We have spent the last few years holidaying & surfing at Balian & Balangan & found both places relatively uncrowded & hassle free in the water, especially Balian. Looking at spending some time this year back at Balian with possibly a week or so at Canggu.
Any feedback on whether this is a good option or not, places to stay within walking distance to surf would be appreciated.

It's an absolute kook fest nowdays and there's a serious hipster infestation.
At least the food's good.

Balian over canggu anyday

Canggu is super crowded full of tosspot ex pats
Most of whom seen to be french and brazillian these days. locals are total knob jockeys, one turn superheroes who snake extreme and bully in packs but who disappear as soon as it's headhigh.
Plus the water stinks, worse if it rains. .. i know balian isn't pristine, but canggu is like raw sewage.
Dues ex machina is everything that is wrong with canggu. ..
(Kinda like the madhueys are everything that's wrong with kmas)
If you know what i mean, then you'll know what i mean
Otherwise canggu might just be the place for you
That being
Have been going to canggu for over 25yrs
There's a variety of girlylearner waves and fun beachies if you luck out crowd wise.
Nyomans right on the beach at pererenan isn't bad
But the best is next door at pantai indah, not cheap but damn Ketut can cook

There in May this year I was shocked at the increase of the Euro crowd as the guys above mention. But enjoyed surfing Old Mans at size with a few of the old boys (my age) that I run into every year around the place size thins the crowd a little.

Stayed at Lovecho Villa which was great $60 a night double room, pool with breakie you can walk to lots of food and the beach or motor bike hire at the end of the alley which I used (hate walking in Bali to frigging hot)

No waves in Balian

Souwester said..
No waves in Balian

Balian is a fat, gutless, dirty, poo ridden line up that has as many bull sharks as surfers. Not to mention the ****ing Russian surf schools. Prick of a place.

That's not a bad approach cause prob more than half will never try it again. The guy clinging to the LB is ****ting bricks

subasurf said..
****ing brilliant!

Love the whistle

I almost feel sorry for him.
Then I think about the.times I've taken a kook's board to the shin or been lip launched off a wave trying to bail on a drop in because some kook has paddled across the front of me....and the dragon awakes. One kook scapegoat is as good as another.