Nusa Dua Surf Spots

Nusa Dua is Bali’s prime resort area of the island.

Targeted mainly towards families on holiday, the area has no party scene such as the likes of Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu. However, it does have a range of consistent wet season waves for those that want to surf every day. The reef at Nusa Dua is an open ocean reef stretching long and wide around the coastline of Geger Temple Beach, Geger Beach and Nusa Dua Beach for over 2 kilometres, protecting the beautiful white sand beach that is home to Nusa Dua’s long stretch of luxury resorts. Known as Bali’s premier big wave surf break the Nusa Dua reef is the most consistent right-hand reef break in Bali and has a various number of waves that break on different tides and slightly different conditions. Most are imperfect but on the right day can provide that all-time surfing experience.

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WAVE INFO

What kind of wave is Temple Lefts?

Temple Lefts is at the start of the reef where there is a small left closest to shore with a large channel between the start of the reef and the rocky shoreline. This first section of the reef that breaks left into the channel is a good spot for the less experienced surfer on a small day. However, be warned that venturing any further out along the reef is an extremely bad idea if you are not experienced enough to handle the conditions and strong currents. Attempting to surf this section of the reef on bigger days when there is a lot of water flowing out of the channel is also a bad idea for the inexperienced. No matter how strong of a paddler you are you won’t beat the current if you try to paddle back in through the channel.

What kind of wave is Elevators?

Elevators is a right-hand peak that breaks into the keyhole. It can have a gnarly end section that sucks up and closes out on a shallow section of reef. When it’s well overhead and mid-tide or less, Elevators becomes a heaving slab where the bottom of the wave drops out as it pitches and the lip throws. If you pick the right one and backdoor the peak on take off you might just score a good session. Beware of the end section shutting down on the sharp reef. To add to the intensity of the wave this small end section of the reef before the keyhole has a few holes in the reef with coral heads. When it’s solid it is only for serious surfers that know precisely what they are up to.

What kind of wave is Keyhole Left?

The Keyhole Left is the left that breaks back into the keyhole (towards Elevators) where you can paddle out over the reef.

With the right conditions and a nice westerly blowing up the face of the wave, you can take off and cruise into a hollow section before finishing up in the keyhole.

What kind of wave is Keyhole Right?

The Keyhole Right breaks on the same peak as the Keyhole left. Generally, it’s a long wall that dumps you off down near the Main Peak. A real threat here if you don’t make the wave is being dragged further down the reef into the next section on the widest part of the reef known as “Main Peak”. Here there is a long section of flat reef that can suck up dry on bigger swells and put you in a life-threatening situation. When the surf is a decent size and you don’t make the wave from the Keyhole Right you are best to paddle in straight for the temple, over the reef and into the lagoon before the strong current pulls you further down the reef and into the inside section of the main peak where you can end up in a lot of trouble.

What kind of wave is the Main Peak?

From the widest part of the reef you can surf the Main Peak. The Main Peak is an open ocean wave that comes out of the DEEP water closest to the beginning of the Lombok Strait, between Bali and Lombok. This straight experiences some of the strongest tidal flows on earth, being one of the main through flows between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean where the ocean plummets down to 4000m further to the south. You can imagine how serious this wave is due to it being located roughly 1 kilometre offshore. It is the widest part of the reef breaking over a long flat section of reef that can get dangerously shallow on the lower tides. The Main Peak is Bali’s big wave spot and at times reaches 15ft plus on the Hawaiian scale. Somewhat of a mini Jaws that can produce a heavy, top to bottom right-hand barrel when a large groundswell comes all the way up from the roaring forties. On a lower tide, you can see one rock sticking up on the inside of the reef. Be very cautious here as there is usually a lot of current and on a lower tide with a decent sized swell you can end up stuck on the inside with 6ft waves sucking up off the dry reef. DON’T end up in this life-threatening situation. If you don’t know how to handle a situation like this, don’t paddle out.

What kind of wave is Chickens?

Chickens is the last section of Nusa Dua’s long reef that breaks out to sea from Geger and Nusa Dua beach. It loves smaller swells and can give you a right-hand wall to play with for a couple of hundred metres at times. Ideal for practising your turns and going vertical to hit the lip of the wave.

