A heavy right-hander, breaking over a shallow section of reef off of a long stretch of black sand bordered by rice fields, Keramas paints a pretty picture for surfers and travellers alike. Once only surfed by locals and expats-in-the-know, Keramas is slowly becoming one of the more popular waves in Bali. Since the construction of a new portion of road, Keramas has been featured in edits from professional surfers globally and a Junior World Event. While no longer a “secret” spot, Keramas more than lives up to the hype. Expert surfers love the steep drops, long barrel sections, and powerful open faces for plenty of maneuvers, not to mention the regular opportunity for aerials. Be warned: know your limits, Keramas is also known for dealing out its fair share of injuries and has a local crowd of pro surfers.
In a land abundant with perfect lefts, Keramas stands apart. Keramas is a thick-lipped heavy right-hander with a fast-breaking barrel section that breaks over a shallow chunk of volcanic rock. The face can bowl out before closing out on the inside which offers an open right shoulder for big maneuvers. Expert surfers take advantage of the steep shoulder for the occasional aerial. You’ll find folks in the line-up on all tides but the incoming typically results in a longer shoulder and slightly slower barrel. Onshore winds tend to pick up mid-morning most days blowing from the east. The resulting slight crumble can be a great launchpad for airs. Considering the world-class nature of the wave, you can also expect large crowds of locals, pros, and travelling surfers. Dropping in on a fellow surfer at Keramas could be a death sentence so be respectful. Most surfers prefer Keramas from waist high to double overhead but the odd visionary has been known to paddle out when it’s bigger. On big days the barrel breaks faster and the reef doesn’t get any deeper so be aware of your limitations.
Wave type:
Reef break
Wave difficulty:
Experienced upwards
What way does the wave break:
Right
Sea bottom:
Shallow volcanic reef
Booties:
Not necessary
Surfboard type:
Shortboard to Semi-gun/Step-up surfboards
Crowd factor:
Ultra-crowded
Hazards:
The shallow reef, crowds, currents in the last section
Best swell direction:
S
Best wind direction:
NW
What tide does it work best on:
High tide
Best tide movement for surfing:
Incoming
How consistent is the surf:
Consistent
Best time of year for waves:
The start and end of both the dry and wet seasons
What is the vibe like in the lineup:
An established line-up with a governed pecking order
What other names does Keramas go by?
Pronounced “Kera-Mas”. In English Keramas means; “Shampoo” or “Wash hair”. Keramas is also known as “The Golden Monkey”.