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Spot · tier 1 · Indonesia
Sanur (Mertasari Beach)
Mertasari Beach in Sanur is Bali's classic kitesurfing base: a vast lagoon protected by an offshore coral reef delivers exceptionally flat water and very consistent side-shore trade winds. It's the island's most beginner-friendly spot while still offering room for intermediates and advanced riders, and hosts the highest concentration of kite schools in Bali.
beginnerflat waterfreerideintermediate
Wind
| best months |
|
|---|---|
| season notes | SE trade winds blow side-shore very consistently May-October, with the best, windiest window June-September. |
| avg knots | 15-25 |
| wind name | SE trade winds |
| direction to shore | side-shore |
| quality | steady |
| typical kite sizes | 9-13m |
Water
| type | lagoon |
|---|---|
| temp summer c | 28 |
| temp winter c | 26 |
| wetsuit | boardshorts/rashguard year-round |
| tides | reef-protected lagoon is shallow at low tide (safe but shallow); reef waves on the outer barrier are only kiteable at mid to high tide - not recommended to kite at low tide |
| standing depth | standing depth across much of the lagoon |
Levels
| beginner | yes |
|---|---|
| intermediate | yes |
| advanced | yes |
| notes | Widely regarded as Bali's best all-level spot; flat, smooth lagoon with no waves or obstacles is ideal for learning, with enough space and wind for advanced riders too. |
Launch & crowd
| description | Open beach launch at Mertasari Beach, plus a large flat-water area near the Mercure/Hyatt hotels |
|---|---|
| rescue | schools along the beach provide rescue support for lessons |
| busy months |
|
| vibe | busy, school-heavy beach with a steady flow of learners and instructors |
Monthly wind statistics
Station: Denpasar (WeatherSpark, ~7 km) — No dedicated Sanur station exists on WeatherSpark (search returned no results); Denpasar city center (~7-8 km inland/west of Sanur beach) is the nearest available point - reasonably close for a flat coastal area but does not capture any Sanur-specific reef/bay effects. Windy season (May 8 - Oct 22) matches known_best_months (May-Oct) well. Water-temperature figures for Denpasar were given by the source only as F-to-F ranges for some months (e.g. 'Apr-May: 84-83') rather than single values; a single representative value per month was used and this is noted as approximate. No probability(>=4Bft) figure available; windfinder.com 429-blocked all session.
| Month | Wind ≥4 Bft | Avg kn | Dir | Air °C | Water °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | —% | 5.6 | W | 27.8 | 28.9 |
| Feb | —% | 5.2 | W | 27.8 | 28.9 |
| Mar | —% | 4.6 | E | 27.8 | 28.9 |
| Apr | —% | 5.3 | E | 27.8 | 28.9 |
| May | —% | 6.6 | E | 27.2 | 28.3 |
| Jun | —% | 7.3 | E | 26.7 | 27.2 |
| Jul | —% | 7.8 | E | 26.1 | 26.7 |
| Aug | —% | 7.9 | S | 26.1 | 26.1 |
| Sep | —% | 7.3 | S | 26.7 | 26.7 |
| Oct | —% | 6.5 | S | 27.8 | 27.2 |
| Nov | —% | 5.6 | S | 27.8 | 28.3 |
| Dec | —% | 5.2 | S | 27.8 | 28.9 |
Hazards
- coral reef beneath shallow water
- kiting not advisable at low tide
Rules
- Rip Curl School of Surf runs an IKO-accredited kiting arena on the beach; check tides/forecast with a local school before rigging
Tips
- check tide tables - only mid to high tide is kiteable on the outer reef
- Mertasari is the main launch; the Mercure/Hyatt stretch offers additional flat water within the reef
Travel basics
| airport | DPS - Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali |
|---|---|
| getting there | short drive from the airport to Sanur |
| accommodation | wide range of Sanur hotels/villas close to the beach; Bali Kitesurfing and Froggy Kitesurf School both offer lesson/accommodation packages |
| cost level | mid |
| no wind | day trips to Nusa Lembongan, temples, Ubud |
Nearby: Nusa Dua, Canggu
Sources: letskite.ch · indonesiakitesurfing.com · sriphala.thephala.com