Where else in the world can you go from smoothie bowl to work, to a fresh coconut, and to perfect waves in all less than an hour? I think this is the magic of living as a digital nomad surfer on the Indonesian Island of the Gods, Bali.
Especially for someone who shortboards, this tropical destination should not be overlooked. In the “land of the lefts” as Indonesia is known, Bali offers the best, as well as equally challenging and playful rights. So, where are the ideal places for you to set up, work remotely, and surf the best shortboard waves on the island of Bali? Let’s find out.
Here are the top 3 surf towns in Bali to base yourself as a shortboard-loving remote worker.
Pulling into Tubes in Uluwatu
Why Uluwatu is Perfect for Digital Nomads
Uluwatu is a trendy place to be in Bali today. With an abundance of co-working spaces and internet cafes to choose from, you are unlikely to find any other remote working and surf hub that is more picturesque and laid back than the Uluwatu Peninsula.
And the surf? This is a goofy-footer’s paradise. Not to mention, a barrel hunter’s dream destination, too.
Best Shortboard Waves in Uluwatu
The southernmost surf point of Uluwatu is located at the base of a cliff face, consisting of several breaks such as Temples, Corner, and Racetracks. Further North, there are more world-class waves and barrels such as Impossibles, Bingin, and the notorious Padang-Padang.
All breaking over coral reef, this is definitely a place for booties. Don’t worry about looking like a kook, your feet will thank you later, trust me.
Main Breaks: Temples, The Peak, Racetracks, Outside Corner
Nearby Waves: Bingin, Impossibles, Padang Padang
Best Time to Surf Uluwatu
The dry season from April to September shows the best waves in the surf town of Uluwatu. If you’re after huge barrels and pumping conditions, August is the best time to check it out.
Something to note is that Bali’s waves can change dramatically with the tide. For Uluwatu, this means chunky and fat waves on really high tides that are safer for beginner surfers. Low tide here means barrels, slabs, steep takeoffs, and walking on the reef at some point in the session (I speak from experience). So choose your tide wisely depending on your skill level and surfing aspirations.
Co-working & Wi-Fi
Most guesthouses, villas, cafes, restaurants, and co-working spaces will have fast Wi-Fi with their services. Uluwatu Hub is Uluwatu’s first co-working space that is known to be the most reliable for super-speed internet.
Some work-friendly cafes that I personally like to set up at include Mana, where you can work whilst overlooking stunning ocean views and dip in the pool for a refreshing break, or Drifter Cafe. This is a delicious hub of sustainability and surfing events, making it great for connecting to the community. It is also attached to a surf shop where you can stock up on all your surf gear.
Where to Stay
Depending on how close you want to be to the coastline and to prime surf spots, the price of accommodation varies. Prices can start at 5 million Rupiah per month for a guesthouse, and go up to more than 17 million Rupiah per month for a room at a shared boutique villa.
If you don’t mind driving more than 20 minutes to get to the beach, then the Ungasan area will have accommodation ranging between 3 million to 5 million Rupiah per month for basic amenities. If you’re living on a budget, this is the way to go.
Safety in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a relatively safe part of Bali, just be aware of petty crime and keep an eye on valuable belongings.
Other Tips
When it comes to food, Uluwatu has a curated mix of cuisines from all over the world. One of my favourite places to eat is Warung Satu Uluwatu. They have western and asian food displayed in a local pick-your-dishes style, as well as fast Wi-Fi and plenty of outdoor seating to choose from.
If you’re after some real Indonesian food, head over to Ungasan. Here, the food at roadside shops and stalls is really affordable (a plate of mixed rice for 20k rupiah) and truly local.
Shredding Waves in Keramas
Why Digital Nomad Surfers Love Keramas
This is the ultimate high-performance playground for those who are sick of the lefts and want to go right. It’s a lesser-developed area, but offers some of the best shortboard waves in Bali.
Best Shortboard Waves in Keramas
Offering super fun, punchy right-handers that are exceptional for turns, airs, and barrels, Keramas is one of the best waves in Bali for higher intermediate and advanced surfers.
For the less experienced, there are other waves nearby. I recommend checking out spots such as KFC and Cucukan that also offer a good time.
While Keramas wins in waves for regular foot surfers, it is not as developed as Uluwatu or other areas of Bali when it comes to digital nomad infrastructure. Read on to find out how to make this your regular surf break while also generating a consistent income online.
Main Wave: Keramas (punchy, powerful rights)
Nearby Options: KFC, Cucukan (better for intermediates)
Best Time to Surf Keramas
Located on the East coast of Bali, Keramas favours the wet season swells of October to May. This time of year provides the cleanest conditions for Keramas and its surrounding breaks.
Aim for mid to high tide if you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer, as it can get quite sketchy on the low tide. If low tide happens to be when your work break is, it may be worth checking the other waves in the area.
