Bali surf is legendary all around the globe. The fabled Isle of the Gods has breaks to match every level, from beginner-friendly Kuta to the rippable walls of Ulu’s. This guide runs through the whole thing, from the hot new properties of Balian and Medewi to the tried-and-tested barrels of Bingin and beyond.
An introduction to Bali surf
Ah, Bali. Welcome to Asia’s Shangri-La of surfing; the east’s answer to Hawaii.
Washed by the powerful swells of the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean, this one’s got it all. Zippy reefs that barrel? You bet. Mellow longboard waves? Yep. Beach breaks for that post-sunbathe kooky fun? No doubt.
Put simply, Bali surf is some of the very best surf in the world. Uber-reliable and incredibly varied, it brings in wave riders from all around the globe. It’s a place where you can find your water feet on the beaches of Kuta and Seminyak, but also a place for the Kelly Slaters and Italos to do their thing on the beefy breaks of Ulus and Padang Padang.
Most waves work all year round but it’s the dry season that really turns on the goods, sending up relentless pulses of SW swell to caress the cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula and create some of the finest lefts known to humankind.
Fantastic surf hotels and surf camps are everywhere. Many come with swimming pools and bohemian-chic interiors. They’re great places to meet other surf travelers and book lessons, or just ensure you’re close to the best breaks for those dawn patrols.
If we had to pick a downside, it would be the pollution – we had a BAD case of Bali belly back in 2018 – and overcrowding. It’s not so much localism since the Bali scene is very much internationalized. It’s more that pretty much every spot here has been firmly discovered and there can be a mixed bag in the line up; some chilled, some downright nasty.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is a part of our larger guide to surfing in Indonesia and our ultimate guide to surfing in Asia
Bali surf at a glance
Levels: All levels // Wave type: Reef, rivermouth, beach, point // Season: Peak is dry season (March to September)
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this guide to surfing in Bali
Where is Bali?
Bali is tucked between the long island of Java and its nearby sister island of Lombok (also a top surf spot, where the town of Kuta Lombok offers surf camps that are among the best in the region).
Meanwhile, the glistening Bali Sea washes the north coast, hosting lovely islands like the Gilis. Importantly, the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean rolls to the south, which is the engine room of the powerful surf swells.
More generally speaking, the island is smack dab in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago. Thankfully, it has its very own airport (one of the busiest in the country, no less) and can also be accessed by boats from Java and Lombok.
Where to surf in Bali?
There’s loads and loads on offer here!
Seriously, this island has spots that work along more than 50% of its shoreline.
But there are three main regions that really stand out from the crowd: The southwest coast, The Bukit, and East Bali.
Each has something different. The southwest is now established as a beginner/longboarder/tourist region and is great for learners. The Bukit is for the rippers chasing Bali’s most famous waves. The East is the place to go during the wet season, traditionally seen as Bali’s low season for surfing.
Let’s dig deeper into each area in turn…
The southwest coast
You won’t have to look very far to find some seriously amazing Bali surf. In fact, there’s a little reef break right in front of the airport itself, so you can spot people ripping before you even touch down.
But we think 80% of surfers will be happy with one region: The southwest. It’s the strip of resorts that run from the airport and Denpasar city towards the western regencies. It includes the most famous R&R towns on the isle, from Kuta to Canggu.
The beaches here are less rocky, less reefy, and more shallow than elsewhere, so the waves shape up really nicely for those looking to get started on surfing.
The region also hosts the best array of surf schools in Bali (you’re looking at <$30 for a lesson in some cases!) and stacks and stacks of fine hotels/surf camps.
Medewi Beach
All level // All year // Maps
Even further along the coast is the largely undiscovered Bali surf spot at Medewi. The pebbly beach is pure black sand and look darn wonderful before its own row of lanky palm trees.
The swells that rolls in here are tempered by a river mouth and sandbanks, which help shape them into clean, glassy shoulders that roll beautifully left. Not many crowds. Not much infrastructure. Kuta 20 years ago, perhaps?
