West Bali

Uluwatu is actually a series of breaks on the southwest tip of the Bukit Peninsula: The Racetrack, The Peak, Temples, Outside Corner and The Bombie. With all of these breaks to choose from, Uluwatu is an ultra-consistent spot. Depending on the tide and swell size, any of these breaks will usually be firing at one point during the day. Generally, due to the access through the cave and the strong currents, the best possible conditions for larger swells are very low tides. Smaller and medium swells work well on all tides. During smaller swells, look for barrels and peaky surf on the higher tides at The Peak. On lower tides, The Racetrack can provide an ultra-fast reef grinder with a big barrel at the end. Those who choose to cut back often miss the end section, hence the name, The Racetrack. When surfing The Racetrack it is important to known the tides. On a middle tide, most advanced surfers will be able to negotiate the end section barrel with success. Once the tide drops, and especially on the lower tides of the month, The Racetrack end section is a twisting, multi-section barrel, a very dangerous place for experts and professionals only. When the largest swells of the year hit Bali, Uluwatu transforms into a true big-wave surfing venue - The Peak, Racetrack and Temples are all under whitewater, and Uluwatu's outer reefs, The Bombie and Outside Corner, come alive. These breaks will handle any size, and it's not uncommon to see perfect 15-foot surf here. LINEUP TIPS: Etiquette | Surf Safety Basics

Long lined-up left hand reef break at the end of the Uluwatu reef chain. Can be very fast to almost unmakeable at times

When it's on, Padang Padang is a beast, truly "The Balinese Pipeline." On the biggest days of the year, huge swells march down the reef from Uluwatu, forming some of the biggest and heaviest barrels anywhere in Indonesia when they hit the Padang reef. Though Padang Padang breaks relatively frequently during the season, classic Padang is rare. For it all to come together, a strong, long-period SW swell, mid tides, and light offshores are required. Even with all of the elements in place, sometimes Padang Padang can pinch, or mutate halfway through the barrel. Not good when you consider that a wipeout in these conditions is very serious and means almost certain injury, broken boards, or both. When Padang Padang is classic, surfers can expect deep, dry, heavy, big tubes. When surfing Padang Padang it is important to understand the tides. During the lower tides of the month, Padang Padang can become absurdly dangerous as the end section breaks below sea level and directly in front of exposed, jagged reef. Even professional surfers find Padang's twisting barrel a challenge to negotiate, and most wipeouts mean a trip to a very unforgiving reef.

Balangan is the last of the major left-hand reefbreaks on the Bukit Peninsula. Shifting peaks provide entry into long, racing walls. Tends to improve with size.

Canggu is a strip of black-sand beach and reefbreaks that is known for having something for everyone. There are a few soft rolling waves that are ideal for beginners, some rippable peaks for high performance surfing, and when it's big, there are some gnarly beachfront barrels for expert surfers. Canggu is more south-facing than Kuta Beach and will usually be bigger, and is often the spot when the swell is small, and many of Bali's hottest surfers from Kuta will make the morning trip to Canggu. Because it faces further south, Canggu is also more affected by the tradewinds and is best in the early mornings. After 9am, it is frequently sideshore and not the perfect glass of a few hours earlier. br> LOCAL RESOURCES: Canggu Surf Club

Rivermouth beach and rock-based surf zone, shifting peaks tending left, best in small to moderate swells and light winds.

Consistent, quality beachbreak, open to all abilities. Kuta Beach is a long strip of different sandbar breaks running from Kuta Reef all the way down to Seminyak's Blue Ocean beach. Best at high tide when the faster sections are more makeable.

Short, sometimes hollow left reef with a tapering wall. Ranges from playful to intense. Best size is slightly overhead -- this is not a big open wave.

Though not a fantastic wave by Indonesian standards, Nyang Nyang is probably the most beautiful surf spot on the island and can provide for a nice alternative from the usual warung experience. The view from the top of the cliff is spectacular and the beach below is inviting. However, there are 600 steps between the top of the cliff and that beach. 600 steep steps down, and up. This is a great place for a workout, but not the place to run down for a quick surf.There are actually a few waves at Nyang Nyang. The place people surf the most is to the right of the beach at the entrance to a channel. This place is best with a high tide and small swell, and when it all comes together, the wave can be a short but fun, punchy, righthander.On larger swells, and lower tides, another righthander forms up to the north of the beach and can be seen clearly from the top of the cliff. This wave is usually much bigger than it looks, and a shifting peak means that only half of the waves are makeable. Even so, it's an impressive place to surf for the scenery alone. There are rarely other surfers in the water here, and there can be strong currents. Nyang Nyang faces due south and the power of the Indian Ocean is undiluted. Give this place some respect.

Kuta Reef is the original left hand reef break of Bali. Before surfers started venturing out to the Bukit, this was the place where surfers met the challenges of the big swells of the dry season. Kuta Reef is way out to sea and picks up quite a bit more swell than other nearby spots like airport lefts or rights or the beachbreaks. On bigger days, Kuta Reef offers up classic long walled, bowling, rippable surf, similar to some of its cousins out in the Bukit. Kuta Reef is a long paddle for anyone and it's best to take a boat out there. Another thing about Kuta reef is that it can be wind affected and is usually best when surfed early mornings or late afternoons. As Kuta is close by, crowds can become an issue at Kuta Reef and some days it can seem like it's just more of a hassle than it's worth.

Semi-organized beachbreak with some reef, easy to ride and very consistent, limited ability to handle larger swells.