Kuta Beach Guide

Kuta Beach the beautiful 5km coastline stretching from the Discovery mall in Tuban through to Seminyak is Bali's most popular destination. People from all over the world come for the picture perfect Balinese sunsets and to try their hand at surfing. It can be slightly touristy with lots of beach kiosks offering cold Bintangs, massages, deck chairs and surfboard hire. But you can still escape the crowds and find your own chill zone by taking a short walk up the beach.

Swimming at Kuta Beach

Kuta beach is known for strong rips and currents which can catch swimmers off guard, especially tourists with little ocean experience. Generally the ocean is calmer at the Southern end of the beach near the discovery mall and more suited for swimming. Conditions get wilder towards Legian and Seminyak and you really should think twice about swimming there. Kuta is patrolled by Lifesavers at certain locations, but it’s a big beach and there are not that many of them.

Surfing in Kuta

Surfers will find beach breaks along the stretch from Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Halfway Kuta where the beach bends is the most popular and crowded spot. Far offshore from the South end of Kuta beach is Kuta reef, a set of world class reef breaks which can be reached by hiring a fishing boat.

Checkout our comprehensive Guide to Surfing Kuta.

Learning to Surf

Kuta Beach is a great location for people who want to learn how to surf and various surf schools operate around the Kuta / Seminyak area. The usual modus operandi is to get groups of tourists catching and standing on their first wave for holiday snaps. In order to Booking in a couple of sessions either privately or with smaller groups will help you progress more. Be wary of picking up an instructor on the beach. As in the rest of Bali there are lots of entrepreneurs who can be of service, but the quality of instruction may be sub par.

Surf Hire in Kuta

If you are a first timer, we definitely don’t recommend hiring a board and having a go yourself. The waves at Kuta can be unforgiving, breaking on the black sand with force and there are also rips and currents to contend with along the beach.

Surf Guides / Instructors

In order to really learn how to surf you will need to put in more than a few sessions. Bali is a cheap place for lessons, so get a surf guide / instructor who can give you personal attention. Surf guides tailor lessons according to your fitness and can provide transport to a location that is suitable for your surfing ability.

Surf Shops in Kuta

Kuta offers a range of surf shops from global brands to smaller outfits with boards by local shapers.

Drifter Surf Seminyak

Surf shop and cafe with good supply of surfboards, apparel, books and lifestyle products. Their self branded Drifter tees and mugs make great loot for your Bali holiday.

Chilli Surfboards Bali

@chilli_surfboards_bali

This is the Bali outpost of one of the most respected names in the surf industry - Australian Gold Coast shaper Jamie Cheal.

Deus Ex Machina Warung of Simple Pleasures

Located in Seminyak, the warung of simple pleasures has Deus goods such as boardshorts and hand shaped boards alongside independent labels.

The Pit Bali

One of the first real surf shops in Bali, the Pit stocks a good selection of boards including custom boards from their own shapers.

Naruki Surf Shop

@naruki_artandrepair

Naruki surf has a ding repair service and does surfboard art. You can pick up a new board or get some custom artwork for your current stick.

Kuta Beach Clubs

There are a couple of beach clubs on the stretch from Legian to Seminyak which cater to all your hedonistic needs. They range from small, intimate bars and lounges to internationally known mega clubs catering to jetsetting partygoers with several pools, restaurants and dance floors with DJs. Most clubs are quite chill places during the day with the pace and volume picking up in the evening

Ku De Ta

@kudetabali

The original Bali super club is still going strong. Ku De Ta comprises an ultra chic fine dining restaurant, with several bars and a beach side deck with sun chairs overlooking Seminyak beach. A dress code keeps things classy.

Azul Beach Club

@azulbeachclub

The Azul Beach club resembles a 2 storey bamboo tree house. From it’s elevated position, countdown the moments to sunset with a couple of drinks in one of the large lounges, taking a dip in the infinity pool or relaxing in the large circular spa pool.

Potatohead

@potatoheadbali

Another popular Bali beach club. The Potatohead complex forms an impressive amphitheatre around a large grassy area. Cool down in the infinity pool with a swim up bar while the kids wade in the children's pool. Dine at the restaurant or on the sun lounges on the beachside deck. Dress code mandatory.

Mrs Sippy Bali

@mrssippybali

New to the Bali beach club scene, Mrs Sippy boasts the largest salt water pool in the region with diving platforms for people to show off their acrobatic skills. International DJs spin tunes poolside to fashionable revellers who have staked out one of the many daybeds.

Kuta Beach Restaurants

Everything from warungs serving local Indonesian food to high end purveyors of gastronomic pleasures. Make sure to try the Balinese local specialties such as Babi Guling (spit roasted suckling pig), Bebek Betutu (stewed duck) and their BBQ seafood.