The Waves

Breaks (East to West):

Not all the breaks on the island are mentioned in here because they are too numerous to describe, but here are the major ones, from east to west.

Medewi Beach: This is a place for the less experienced surfer; it is a left and offers soft, somewhat mushy shoulders. Medewi is best surfed on high tide and it takes a S/SW/W swell. It breaks most consistently from April to October and can hold up to 8-10 feet of swell. This break is generally smaller than other spots and less intimidating because the bottom is all boulders instead of jagged reef.

Kuta: Kuta is a beach and reef break. Beginners can rent boards along the beach and even get lessons to surf the rights or lefts that come through the sandy bottom beach. More advanced surfers enjoy surfing the left at Kuta reef, its hollow and fast. Kuta works well on a mid to high tide, in May through September and can hold around 8 feet of S/SW or W swell.

Balangan: Balangan is a somewhat hollow, left reef break that takes a S/SW or W swell and can hold some size. Its ideal on a low to mid tide in May through September. This is a good wave to practice getting the hang of surfing in Bali before you go challenge some of the less forgiving breaks.

Dreamland: Dreamland lives up to its name. Its relatively mellow compared to Uluwatu, but still not a break to be trifled with. It is a left and right beach break and there is an outer reef that gets the bigger swells. It takes a NW/ W or SW swell and can hold anything up to 12 feet. The perfect tide is a low tide and it breaks between May and September. Like most of Indos good breaks though, it can get crowded.

Bingin: A fast barreling left that gets super crowded. Watch out at Bingin because the coral reef and urchins can be as unforgiving as the crowd. Bingin is a short wave, but a good one. It takes a SW and holds up to 6 ft on a low-mid tide. Bingin breaks between May and September.

Impossibles: This is a world-class left that breaks over a coral reef and is fast, gnarly and super hollow. Its a long wave but, as the name suggest, it is impossibly finicky. There is no predictable swell, wind, tide or direction for making Impossibles possible, as it typically defies all prediction and foresight. If the conditions had to be nailed down, Impossibles will most likely be best on a low to mid tide, and a S/SW between May to September.

Padang Padang: Also known as the Bali Pipeline, Padang Padang gets huge waves and equally huge barrels. Unfortunately, a wipe out here could mean a long recuperation and make a wash of the rest of your trip- as the coral and rocks are very sharp. Padang Padang is a left, it takes a SW/S swell, the break can hold up to 12 feet of swell and it works best on a low to high tide.

Uluwatu: Uluwatu is the wave of all waves on Bali. This break is the most renowned spot on Bali and for good reason. Five breaks constitute Uluwatu: The Racetrack, The Peak, Temples, Outside Corner, and The Bombie. The area takes a S/SW/or W swell and breaks in May through September like most other west side, winter spots. From the famous cave entrance to the insanely fast and long left barrels, Uluwatu is a serious wave for serious surfers. Unfortunately, being one of the best and certainly the most publicized spot on the island, Uluwatu does get crowded. The Racetrack, The Peak and Temples are all smaller wave breaks, but when swell pushes up to Bali thats over 12 feet, the place transforms into a big wave, gun-necessary break. Outside Corner and The Bombie come alive and these spots can hold up to 15ft easily.

Nyang- Nyang: This break is a good right and left coral reef, it can hold up to 8 feet of swell and tends to favor rising or falling tides. It is around the corner from Uluwatu on the Bukit and it is a good alternative if Ulus is too crowded or too gnarly.

Green Ball: A right on the east side of the island, this break is also on the Bukit. It is hollow, fast, and best on a mid tide. Green Ball takes a SW or SE swell.

Nusa Dua: Nusa Dua is a right reef that takes a SW/S or SE swell. It can hold a lot of swell, up to 12 ft, and it is best surfed on a falling tide.

On the island of Nusa Lembongan right off the coast of Bali there are even more breaks! Notably: Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks are popular and well-known waves. These waves are rights (for the most part) and take S or SW swells.

Water temps:

The water is in the mid 70s to low 80s and its temperature change correlates with the change of the seasons.


