Surfing in Indonesia: Prices, Best Places and Times

In the world of adventure sports, there are few things that compare to the feeling of freedom, the power of nature and the adrenaline rush that you can experience while riding a surfboard through the waves. Surfing is the art of conquering the ocean waves, and Indonesia, with its endless beaches and world-class waves, has become a true mecca for surfers from all over the world.

Surfing in Indonesia is not only a journey to the waves, but also to yourself, to nature and to the incredible world of the ocean. The region's geographical location provides unique opportunities for surfing in a variety of conditions: from small waves ideal for beginners to impressive tubes for seasoned professionals.

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Where to surf in Indonesia

Bali

Bali, also known as the "Island of the Gods", is one of the most popular surfing spots in Indonesia, famous for its amazing waves and excellent training conditions. Beaches with different wave exposures allow you to choose the right level of difficulty based on your surfer's skills. Legendary locations such as Uluwatu, Impossibles and Padang Padang offer good waves for experienced surfers. Beginners should pay attention to the areas of Kuta and Seminyak, where the waves are less harsh.

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Lombok

Located next to Bali, Lombok is a true paradise for extreme water sports enthusiasts. Less crowded than Bali, Lombok is known for its great waves, which provide ideal surfing conditions for both beginners and veterans. The southern coast of the island is one of the most popular surfing regions in Indonesia. The island has an entire surf town, Kuta Lombok (not to be confused with Kuta in Bali), which attracts surfers from all over the world.

Some of the main surf spots in Lombok include:

• Gerupuk (for beginners and intermediate athletes);
• Desert Point (for professionals);
• Mawi (depending on conditions for different skill levels);
• Selong Belanak (for beginners).

In addition to having an extensive menu of surf spots for athletes of all levels, another advantage of Lombok is a decent selection of well-equipped surf camps. Accommodation in such camps will not only solve the housing issue, but will also allow you to get to the spots in an organized manner without any logistical difficulties.

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Sumba and Sumbawa

These islands are less known than Bali and Lombok, but offer wonderful conditions for surfing.

On Sumba, you will find conditions for athletes of different levels of training. Among the best spots in Sumba:

• Pero;
• Waingapu;
• Occy’s Left.

By the way, access to the Occy’s Left location, also known as God’s Left, is provided only to residents of NIHI Sumba - a luxury hotel included in the top 5 best eco-hotels in the world. To maintain a comfortable level of surfing, the resort limits the number of people wishing to conquer this wave, intended for professionals, to 12 registered surfers per day.

Among the best spots in Sumbawa:

• Super Suck;
• Tropical;
• Scar Reef;
• Lakey Peak.

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Java

On the island of Java you can find many secret beaches and corners that provide the opportunity to enjoy quality waves. In East Java, in the Bay of Grajagan is the legendary G-Land, also known as Plengkung Beach, a world-famous place for surfing. Opened in the 70s, the location has been repeatedly mentioned in magazines and films, because it was here that the world's first surf camp was founded. The name G-Land itself has several versions of origin, from the English words “Great”, “Green”, “Green Land”, and from the name of the bay itself “Grajagan”.

Here, extreme sports enthusiasts will find 8 world-class surf spots.

In addition to G-Land, the island of Java offers a number of other good places for surfing, including:

• Batu Karas;
• Panaitan;
• Sawarna.

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Mentawai Islands

A chain of about 70 islands located just over 100 kilometers from Sumatra, it offers many great surf spots. The Mentawai can be roughly divided into three surf zones: Playgrounds in the north, Pagai in the south, and Sipura in the central part. The waves here are more suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers, but there are also a few spots for beginners.

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Training and Safety

Learning to surf is one of the most popular activities for many active lifestyle enthusiasts visiting Indonesia. One of the best places to learn to surf is the island of Bali. There are a large number of schools that offer a wide range of surfing lessons at affordable prices. When choosing a school, your personal safety should be of primary importance: pay attention to the availability of experienced and certified instructors, the necessary equipment and transport, and also clarify questions related to insurance.

By choosing to learn to surf at an official school, you have the opportunity to receive a corresponding certificate upon completion of the course. Most schools offer lessons for children aged 6-7.

Among the disadvantages of surfing in Kuta, it is worth highlighting the high congestion of the beaches and often a higher amount of garbage compared to other, more remote locations. However, this does not stop a large flow of people wanting to try themselves in this undoubtedly exciting sport. With the growing popularity of surfing in Indonesia, many local communities are emphasizing the importance of responsible tourism, emphasizing that preserving nature, the ocean, and local culture should be a priority for everyone visiting this amazing region.

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Prices

As for the prices for lessons, the approximate cost of a two-hour lesson in Kuta is:

• private 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;
• half-day surf tour to popular spots in the vicinity of Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua - 70 USD.

During the high season, prices may increase by 5-10 USD.

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When is the best time to go

You can conquer the waves in Indonesia all year round. However, if surfing is your priority, it is best to visit Indonesia during the dry season, which lasts from April to October. The rainy season, which lasts from December to March, is not considered the best time for surfing due to unstable weather conditions.

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