Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most operators use the Sungai Ayung (Ayung River; see p184), near
Ubud, where there are between 19 and 25 Class II to III rapids (ie potentially
exciting but not perilous). As you float along, you can admire the stunning
gorges and rice paddies from the boat. Sungai Telagawaja (Telagawaja River)
near Muncan in East Bali (p208) is also popular. It is more rugged than the
Ayung and the scenery is more wild.
Dress to get wet and bring something dry for afterwards. Companies will
pick you up at your hotel in South Bali and Ubud.
Advertised prices run from around US$40 to US$70; discounts are com-
mon. Reputable operators include the big operators Sobek (see sidebar, left)
and Bali Adventure Tours, plus the following:
Discovery Rafting
(
BALI SURF BREAKS
0
16 km
0
10 miles
A
B
C
D
Taman Nasional
Bali Barat
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Kuta...........................................
11
A3
Kayuanbua
Balangan......................................
1
B3
Lebih.........................................
12
D2
Jatiluwih
Wangayagede
Penebel
Balian...........................................
2
A2
Petang
Mawi.........................................
Pampatan
13
A3
Besakih
Bingin...........................................
3
B3
Medewi......................................
14
A1
1
Medewi
Kayubihi
Canggu........................................
4
B2
Nusa Dua...................................
Pujung
15
C3
Muncan
Desert Point.................................
5
A3
Nusa Lembongan.......................
16
D2
14
Tampaksiring
Dreamland...................................
Payangan
6
B3
Padang Padang..........................
17
B3
Gili Trawangan.............................
7
A3
Sanur.........................................
18
C3
Bukit
Bangli
Impossibles...................................
8
B3
Serangan...................................
19
C3
Jambul
Iseh
Ketewel........................................
9
C2
South Coast...............................
20
C3
Sangeh
Kuta Beach.................................
10
C3
Ulu Watu...................................
21
B3
2
Lalang-Linggah
Semarapura
0361-764915; www.discoveryrafting.com) Sungai Ayung.
Telaga Waja Adventure
(
(Klungkung)
%
Padangbai
Mas
Gianyar
0361-727525; telagawajarafting@yahoo.com) Sungai Telagawaja.
Mengwi
%
Kediri
SURFING
In recent years, the number of surfers in Bali has increased enormously, and
good breaks can get very crowded. Many Balinese have taken to surfing,
and the grace of traditional dancing is said to influence their style. The
surfing competitions in Bali are a major local event. Facilities for surfers
have improved, and surf shops in Kuta will sell just about everything you
need.
Kusamba
Lebih
2
Sukawati
12
Sempidi
Batubulan
Selat Bali
Ketewel
9
Nusa
Denpasar
4
Lembongan
16
Seminyak
Ped
Jungutbatu
Sanur
Legian
Lembongan
Toyapakeh
18
7
10
Nusa
Ceningan
Kuta
19
www.surftravel.com.au
is an Australian tour
company with camps,
yacht charters and a
website with destination
information, surfer
reviews and more.
LOMBOK
Pulau Serangan
Benoa
Equipment
A small board is usually adequate for the smaller breaks, but a few extra inches
on your usual board length won't go astray. For the bigger waves - 8ft and
upwards - you will need a gun. For a surfer of average height and build, a
board around the 7ft mark is perfect.
If you try to bring more than two or three boards, you may have problem
with customs officials.
There are surf shops in Kuta (p101) and elsewhere in South Bali (see p132).
You can rent boards of varying quality and get supplies. If you need repairs,
ask around, there are lots of places.
Other recommended equipment:
Solid luggage for rugged airline travel
Board-strap for carrying
Tough shoes for walking down rocky cliffs
Your favourite wax if you're picky
Wetsuit or reef booties
Wetsuit vest or other protective cover from the sun, cloudy days, reefs
and rocks
Surfing helmet for those rugged conditions (and riding a rented
motor-cycle)
Benoa
5
Bay
Jimbaran
6
Nusa Penida
Tanjung Benoa
3
1
3
8
17
13
11
Nusa Dua
21
15
Pecatu
I N D I A N O C E A N
20
Bukit
Peninsula
Where to Sur f
BALI
Swells come from the Indian Ocean, so the surf is on the southern side of the
island and, strangely, on the northwest coast of Nusa Lembongan, where the
swell funnels into the strait between there and the Bali coast.
In the dry season (around April to September), the west coast has the
best breaks, with the trade winds coming in from the southeast; this is also
when Nusa Lembongan works best. In the wet season, surf the eastern side
of the island, from Nusa Dua around to Padangbai. If there's a north wind -
or no wind at all - there are also a couple of breaks on the south coast of
Bukit Peninsula.
www.surftravelonline
.com has information
on remote Indonesian
locations.
There are several surf
schools that teach
beginners in the waves
off Kuta and Legian
beaches. See p102 for
details.
Balangan
Go through growing Pecatu Indah resort and follow the road around to
the right past Dreamland to reach the Balangan warung (food stall). Bal-
angan (p131) is a fast left over a shallow reef, unsurfable at low tide, good
at midtide with anything over a 4ft swell; with an 8ft swell, this can be one
of the classic waves.
Sur f Trips from Bali
Charter boats take groups of surfers for day trips around various local reefs,
or for one-week 'surfaris' to great breaks on eastern Java (Grajagan, also
known as G-Land has an incredible left), Nusa Lembongan, Lombok and
Sumbawa, some of which cannot be reached by land. These are especially
popular with those who find that the waves in Bali are too crowded. You'll
see them advertised in numerous agents and surf shops in Kuta. Prices
start at around 300,000Rp per person per week (seven days/six nights),
Kuta's famous Tubes Surf
Bar & Restaurant (p102)
is a popular centre for
anything to do with
surfing - the Tubes tide
chart is widely available.
Balian
There are a few peaks near the mouth of Sungai Balian (Balian River,
p276 in western Bali - sea water here is often murky because the river