Equipment:

What you bring really depends on where you want to surf and what size waves you want to take on. If youre an experienced surfer going big, definitely try to bring something with length that can handle the wave. For example, if you were bringing three boards you may want to take a normal shorty for fun smaller days, a 66 rounded pin for days with size and a 76 gun for the big days.

Wetsuits:

Rubber is not necessary for warmth but a little is good as protection from the tropical sun and sharp coral.

Locals:

The locals in Bali are very friendly for the most part, but as any place that has great waves and is a surf travel destination, the locals are aware of the imminent encroachment on their waves. A lot of the surfers in Bali are expats from America and Australia, but if you treat them with respect they will reciprocate. Places like Ulu and Bingin will obviously have more aggro locals than less perfect, high profile breaks.


Water temps:

The water is in the mid 70s to low 80s and its temperature change correlates with the change of the seasons.


Equipment:

What you bring really depends on where you want to surf and what size waves you want to take on. If youre an experienced surfer going big, definitely try to bring something with length that can handle the wave. For example, if you were bringing three boards you may want to take a normal shorty for fun smaller days, a 66 rounded pin for days with size and a 76 gun for the big days.

Wetsuits:

Rubber is not necessary for warmth but a little is good as protection from the tropical sun and sharp coral.

Locals:

The locals in Bali are very friendly for the most part, but as any place that has great waves and is a surf travel destination, the locals are aware of the imminent encroachment on their waves. A lot of the surfers in Bali are expats from America and Australia, but if you treat them with respect they will reciprocate. Places like Ulu and Bingin will obviously have more aggro locals than less perfect, high profile breaks.

Dangers:

Urchins, reef rash and sunburn.

Accomodation/Transportation

Where to stay:

There are a lot of options when it comes to places to stay in Bali. If you are on a luxury vacation the island offers five-star resorts and private bungalows. But you can also find ample lodging if you are on a budget trip and slumming it.

The cheapest accommodations come in the form of losmen and hotel melati, these terms are government recognized standards for hotels and they are below one star on the international five star hotel rating system. The majority of these places are in Kuta on the Bukit and they can be as cheap as $5 a night (or as luxurious and expensive as $120). If you want to vacation in real style you can rent a private villa or a surf-oriented bungalow. These usually range from $200- $400 per night. Traveling with friends is always a plus if you want to go the villa route, as this price diminishes with the more people you pack into your villa. Besides the two above-mentioned extreme highs and lows, there are a multitude of mid-range housing options. Decent hotels (two or three star) on the five star rating system charge from $50- $200 a night. Although, a high-end hotel melati can be just as accommodating as a three star hotel and usually costs significantly less.

A good site to find lodging through is: http://www.asiarooms.com/indonesia/bali

For hostels and ultra-cheap digs try: http://www.hostelbali.com/

Getting around:

Getting around on Bali can be a bit tricky, especially if youre surfing, so most people end up renting or hiring a car. Taxis can be expensive and the alternative to them is the bemos, which are minivans that serve as a makeshift bus service with a variable timetable. You can also rent a motorbike, but the inherent danger of driving a small vehicle in Bali traffic should become apparent on your arrival at the Denpasar airport. Bali has a terrible traffic problem and to make matters worse, the roads are ill maintained. If you do decide to rent your own motorcycle they can range from $15- $20 US dollars a day and this usually doesnt include gas. Hiring a car is a safer way to go for first timers, but it will cost you around $40- $60 US a day.

If you are just trying to get around town (and not going to a far off surf break) the bus is also a very reliable and cheap alternative.

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The Basics

Location:

Bali is an island in the Indonesian archipelago, located on the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Island chain. Indonesia is between the continents of Australia and Asia and Bali is situated between the islands of Java and Lombok. Its coordinates are 8 25 23 S, 115 14 55 E. Bali lies a mere 8 south of the equator and it is small, only 95 miles across and 62 miles wide from north to south.

Bali is a famed surf destination for a good reason: it is perfectly placed on the globe to receive Southern Ocean swells on their way from Antarctica and its coast is literally cluttered with surf spots. Balis two seasons - the dry one and the wet one - both have waves but the dry season is considered the primary surf season. Balis surf is unique because the geography of the island results in a string of lefts that break along the west side of the Bukit Peninsula and a series of rights that break down the east side. While this area is the place that most people associate with Bali surfing and tend to visit, the whole island has surf.