Overall there is always a wave breaking somewhere along the reef at Nusa Dua in the wet season. The rule of thumb is that the various waves that makeup Temple Peaks at the top of the Nusa Dua reef work best on a lower tide and the waves at Main Peak and below work better on a higher tide. Because there is such a big lagoon between the beach and the reef when it is a full tide the wind chop travels over the reef and into the oncoming sets, therefore, higher tides don’t like any wind. Where the low tide loves the wind with the exposed reef preventing the above issue.

Wave type:

Temple Lefts: Reef Break
Elevators: Reef Break
Keyhole Left: Reef Break
Keyhole RIght: Reef Break
Main Peak: Reef Break
Chickens: Reef Break

Wave difficulty:

Temple Lefts: Intermediate
Elevators: Experienced
Keyhole Left: Intermediate
Keyhole RIght: Intermediate
Main Peak: Experienced
Chickens: Intermediate

Wave direction:

Temple Lefts: Left
Elevators: Right
Keyhole Left: Left
Keyhole RIght: Right
Main Peak: Right
Chickens: Right

Wave bottom:

Temple Lefts: Reef
Elevators: Reef
Keyhole Left: Reef
Keyhole RIght: Reef
Main Peak: Reef
Chickens: Reef

Booties:

Temple Lefts: Personal preference
Elevators: Personal preference
Keyhole Left: Personal preference
Keyhole Right: Personal preference
Main Peak: Personal preference
Chickens: Recommended on low

Surfboard type:

Temple Lefts: Short or longboard
Elevators: Shortboard
Keyhole Left: Shortboard/step-up
Keyhole Right: Shortboard/step-up
Main Peak: Semi-gun/gun
Chickens: Shortboard

Crowd factor:

Temple Lefts: Medium Crowds
Elevators: Low Crowds
Keyhole Left: Low Crowds
Keyhole RIght: Low Crowds
Main Peak: Empty
Chickens: Low Crowds

Hazards:

Temple Lefts: See below
Elevators: See below
Keyhole Left: See below
Keyhole Right: See below
Main Peak: See below
Chickens: See below

Best swell direction:

Temple Lefts: S
Elevators: S
Keyhole Left: S
Keyhole Right: S
Main Peak: S
Chickens: SW

Best wind direction:

Temple Lefts: N
Elevators: NW
Keyhole Left: WNW
Keyhole Right: NW
Main Peak: NW
Chickens: WNW

What tide is best:

Temple Lefts: Lower tide
Elevators: Lower tide
Keyhole Left: Lower tide
Keyhole Right: Lower tide
Main Peak: Lower tide
Chickens: Higher tide

Best tide movement:

Temple Lefts: Outgoing to low
Elevators: Outgoing to low
Keyhole Left: Outgoing to low
Keyhole Right: Outgoing to low
Main Peak: low
Chickens: Incoming to high

Wave consistency:

Temple Lefts: Consistent (wet season)
Elevators: Inconsistent
Keyhole Left: Consistent (wet season)
Keyhole Right: Consistent (wet season)
Main Peak: Consistent (wet season)
Chickens: Consistent (wet season)

Best time of year:

Temple Lefts: March
Elevators: March
Keyhole Left: March
Keyhole Right: March
Main Peak: March
Chickens: March

Lineup vibe:

Most surfers that surf Nusa Dua are
cruisey dudes and have a lot of respect
for the wave as they know full well the
potential for danger and how frequently
unassuming surfers end up in trouble

Other names for spot:

Geger, Temple Peaks, Temple Lefts,
Elevators, Keyhole Left, Keyhole Right,
Main Peak and Chicken

Most Common hazards

There are a lot of hazards and potential possibilities for things to go wrong when surfing the reef at Nusa Dua and we can’t emphasise it enough – don’t put yourself in a situation you can’t handle. The reef is a long way from shore, there are no lifeguards to rescue you and fellow surfers can only do so much. Therefore you really are all alone when you are out there. The main concerns are long hold-downs, being dragged underwater for long periods of time, strong currents and getting consecutive sets of waves on the head. Getting waves on the head here is unavoidable and surfing here with a bit of size will most certainly end up with a broken board and a long swim back to shore. At the widest point in the reef where the Main Peak is situated, 6-foot waves sucking dry off the reef in big swells is a real threat if you are caught inside and is a life or death situation. Sea urchins, there are plenty of them in between the cracks and holes in the reef so don’t be clumsy or heavy-footed.

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.

