Surfing in Kuta Beach

Kuta is so popular that there could be as many as 200 surfers out on a good day, with a particularly heavy local component. It is difficult to escape the crowds even if you paddle way out. Best is to take a jukung out where the surf is safer, the boat boys will advise where it is all happening. Kuta Reef, which surrounds the end of the runway approximately one-half km offshore, creates fast left-handers which sometimes attain three meters without boiling or sucking dry over the shallow coral reef.

Another left-hander, usually bigger than Kuta Reef, breaks just off the channel in front of the Pertamina Cottages. Because of its easy takeoff, this is an ideal wave for beginners. South of the airstrip, you will find some big right-handers during hight tide, take a perahu (small boat). For an easy going right-hander, check out the Canggu lava ledge on the northern extremity of the bay; take Legian Roan north to Kerobokan, then at the intersection turn left down to the beach.

Surfing In Uluwatu
Lying on the southerly tip facing the menacing Indian Ocean, in the driest part of the island, the Balinese consider Uluwatu ruled by black magic energy. With its impressive cliffs, remote beaches, endless sunshine and hips of bikini girls, this is one of the premier surfing spots on the planet.

From the road at the top of the cliffs where the bemo drops you off, boys will carry your surfboard and equipment the three kilometers down to the gorge. Or a motorcycle will take you most of the way down; park it by the gorge. Climb down into the large sea cave at the bottom of the cliff which opens to the ocean, the only way to paddle out to the waves.

Since it sits on the extremity of the bay, Uluwatu picks up bigger swells that Sanur or Kuta. Get there early for the morning session when it is not uncommon that sets of 10 waves continue for two or three hours. When the offshore winds are coming in, it is almost impossible to take off on some of Uluwatu's two-and three-meter waves.

Warung (small restaurant) in a row above the cave sell drinks, food, snacks, and beds for the night. From here you can survey what the other surfers are doing and decide which of the six different breaks you want to take on: the Peak, the Race Track, the Bommie, the Outside Corner, etc. If they have not al been slaughtered by the time you get there, giant sea turtles and dugongs can sometimes be seen in the water.