Pushpitha Wijesinghe
Renowned as a vacation hub for the masses Bali is also known as a surfer's Mecca in Asia. Offering surfers monster waves and point breaks to match here is a list of the island's best surf spots.
Revered as one of the best beaches in Bali Kuta Beach is also the best surf hub in the island for beginners hoping to home their skills. Known for its nightlife and touristic confines Kuta Beach offers perfect conditions for first time surfers with its soft tide conditions and medium height waves. Ideal for white water surfing practice in which surfers surf the waves after they crash and move towards the shore Kuta Beach is also patrolled by life guards making it one of the safer venues to try one's hand at surfing. Intermediate level surfers can also battle the strong undertow and negotiable swells at Kuta Beach which is infested with surfing instructors, board rentals and lessons for beginners.
Known as an avid surfers paradise the venue synonymous with the Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa and other luxury 5 star establishments is the perhaps the most popular surf spot in the island. Accessible through a cave the reef and wave conditions of this always busy surf headquarters leaves little to the imagination. Good swells and towering waves are a stable in areas such as the Peak in Uluwatu while other hotspots include tube riding paradise Racetracks and the low tide large wave producer dubbed Outside Corner. Surfing season in Uluwatu lasts from August to September when the area is flooded with high waves and tourists clamoring for accommodation in Uluwatu hotels.
Conveniently located within 30 minutes of Kuta Beach, Canggu offers more challenging surfing conditions for those with skills while simultaneously offering novices soft tides to work on theirs. Hosting a variety of reef breaks and beach breaks within one all encompassing surfing Mecca Canggu is perhaps best known for its slow rolling waves that are perfect for novices. High peaks for experts to tear through are also on offer in this all-inclusive wave hub where the atmosphere is decidedly more tranquil than Kuta.
Ideally situated beyond Sanur near Gianyar Scenic Keramas Beach is a well kept secret among surfing fanatics. As one of the most popular surfing haunts for seasoned experts the reef breaks in this area are nothing less than epic. With near constant swells and towering waves the best time to surf at Keramas is during the wee morning hours when the wind conditions create barrels. Tranquil with only a handful of surfers occupying the beach at any given time this surfing Mecca is a paradise unto itself in Bali.
Famed among avid surfers as the best surfing venue in all of Bali Padang-Padang beach is also known as the Balinese Pipeline among seasoned visitors. Hosting many a surfing contest annually the waves in the area range from 4 to 12 feet in height. Known as a first class surfing spot the venue is famed for its left hand points and hollow waves that can be negotiated by those with specialised skills.
