Playgrounds
Playgrounds on Nusa Lembongan is a user-friendly A-frame reef break in stunning crystal-clear water, perfect for intermediate surfers looking for tropical waves without the intensity of nearby Shipwrecks. The wave offers both lefts and rights on a friendlier reef shelf, with consistent swell exposure during the dry season. It's one of the most photogenic surf spots in the Bali area, with turquoise water and white sand providing a picture-perfect backdrop.
Playgrounds surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (205°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 1.5m
- Ideal size
- 1m - 1.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 105° - 165°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.7m - 1.8m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Reach Nusa Lembongan by ferry from Bali, then short local transfer or boat access to the Playgrounds area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playgrounds?
Playgrounds is a reef break in Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playgrounds?
Playgrounds picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 1.5m, with the sweet spot around 1 to 1.3m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Playgrounds?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Playgrounds, and anything from the ESE round to the SSE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Playgrounds?
Playgrounds is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.7m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playgrounds?
The most reliable run of swell at Playgrounds comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
How cold is the water at Playgrounds?
The water at Playgrounds averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Playgrounds good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Things to watch for: sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Playgrounds?
The nearest airport on our list is DPS. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $15 USD, but confirm with an operator). Reach Nusa Lembongan by ferry from Bali, then short local transfer or boat access to the Playgrounds area.
What other surf spots are near Playgrounds?
The closest breaks we track are Shipwrecks (0.8 km), Lacerations (1.8 km) and Keramas (12 km), handy when Playgrounds isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Apr-Oct (dry season, SE trades offshore). Swells year-round but wet season brings onshore winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Shipwrecks
🌊 Lembongan barrels • Crystal-clear tubes • Easy access from Bali
Lacerations
🌊 Sharp reef, sharp waves • Both lefts and rights • Booties essential
Keramas
🏆 Former WSL CT venue • East coast perfection • High-performance
Serangan
🌊 Turtle Island right • Hollow and consistent • Less crowds than Bukit
Nusa Dua
🌊 East Bukit right • Wet season performer • Less crowds than Bukit lefts
Green Bowl
🌊 Hidden Bukit left • Cliff staircase access • Wet season performer