Blog · By Gervas, surf coach at Nelayan Beach · 5 min read

When is the best time to surf in Canggu?

The best time to surf in Canggu depends more on the day than on the month. There are waves all year and you can surf almost every day, but not every day suits every level. For beginners, early mornings are often best, when the wind is lighter and the water is less crowded, and mid or low tide is usually the easiest. Wave height changes a lot from day to day, so the best session time can shift by a few hours from one day to the next.

I'm at the beach most days, and students often ask me "what time should we go?" Here's how I think about it.

Quick answer: when should beginners surf?

• Season: both seasons have beginner days. The difference is mostly in the wind.
• Time of day: early morning is often calmer, with less wind and fewer people.
• Conditions: wave height, tide and currents matter more than the calendar.

Beginners learn best in smaller waves and whitewater (the broken foam close to the beach), with enough space to practise, and that can happen in any month. When in doubt, send your instructor a message and ask what the next few days look like.

Dry season vs wet season

In Bali, the dry season runs roughly from April to October, and the wet season from November to March.

In the dry season there's sometimes an offshore wind in the morning. Offshore wind blows from the land out to sea, and it keeps the face of the waves smooth. In the wet season, the wind blows onshore more often, from the sea towards the land, which makes the waves messier.

What doesn't follow the seasons neatly is wave height. It varies a lot from one day to the next, in both seasons. That's why I'd plan around the forecast for the week you're here, rather than around the month. I wrote a separate guide on surfing Canggu in the wet season.

Does time of day matter?

Yes, mostly because of the wind. The morning is often the calmest part of the day, and the wind tends to pick up through the late morning. By midday, the waves can be bumpy and harder to read.

Crowds follow a similar pattern. Early sessions tend to be quieter, then Batu Bolong fills up with lessons and rental boards, with mid-morning usually the busiest time.

Some days the wind drops again later in the afternoon, and an evening session can be lovely. It's less predictable, though. And whatever the time, the tide can change the picture, which I'll come back to.

How wind changes the surf

Wind affects the surface of the waves more than their size.

• Offshore wind smooths the face of the wave and makes it break more cleanly.
• Onshore wind makes the waves choppy and crumbly, and they break less predictably.
• No wind, which surfers call glassy conditions, is the easiest of all to learn in.

For a beginner in the whitewater, a bit of onshore wind isn't a big problem. It does make paddling and balancing harder, and it's tiring. When I plan a session, I look for the time with the least wind that also fits the tide.

Why the tide matters

The tide is the daily rise and fall of the sea level. In Bali there are usually two high tides and two low tides a day, and the times shift later each day.

At Batu Bolong, the tide can change the water from deep to quite shallow within a few hours, and that changes how the waves break. For beginners, mid and low tide are usually the easiest. Wave height and currents also play a part, so the same tide can feel different on another day. That's why it's best to check in with your instructor.

I explain this in detail in how tides affect beginner surfing in Canggu.

Does Canggu have surf all year?

Yes. There are waves all year, and you can surf almost every day. The catch is that the conditions won't suit every level every day. Some mornings are perfect for first-timers, others are better for experienced surfers only.

So the question is less "is there surf?" and more "is there surf for me today?" Your instructor can tell you what to expect.

When is Canggu busiest?

The busiest periods tend to be the middle of the dry season, especially the European summer holidays, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year. Batu Bolong gets the most crowded, because it's where many lessons and longboarders go.

During the day, mid-morning is usually the peak. If you want to avoid the crowds, send me a message and I'll suggest the best time for your lesson.

Why there is no single "best" time every day

A good session needs the waves, the wind and the tide to work together. Each of those changes daily, and the tide moves later every day. A time that was perfect on Monday might be too shallow or too windy by Thursday.

That’s why I don’t give my students a fixed lesson time. I check the conditions and pick the time that suits your level. Because my lessons are private or semi-private, I can plan around you, so we don’t have to squeeze into a set timetable. The same goes if you come with friends: we plan one session that works for all of you.

Best time to surf in Canggu: common questions

What is the best month to surf in Canggu for beginners?

There isn't one. Wave height changes a lot from day to day in every month, and beginners can surf all year when the conditions are right.

Is it better to surf in the morning or the afternoon?

Morning is often better, because the wind is lighter and there are fewer people. The tide can change that on some days.

Can you surf in Canggu in December or January?

Yes. It's the wet season, so there's more onshore wind, but there are still plenty of good beginner days.

What tide is best for beginners?

Usually mid or low tide. Wave height and currents play a part too, so check with your instructor on the day.

Choosing your session time

For most beginners, the best time to surf in Canggu is a calm morning with smaller waves and a friendly tide. The season matters less than that. Bring sunscreen, and maybe set an alarm. The early sessions are worth it.

Booking a lesson? I choose the session time around the day's conditions. Send me a WhatsApp on +62 813-3684-866 and I'll suggest the best time for your level. Asking is free, and you can read more about my surf lessons in Canggu.