easy to get a set wave. Sitting on the inside nearest to the channel can be the best tactic to get a wave here.

Pandawa holds a west wind very well, as the channel breaks up the chop. It does not hold the south east trade winds very well and is usually blown out during the dry season.

Gunung Payung

Gunung Payung is a lesser-known surf break located about 300 metres east of the more popular Pandawa Beach. To reach it, surfers walk through an abandoned cultural park and descend a scenic cliffside road, about a 10-minute hike, to a quiet white sand beach framed by turquoise water and dramatic limestone cliffs. The setting alone makes the effort worthwhile, and the wave offers a refreshing alternative to the nearby, more crowded breaks.

The surf at Gunung Payung consists of shifting right-hand peaks that work best on a mid-to-high tide. The outside peak delivers powerful, intimidating take-offs with steep drops and short, punchy walls. Closer to shore, the inside peak is more forgiving, offering longer rides that can link up through to the inside section. Thanks to its direct exposure to open ocean, Gunung Payung picks up more swell than any other break in Bali.

On smaller swells, it is a great option for avoiding the crowds, with waves often bigger than expected. On medium swells, however, the strong current pulling toward Nusa Dua can make the paddle out and positioning a constant challenge.

The wave can also be surfed at low tide, when take-offs are softer and the inside section stands up with the potential for a barrel. However, increased reef exposure at low tide means surfers need to be confident in their ability and positioning.

Overall, Gunung Payung is a quiet, powerful alternative to Bali’s headline spots, ideal for experienced surfers looking for something less crowded but equally rewarding.

When is the best time to surf Bali’s south coast?

The best time to surf Bali’s south coast is when the swell is very small and the winds are light. The winds are generally lightest in March to April and October to November, when the seasons are changing from wet to dry or dry to wet. For more on how Bali’s seasons and conditions shape each break, see our 20 essential questions about surfing conditions in Bali.

July and August are the worst months because the trade winds are very strong and it is likely to be windy even at first light. January is usually too windy for all the breaks except for Pandawa, which holds a west wind surprisingly well.

Where to stay on the south coast

There are some very high end resorts on the cliffs overlooking the south coast. Bulgari is the best and most expensive, and it attracts international celebrities. Further along this coastline are other 5 star resorts: Alila Villas, The Ungasan and Karma Kandara. From Alila you can walk to the beach, but it is a very hard hike back up. The Ungasan and Karma Kandara have transport options to what could be described as a private beach. All beaches in Indonesia are public, but the only way of accessing these beaches is via the resort or by boat. If you are looking for somewhere less secluded but with good access to the south coast, then Nusa Dua and Uluwatu are alternative options.

A short distance inland from the coast there are a few mid-priced options such as Villa Melasti, Hideaway Residence and Puri Pandawa Residence. For budget travellers we can recommend Pandawa Hill Resort and Surfers House Green Bowl.

Where to eat on the south coast

Sundays Beach Club is excellent. It is not cheap and has an entrance fee in addition to a minimum spend, but it is a beautiful beach, the food is very good, and it is worth the expense for the experience. Alila is open to the public and has an excellent Indonesian and Western restaurant. As you would expect of a 5 star resort, it is not cheap. For cheap dining, we can recommend Pandawa beach, which has many warungs serving local food.

What to do for non-surfers on the south coast

There are many new beach clubs that have opened up at Melasti beach, which is near to Sundays Beach Club. The water here is crystal clear and the sand is postcard-coloured white. The whole coastline is pristine and ripe for exploring.

For the more adventurous, we can highly recommend paragliding. There is an excellent surf skate park near Pandawa which has a cafe and a gym, and they also teach beginners. For those who prefer pampering to excitement, there are many spas in this area that offer traditional Balinese massages and wellness therapies.

Conclusion

Bali’s south coast offers a variety of high-quality waves that are head high when everywhere else is flat. Only on the very smallest of swells are they suitable for intermediate surfers. Generally they are more suitable for advanced surfers.

Pandawa is the most consistent wave in Bali during the rainy season, as it is never flat and the channel breaks up the chop from a sideshore wind. Nunggalan is one of the most underrated and under-surfed waves in Indonesia. On a northerly wind, the south coast breaks are world-class.

If you want to discover Bali’s hidden coastline, join our surf camp or enrol in our surf school today, as we are strategically located close to all the best surf breaks.