The Surfers First Aid Kit

How do you get in and out of the surf?

You have three options when venturing out into the surf at Nusa Dua.

Option 1: Directly in front of the temple is a keyhole that you can paddle out through on a higher tide or make the walk across the reef on a lower tide bringing you out the back between Keyhole Left and Elevators.

Option 2: Paddle out through the channel at the very top of the reef from the car park at the temple bringing you into the lineup at Temple Lefts.

Option 3: Take a boat from either of the two pick up points on Geger Beach or Nusa Dua Beach, getting dropped off out the back of the reef. The one-way ride will cost you 50,000Rp. Don’t expect to catch a ride back in because the boat won’t be waiting around for you out there. To be honest, if you can’t make the long paddle out there and back then you shouldn’t be in the line up at Nusa Dua.

Tips: If you decide to paddle up the reef from Nusa Dua Beach you will most likely be paddling against a current. On the lower tide don’t try and paddle out over the reef anywhere except for the keyhole.

What is the beach like?

Geger Beach (southern end of the beach) and Nusa Dua Beach (northern end of the beach) is one long stretch of extremely well groomed and immaculately maintained white sand beach. The beach leads up into beachfront resort areas constructed of large grassy areas, pools, sun lounges, bean bags, daybeds and all the types of luxuries that the top of the line resorts provide. A long path separates the beach and resort frontages which makes for the perfect leisurely stroll any time of the day. It is a prime spot for watching the sunrise and hanging out for the day as all holiday goers take in the sun, unwind and relax to the fullest.

Where should I stay in Nusa Dua?

There is a huge amount of luxury resort options in the Nusa Dua area. Particularly along Geger and Nusa Dua Beach looking out over the lagoon with the surf in the distance. Most of these accommodation options are out of the average surfers budget, although at any one time there is usually one or two resorts with reduced room rates around $150 AUD per night. There are a few cheap accommodation options in the Nusa Dua area, however, these are situated 1 km or so from the beach as you pay a premium price for beachfront accommodation in Nusa Dua. The good news is that the beach is only a short scooter ride away which coincidentally is about the same time it will take you to walk from your room and across the huge area that each resort covers to get to the beach or your scooter anyway.

Mid Price Range – Hotel Santika Siligita Nusa Dua

Moving closer to the beach and surf in Nusa Dua is Hotel Santika. Located outside of the Nusa Dua beach resort area and one kilometre from the beach Hotel Santika is in the heart of Nusa Dua. It is an easy drive from here turning right at the roundabout to make your way out to Geger Temple where you can park up, check the surf and paddle out through the keyhole or channel if the surf is on. The hotel has a long pool perfect for any swim training and also a business centre if you are lucky enough to be on an extended surf trip and working remotely.

→ GET THE LATEST PRICES HERE

Luxury Price Range – The Mulia

One of the best resorts in Nusa Dua and the most expensive. As far as staying as close as you can possibly get to the surf in Nusa Dua The Mulia is as good as it gets. From the resort, you can walk across the beach and make the long paddle out to the keyhole in the reef. The Mulia features some of the best restaurants in Nusa Dua, each a fine dining experience and different international cuisine. Beachfront suites, Lagoon suites and Villas make up the accommodation options. All providing a remarkably exclusive experience. You can expect six luxurious pools, four restaurants (some award-winning), five bars, a tennis centre and a cutting edge fitness centre and spa. If you aim to surf your brains out at Nusa Dua and have got the money to burn on one of Nusa Dua’s best beachfront resorts then The Mulia maybe for you.

→ GET THE LATEST PRICES HERE

DEALS ON PLACES TO STAY IN NUSA DUA

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Faq

Is there food nearby?

Knowing where to eat in Nusa Dua can be a tricky one. In comparison to areas such as Canggu or Berawa where there is a huge cafe scene, there isn’t a big array of restaurant or cafe options. Most Nusa Dua restaurants are located within the resorts or the main shopping centre in the resort area known as “Bali Collection”. However, outside of the immediate Nusa Dua resort area, there are some hidden gems that really are the go-to places to eat in Nusa Dua! These are listed below.