Bali can be broken up into four surfing areas: West Bali, South Bali, the Bukit and East Bali.

Getting here:

Bali is listed as Denpasar when you are looking at airline destinations (airport code: DPS) - thats the name of Balis capitol. Carriers that go to Bali are: American Airlines, British Airways, United Air, Continental, Cathay Pacific, Air France, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Thai Airways.

While getting to Bali can be an ordeal, the trip will definitely be worth your while. One unfortunate aspect of flying to Bali besides the price, is the fact that you cant get a direct flight to Denpasar. Most people fly into Singapore or Taiwan on a major airline and then take a connecting flight over to Bali. Prices can depend on the economy, the season and how far in advance you are booking, but generally a roundtrip plane ticket to Bali runs around $800- $1000 US. The flight is long too, so make sure that you figure at least two days travel time into your itinerary.

Official Language:

Bahasa Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia, but the majority of Balis inhabitants speak Balinese as well as Indonesian. English is widely spoken too, although being able to roughly converse with the natives in their own tongue has its benefits. Here are a few key phrases:

Good morning: Selamat Pagi
Good afternoon: Selamat Siang
Good evening: Selamat Sore
Thank you: Terima Kasih
How much?: Berapa?
Very delicious: Enak sekali!

To elicit illicit relations, simply ask for: Jiggy-jig

Currency:

Indonesias currency is called the Rupiah (Rp). Though the American dollar is accepted in some hotels and stores on Bali, this is by no means a guarantee that your buck will be passable at all establishments and it is not the preferred form of payment. Also beware - there are a myriad of small money changing spots and while most are legit, some are not. If you need to change money do so only through banks or authorized money changers in actual offices and always get a receipt! The biggest money changing business is called PT Central Kuta and they have outlets in various places throughout the island. Travelers checks and major credit cards are also accepted at most hotel/ resorts and major establishments.

Exchange rate:

1US$: 9,498 IR as of 14 Nov, 2009.



Health and safety:

As far as vaccines go you dont need any to go to Bali but recommended are tetanus, polio, and hepatitis. Bali is tropical so you should take precautions against the brutal sun and bugs of unusual size. Also, dengue fever is a factor (though a small one) when traveling in Bali so protect yourself from the mosquitoes that transmit it by wearing bug repellent and sleeping in air conditioned rooms.

The political situation in Bali has stabilized since the 2005 Kuta bombing, and for the most part, tourists dont run a high risk of being used as pawns in a global game of Whose Country Is It Anyway? Unfortunately, although the bombings were not connected to the Balinese government or the native people, the country of Bali has suffered greatly from the attacks - as they had a significant effect on tourism, which is the lifeblood of the Balinese economy.

The inhabitants of the island make their money off tourism- not off killing tourists or robbing them. But as always, caution should be exercised to avoid nasty predicaments and money scams. Follow the basic rule that if something seems to good to be true - it probably is. The terrorist bombings along with the recent global economic downturn has been felt in Bali and crimes like pick pocketing and petty theft are on the rise, so dont carry large amounts of cash on you or in your car.

Finally, watch out for monkeys!!! They like to live in temples and if youre not paying attention, they may just take your glasses off the top of your head or your wallet out of your pocket.

Pitfalls:

Expensive plane ticket, long flight, getting dragged across the reef, the malice of your family when you decide to sell all your assets and never return stateside.

Expectations:

Expect, as previously mentioned, to pray that the airport vanishes into nothingness on your last day; expect to seriously start considering whether or not you can get out of your mortgage; expect to accidentally lose your return ticket. These forecasts may seem outlandish and radical if you havent been to Bali- but thats just because you havent been to Bali. Many surfers do eventually return as expats, or at least become frequent flyers. The reason: its just that good. Bali combines the beauty of Tahiti with the cultural richness of Asia or Thailand and tops all expectations with the quality and consistency of its surf.

