Bali’s Big Swell Guide
Where to Surf When the Waves Get Bigger
If you have a surf trip booked to Bali in July or August, you have picked a great time, Bali’s dry season! Known for consistent swells and great weather!
This is the heart of Bali’s dry season, and it's when the Indian Ocean starts to bring larger and consistent swells to the island’s coastline. This is heaven for more experienced surfers, but can be a bit intimidating for beginner surfers. But the good news is that not every beach in Bali will receive this big and powerful swell. The geography of the island is varied, so some surf spots will have more manageable and forgiving waves.
Knowing where to go, and where not to go, makes all the difference. Here is Kima’s guide for where to surf in Bali when the waves get bigger.
What Brings The Big Waves?
1. Swell:
The consistent year-round waves that Bali’s coastline receives actually comes from thousands of kilometres away. During winter in the southern hemisphere powerful storms happen in the southern ocean below Australia, creating long period swells to travel across the Indian Ocean, and with little to no land mass in between, the swell reaches Bali untouched. The swell meets Bali’s reefs creating waves that grow in size and power.
2. Trade Winds:
Bali’s dry season is known for south-east trade winds, these winds blow perfectly offshore along Bali’s west coast as well as the Bukit Peninsula, shaping clean, long lines and consistent waves.
3. Island Geography:
The swells don’t reach every coastline of the island with the same size and power because of the change in the shape of the island, the Bukit Peninsula is fully exposed to the Indian Ocean, so places like Uluwatu, Bingin, Padang Padang and others receive the full force of the incoming swell. Where other beaches sit behind headlands or do not face directly into the Indian Ocean, which means they have smaller and more forgiving swells arriving.
That is why when you choose a surf spot you need to look at swell, winds and the tide. This is where Kima Surf Camps is here to help! If you’re chasing the big swell our boats will take you to the outer reefs, but if you want smaller and more cruisey waves, we will get you there as well.
Looking For Big Waves?
If you are an experienced surfer then this is your season, Bali’s swell and tradewinds line up perfectly creating some of the biggest waves of the year. These are the spots that handle the big swell and are at their best in the dry season:
| Surf spot | Wave type | Level | What to expect? |
|---|---|---|---|
Uluwatu |
Left-hand reef break |
Upper intermediate / advanced | One of Bali’s most iconic waves. Holds serious swell and offers long and powerful rides and the occasional barrel! |
Padang Padang |
Hollow, left-hand reef break |
Expert | Fast, hollow barrels and world-famous when the swell lines up. |
Bingin |
Left-hand reef break |
Upper intermediate / advanced | Short but perfect barrels on the right tide. |
Keramas |
Right-hand reef break | Advanced | Works best when conditions favour the east coast. Fast, playful and powerful. |
If you are chasing these world-class waves (and barrels), Kima has your back with our new surf camp in Uluwatu. Kima Uluwatu sits in the heart of Uluwatu, placing you in a front-row seat to the area’s iconic surf spots and trendy surf-town charm.
With two guided surf sessions per day, Kima Surf takes you to the right spot for your level, timing each session around tides, wind, and swell. Beginners start with the 5-day Learn to Surf course, building solid foundations and surfing mellow waves at Balangan. Intermediate surfers use daily guiding to practice manoeuvres at spots like Balangan and the Uluwatu main peak, while advanced surfers chase barrels at Padang Padang and Bingin.
In Uluwatu, there is a wave for everyone!
Prefer Something More Forgiving?
We are well aware that not every surfer wants overhead barreling waves, and that is completely okay.
One of the best things about Bali is that even during a solid swell, there are still plenty of places where you can enjoy clean, fun waves without pushing beyond your comfort zone.
| Surf spot | Wave type | Level | What to expect? |
|---|---|---|---|
Double Six |
A-frame, beach break | Beginner–Intermediate | Softer peaks and a great place to keep progressing. |
Kuta Beach |
A-frame, beach break | Beginner- Advanced depending on swell and spot. | Gentle whitewater and mellow green waves. |
Old Man's |
A-frame, semi-reef break | Upper beginner to intermediate | A fun option when conditions suit. |
Medewi |
Long left point break | Intermediate | Long, cruisy rides without the intensity of the Bukit. |
One important thing to remember is that there are no fixed rules when it comes to surfing in Bali. Every break changes depending on the swell size, swell direction, wind and tide. A wave that feels playful and friendly one morning can become fast and powerful when the conditions change. Likewise, a spot that usually suits intermediate surfers might become a great option for beginners on a smaller day — or the other way around.
The best place to surf on any given day will always depend on what's happening in the ocean. That's where local knowledge makes all the difference. At Kima, our experienced surf guides assess the conditions every day and choose the most suitable surf spots based on the swell, wind, tides and the ability of each group, so you can enjoy the best possible waves for your level.
And no matter which Kima Bali surf camp you stay at — Uluwatu, Canggu or Seminyak — you'll have access to the best waves for your level. Our surf guiding isn't limited to the area around your camp.
Bigger swell doesn't mean you can’t surf if you’re not a pro. It simply means Bali changes.
Some waves become heavier. Others are more sheltered. And somewhere on the island, there's almost always a break that's perfect for your level.
Knowing where to go is what turns a good surf trip into a great one.
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