Serangan (Bali) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Serangan (Bali).

First thing you need to know: this is a reef break setup, and it’s pretty consistent, so it’s not often you’ll see a total blank. But for the next 16 days, the outlook is pretty grim with no standout windows. The wind is blowing onshore from the east for basically every session, and the energy levels are moderate to strong but the quality is shot.

The first few days into early August, the swell size hovers around 6 ft down to 5 ft on the smaller days, all from the SSW. Combined energy ranges from moderate (1176) right through to very strong (up to 3274 later in the period), but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to paddle out. The wind is stubbornly onshore from the ESE or SE, blowing 9 to 16 mph, with a few mild cross-onshore days. That ruins the face. The period is mostly long – 14 to 17 seconds – so there’s groundswell muscle, but this spot is open to the swell and the wind messes it up.

Water temperature is 80°, which is just about normal for this time of year, no major anomaly.

The only real glimmer comes around Monday 10th August morning when the swell drops to 6 ft and the wind eases to 9 mph from the SE, still onshore. Combined energy is strong (2835) and the period is 15 seconds. But it’s still a marginal situation; it’s not going to be clean.

Then again on Tuesday 11th August the morning looks slightly better with 7 ft SSW swell, a lighter 6 mph SE wind, and a 15-second groundswell. Energy is high (2285), and the lighter breeze might allow for a few glassy moments, but the wind is still directly onshore. That’s the closest we get to a manageable session.

If you’re a beginner, those 5 ft to 6 ft days are at the upper end of what’s comfortable, especially with those high-energy long-period swells that push hard on a reef. Over about 8 ft it starts getting more serious. The few days where it hits 8 ft to 8 ft (like late in the second week) are only for experts, and the wind still sucks.

Crowds are possible at Serangan – it’s labelled as “often” crowded, so you won’t be alone even on the poor days. The optimum direction for this break is SSE, and the swell is arriving from SSW, which is close but not perfect.

Bottom line: there’s not a single session I’d call a standout across this whole 16-day window. The wind kills the chances. You’re looking at an empty run – no proper recommendations here. For an area that’s usually consistent, this is a rare stretch of onshore flatness. Forecasts change, but right now, leave the board at home for Serangan. If you’re desperate, look at the Monday 11th August morning for the best of a bad bunch.

– Rusty

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