We have a complete guide to surfing in Medewi here
Balian Beach
All level // All year // Maps
Balian is one of the more upcoming Bali surf spots. It’s located way out west along the shores from Kuta, which means the crowds of young’un learners are nowhere to be seen.
A small surf town has set up shop behind the black sand, offering rentals and lessons.
The wave itself is a high, peaky A-frame that is great for 9″ folk on smaller days, and decent for upper intermediates when there’s extra power.
It’s great if you’re after somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and are ready to move to something a bit more challenging than the mushy beach breaks further south and east.
Check out our full guide to Balian surf right now!
Canggu
All level // All year // Maps
It’s not taken Canggu long to go from rustic rice paddy to digital nomad mecca. These days, there’s hardly a field in sight. Everything is flat whites and organic poke bowls.
One thing that keeps the town drawing the cool crowd is the waves. They are known for being mellow peaks and fun reefs that have nowhere near the crowds of Kuta. Early mornings are always best.
As of 2024, this part of the Bali southwest coast is the de facto hub of learning to surf on the island for most. Kuta seems to have had its day, and many of the best surf schools have upped sticks and come to Canggu.
We can see why. The region has breaks for lots of levels, it’s fun, it’s riddled with fantastic hotel choices, there’s nightlife – what more could you want?
Spicy Surfschool
We rate Spicy as one of the best surf schools in the whole of Bali. 2-hour lessons that are perfectly calibrated for beginners, all on the multi-level breaks of Canggu and for <$33
Check out our full guide to Canggu surf right now!
Seminyak
Beginner-Intermediate+ // All year // Maps
For all intents and purposes, Seminyak can be considered an extension of Kuta.
After all, the sands are only a few miles along the same stretch of coast. The quality and shape of the wave here is essentially the same as Bali’s main beginner spot, only there’s a little more height.
The crowds do thin out a little as you move farther from Kuta itself. That’s also where the swell tends to come in unhindered, so expect a few closeouts on big days.
Hazards include water pollution from the big resorts (keep your lips sealed!) and rips.
We’ve got a full guide to surfing in Seminyak
Kuta
Beginner // All year // Maps
Kuta is a warm memory for many a surfer.
Thousands – literally, thousands – of people came here to try their first-ever wave.
The practice continues to this day, with countless rental shops and surf schools dotting the whole shoreline.
As far as the wave goes, it’s generally an easy-going beach break that’s mellowed out by the sandbanks.
Usually holds up well to around 6ft and often forms nice left and right-handers across a long bay.
When the swell gets a hit of adrenaline, there can be high walls, even good-quality A-frames, with plenty of punch and potentially some mini barrels, so always check the forecast or check with local surf guides about conditions if you’re not sure.
We’ve got a full guide to surfing in Kuta – check it out right now!
Surf spots in the Bukit region
If you’re planning a surf trip to Bali then you really should know about the Bukit.
On the map, this is the little bauble of land that pokes out from the far south side of the island.
It’s basically where the most famous waves in the country are located. They include the lefts of Uluwatu, the barrels of Padang Padang, and the fine lines of Bingin.
Today, it’s the most sought-after place for good intermediate surfers and up. There are shed loads of fantastic places to stay, often with gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean.
Downsides? It’s busy. And that goes for both rainy season and dry season, which is the peak.
Balanagan Beach
Intermediate+ // Dry season // Maps
Balanagan Beach is a good place to sample what the Bukit has in store, all less than 45 minutes out of the airport – even in Bali traffic.
A fast, pitching left hander that peels off a reef on the bottom end of the bay, it holds fantastically in those dry-season SE offshores and can barrel at two sections. Some cracking hotels in the mix here too.
Dreamland
Intermediate // Dry season // Maps
Don’t be fooled by the name – Dreamland is hardly the paradise you might expect. It’s almost always busy and is hemmed in by more hotels than you can shake your Gado Gado at.
