Surfing Balian

Balian is a rivermouth in west Bali with black sand and shifting peaks, lefts and rights. The banks change after every wet season and every big swell. It's bigger and less predictable than Medewi, further along the coast.

It picks up more swell than Canggu, often by a couple of feet, and is best in the morning at mid tide. It goes from fun 3ft days to heavy 8ft walls. The best peak is often away from the main group, so look along the beach.

The village is quiet, with villas, a yoga place and cafés but no nightlife. After heavy rain the river turns the water brown for a day or two, and it's best to stay out then. The currents get strong when it's big.