The Secret Café – Amazing service, fantastic food, great portions and more than fairly priced. Owner-operator Indra personally takes the time to source fresh and healthy produce to serve up to her customers, all of which are repeat customers. One trip to the Secret Café and you will be returning every other day of your surf trip to Nusa Dua. Except for Wednesday, it’s the only day of the week they are closed. Try the Satisfaction Salad, it is a hearty meal and a favourite of those who wouldn’t usually order a salad and it’s sure to keep you going for your next surf.

Gendis Coffee and Kitchen is a great step up from local food with a brilliant combination of western food and amazing Balinese meals. If you like pork you have to try their crispy pork belly served with the best Balinese sauce you will ever try. The chefs at Gendis have a passion for good food and coffee. They can even suggest other great places to eat and drink throughout the rest of Bali. Get down there and check it out while you’re in Nusa Dua or even just passing through. It is located off the main roads in an up-market local back street of Nusa Dua so make a little extra effort to get there because it is well worth it.

Warung Kedai N’deso is a reliable place to try some local food. The staff are extremely friendly and the bill will be the cheapest you get on your surf trip in Bali.

What else is there to do in the area other than surfing?

Beach Time – For most the thing to do in Nusa Dua is hanging out and relaxing on the beautiful white sand beach. The most popular sections of the beach are right in front of the parking areas at Geger Beach and Nusa Dua Beach. You can check these on the map at the top of the page. Geger Temple Beach is a small section of beach that disappears on the higher tides but is a nice little spot to relax in the sun and out of the wind.

Snorkeling – The long stretch of sand along Geger and Nusa Dua Beach leads into a large lagoon that is created by the long outer surfing reef at Nusa Dua. This makes for a great area to get your snorkel, mask and flippers on and explore the crystal clear water.

The Bali National Golf Club has been awarded Best Renovated Golf Course in Asia in 2014, Third Best Renovated Golf Course Worldwide in 2015, Fifth Best Golf Resort in the Asia Pacific in 2016 and the Best Golf Resort Indonesia in 2017. The 18-hole course features three distinguishable playing environments throughout.

Holes: One through to nine feature creeks, canyons and native vegetation filled with tropical birds

Holes: Ten through to sixteen offer lush and gently sculptured fairways through a mature grove.

Holes: Seventeen and eighteen are challenging holes which test every golfer.

What else
do I need
to Know?

If the surf looks about 6 foot or double overhead from the shore it is most likely 8 to 10 foot, triple overhead or bigger. Be warned a bigger set will clean you up sooner or later so be prepared to make the long swim back in over the reef and through the lagoon without a surfboard.

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Location

Where is Nusa Dua?

Nusa Dua is located on the south-east side of Bali, 14 kilometres south-east of the Ngurah Rai International Airport and approximately 25 minutes when travelling the Bali Mandara Toll Road from the international airport.

How to get around?

If you are not staying in the area then a local surf guide is a great option to get you to the surf in Nusa Dua. They will provide you with a reasonable daily rate and transport you by car. Otherwise, if you’re staying in the area then hire a scooter and make your own way. The streets are a little quieter in Nusa Dua than other areas of Bali so it is a good spot to get used to the Balinese traffic and how the traffic flows before you venture on to the busier areas of Bali.

Is there parking fees?

When surfing Nusa Dua you will have to pay parking fees to the local village upon entry. Below are all the parking options and the cost involved if you are travelling by scooter:

Waterblow / Bali Collection Parking – 3.000Rp per scooter

Nusa Dua Beach Parking – 2.000Rp per scooter

Geger Beach / Surfers Beach parking – 3.000Rp per person

Geger Temple Parking – 2.500Rp per person

How to get there?

Step 1:

From the airport drive along Jalan Airport Ngurah Rai for 2.8km.

Step 2:

At the roundabout take the second exit to Bali Mandara Toll Road and follow signs to Nusa Dua.

Step 3:

When you exit the toll road turn left at the next set of lights onto Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai.

Step 4:

Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai is a dual lane, move across into the inside lane and at the next set of lights turn right onto Jalan Siligita.

Step 5:

Follow Jalan Siligita for approximately 2km through a crossroads and around a 90-degree bend.

Step 6:

You will then arrive at a roundabout, turn right onto Jalan Terompong and drive for 2.1km during this time the road will become Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan.

Step 7:

After 2.1km take turn left onto Jalan Pura Puget. There will be signs for Nusa Dua Beach Grill at the turn-off.

Step 8:

In 600m you will arrive at Geger temple, parking and the lookout over the Nusa Dua reef.