The Ultimate Guide to Surfing Medewi

Medewi is found far up the west coast of Bali.

Medewi breaks the mold of powerful Balinese barrels and is almost unique in Bali for being a point break.

It holds a special place in the heart of surfers looking for long, mellow rides.

This guide takes you on a comprehensive tour of surfing Medewi.

Medewi surf spot information

Medewi is a playful soft-breaking boulder bottom left-hand point break.

On its best days, the wave retains its shape and rolls for over 800 meters, offering one of the longest rides in Bali. It’s also a much easier wave compared to the other long left-handers of Bali, such as the impossibly fast Impossibles or the challenging Balangan.

Medewi stands out from the other more advanced-level surf spots in Bali due to it being a more mellow and slow-rolling wave.

In other words, you’re not going to get the barrel of your lifetime here compared to the machine-like quality of Bingin or the stand-up barrel potential of Padang Padang, the Balinese Pipeline.

Rather, Medewi is a dream for goofy footers and caters to a range of surfing levels, offering a mellow cruisy ride that’s great for longboarders. The long and smooth rides here are perfect for practicing maneuvers like cutbacks. These waves break quite close to the shore and there is an excellent vantage point to watch the surf.

Medewi is a less frequented surf spot, especially when compared to other spots on the west coast of Bali, such as those found in the Uluwatu region. This is largely due to its distance from the airport and Kuta, as well as the lack of nightclubs attracting the party crowd.

Medewi offers a quieter and more relaxed alternative to the other bustling areas of Bali, such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. Despite the long drive from the airport, Medewi is well worth the journey.

But while the vibe is relaxed and the waves are relatively gentle, Medewi is not without its hazards.

Entry and exit to the water can be tricky because it involves navigating over rocks. The boulders can become slippery, and some are covered in barnacles that can cut your feet.

So caution, attention, and careful foot placement are essential. Booties are recommended when surfing Medewi at low tide to help protect your feet from sharp rocks both entering and exiting the water.

When is the best season to surf Medewi?

The ideal season for surfing Medewi is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. This time sees regular S-SW swells and offshore wind conditions, providing the most consistent and cleanest waves. Medewi is blocked by Java from SW swells so will be much smaller than Canggu and Bukit if there is a lot of west in the swell. On southerly swells the surf will be similar in size to other breaks on the west coast of Bali. Unlike other spots on the west coast of Bali which are easily blown out by the trade winds, the headland offers some protection from the SE winds that blow consistently daily from mid-morning to sunset.

The wet season tends to offer mushier and smaller waves, which can be ideal for novice surfers looking to practice and improve. Keep in mind that the water at Medewi can become dirty during the wet season.

Ultimately, Medewi is a relatively consistent surf spot and you can find surfable waves here year-round.

What are the best conditions for surfing Medewi?

Medewi is a year-round surf spot that works best with a N-NE wind. The ideal surf size is between head high and head and a half. It holds bigger swells but it breaks further out, so more exposed to the winds, and the bigger waves breaking outside have a shifty peak.

Medewi works on all tides. But higher tides generally result in better-forming waves and it’s hard to get in and out of the water when not much water, due to the rocks which must be navigated.

Early mornings are usually the optimal time due to the wind interference (the trade winds are cross on-shore) later in the day. So Medewi is generally favorable in the early mornings when the wind is usually lighter. It is quite rare to get an N-NE wind other than early morning or sunset, except after it rains and the land cools.

Medewi is always smaller than Balian, particularly so on SW swells. If Medewi is flat or too small then it can often be worth the drive up to Balian (30 minutes), or Car Parks (20 minutes).

You’ll generally want to avoid surfing Medewi at low tide because the wave loses its quality and the danger of hitting the sharp rocks increases.

Can beginners surf Medewi?

Medewi is considered an easy wave because it breaks softly. But despite the soft-breaking nature, Medewi is not suitable for a complete beginner surfer.

First, access into and out of the water can be tricky, especially for beginner surfers carrying big boards.

Second, you need to be able to turn the surfboard in order to surf Medewi. Because if you ride the wave in a straight line, then you’ll end up surfing into the reef and there is a high chance you will damage your board and cut yourself.

Due to the difficulty of getting into and out of the water, and the rocks on the inside when riding a wave, Medewi is unsuitable for complete beginners. Here are more suitable surf spots for beginners in Bali.

With that said, Medewi is a very good surf spot once a surfer has graduated from the complete beginner stage and into the novice or intermediate stages. In fact, Medewi is an excellent wave for intermediates due to its slow speed, easy take-off, and long ride.

Furthermore, the spot is usually less crowded than others in Bali, partly due to the distance from the airport and Canggu, and the lack of things to do other than surf.

If a surfer has gained the ability to ride an unbroken wave and turn the board, then Medewi becomes a playground for the developing surfer looking to improve.

Beginners are recommended to seek out a reputable surf school that offers surf lessons tailored to beginners.

Are there any other breaks nearby Medewi?

Yes, there is a beach break 5 minutes drive further west that is a fun right-hander. Check out Kelly Slater surfing Medewi and the beach break.

Conclusion

Medewi is an excellent surf spot that caters to surfers of a variety of levels.

A forgiving left-hand point break that on its best days offers astonishingly long rides. Medewi breaks the mold of traditional powerful Balinese barrels and instead stands out for its softer, slow-rolling waves.

Medewi extends a warm invitation to goofy footers, longboarders, and those seeking a more relaxed surfing experience.

With its distance from the bustle of Kuta and the nightclub scene, this less frequented surf spot is more like Java than Bali. With a chilled vibe, Medewi could be the gem you’ve been searching for if you want to get away from shopping malls, clubs, and fancy restaurants. Medewi is a fishing village and it is a delight to eat fresh fish at a beach restaurant for lunch while watching the surfers nearby.

Medewi is not only a playground for experienced surfers, but it’s also for those looking to refine their skills, once they’re passed the complete beginner stage.

And with fewer crowds than the more popular surf spots in Bali, it provides a much-needed respite for those wanting to focus on improving their skills. Medewi is one of the only places in Bali where you can surf during Nyepi.

It’s a spot that keeps giving, year-round, presenting surfable waves irrespective of the season.

So whether you’re an intermediate surfer seeking long, cruisy rides, or a novice surfer ready to graduate to the next level, Medewi has something for you.

Ultimately, Medewi is a surf spot waiting to be experienced.

Are you ready to experience the magic of Medewi’s slow-rolling waves?