Most of us know about low and high tides from school. Water in the ocean changes from a high tide to a low tide a few times a day (at some locations just 1). But it’s well known facts from basic education program, and no one told us what is the connection between tide level and Bali surf tours, surfing in general.  Let’s figure out what a tide chart depends on and what influence it has on Bali surf tours destinations.

Factors that effects on a tide level

surfing full moon


The answer is pretty clear and simple: the Moon and the Sun. Since the Moon is closer to the Earth, its influence is way more significant. Gravitation of the Moon and the Sun forms 2 large tidal waves from the Moon and its opposite side. These waves follow the Moon and make a full rotation in 24 hours and 48 minutes. So let’s count – 2 waves and 1 day will equal 2 high tides and 2 low tides.

During a full or new Moon level of water in the ocean rapidly changes because both the Sun and the Moon are within the same distance from our planet, so this combination has more influence. Full Moon or new Moon are not the best days for Bali surf tours because  the level of water is constantly changing and it’s getting hard to read its behaviour. Some surf spots still work fine but some of them you are better to avoid.

What’s connection between Bali surf tours and tide chart and how to ‘read’ the last?

Tide level has a direct impact on surfing and Bali surf tours. But don’t forget that every surf spot has different conditions for good waves for surfing. Every surf spot is unique and before you’re going somewhere first check the best time for the place you want to go to, our east coast spot guide lists the best tide for each break during wet season, for exactly this reason. 

At the same time don’t forget to check tide and swell charts, so when you combine your wishes with current weather you’ll hardly regret your choice. You know, forewarned is forearmed. For checking a tide you don’t have to go to the courses to learn how to make it – surfing nerds took care about that for every surf spot on this planet. And more good news, that tide chart is not something super complicated that can only be read only by surfing genius. This is just an example, that we’ll keep updated as soon as a new one is released!

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Bali surf tours and tide chart

How to use a tide chart?

You can see dates of a month in the left column, on the top graph – the time. So in the cross of it is the forecast of a tide level, pretty simple, isn’t it? PS: sometimes it can be measured in metres of foot (about 0,3048 metres).

How to Read a Bali Tide Chart, Step by Step

If you have never looked at a tide chart before, here is the short version, no surfing genius required:

  1. Find the date down the left-hand column.
  2. Find the time along the top row.
  3. Read the number where they cross. This is the predicted tide height, usually shown in metres, for that exact hour.
  4. Look for the curve. Most charts also show a wave-shaped line, the peaks are high tide, the troughs are low tide. You will usually see two of each across a full day.
  5. Match it to your spot’s best tide. Some Bali breaks fire on low tide, some need mid or high, this is spot-specific, not a universal rule (see the "Don’t Be Confused" section below).

That is genuinely all there is to it. The hard part is not reading the chart, it is knowing what each number means for the spot you are paddling out at, which is exactly why local knowledge (or a good guide) matters more than the chart itself.

Best Tide for Popular Bali Surf Spots

As a general starting reference (always double check current conditions and consult your instructor):

  • Canggu (Batu Bolong, Old Man’s, Berawa): works across most tides, generally best on low to mid for beginners
  • Uluwatu: best from mid to high tide, can go flat and exposed on very low tide
  • Padang Padang: needs mid to high tide to work properly, dangerously shallow on low tide
  • Keramas: best on mid to high tide
  • Green Bowl: works on low to mid tide

For a deeper dive into east coast spots specifically and their tide preferences, see our guide to surfing Bali’s east coast during wet season.

Don’t be confused!

  1. Some people after their first lessons more then sure that high tide is the best time to go surfing. Oops, but it doesn’t always work out. Like we said above, every spot is unique and has its own conditions for perfect surfing, make sure you know all the information you need about a surf spot.
  2. Tide chart and swell chart are different things. Yes, sometimes the higher a tide the bigger are waves, but it depends on spot. Just keep in your head – swell chart and tide chart are two different things. To check a swell chart just visit the following websites:

Maybe at the start it can be confusing, but our surf instructors are more than happy to explain how to read these charts and will pick up good surf spots for your level!

Reading a tide chart is a useful skill, but knowing which spot to paddle out at on any given day, tide, swell, wind and all, takes time to build. Our Surf Camp in Canggu instructors check these charts every single morning so you do not have to, and will always put you on the spot and tide window that suits your level best.