SubscribeBalangan
Balangan is located down towards the southern peninsula, it used to be a hard place to find but now there is a sealed road that will just about take you all the way in there. The reef is right infront of the beach and only a short paddle out required.
Wet/Dry Season
Dry Season – April/October
Best Swell Direction
South
Best Size
4-8ft
Best Winds
SE Tradewinds
Crowd Factor
Crowds were never a worry at Balangan before the new road went in, but now with the easy access, it is starting to get more and more surfers around there. The wave itself is very fast and hollow best on the mid to high tide.
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Comments
I surfed Balangan in 1981 with 2 x mates we arrived by boat, not a soul around, the place was deserted, obviously we surfed there for about 1.5 hrs by ourselves, about the 4ft mark, i remember the beach being totally untouched, in those days nobody i dont think knew about dreamland or bingin. Have you heard of anyone sufing the place prior to this ???
Never surfed balangan before..wanted to know how shallow is the reef there?
Hey Ham, Balangan can be surfed on most tides, but like all the reefs mid to hight would be most suited. but on its day it can produce as good as anywhere. Its a beautiful place, go a see for yourself before its all gone.
G`day Nat,
1981 was the first year I surfed Bingin and because we had it to ourselves it was the first option whenever the swell kicked.The walk in was from behind what is now called Dreamland and was an all day affair with board carriers , provisions etc.The Queensland mates I was with were put onto it by another Queenslander by the name of Wayne McKewen.Surfed it twice with two other guys during that two month period , Sydney guys Vic Levert (first mindblowing pigdogin I`d seen) and a red hot kneelo by the name of Ken Horton (full vertical backhand stance)The following year we started surfing Immpossibles as Bingin was now on everybodies lips.Kept surfing it through the 80`s though less and less as you know it has a very small takeoff spot and 4 or 5 guys who can surf is crowded.
Griz, good read, interesting that we hear about these places being surfed in the old days. Lets see if anyone picks up on our replies. I remember walking into ulu`s in 1980 surfing temples & being shedded on race tracks, still cary the scares. Long walk out then, and even a longer motor bike ride back to kuta, with blood dripping from the tiger stripes on your back. The only remedy and first aid kit was some BFI powder and a couple of bandaids in your backpack. All fond memories and good stories for the groms of today.
Thanks for the comments guys, I’ve only been here for the last 15yrs but I love hearing the stories about the early days !!! I bet Fly had some good ones… RIP
G`day Nat,Slim,
I was there in 80 as well (second trip)having returned from Nias for the first time.Did two visas in Nias (8 weeks) and the same in Bali.Jeez I`ll bet you must have been around somewhere at that time.Nothing between bemo corner and Padma except jungle.Padma and Jalan Rum Jungle were dirt tracks….please don`t get me started.Misses is at this moment sourcing flights as I speak,hello season number 28….what a delightful habit!
Slim you are right about Fly and his yarns,always willing and able to engage anyone within ear shot with his slant on the local surfing politics and identities,such was his passion for that and of course Bintang.The original Bali surf cowboy will be missed.
Good site, admin.
Hey boy`s, spot on, fond memories. First visited bali in 1979 stayed at a place called puspa beach inn, opposite the old cemetry in kuta just up from the markets, and is still there. We used to walk thru it to paddle out to kuta reef. In 1980 i came back for 3 months, must have passed each other. In 82 stayed at Ketut King Kongs place amongst the coconut trees in the back of kuta. Griz remember rum jungle well. Sorry mate guess what ? we are booked again, arrive in september.
hey guys, you should know that there are surfers out there who really respect our surf pioneers,but at the same time also want to be respected as freshmen to indo, like me. every sport or culture is relying on newcomers to keep going and progressing.It is nice to see no trashtalking on this site coz i’d like to see surfers stick more together and respect each other . we need lots of surfer to represent a united power against pollution and environmental issues.there have been many cases round the world where the big companies exploit and pollute our sea and beaches…these are the real oponents.so in my point of view we shouldn’t hassle each other over single waves and work much more together.more crowds should mean more people with the same love of the waves that we have …while surfing, i’d rather waste a wave than hurt someone. peace
Hi all. I last surfed Balangan in June 1997. Me and 4 mates had the whole place to ourselves. We were staying in the usual beach front five star warung run by a local lady and her small child. After a couple of days, of perfect surf and not a soul in sight, we awoke to find ourselves surrounded by soldiers all carrying fire arms. Shocked:- we certainly were!! Turns out this lady and her family had been told that they had to leave the beach, where they had lived all their lives, and be relocated in one of the towns. Well…she had different ideas. To our absolute amazement she came screaming from the back of the warung carrying a large machete slashing violently at the soldiers. It took a few of them to subdue her. I later spoke to one of the soldiers who informed me they were building a road to the beach, which meant any remaining locals had to be moved on. We were also told to leave as soon as the tide allowed. We then watched with sadness as the soldiers proceeded to burn all the warungs along the beach. During all of this, however, I had picked up my camera and had secretly taken a series of shots as the warungs were destroyed. Happy to put the pictures up, or send copies. We were probably the last guys to surf there while it was still quiet and only accessible via a very very long walk. It was great back in the 90’s, and must have been amazing in the 80’s. But even though it’s probably busy now, I’m sure it’s still amazing. JD.
