Surfing Nusa Lembongan

Right Reef · Best May-Sep · 3-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

SW swell, SE trades

Shipwrecks is a right on the reef off Nusa Lembongan, named after the old wreck you can still see there. At lower tides it's fast and hollow; with more water it gets longer and easier.

The dry-season trades are offshore, and it's best at 3-8ft of SW swell. Tide makes all the difference: low is barrels over shallow reef for experts, mid is fine for strong intermediates, high makes it softer.

It's a short paddle from Jungutbatu beach or a quick boat ride, and many of the places to stay on the beach look straight at it. Day-trippers from Bali arrive late morning and leave around 4pm. Watch the current in the channel when it's big.

Right Reef · Best May-Sep · 3-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

SW swell, SE trades

Lacerations is a fast, hollow right over very shallow live coral on the inside of the Lembongan reef. The name tells you what happens when you fall.

With 4-6ft of SW swell, mid tide and light offshore trades, it's one of the best barrels around Bali: a wedging takeoff, a quick barrel and a shoulder to kick out on before the reef gets shallower.

It breaks in almost the same spot every time, so the takeoff area is small and ten people is a queue. Boats from Jungutbatu drop you in the channel. Don't try to paddle across the reef at low tide. Wear booties, and clean any cuts properly, because they get infected quickly in the tropics.

Left & Right Reef · Best May-Sep · 2-6 ft · Crowd 3/5

SW swell, SE trades

Playgrounds is the middle peak of the three Lembongan waves, an A-frame with a short right and a longer left over coral deep enough to be forgiving. It's the easiest of the three and a good place for intermediates to surf reef.

It gets a bit less swell than Shipwrecks, so it's fun on medium days and the sensible choice when the other waves are big. Mid to high tide is easiest. Early mornings are glassy, and in the evening you can see Mount Agung across the channel.

The crowd is relaxed, with learners on the shoulder and longboarders mixed in. Day-trip boats moor nearby around midday. Any board works here.