Co-working & Wi-Fi
Keramas is a small area with several beachfront resorts and cafes that offer fast internet (Komune Resort, to name one), but they are not specifically designed to be digital nomad spaces. If you are someone who thrives in a proper remote work setup, then you may find longer stays in the Keramas area limiting.
If that is the case, the closest surf town that will be the best fit for someone seeking community, a proper place to work remotely, and a home near the beach is Sanur, a 30 to 40 minute scooter ride away from Keramas.
Sanur is a low-key coastal town with solid co-working spaces such as Livit. There are also plenty of modern cafes that provide high-speed internet, which makes Sanur very liveable for the digital nomad surfer who has their eye on the wave at Keramas. Additionally, Sanur also has its own set of waves that light up in the wet season!
Where to Stay
Guesthouse rentals in central Sanur can begin at about 4 to 5 million Rupiah per month. As with most other surf towns in Bali, the more inland you go, the cheaper the accommodation will be. On the outskirts of Sanur, such as in Renon or Gianyar, you may be able to find accommodation for prices as affordable as 2.5 or 3 million Rupiah per month.
Facebook groups such as Sanur Community are an excellent place to scout for long-term rentals. I have been using and referring this page for years.
Safety
In Keramas, it is also relatively safe. Just be mindful of locking valuables in your bike. It is also safe to leave your belongings and keys with the ladies at the local shops on the beach. If you buy a meal after, or have a fresh coconut before your surf, they’re usually happy to store your things while you surf.
Other Tips
Keramas is a bit more remote and spread out than Uluwatu or the other surf villages of Bali. Thus, I would advise you to have a reliable scooter with board racks, or a rental car for longer stays in the area or for commutes from Sanur.
Riding the Stoke in Echo Beach
Why Echo Beach is Great for Digital Nomads
Echo Beach sits just above Canggu, the digital nomad heart of Bali. This makes it extremely convenient for those who want to live and surf in Echo Beach, whilst also maintaining access to the various co-working spaces, communities, and digital nomad events in Canggu.
Best Shortboard Waves in Echo Beach
The surf here? Super fun. For both intermediate and advanced surfers alike, there are tons of beach breaks to choose from that go both right and left. Along the coastline, there are also waves that are more beginner and longboard-friendly such as Pererenan or Batu Bolong.
The crowd factor can be high here, at times, since Echo Beach is a popular location for locals, tourists, and expat remote workers. Therefore, I recommend surfing at first light or during midday lunch times. This is when I have experienced the smallest crowds.
There are also plenty of board rentals on Echo Beach, making it an ideal place for you if you don’t have your own board yet.
Main Beach Breaks: Echo Beach offers lefts and rights for intermediates to advanced
Nearby Spots: Batu Bolong (beginners), Pererenan (longboarders)
Best Time to Surf Echo Beach
As with Uluwatu, the best time to surf Echo Beach is during Bali’s dry season months. I have found that there are still fun waves in the wet season, however quality depends on the direction and strength of the wind during that time.
Co-working & Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi is consistent at the majority of cafes, restaurants, co-working spaces, and guesthouses. Co-working spaces such as Tribal and At 06 are super reliable, clean, and affordable options that are close to Echo Beach.
The Echo Beach area is very condensed, making it easy to get from anywhere to the surf within 5 to 10 minutes. This makes it effortless for you to schedule short surfs in between Zoom meetings!
Where to Stay
Guesthouse prices begin at about 5 million Rupiah per month in and around Echo Beach. Shared villas may go up to 15 million Rupiah a month per room, depending on the location and luxury of the place.
Wi-Fi is normally provided at accommodations in Echo Beach, making it an ideal spot for remote work and living.
Safety
Echo Beach is a generally safe area, just be mindful of petty theft, as with the rest of Bali. There have also been reports of bag snatchers at night, in and around the party scene in Canggu. The best way to avoid this is to keep your belongings in the bike seat when travelling at night.
The crowded lineups during peak surf hours also deserve a mention. Sometimes, it will feel like there is a lack of order in the water. In these moments, it is important to remain aware of surf etiquette, be kind to locals, and hold composure in the water to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Other Tips
Echo Beach and wider Canggu are the largest hubs of digital nomad surfers and people who enjoy a remote working lifestyle in Bali. Living here will be easy for you to meet like-minded individuals, whether it’s in the surf or having a coffee on the beach. If you’re a social butterfly, then Echo Beach is the best place in Bali for you.
Last Wave of Thought
So, which Bali surf town is best for you as a digital nomad who loves shortboarding?
-> 🌀 Uluwatu: for barrel-hungry goofy footers
-> 🏄♂️ Keramas: for a high-performance wet-season wave
-> 🌴 Echo Beach: For those who are energised by being at the centre of social happenings
Better yet, try all three!
