Balian Surf Spot
Balian is a steep and clean river mouth rock pile that can hold swells from knee-high to triple overhead.
Expect the unexpected clean-up set to wipe out the line-up from time to time. Balian’s river mouth can catch you off guard but is typically a reliable walled-up clean left shoulder that works on all tides and just might barrel (both ways) on the inside.
Medewi
Balian
Canggu
WAVE INFO
Wave type:
-
Balian: River Mouth
Wave difficulty:
-
Balian: Beginner,Intermediate
Wave direction:
-
Balian: Left,Right
Wave bottom:
-
Balian: Cobblestone
Booties:
Balian: Not necessary
Surfboard type:
Balian: Any shape or size
Crowd factor:
-
Balian: Low Crowds
Hazards:
Balian: See below
Best swell direction:
Balian: S
Best wind direction:
Balian: NE
What tide is best:
Balian: Any
Best tide movement:
Balian: Any
Wave consistency:
Balian: Ultra consistent
Best time of year:
Balian: Year-round
Lineup vibe:
Balian: Mellow
Other names for spot:
Balian: Balian River Mouth
Most Common hazards
Pollution from stormwater runoff at the river mouth can be a hazard at times. Be sure to avoid the first few rainstorms of the wet season in particular.
Regardless of your experience, reef-related injuries are not a matter of if, but when. Proper planning prevents unnecessary time out of the water, and the best place to start is a first aid kit.
How do you get in and out of the surf?
There’s a channel to the right and left of the peak. Depending on which side of the peak you plan to surf, you can paddle out past the shore break and head for the shoulder.
What is the beach like?
Balian is a 2km stretch of black sand that meets a river mouth on its southern end. Not typically crowded, Balian beach can be a nice quiet getaway from some of the more popular beaches outside of Kuta. At low tide, the views from the shore may require a pause and a few deep breaths.
Where should I stay?
There’s plenty of places to choose from in Balian. From luxurious treehouse accommodation to simple, local homestays. Depending on your price range, you can choose a locale that will keep your toes in the wax.
Cheapest Price Range – Balian Paradise Resort
While it may not offer the spa treatment of some of the other accommodation on this list, Balian Paradise Resort offers a comfortable modern travel experience close to the surf. Mainly, you get what you pay for, which is to be expected in the cheapest price range of accommodation in Bali. However, most surfers search for the cheapest places to stay so that they can spend the maximum amount of time possible on their surfing holiday in Bali. About 100 metres from the beach, so you have got great access to the surf at Balian.
Affordable Price Range – Gubug Balian Beach Bungalows
As you step towards a more luxurious accommodation, Gubug Balian Beach Bungalows is a great place for a rest-stop. Beautiful Asian architecture, breathtaking ocean views, infinity pools, and your choice of seclusion is more than worth the price. When you’re sitting poolside and wiped after a three-hour session, there is no other place you would rather be. Definitely, kid-friendly and a comfortable place to stay for the single surfer to the conventional family.
Mid Price Range – Pondok Pitaya: Hotel, Surfing and Yoga
Pondok Pitaya is not your average Balian surf accommodation. Kid-friendly with beautiful views, you’ll find yourself poolside sipping a colourful drink before you can say “Bob’s your uncle.” The architecture gives you a traditional flavour of southeast Asia with bamboo furniture, high wooden ceilings, and open air. Be sure to book your lady (or fella) a spa treatment for extra brownie points and it might be worth one of yourself considering you’ll be surfing at least twice a day in consistent glassy (or off-shore) conditions. They’ve also got the best swimming pool in the area, and they’re located directly on the beach.
DEALS ON PLACES TO STAY IN BALIAN
Faq
Is there food nearby?
Pondok Pitaya Beach Restaurant serves both Indonesian and Western food with nice vegetarian options as well. Food is always cooked fresh and ingredients are purchased locally which also has the added benefit of being organic and pesticide free. Everything is priced very fairly with a healthy juice, entrée and main only costing you about 80,000-100,000Rp ($8-$10). All while literally 10m from the beach!
Sushi Surf Balian can be found just off the beach and is known for accommodating prices, good food, and excellent cocktails. While the wait-time may leave something to be desired, the taste more than makes up for a handful of minutes sipping cocktails. Deki Warung, a short jaunt from Sushi Surf, offers a beachside view of the break, casual decor, and cold beer. If you’re looking for something a bit more authentic, and a bit more fancy, check out Tekor Bali for excellent food and a cozy backyard atmosphere.
What else is there to do in the area other than surfing?
It may not be the place to surf on Big Wednesday. However, the surf can hold clean lines overhead but the shore break can be overwhelming on a big swell. Medewi, about a half-hour’s drive from Balian and is another great option for larger swells.
If you are looking for things to do get in touch with any of the Bali white water river rafting tours and head inland to raft the very river that meets the sea at Balian.
Other things you can do in Balian are…
– taking yoga classes,
– beach walks,
– relaxing,
– and eating in various restaurants.
What else
do I need
to Know?
Located half way between Kuta and Medewi, Balian still has that old-school surfer vibe that so many places on the island seem to have lost. Enjoying waves nearly every single day of the year — even in wet seasons, when other breaks are totally flat — Balian has waves for every level of surfer, and is not hamstrung with water congestion, as so many other spots on the island are. Balian beach, as well as much of Balis coastline, has excellent waves for all levels of surfers.
Consider riding a board with a bit more volume. The shoulders can sometimes be a little soft and it’s nice to have a little extra float to push you through some of the more mellow sections before it walls up on the inside. Balian Surf Camp also offers beachside accommodation, board rentals, and lessons for beginners.
Location
Where is Balian?
About an hour and a half drive from Kuta, Balian is located on the west coast of Bali.
How to get around?
Balian is a nice small village where you can walk around in peace, from the beach to the restaurants, the swimming pool to the hotels. But it’s always a good idea to consider a dirtbike, moped, or scooter when getting around further than walking distance. Traffic can bring out the anti-stoke in all of us and the drive to Balian is no exception. If you can’t get your hands on two wheels, four can suffice for carrying your quiver and getting from point A to point Balian.
How to get there?
Depending on your choice of travel, you can either make your way towards Krambitan via North Kuta or head inland through Denpasar. Either way, you’ll find yourself in Tabanan eventually and continue northwest toward Selemadeg before heading coastward and following signs for Balian. I recommend leaving Kuta to make your way towards the Kerobokan Rd, past the Canggu turn off and continue straight. This will lead you towards the major West to East highway and eventually Krambitan. Follow signs for Gilimanuk to head West. The coast will be in sight the majority of the way, you might find a peak or two worth a session along the drive. Eventually, you’ll notice signs for Balian as you make your way towards large hills off to your right.