Still, the wave is well-known for its versatility, offering both left and rights over a sand-coral bottom. It’s nowhere near as challenging as the places further down the Bukit Peninsula, which means there’s often plenty of intermediate improvers to be found paddling out.
Bingin Beach
All-level-Expert // Dry season // Maps
Beautiful Bingin Beach is dashes under the cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula on the southern extremity of Bali – the area with the best surf throughout the June-August surf season. It’s a mecca for waves, with two breaks up its sleeve. The first is a primary-swell reefy that rolls perfectly right-left over the rocks. It’s a tricky, nifty takeoff into a quick ride that’s never more than 60m. There’s often a second-swell wave for those who want to practice pop-ups over the reef.
We’ve got a complete guide to surfing Bingin Beach right here
Impossibles
Advanced // Dry season // Maps
It’s names like these that help to keep the crowds away. Only here, between Bingin and the famous reefs of Padang Padang, it’s probably best everyone steers clear. That said, there are occasions when this trio of sections gets fatter than usual and slows a little. Otherwise, it’s super zippy and can be hard to control, which is less than ideal when the landing zone is a shallow volcanic reef without a grain of sand in sight! TLDR: Experts only.
Padang Padang
All-level-Advanced // Dry season // Maps
Padang Padang is the epitome of a hardcore left-hand reef that’s among the most photographed and filmed waves on the island. Works best in the strong dry season S-SW swells, when you’ll find people daring the line up from sunrise to sunset. Expect high-speed drop-ins in a shallow take-off zone, followed by a zippy run that’s almost always barrelling. It all ends over a low shelf of crushed coral, so there’s not really a moment when you can sit back and relax. Definitely not for beginners.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Padang Padang right now
Uluwatu
Advanced // Dry season // Maps
Uluwatu is just the sort of wave that puts Bali on the map. It’s not actually one wave, but rather a set of five that can be ridden at different points in the bay. It all starts with Temples, one of the biggest of the bunch that needs a hefty paddle. Then there’s the gnarly Bombie, a huge slab of water that’s among the tallest breaks on the island. The Peak comes next, a popular ripping spot for fast drop-ins. And then there’s the awesome Outside Corner, which goes beautifully when there’s a strong swell to offer some workable walls for the very best surfers out there. Not a pro? Just come to watch some of the maestros surf Bali in this legendary spot!
We’ve got a complete guide to all the awesome Uluwatu surf
Nyang Nyang
All-level-Advanced // All year // Maps
Off-the-beaten-path at the very end of the Bukit head is hidden Nyang Nyang. Feeling the full brunt of the Southern Ocean swell that powers the awesome waves in the region, it’s virtually always on. Thing is, there’s an easy max out and lack of shelter, so any winds can chop up the waves and there’s often unbearable closeouts. When it’s good, you can run nice cutbacks into the occasional barrel. Beware of rips and be ready to hike down jungle-fringed paths before you hit the shore.
Green Balls
All-level-Advanced // Wet season // Maps
Pulls in some pretty hefty power from the Southern Ocean when the S-W swells start kicking, which is why most of the locals will hold out for the offshores that come between November and March to ride this one. It’s a reef-sand mashup underfoot, with a nice lip of a wave that forms pretty steady verticals on its good days. Try to get there early but be ready to make a trek from the nearest carpark – it’s nowhere near anything, really.
Surf spots in East Bali
East Bali is the region to look to when the wet season takes over. That is, it’s the region to look to in the wet season if you’re searching for overhead barrels and whatnot.
This part of the island gets the brunt of the SE-S swells during the wetter part of the year (November-March). The main breaks run up the reefs at the top end of the Bukit Peninsula but stretch from there up the beaches that line the channel between Bali and Nusa Penida.
Nusa Dua
Advanced // Wet season // Maps
Mainly known for its slick hotels, the last resort area on the Bukit is Nusa Dua. We link to the east here because it’s a wet-season surf spot that faces east and so shines in the wet season.
