A beginner's guide - BalI
Medewi surf spot guide for beginners
Brief spot overview: Medewi is a quiet village with surf for most levels, though complete beginners should avoid it. With some experience, you can practice pop-ups on the inside or ride long, unbroken waves on the outside. It’s one of Bali’s longest waves, but the paddle out and hidden rocks can make entry and exit tricky.
What you’ll learn in this guide: This Medewi surf spot guide covers general spot info, wave characteristics, and the best surf conditions at Medewi Beach to help you plan your surf.
The area
Location information
Surf spot name: Medewi
Geographical location: Medewi surf spot is located in Medewi, west Bali, a couple of hours away from the busier areas of Bali. It’s a quiet and slow town with black sand beaches and lush, green nature and rice fields. It’s a great place for relaxing and surfing.
There are two spots to surf at Medewi Beach- one is the inside which is best for beginners still practicing their pop-up, and the other one is the outside which is a looong paddle out and more suitable for advanced beginners or intermediates.
What you need to know
General spot information
Ability level
Not recommended for complete beginners due to rocks in the water. If you have surfed a couple of times, you can continue practicing your pop-up on the inside. If you're a more advanced beginner you can paddle to the outside to catch unbroken waves- I strongly recommend that you do this with a teacher. Be aware that it's a long paddle, and be careful of hidden rocks!
Crowd factor
Moderate. While it's generally not as busy as other popular surf spots in Bali, more and more people are finding their way out here which means the crowd is increasing.
Water temperature
Ranges from 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F) – a wetsuit is not needed but I personally prefer wearing a spring suit.
what the waves are like
Wave characteristics
Wave type: Point break with very long, slow-breaking, and mellow waves. The bottom is cobblestone.
Wave direction: Left
Wave size: Waist high-1.5x overhead. Due to bigger swells during dry season, the waves can be a bit bigger and more powerful during dry season. Wet season waves are usually smaller which is better for beginners, but the water also gets dirtier during wet season.
When to surf
The best surf conditions
The best swell direction
The best wind direction
The best surf height
The best tide condition
Basic facilities available
Amenities and facilities
Other activities
What to do in Medewi besides surfing
1. Explore the village: Wander around Medewi to experience its quiet, traditional charm.
2. Day trips: Visit nearby attractions like Balian Beach, Rambut Siwi Temple, or the lush countryside. Rent a scooter and discover hidden gems, such as secluded beaches, lesser known surf spots and small waterfalls tucked away in the hills.
3. Fishing: Join local fishermen or try your hand at fishing along the coast.
Test your knowledge
Surf spot quiz
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post! Whether you have suggestions for improvement, want to share what you liked, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Your feedback helps me create better content for all aspiring surfers!