AIRPORT RIGHTS

At last, a right hander! At the very outside of the reef, next to the end of the airport runaway, is a right that has been ridden to 15 feet solid. You used to be able to sneak onto the runaway and ride your motorbike under landing jumbo jets? but no longer. Now you need to charter an outrigger from Kuta Reef. About 200 meters back from the end of the runway is the main break, a very hollow ledging right that unpredictably jacks, twist and bowls and handles size. Further inside is a smaller break that twist right back on it self. All these breaks are very shallow and unpredictable, so try your luck at high tide with your reef boots.

AIRPORT LEFTS

Sometimes called Pertamina Reef because it is out from the Pertamina Hotel. Ussualy than the famous kuta Reef next door, but not as perfectly shaped or hollow. It still offers tubes and a workable shoulder though. Sometimes you get two distinct takeoff peaks, so choose your waves carefully.

South east trade winds are offshore at Nusa Lembongan island, the same as the Uluwatu side of Bali. Catch an early morning open boat from Sanur beach for a 2 (or 4) hour motor sail over some of the world?s deepest waters approaching the Lombok continental divide. You will experience strange whirlpools and cross currents, with thick swells and haphazard chop in the middle of an otherwise calm sea. Be prepared to get wet and sun burnt. But the waves are certainly worth the hassles of the trip, plus the fact Nusa Lembongan island?s beaches have no paved roads or cars to detract from the peaceful idyllic lifestyle offered by living right on the sand of a palm fringed island.

Shipwreck is the best break, a classy right hand reef break that often increases in size with the tide, from 2 feet at low tide to 6 or even 8 feet on high tide. The tidal currents can be very strong, sucking you towards the remains of the rusting shipwreck as the tide rushes in, then the opposite direction as the tide rushes out. Waves here rarely get below 4 feet (on high tide). There is good accommodation right on the sand with great views of the action in the surf and the sunsets over Bali?s Gunung Agung volcano.

Lacerations is the next reef break south, another right hander but much faster, hollower and altogether more vicious. It is not called Lacerations for nothing. An extremely shallow reef break definitely for experts only. Sometimes a left throws out here too, but it is very fast. Wear protective boots, shorts and vest. A helmet would not be out of question either.
The last break in the protected south corner of Nusa Lembongan Island is the aptly named playgrounds, a fun left hander with a right sometime off the same peak.

Cheningan, pronounced ?Chen-ning-ahn? is the next little island to the east before Nusa Penida, and although it offers a thick left wall when Nusa Lembongan Island is too small, there is no well defined take off spot and it is treated as a last resort option only. Because it catches all the open swell, it is usually too big and closed out. The boat trip is fun though, and there is very good fishing.

These days there are many excellent yachts cruising over to Nusa Lembongan Island for day trips, so this is on ideal way to check it out in luxury. Bali Hai Cruises are often recommended by past passengers for a great day out.