Kuta, Canggu, and Uluwatu are perhaps Bali’s best-known surf breaks. These are the ones known to real surfers and tourists alike.
But the hardcore wave catchers know that if you want to find the best, most challenging waves in Bali, you have to head to Keramas.
Keramas Beach, located on the southeastern coast of Bali, in Gianyar Regency, is one of the world’s best surfing destinations.
In 2019, Keramas Beach hosted the World Surf League, and yet, this iconic break is now under threat due to a proposed floating restaurant attraction and marina.
Some of the world’s best surfers hold the Keramas break in high regard. Only just last month did pro surfers ride the biggest waves the spot has seen in years.
A post published on YouTube, Surfers of Bali, explained, “This was the biggest swell of the year, and Keramas was as big as we’ve seen it in a long time. It doesn’t always have the best happen when it’s big, but there were some epic barrels this session.”
Keramas is far from a novice-friendly break, but for those rookies who want to see the pros have at it, you can expect to see the likes of icons Bronson Meydi, Made Dear, Dylan Hayllar, Varun Tandjung, and more down in Keramas when the conditions are peak.
A new floating restaurant and marina area could put Bali’s most challenging break in jeopardy.
A development plan was revealed in a socialization held by the Keramas Village Government at the Wantilan Pura Keramas Village on Sunday, 15th December.
The meeting was attended by a range of stakeholders, including the Head of Keramas I Gusti Putu Sarjana, the Head of BPD, LPM, PKK, Karang Taruna Keramas Village, and representatives from the Gianyar Resort Commune and Keramas Surfing Club (KSC).
During the meeting, the stakeholders discussed a letter submitted by the project and contacted the Head of the Keramas Traditional Village Head on 2nd December 2024, informing the community about a plan to build a floating restaurant and water tourism attraction at Keramas Beach.
This letter is reported to have been a formal follow-up to an initial, smaller stakeholder meeting held on 21st November 2024.
The plan has gathered a series of strong objections from a range of Keramas Beach lovers, including the owners and staff of Komune Resort Gianyar, who have reportedly filed formal objections regarding the project on the basis that the development would have negative impacts on the environment, social, economic, and cultural heritage of Keramas Beach.
In a statement of objection, Komune Resort wore, “Keramas is known as one of the best surfing locations in the world and has hosted three World Surf League events. This marina will permanently destroy the surf break, resulting in the loss of thousands of tourists each year and a devastating impact on the surfing industry in Bali.”
They also cited concerns for Pura Masceti, which is a hugely spiritually significant site for Balinese people in the area. “This marina could threaten the cultural and spiritual heritage of Keramas, which has long been revered by the local community.”
The objections and concerns have been heard and recorded, and further updates are expected in due course.
Holidaymakers in Bali almost totally overlook Gianyar’s black sand beaches, and these low-key hidden gems are a great option for beach vacations in 2025.
As tourists continue to focus attention on beach resorts in the central south heading toward the southwest of the island, heading east is a smart choice.
From Keramas Beach through to Candidasa and even around the east coast further through to Amed and Tulamben, southeast and east Bali’s beaches are clean, safe, and most importantly crowd free. Accommodation in these areas is often way cheaper, too, and just as luxurious!
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Denis
Thursday 9th of January 2025
It's a catastrophe((
Bodo
Thursday 19th of December 2024
The island was sold out years ago. Let them continue to f--- it up. Covid mach 4 and no one will go there just like before.
Rika
Tuesday 17th of December 2024
Why?
Just why?
There's literally 100s of places that could be suitable for such a development between keramas and karangasem...
Why there?
One can only guess someone - with too much money, and little vision - has seen all the people around keramas and thought that's a good spot to develope...
There's a reason the people are there,it's because of the wave, solely because of the wave.
It's just bizarre how these developers think, they see surfers frequent a place, and decide that's the place!
Plenty of waves around Bali have already been affected by development, and it just beggars belief how local leaders allow it to happen.
It is truly just strange... of all the places that could possibly be developed... they choose somewhere already with a nice little economy happening.
The oddest thinking happens on this little island.
Thommo
Tuesday 17th of December 2024
What a ridiculously stupid idea to even consider a floating restaurant and Marina near ( I assume) Keramas. Island and local governance have re-defined the book of Bali's Dumbest Development Ideas. I hope every surfer and rational persons oppose this. How are they going to build into a surf coast which has powerful surf and tidal change/ movement. So some nutcase developers with deep and corrupt pockets have been at it again. Don't tell me there's a Suharto involved.
Exp
Wednesday 18th of December 2024
@Thommo, There are people travelling up and down the coastline scouting for land they can buy up. These are not Balinese, but foreigners and I also suspect quite a few from Java.
They are bidding up the prices and apparently anything goes these days with the necessary fees paid to the local decision makers.
Here is one of these chancers scouting for land having conveniently hired a police escort as well to navigate the traffic! (Warning: loud music in the video)
LINK
Michael Yankaus
Tuesday 17th of December 2024
I am deeply saddened at the news of developments that might ruin the Internationally Famous surfing beach at Keramas, Gianyar, Bali. This should not be allowed to happen. It will strongly damage Bali's reputation for Surfing Tourism, particularly following news that an equally Iconic Surf break — Uluwatu — also faces developmental changes in the Cliffs that may negatively impact the quality of surfing there, as well. The Balinese Government should recognize that the billions of dollars that Bali's International Surfing identity has generated could collapse if the Surfing community classifies Bali as anti-Surfing, disrespectful of their friendship, and begins to look elsewhere.
I understand that there are more non-surfer tourists, than surfers. But they were attracted to Bali specifically because of the positive energy that Surfers generate, in their appreciation and interaction with the Ocean. If that is turned off, allot of local financial investiture may be lost. I am literally bowing to the decision makers: Don't destroy Keramas! Do this project at another location. Don't insult the wonderful people at Komune who created a world-class resort that has so positively enriched the Gianyar economy already, by destroying Keramas as if it doesn't have any value. You are under-estimating the need for Bali to protect precisely what makes Bali so special in the world: friendliness, and respect for people, nature, and God. God created the spiritual Surfing environment at Keramas, that is why it is famous. Show the world what enlightened Balinese values are, and why they need to be cherished.