The Sanur surf scene is one of the most underrated in all of Bali. The Sanur coastline is known for its long stretches of tranquil beach and calm waters, but further out are some of surfing’s best reef breaks.
Sanur reef break is one of the best in the world, bringing big names like Kelly Slater, Tom Carroll, Brad Gerlac, Kanoa Igarashi and many more to surf its legendary waves.
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The Sanur Surf Scene: Getting Out to the Reef Breaks
On any given day, you can see groups of surfers standing on the water’s edge waiting for the jukungs to take them out to the surf breaks. In fact, the only way surfers can reach the reef breaks – Sanur, Sindhu, Hyatt, Tanjung Sari, Shark and Baby reef (which is perfect for beginners) – is on a jukung skippered by a local fisherman.
Even on days when the tide is low and the waves are pumping, visible from the beach, paying a local jukung skipper to take you out is the safest way to reach the surf and supports the local economy. The jukung ride itself is a genuine Bali experience — gliding low across the flat lagoon in a narrow wooden outrigger, salt spray on your face, the reef approaching. It is a nod of respect to local fishermen whose knowledge of these waters is unmatched and whose relationship to the Sanur surf scene predates every visiting professional by generations.
Competition and Community in the Sanur Surf Scene
The Sanur reef breaks are also a popular spot for surfing comps, which are returning once more post-pandemic shutdown. Check out the cover of this issue for pics of two local young guns from the local Sanur surf scene.
The Sanur reef breaks are challenging the old idea that the best surfing in Bali is on the Kuta side of the island, as the surfing from Serangan right through to Keramas is world class.
Local surfers say that the powerful soul and rhythm of Sanur can be felt in the waves. The reef breaks offer some of the best surfing on the planet, but also a genuine connection to the spiritual energy of this island. Standing in the lineup at Sanur reef on a clean morning, with Mt Agung visible on the horizon, is an experience that stays with a surfer long after they have dried off and put their board away and headed back to shore on the jukung.
Why the Sanur Surf Scene Deserves More Recognition
The Sanur surf scene has long lived in the shadow of Kuta, Canggu, and Uluwatu, but the surfers who know it best will tell you that this is changing fast. The combination of world-class reef breaks, uncrowded lineups, and the unique jukung access system gives the Sanur surf scene a character that you simply cannot find anywhere else on the island. Local kids grow up watching big-name professionals surf their home breaks, and many are now competing at national and international levels themselves. The community pride in the Sanur surf scene is real, deeply rooted, and infectious — spend an early morning on the beach watching the jukungs head out to the reef and you will feel that energy immediately. For more on the surf, beach, and culture of Sanur and Bali, explore our guides to Bali beaches, Bali traditional villages, and Bali luxury villas. For background on surfing in Bali, see surfing in Bali on Wikipedia..
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