Surfing Ceningan Mahana Point

WHEN TO SCORE WAVES SURFING

CENINGAN MAHANA POINT

JANUARY 15th, 2022

INTRODUCTION

A left hand point break over coral reef. Although tide sensitive, Ceningan can produce some awesome waves.

Mahana Point is a beautiful left hand wave located on Nusa Ceningan. Access is found by crossing the yellow bridge, taking your first right and continuing along to the end of the road.

Here you will find a small warung (restaurant) and the perfect sunset chill spot. Sitting on cliff edge over-looking the wave, there will also be music playing as the sun goes down.

The wave mostly breaks left, however, on higher tides and west swell, there can be a right hander that develops towards the inside of the little bay. Short, sweet and hollow.

The left is fairly mellow, not too fast and can be very long. It is a great wave for intermediates and fun wave for the more advanced surfers when it starts to get big.

A few elements need to come together. First you need the south swell around 200 degrees. Second, you want dead low tide around full or new moons. Third, Next to no wind. Get all three and Ceningan lights up.

Surfing Nusa Lembongan

ON A BIG DAY

Surfing Ceningan Mahana Point on a Big Day during Sunset

A FUN LEFT

Ceningan on a good day is super fun and rippable. A great wave for intermediate or advanced level surfers. When it is shoulder high to just overhead in size it will have a mellow, slightly fat takeoff that requires an extra bit of paddle power. The first section of the wave offers up a nice cutback opportunity leading into a few nice walls to hit. About two thirds of the way down it will pick up speed with a hollower section. Using the speed from that you can then hit the last part of the wave, sneaking in a few more turns and combinations before kicking out.

bottom turn at Ceningan mahana point wave

Mahana Point on a Fun Day

"Ceningan for me is a great alternative to get away from the Lembongan waves. More mellow, considerably longer, plus it is a great left hand wave in an area that is known for its right handers"

Surfing Nusa Ceningan Mahana Point

To try and score Ceningan in these optimal conditions, there are a few things to look for. For swell size, something in the two to four foot or three to five foot range and a period of around 13-15 seconds.

Very light offshore or minimal wind will help keep the wave clean while you should aim for low tides. With too much water, a sidewash develops along the cliff. Unfortunately this pushes right into the takeoff zone and first section.

SCORING IT BIG

Big Days

Ceningan picks up a ton of swell and can be surfed in well overhead conditions. However, scoring Mahana Point when it is big can be tricky.

You really need to choose the right time on big days. From mid to high tide it will start to close out and can wash you down the line quite far.

You want to go on low tide, preferably entering the water right at dead low. The dryer the better, so right around full and new moon will be the best call.

Wave Entrance at Ceningan

Overlooking the end section

Swell also needs to be down in the 200 degrees or less range. If it is too west, the wave becomes a giant closeout. With south swells though, it will hit the reef properly creating a great wave. Fun sections for big turns at the start and then a speed section that will sometimes barrel. The last few parts of the wave will offer up a good lip to hit so you can get a few more turns in before the end section. Best to have a bigger board or a bit more volume here on the big days as the takeoff can be a bit fat. The best set waves here will peel in around the point and run for a few hundred meters easily. Super fun wave when it has some size.

THE RIGHT

A Short, Sweet and Hollow Right Hander

As the tide fills in, Ceningan wave will sometimes have a little right hander that breaks. It is usually fast and steep with small barrels on offer if you are lucky.

Not the longest wave by far, but still can be fun. Small to medium sized days are when it typically breaks, however, pay attention as it can be a bit fickle, shallow and can close out fast.