Hey JD, yes bro I remember the soldiers kicking out all the locals from Balangan in ‘97 or was it ‘96 time flies. You could also drive into Balangan but only if you knew the road through a maze of dirt tracks. One of our friends was evicted from balangan and re-located to Jimburan. It’s a whole different ball game down at Balangan now after they pulled down the warungs at Dreamland which were mainly foreign backed. Pulled down to build a 17 hole golf course and resort. Looks like to me they are trying to re create Dreamland at Balangan. But Bali is changing every year, and the all mighty dollar seems to be dictating her future and it appears to be unstopable.
G’day wave hunters.
Balangan used to be a hidden secret. My first encounter was in 93 after a boat trip through the islands. Ulu’s was packed and a mate took me there talking it up about long rides with no crowds. Its now my favorite wave in the Bukit and Nyoman Suzie welcomes me back each year. Her family grows with each passing year.
Sad to see the area turning into resort style but the area has had its struggles during and after Suharto.
Low tide barrels at the point have left their mark but high tide speed lines are what bring me back each year.
Its still got its charm and lets hope it can keep it inspite of recent developments to the bay.
In regard to how shallow the reef is , as asked by Ham , its only shallow if you hit it. Ride the wave up high for speed or you will find yourself being outrun by the wall.
Treat others how you want to be treated both in the water and out. Respect the locals and enjoy good times with them. Make friends and see the smiles when you return.
Thanks for the site Slim , its my daily contact with paradise.
Loved hearing about everyones good times in Bali, first travelled there in 1976,used to paddle out to Kuta reef, 5 maybe 6 people out. Stayed in a losman for 50 cent a night with a thermos of boiled water and a couple of bananas, each new person that arrived was given the full lowdown on how the place worked by fellow surfers, it was your job to pass the info on when they left, what to do where to go and what not to do. Lent our boards to the local kids when we were too tired to surf or chat up the international tourists that came over from Sanour for the sunset. Budha sticks were A$1.00 and Magic Mushie restaurants were common, not that I was interested in that scene but you could sit at the end of the runway and watch the planes take off over you. Even took Slim some Multi-grain bread from Oz one trip,I’m 54 now and going back in Sept for the 16th time, staying in a bungalo on the beach in Kuta for a lot more than 50 cents, but I’m still riding a short board and if you ride a mal don’t take offence, anything you can get the thrill on is fine by me, so I hope that when you young guy’s see some old fart out there you might just let him have the odd wave every now and then, cause we don’t get up as fast or as deep as we used to but we do love it just as much. may you make as many happy memories as I have. Live the dream, Trev
Hey Trev !!! Well put mate, and I hope to catch ya up again next trip for some more multi grain, heh, heh.
Great read guys! I am 51 and did my first trip back in 1978. As a Grommet and first time overseas the place blew me away! I can still clearly remember going down the main drag to Legian from the airport to out Losman in the evening. The sounds, smells, people. I felt at home straight away.
I still go to bali on surf trips, but now my sons surf with me. They grew up surfing the place and also are in love with it. I am also lucky to have a wife that went to bali with when she was my girlfriend back when she was 19. She travels to Bali regulary for shopping fixes and to catch up with her Balinese friends. She sometimes does up to 3 trips a year. The boys love it! Surf trips with Mum!
Like Trev, I still ride shortboards. Good luck to the Mal riders, but I am not into them. My 5′10″ is just a little thicker and wider these days!!
I have soem pics of Bali from the early days that my sons and younger mates froth over. No crowds, no roads into any spots much less the “secret” spots.
I too surfed Balangan not that long ago when there was no clear road in. Ulu had 90 guys out. Crazy. Snuck off to Balangan and surfed with my 4 mates and 2 locals. Unreal!
A 51 year old mate has just come back after a 2 month trip. We are palning a trip in August- September and another for a month next April May.
We are still as excited about going over now as we were when we first went 32 odd years ago! Got some great friends over there and will make more no doubt. Despite the influx of people it is still my favorite place in the world to travel to.
Note to everyone who goes there old and new. Respect the people and the place. The Balinese allow us to share their paradise. They are very good people and will go out of their way to help you if you take your manners away with you. I have some very old and dear friends in Bali and would hope to never hear a story about ignorant Aussies or anyone for that matter.
It’s a great place and hope everyone going over gets good waves.
Enjoy!!
