As someone who has grown up in Bali, and has made Sanur their home for the last 5 years as a digital nomad surfer, I can say for certain that this authentic Balinese surf town is my favourite place to live on the Island of Gods.
It’s laid back, slow-paced, has great local food, and is home to several world-class surf spots. If you want a taste of what Bali felt like 10 years ago—before the tourist crowds—but still want fast Wi-Fi and remote work connectivity, skip Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu, and live in Sanur instead.
Surfing in Sanur: Best Time and Surf Spots
The best time of year to surf the waves in Sanur is between the wet season months of October to March. This time of year sees offshore and glassy conditions for the East coast of Bali, which are perfect environments for learning, practicing turns, and getting barrelled.
Top Sanur Surf Spots
- For beginners: The best spot for baby waves in the Sanur area is Baby Reef, located just off of Mertasari Beach. From here, you can take surf taxis out to the lineup and back for 100,000 – 120,000 IDR.
- For intermediates: Serangan is the best wave for surfers looking for fun lefts and rights, and sometimes challenging waves. From Mertasari Beach, surf taxis cost around 140,000 IDR there and back.
- For advanced surfers: Hyatt Reef and Sanur Reef are great options. Additionally, a 45-minute drive North of Sanur, there is also a beach break called Keramas. This is a well-known wave that attracts surfers from all corners of Bali during the wet season.
Surf Crowd Levels
In Sanur, crowds are not as busy as the other well-known surf spots of Bali, such as Uluwatu or Canggu. However, to experience less crowded lineups, it’s a rule of thumb in Bali to schedule surf sessions at sunrise or during lunchtime hours.
The more often you paddle out, the more likely you will score an uncrowded, epic surf session.
Surf Lessons in Sanur
The best surf schools in Sanur are Froggy and Sanur Surf Lessons. They offer surf instructors, lessons, and guides for affordable prices if you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave, or even an intermediate surfer who wants to gain confidence at a new spot.
Working Remotely in Sanur as a Digital Nomad
Sanur, Bali, is an extremely well-connected part of Indonesia. Most guesthouses, villas, restaurants, and cafes will have fast Wi-Fi. Local SIM card providers such as Telkomsel and XL work extremely well in this area too.
-> Tip: Get a prepaid local SIM card as a hotspot backup if Wi-Fi drops out.
Best Coworking Spaces and Remote Work Caféses
- Livit: Sanur’s first co-working space has high-speed internet, ergonomic workstations, and caters to a community of entrepreneurs and creatives. It’s just a few minutes walk from Sanur beach, perfect for the digital nomad surfer.
- Flow Workspace: Another great option for a co-working space with a boutique feel and an intentionally small setup. Flow offers a more personal and peaceful environment, totally ideal for getting stuff done in between surf sessions.
- Sala Bistro & Coffee: A great brunch/lunch/coffee/dinner place with fast Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. If you’re like me and can get away with occasional work blocks at cafes and restaurants instead of paying a monthly membership at a co-working space, then Sala should be a top pick for you.
Balinese Culture, Religion & Language in Sanur
The majority of the island of Bali follows the Balinese Hindu religion. This means there are tons of temples, lots of ceremonies, and an exceptional openness to people of different cultures and backgrounds.
The local language on the island is Balinese; however, most local people will also be able to speak Bahasa Indonesia, the national dialect. Although in Sanur, most will be able to speak some basic English, it is always a good idea to pick up some of the local language when travelling to a new place. This will help you make friends, convey respect, and find waves and Wi-Fi!
A useful tip for dressing with respect is to see how the local people are clothed around you. For example, at the beach, it is totally chill to wear a bikini. However, when you are on the street or driving through local villages, it is more respectful to cover up. Being mindful of the local culture is good practice as a foreign traveller, and allows for mutual respect to be cultivated, and thus, prolong a sustainable relationship with tourism.
Where to Eat in Sanur: Best Local and Western Food
The Tastiest Local Food
- Warung Jawa Moro Seneng: This local food eatery has the largest selection of vegetables, eggs, meats, tofu, and tempe mixed rice in Sanur. They are open all day long, and also have a small market in the back that sells fresh local produce. Here, you can get full meals for as affordable as 15,000 IDR per plate.
- Pasar Sindhu: This is a night market filled with a collection of local food stalls selling nasi campur (mixed rice), rice porridge, fried rice, fried noodles, gorengan (fried things), barbequed chicken, and bakso (meatball soup) that is only open in the evenings, after sunset.
- Warung Bunana Sanur: Affordable, simple, and delicious, this place sells the best roti canai (Indian flatbread) possibly in all of Bali. This is a great option if you’re looking for something easy that isn’t rice or noodle-based.
Best Western Restaurants
- Sala Bistro and Coffee: Some of the best food in Sanur, and a great atmosphere for remote workers.
- Massimo Italian Restaurant: The oldest Italian restaurant in Sanur with the most popular gelato. I suggest going there for lunch as it is usually less busy. Tables in the evenings generally need to be booked in advance, especially on the weekend.
Best Coffee in Sanur
- Kopi Kiosk: The best coffee in Sanur, served with alternative milks and a social setup. It is a great place for meeting other Sanur locals and practicing your Indonesian chat with the incredibly kind and friendly local staff.
Getting Around Sanur and Bali
The best option to get around Sanur and most of Bali is via scooter. Traffic is relatively nonexistent in Sanur, so it’s pretty easy to get through the town in little to no time.
You can rent a scooter with a surfboard rack for around 1 million IDR per month. If you prefer not to drive yourself around, the next best affordable option is to take a Gojek or Grab (bike or car).
Long-Term Accommodation in Sanur
One of the best ways to find long-term stays in the form of guesthouses and sublet rooms in villas with other digital nomads is by joining and keeping an eye on the Sanur Community Facebook Page.
-> Tip: Prices are higher near the beach and drop as you move inland toward Renon and Denpasar.
Check out my Sanur Digital Nomad Surfers Travel Budget (2025) for a detailed breakdown of my real budget as a remote working surfer living in Sanur.
Is Sanur Safe?
Yes, the surf village of Sanur is quite safe. You can leave your belongings in your bike when you’re at the beach, and your keys with the surf taxi captains or the lady at the warung when you go for a surf. My only advice is to avoid holding your phone out when walking down the smaller streets at night. This can make you an easy target for phone snatchers who may drive past.
Quick Tips for Sanur Digital Nomad Surfers
- Reef booties are a useful travel item if you’re not used to surfing over coral reefs.
- Be friendly to the locals; immersing yourself in the culture is what travelling is all about!
- Cash is vital if you’re shopping local. Most restaurants will let you pay by card; however, the local stalls are not equipped for that.
- Invest in travel insurance that covers surfing, motorbike accidents, and remote work.
Final Thoughts: Why Sanur Is Perfect for Digital Nomad Surfers
Sanur is one of the best places in Bali for digital nomads who surf. It has affordable accommodation, well-connected restaurants and cafes, modern co-working spaces, epic waves for all levels, and beautiful beaches.
It’s not as busy or gentrified as some other parts of Bali, and is still rooted in local food, culture, and the smell of incense burning every day. If you want to experience living in Bali but avoid the beaten tourist track, then I recommend Sanur as the best remote work surf spot for you.
