Sanur Reef

Surfing at Sanur Reef Overview

Quick Info

Although it is fickle, Sanur Reef is possibly Bali’s best right-hander in its ideal conditions.

This stretch of beach has lots of options to eat and hang out for the day, or even a week if your budget allows as the hotels and restaurants along the beach are priced for the more high-end tourist.

About Sanur Reef

Sanur Reef can offer a world-class right-hander. When a solid south or southwest swell is running and Keramas and Nusa Dua are double overhead or bigger, which is rare in the wet season, Sanur will come to life at 1.5 x over-head.

Take off is where the reef starts to curve in towards the bay and if you make the heavy drop be prepared to go as fast as you can to make the relentless barrel that can lock you in for over one hundred meters. Sanur Reef will eventually close out across the shallow end section reef so be sure to stay aware of where you are on the reef and pull out before the end. When Sanur breaks it will attract some of the hottest surfers in Bali and it can be competitive with an element of localism as this wave is a rare commodity.

Best Conditions for Sanur Reef

Sanur is best surfed at high tide, with wet season offshore Westerly winds. It is best surfed from 1.5over head to double overhead on S-SW swells.

Getting in and out at Sanur Reef

Access to the wave is to paddle across the lagoon and find your way across the reef in between the sets, or to make the arm-burning paddle through the boat channel and around the reef to the North. You can also speak to a local boat driver and negotiate to get a lift out to the take off and back.

Be aware when coming in at low tide, as the end section can turn into a shore dump on dry reef.

Getting to Sanur Reef

Located at the end of Jalan Hang Tuah, this beach is popular with local tourists and the car park area can be very busy. This is the same place you catch the ferry to Nusa Lembongan from, which offers a great view into the barrel as you motor past the reef. It can be tempting to bail on your Nusa Lembongan trip and jump of the boat if the swell is up!

Hazards to look out for at Sanur Reef

beware of the reef when low tide.

This reef is a long way from shore and if you plan on paddling be sure to leave some fuel in the tank!

Be aware when coming in at low tide, as the end section can turn into a shore dump on dry reef.