Freddy
hey guys….
i’ve reallt enjoyed reading this thread. its hard to imagine bali in 80’s. bemo corner to padma still jungle?? an look at it now.i’ve been enjoyin indo for 12 years now an hope to for many more.thanx to the old pioneers pathing the way!!
Excellent stories guys, the memories come flooding back.
Good to see the older crew staying on short boards, hang in there as long as possible.
I first went in 83 & thought that was early until this may when I met a couple of older guys who surfed breaks that we thought were new.
Morry the masseur from Maroubra (thanks for sorting my back out) & Peter Lawrence are 73 veterans & still getting over there & having a go.
I love remembering the earlier trips, wish it was still the same.
It’s funny seeing the ulu kids that used to carry our boards, they are all mums & dads now.
I still go there & love it. Back in Oct with family for their first trip. Please keep posting stories old & new of surf & experiences.
Thanks to Baliwaves for the regular fix.
hey is balangan with in walking distance of impossibles . and is balangan still good around january ??
cheers
i first surfed balangan in 96 and went back in 97 remember when the army burnt the place down canny sad like.back then balangan was like a dream beach ,just amazing…..there was just a few warungs and a temple down the south of the beach,had some of the waves of my life there with all the boys from bournmouth i met in oz.been to indo 7 winters in the last 13 years and still amazing to surf but do most surfing at lakeys now ,balangan is very hit and miss in the wet season only really had it epic in the dry season…i miss it may be time to book a flight!!
regards geordie
Just got back from another great trip, about my 12th. Surfed Balangan identical to the picture attached to this link early one morning with 5 of us out. Hey Ham, no time for a take off bottom turn, beat that first section and you then get to race the section for a couple hundred metres. First surfed Bali in ‘85. I remember sitting out at Bingin in the crowd of 7 and looking over towards Dreamland. I could see a big A frame peak in the middle of the beach but thought no one surfed it cause there was nothing over there. Check it out now. They’ve built a bloody big euro resort with a diamond shaped roof that glows multi coloured at night!!? Surfed Ullu’s for my first time at 10 to 12 foot. I asked the guy I was with where channel was to paddle out and he just laughed at me. Great experience but absolutely shitting myself. There were 5 of us out. The best though was getting Kuta Reef almost to myself at first light every morning for 2 weeks between 4 and 8 foot. Best wave on the island when it’s on!! Only hassle, and it’s happened in the last two trips was the attitude of the locals at Bingin. Stand up for yourself gentlemen, they get more than their share, they don’t deserve them all. Just a small blimp, everything else great, the people, the food, the weather, the Bintang and the waves. Bring on next year!!
these balangan stories bring back great old memories.in the early 80s we use to ride in along a track full of boulders,it was areally rough gravel road then a dirt track and about 500mt walk.never saw another surfer and was there often. mostly alone,go a bit scary sometimes,was sitting out there oneday nobody in sight 3to4 ft arvo glassoff and a big MF dugong popped up right beside me.sometimes you apreciate someone tosurf with
surfing balangan for years…the more you surf it…the lower tide you prefer. mid to high tide the wave is too fat i think. low tide its more hollow and with a bit of size there is still plenty of water underneath.
getting crowded these days though….but with a bit of luck and good timing you still get it fairly empty…….unlike bingin and ulu’s
surfed there just after de bommings .only whit 2 locals me en a mate. it was great
First surfed in 1991, the track/trek from hell.
I remember being passenger carrying boards on back of moto, we came off the track having to stop at the roadside mechanics with a couple of spokes left in our bike wheel tidak apa apa we continued back to Kuta. Ive surfed Balangan ever since watching all the developments unfold.
I remenber Ketut and his bayak anak-anak.
Long days, long waves the mellow locals and mellow vibe no hype left only for ulu and bingin.
Surfed again this Sept, still got my waves. Nowdays it is not
uncommon to have 50+ in the water at only 3ft the Euros froth. If you surf there and do the time you will be mind blown but be patient and
respect.
Those were the days ay troy.Hangin all day with ketut and family,surf all day with a few mates then hell jaffles and massage from Made derni.Surfed the best waves of my life at the time(89-99)and i also like low tide and solid.if you sit and wait on the bigger days you will score.T.j says it all as the Newy boysare always on the program.
tj YOU ARE A BIG DUGONG
why tell stories about belungan then spend your days at the RSL.
I went to belungan yesterday and the warugs all had cold Bintang.
1980 was a long time ago my brother. davejohns
I loved reading all these stories about the days of yore. Went to Belangan for the first time last Friday, was 2-5ft and onshore most of the day…with 30+ in the water. Next morning, rolled up just after dawn, surf had built to solid 6-8ft (though some were fat coz of the mid-tide), just four of five guys in the water, absolutely perfect glassy sea and a gorgeous sunrise. Saw and rode a few of the best waves of my life, and the ‘crowd’ never topped 10 with lots of waves for everyone no worries.
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