Pandawa, on Bali’s South Coast, is located only 300 metres west of Gunung Payung and about 1km east of green bowls, and just a few minute’s drive from Bali’s premier surf camp. Pandawa was “discovered” long after Gunung Payung. For many years it was frequented only by visiting Italian surfers and a few others in the know. In the “secret spot” days it was named Timbers after the way the heavy lip would break. It can be like Teahupoo on the biggest days.
Pandawa is a quality wave that breaks mostly left, but there are a few fast rights. On bigger days, the rights are best avoided, as it is a very hard paddle back to the lineup with the current is against you. If you make the left all the way to the channel, then the current is in your favour and easy paddle back to the lineup. If you get caught inside, then best to stay inside and let the current take you to the channel. Pandawa is cross shore on westerly winds, but handles it well as the channel breaks up the chop and the peak remains quite clean. Does not handle a southwesterly wind or the South Easterly trade wind. This is a great wave for advanced surfers on small wave days when most waves on the island will be flat.
Strong rip and crowds are a hassle but it is a great wave that is very powerful and picks up a lot of swell.
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