Surfing in Bali: Top 6 beaches for the ultimate wave experience

Can you feel it? The exhilarating rush of adrenaline, the salty breeze tousling your hair, and the mounting anticipation as you approach a cresting wave. Bali, the lush and vibrant jewel of Indonesia, beckons you to ride the waves of paradise—offering the best surfing spots where legends like Kelly Slater have found their perfect ride.

Here, where cliffs stand tall, and the Uluwatu’s spirit serenades the surfer’s heart, you’ll find Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort, a gateway to surf enthusiasts’ dreams. At the heart of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, waves create a melody against the cliffs, a tune that captures the essence of Bali’s wild beauty.

Unsure where to begin? The resort has handpicked six of the most incredible surfing spots in Bali, each one a captivating world just waiting to be explored.

1. Impossible Beach: A pro’s playground

Picture yourself atop a cliff, soaking in views of the grand Impossible Beach, with waves that challenge even the most seasoned surfers.

The Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort is your gateway to this thrill.

Within arm’s reach of the resort, this spot is one of the best surfing spots in Bali, calling seasoned surfers to a 300-meter paddle through waves that don’t just break but sing.

It’s more than surfing; it’s a dance, a fusion with nature’s rhythm, waiting to embrace you all year round.

2. Padang Padang Beach: A Dreamer’s Paradise

Ever imagined the touch of sand as you emerge from a hollow cave? Padang Padang Beach turns that fantasy into reality.

Once a hidden gem, this white-sand beach lures surfers from all over the world with its iconic barrel waves that break both left and right.

This is the beach of ‘Eat, Pray, Love‘. You might remember Julia Roberts discovering herself here; you might discover something too.

For the seasoned surfer, it’s a sacred rite, an exhilarating quest to be conquered with skill, grace, and a profound sense of awe. The waves here don’t just crash; they whisper stories of adventure, enticing you to immerse yourself in Bali’s timeless narrative.

3. Bingin Beach: A hidden gem for wave warrior

Bali has secrets. One of them? Bingin Beach—a paradise for surfers.

It’s not just the towering waves that captivate, but the entire journey—the difficult walk over the rugged rocks, the eager anticipation, and ultimately, the embrace of the vast sea.

The barrels, the breaks, the way the sunlight dances on the water—everything here is a story that becomes a part of you, a memory etched in salt and sun.

Difficult to reach, impossible to forget, Bingin Beach waits for those who seek more than just the surf.

4. Nusa Dua Beach: Surfing’s Artistic Canvas

Imagine a two-kilometer stretch of coastline, not just a place but a masterpiece painted with breathtaking right-hand reef breaks. Nusa Dua is that art, a surfer’s oasis where the waves create a timeless experience, an odyssey that’s both thrilling and reflective.

A photo and a memory, this beach invites you to a surf experience like no other.

It’s a place that belongs in your photo album, and your heart—where the waves guarantee a surf experience unlike any other.

5. Dreamland and Balangan Beaches: Two Shores, One Heart

Between soft white sand and enchanting rockpools, Dreamland and Balangan Beaches tell a story of contrasts.

Separated by a small headland, they offer something for everyone.

Pro? Surf from May to September for swells rolling on for 500 meters.

Beginner or intermediate? These beaches welcome you with open arms.

6. Green Bowl Beach: Unspoiled melody of adventure

Discover the hidden gem of Green Bowl, an untouched beach in Bali that often goes unnoticed amidst the buzz of other popular surfing spots.

A steep descent into the uncrowded waves, it’s for those who find magic in early mornings, who hear songs in the wind, and who ride with untamed joy.

If you seek the right-handers, if you crave the punch and poetry of the sea, Green Bowl is your beach.

Ride the waves, sing with the ocean, but do it responsibly. Always respect the ocean and local communities. Sustainability is not just a word; it’s our commitment to the ocean, the land, and Bali’s timeless traditions.

All images: courtesy of Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort

Originally published on October 7, 2021.

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