Uluwatu · Indonesia
Surfing Balangan
A reef break in Uluwatu, Indonesia, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelIntermediate / Advanced
- Size2-8 ft
- Best monthsMay-Sep
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Balangan is a long left along a reef shelf in front of a white beach with warungs on stilts. It's one of the easier lefts on the Bukit, with walls you can do a few turns on and sometimes a small barrel on the inside at mid tide.
It's fun at 2ft, even on a longboard, and serious at 8ft, when it shifts and the current pulls toward the point. It works across more of the tide than its neighbours, though at dead low some rock shows near the takeoff. The SE trades blow offshore all dry season.
It's a good place to get used to reef before trying Bingin or Uluwatu, and there are fewer pros in the water. The warungs grill fish right by the paddle-out. A normal shortboard does the job, or a mid-length on small days.
-8.792, 115.121 · SW swell, SE trades offshore · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Balangan
Balangan is at its best from May to September. Conditions it likes: SW swell, SE trades offshore. This is how the year looks across Bali:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May to June | Prime | Pumping SW swell, offshore trades, crowds still civilised |
| July to August | Prime | Peak everything: waves, crowds and prices. Book ahead |
| September to October | Good | Still good waves, fewer people in the water |
| November to March | Shoulder | Wet season: the east coast (Serangan, Keramas, Nusa Dua) takes over |
Waves near Balangan
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamland | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 3 km |
| Padang Padang | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 3 km |
| Bingin | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 4 km |
| Impossibles | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | 4 km |
| Airport Rights | Canggu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 6 km |
| Uluwatu | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 6 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Uluwatu
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Uluwatu surf guide →
A week here costs from about $781 with flights from Europe, or around $1,432 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Balangan: common questions
When is the best time to surf Balangan?
Balangan works best from May to September. Ideal conditions: SW swell, SE trades offshore.
Is Balangan good for beginners?
No. Balangan is a wave for intermediate and advanced surfers.
How crowded is Balangan?
Balangan is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Balangan?
Balangan is in Uluwatu, in the Bali region of Indonesia (-8.792, 115.121). The nearest wave we cover is Dreamland, about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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