There is a reason that people dont want to leave Bali; the word paradise comes to mind, and though it is an old clich, Bali really is an island paradise. The natural splendor, the friendly, peaceful and inherently spiritual people, the beautiful weather and perfect waves all contribute to a sense of magical tranquility.

Balis natural beauty and cultural heritage are unique and unforgettable. Plus, there are over 30 world-class surf breaks on the island, all within a days drive of each other and ranging in ability level from pros-only hollow reefs to beginner status beach breaks. No matter what you are looking for, theres a good chance youll find it and a whole lot more in Bali.

Things To Do

Attractions:

There are so many things to do and see in Bali it can be overwhelming. Besides surfing, be sure you visit at least a few of Balis well-known temples. There are nine directional temples and these are the largest of the Hindu houses of worship on the island. They are strategically placed throughout the island to ward off evil. So on your way out to charge Uluwatu, why not stop at Pura Luhur Uluwatu- a temple on the cliff that overlooks the break. The most important Balinese temple is Besakih and appropriately, it is situated above the rest of the directional temples on the slopes of Mount Agung. Besides the temples, you can visit the hot springs on the north coast of Bali or go hiking, snorkeling or scuba diving. After a hard day of surfing, you can get a wonderful hot oil massage or just relax with a cold Bintang (the local brew) on one of Balis black sand beaches.

Where to eat and drink:

There are tons of options when it comes time to chow down in Bali. While you can always go for something high end, the local restaurants are usually a lot less expensive and only mildly less sanitary than the usual tourist eateries- plus they are really good! Street vendors are called kaki lima (five legs: vendors legs (2) + carts legs (3) = 5 legs) or warungs (the word for the actual food stand) and the food you will get from these traveling chefs is delicious.

Some local Indonesian specialties include nas goring (Indonesian fried rice with a fried egg garnishing it), mie goring (fried noodles with egg), satay (skewered barbecued meat served with peanut sauce) and gado gado (an Indonesian salad served with prawn crackers and peanut sauce).


Shopping:

Kuta is the central shopping area and there are a variety of shopping arenas, ranging from cheap designer outlets to native souvenir shops. Some authentic Balinese merchandise includes woodcarvings, fantastic paintings of demons and native wildlife, sarongs, fabrics, jewelry and coconut house ware (dishes and bowls).

Events:

In Bali, the most exciting events are the religious festivals and parades. The most important and colorful of these is Odalan (between late March and April), which celebrates the anniversary of the temple founding. It lasts anywhere from a few days to a week, during this time the Balinese temples are decorated with flowers and flags. There are also parades and offerings to the Hindu dieties. Nyepi marks the beginning of the new lunar year and follows Odalan, on this day all the inhabitants of Bali (visitors included) must stay in their lodgings, remain quiet and not work or partake in any activity. While you may want to surf, it is advised that for the sake of cultural respect you just lay low on Nyepi- and if you party extra hard during Odalan, hopefully it wont take much effort to doze the day away.

The Negara bull races are a non-religious event between July and October that can also be very entertaining. This spectacle is one worth seeing; riders bedeck bulls in flowers and other regalia, hitch them to chariots and race them!

A good resource to figure out what is going on when can be found on this site: http://www.bali-events.com/

Nightlife

There are places to party in Sanur and Nusa Dua, but most are part of foreign hotels or close at 1 am. Kuta is the true heart of Balis social scene. Keep in mind that most people dont start their night out until midnight, so plan your dinner late and pace yourself accordingly. There are a few large American hangouts, like the Hard Rock Caf, but the best party experience should start (and perhaps end) at a local place. Some good ones in Kuta are, Casablanca, Peanuts Discotheque, the Bounty Ship and Paddys. For more info on the Balinese nightlife, check out http://www.baliguide.com/dark.html

Additional Resources

Currency converter:
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/#from=USD;to=EUR;amt=1

Site with Balinese phrases:
http://btf-archives.com/archive200408/17792.html

Wikitravel:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Bali

Bali Holiday Info:
http://www.baliholiday.com/bali_holiday_information.htm

Abouts travel section:
http://goseasia.about.com/sitesearch.htm?terms=bali&SUName=goseasia&TopNode=99

Bali nightlife:
http://www.baliguide.com/dark.html