Old Man's is a surf spot in Canggu, sitting next to Batu Bolong. It's considered one of the best places for those who've finished surf school and want to move on to green waves. It's a longboard spot: the waves are thick, long and unhurried. It's deeper and safer underfoot than neighbouring Batu Bolong — the bottom is a long way down, so even on a big swell you needn't worry about the reef. The downside — it's one of the most crowded places in Canggu.
The wave & conditions
The left is the main wave, with long, gentle rides. At low tide the left ends on a shallow reef — take care with the final section. The right is soft, peeling along the reef to the channel between Old Man's and Batu Bolong. The peak is wide — the working zone is spread out, the wave closes out in different spots on each set, and you need experience reading it. The optimal swell is 4–6 ft. Above 7 ft the spot can't hold it: the wave starts closing out. It works better on the outgoing tide — the waves are better shaped. At high tide the wave is soft and shapeless. That said, you can surf safely at any tide. It's very wind-sensitive — the wind picks up after 10 a.m., so the best window is from dawn to 10:00.
Hazards & tips
The crowd is the main problem: there are a lot of surfers of all levels here, and you need patience. It's especially packed on a small swell (3–4 ft) — on a wave above 4 ft there are far fewer people, as bigger conditions wash out the hangers-on. At low water on a big swell the current can push you toward the rocks at the Old Man's/Batu Bolong boundary — paddle parallel to the beach. A river enters nearby: after rain the water is dirty and there can be rubbish. Experienced surfers recommend earplugs — ear infections keep happening.
Board rental is right on the beach — a longboard from 50,000 IDR per session. Lots of surf schools and instructors, but the quality varies: cheap local instructors give minimal feedback, and there have been cases of students colliding with other surfers. The entry is easy — off the sandy beach. On the south side there's a channel for an easy paddle out to the lineup. There's bike parking, but space is limited.
Hazards: crowds, rocks at the boundary with Batu Bolong, dirty water after rain
