Surfing in Bali: where, when, how much does it cost

Bali is one of the best surf spots in the world. A huge selection of surf spots offers great waves for both beginners and experienced surfers. Prestigious competitions, including international ones, are regularly held here. Surfing is also an integral part of numerous local festivals and other recreational activities.

If you want to learn how to gracefully cut through the waves on the board, make new friends and just have fun, Bali is the right choice! And before your trip, be sure to read this article, where we have collected useful information that will help you have an unforgettable surfing experience in Bali.

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Where to surf in Bali

Geographically, the main places for surfing in Bali can be divided into 4 groups:

• on the west coast - Medewi Beach
• Canggu and Kuta beaches
• on the east coast - the beaches of Ketevel, Keramas and Nusa Lembongan
• on the Bukit Peninsula - Bingin, Balangan, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua

When choosing a location, you should pay attention that some of them are available for surfers of all skill levels, and some are only for experienced athletes. Let's take a closer look at popular surf spots Bali.

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For beginners

• Kuta Beach is one of the most famous spots in Bali and also the perfect place for those taking their first steps in this exciting sport. Finding a surf school in the area is not difficult. The location is usually crowded, but given the large length of the beach, walking a bit, you can find more secluded areas. Unfortunately, the beach cannot boast of perfect cleanliness, especially during the rainy season, but the garbage is regularly removed. The best time to surf is mid-tide.

Hotels near: Alam KulKul Boutique Resort.

• Old Man's in Canggu - here you can continue your studies after Kuta and hone your skills. Good for those who love longboarding.

Hotels near: Pondok Nyoman Bagus, Frii Bali Echo Beach Hotel, Hotel Tugu Bali.

• Dreamlands is a beautiful and lively beach on the Bukit Peninsula . Both the beach itself and the waters surrounding it can be crowded. Good for both beginners and more experienced surfers. Offers good left-side waves, but there are also short fast right-hand ones. The best time to surf is at low tide.

Hotels Nearby: Taman Asih Bingin Homestay, Legends Beachfront Resort.

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For the intermediate level

• Medewi - the spot is famous for its left-handed waves, which are considered one of the longest in Bali. Recommended for intermediate and advanced athletes.

Hotels near: Bombora Medewi Wave Lodge.

• Balangan Beach is one of the most beautiful on the Bukit Peninsula. Surfers expect good long left-hand waves. There are areas with sharp coral reefs, so caution should be exercised.

Hotels nearby: The Point Beachfront Balangan, La Cabane Bali.

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For the pros

• Padang Padang (Labuan Sait Beach) - a popular and very picturesque location in the surf community, offering some of the best waves in Bali. There is a shallow and sharp section of the reef.

Hotels nearby: Rapture Surfcamp Padang Padang, Padang-Padang Inn, Suarga Padang Padang.

• Uluwatu - a beautiful beach with a picturesque cliff, offers experienced surfers 5 main waves that break on the reef. It gets crowded.

Hotels Near: Bali Bule Homestay, The Istana.

• Keramas is one of the best surf spots on the east coast of Bali. Offers fast and powerful right-handed waves. Care should be taken as there are sharp rocks in the water and there are many sea urchins on the reef. The beach, strewn with black volcanic sand, is well suited for relaxing walks.

Hotels near: Komune Resort & Beach Club Bali.

• Nusa Dua Spot offers a range of consistent waves for intermediate level surfers and above. In addition to excellent surfing, the area is known for a long and well-groomed beach, a beautiful lagoon and a large number of upscale hotels.

Hotels near Mulia Resort.

• Bingin is a beautiful beach on the Bukit Peninsula. To get here, you need to overcome a steep staircase, so you should adequately assess your physical capabilities. Surfers can enjoy short barrels. But do not lose sight of the shallow reef, which at low tide can be dangerous for athletes.

Hotels near: Mahi Mahi Bingin, Swell Bali, The Temple Lodge.

• Impossibles - a spot for advanced athletes, located on the Bukit Peninsula. Characteristic features - a long, fast "left-handed" and some areas of shallow reefs.

Hotels near: The Inn Possible, Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort.

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Education

Surf lessons in Bali - must do for most of the active lifestyles visiting Indonesia.

Here you will find a large number of schools offering a full range of surf lessons at affordable prices. When choosing a school, remember that your safety should be at the forefront, so pay attention to the availability of qualified and certified instructors, proper equipment and transportation. In addition, if you choose an official school, you will be able to receive an appropriate certificate upon completion of your studies.

As for the age at which it is recommended to start training, most schools offer training for children starting from 6-7 years old.

If you have already mastered the basics of surfing before, experienced instructors will be able to objectively assess your level of training and select a location in accordance with your skills, tides and weather conditions.

If surfing is a completely new hobby in your life, and you doubt whether you will like it, start with a one-day beginner lesson. Subsequently, you can always extend your course. At the same time, insufficient swimming skills are not an obstacle to a trial lesson, since it is conducted in shallow water and under the constant supervision of an instructor.

The first step to conquer the waves is rowing on the board while lying on your stomach. Standing confidently on the board, and doing it as quickly as possible, is the dream of every beginner. Understanding this, some schools make very attractive offers for beginners: if for any reason you cannot get up during a beginner's lesson, they will provide you with an additional lesson, and completely free of charge.

In order to consolidate the acquired skills and knowledge in practice, schools can organize short surf tours to popular spots.

As a rule, the student is provided with a complete set of surfing equipment, as well as a safe for storing mobile phones and other valuables.

However, it would be a good idea to take with you:

• sunscreen;
• towel;
• Swimming goggles if you wear contact lenses;
• bathing suits or shorts.

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Prices

Local schools offer private, semi-private and group lessons. The cost of classes may vary depending on the location of the school and the season.

For example, in Kuta, you should count on the following approximate rates for a two-hour lesson:

• individual lesson (instructor + 1 person) - 35 USD;
• semi-private lesson (instructor + 2 people) - 27-30 USD per person;
• group lesson (instructor + 4 people) - 27-30 USD;
• surf tour to popular spots around Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua for half a day - 70 USD.

In the high season, prices can rise by 5-10 dollars.

Please note that in some schools the use of a shower and towel is included in the price of the lesson, while in others this service is available for an additional fee.

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When is the best time to go?

Tropical waters offer comfortable temperatures for surfing all year round. However, Indonesia has two distinct periods: dry and wet. The rainy season, which lasts from December to March, is considered not the best period for surfing due to the unpredictability of weather conditions.

But the period from June to September is optimal for traveling to Bali to conquer the waves.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that the best time to surf on the west coast is from April to October, as this is when the wind blows from the shore, which is the most suitable for surfing. And on the east coast, it is better to surf from mid-November to early March.

On Kuta Beach, the best time of the year to learn to surf is from March to November.

And July is recognized as the best month for surfing throughout the year.

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Is it safe to surf in Bali?

The ocean is powerful and should not be taken lightly.

Strong waves and sharp reefs, shore breaks, as well as a biased assessment of one's abilities can pose a threat to surfers, and injuries are not uncommon in this sport. Therefore, when going to Bali for active surfing, you should take care of insurance in advance or clarify insurance-related issues at a surf school before starting training.

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At the same time, the initial training is quite safe. Lessons for beginners are held at shallow depths under the guidance of qualified instructors who are trained in life saving and first aid. It is only necessary to carefully approach the choice of school and pay attention to the availability of high-quality equipment provided to students, including surf helmets.