The waves are really for advanced surfers only. They string up a reef that works on the outside of the famous beaches and can be very big, very hollow. Rips are all over the place too.
Check out our full guide to surfing in Serangan
Serangan
Intermediate+ // Wet season // Maps
The isle of Serangan might be out of bounds to surfers pretty soon – there’s talk of a huge uptopian-style hotel development. But it remains a solid intermediate-advanced option in the wet season for now, with loads of peaky reef frames breaking along its eastern shore. The downside is that it’s hard to get to.
Check out our full guide to surfing in Serangan
Sanur
Intermediate+-Advanced // Wet season // Maps
Sanur is another east coast, wet-season wave like Keramas before it. Only this one’s a fickle beast that needs loads of swell and the right angle to boot.
When it fires, it really fires – some say it’s the best right in Indo when that happens.
Crowds will come when it’s on. However, there are one or two other breaks here for intermediates and up that work Dec-March, and plenty of family hotels just behind.
Check out our full guide to surfing in Sanur
Keramas
Advanced // Wet season // Maps
Keramas is a wet-season special that’s got to be up there with the hugest quality breaks in Bali.
S swells that push through the gap with Nusa Penida and Lombok pump into action here as they hit a rivermouth reef and start balling right into a perfect barrel before opening onto a lovely shoulder.
There’s always a crowd but it’s a rare high-performance right on the Isle of the Gods, so there.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Keramas
Step-by-step guide to planning your Bali surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Bali surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
Surf camps in Bali
We’ll be frank – there are more surf camps on Bali than you could hope to get through in a whole decade.
Not all of them are great. The industry here has run amok and people who really shouldn’t be running surf camps are doing just that.
However, there are some fantastic standouts. We love that they can cover ALL levels, what with options for beginners in Kuta and in the Bukit for pros. Here’s a look at the cream of the crop:
You can also check one of our complete guides to surf camps in Bali or surf camps in Canggu for even more awesome recommendations.
- Rapture Green Bowl 8-day/7-night package – Rapture are pretty weell established as one of the best providers of quality surf schools in the world. They’ve done it again with their pad in the Bukit, which offers something for all levels and a touch of luxury on the side.
- 8 Day in Between White Water and Green Waves Surf Camp in Medewi, Bali – A whole surf camp tailored to beginners looking to move from whitewash to green waves, this one’s perfect if you’ve done one or two sessions before and really want to improve. It’s hosted at the Brown Sugar Surfcamp in Medewi, which gets waves all year and offers one of the more mellow lefts on the isle. There, you’ll get video training and theory training to back up the daily lessons and – mark our words – will be ripping green waves by the time you head back to the airport!
- 8 Day Surf Camp in Canggu @ In Da Surf Camp – In Da Surf has become a bit of a staple in lovable Canggu. We’d say they have some of the best instructors and all-round rental gear in the area, along with access to those multi-level reef breaks. This package includes seven days of surfing, four video analyses, and shuttles to breaks.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more Bali surf camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
The best hotels for surfing in Bali
One of the reasons Bali is so damn popular with surfers is that you can cruise in, book a hotel literally steps away from some of the best breaks in the world, and be surfing before you can say terima kasih.
The quality of accommodation is a cut above many Southeast Asian and other tropical destinations, too – expect pads with pools, sleek villas, and surf lodges with their very own boho bars.
It’s impossible to say where’s best because that all depends on where you want to surf (you’ll want to choose a hotel in Keramas to surf that, or in the Bukit to surf Ulu, or Kuta to take lessons there, for example).
We have stayed in quite our fair share of hotels on the Isle of the Gods, though, and there are some that we think are worth a special mention as worthy places to base an entire surf trip…
Bombora Medewi Wavelodge ($$-$$$)
Good for: All levels
This is a really great hotel for surfers. It’s sat literally on the rocks just above the main left-hander in Medewi, which just so happens to be the longest and least busy of the south coast breaks. It’s an all-level place that’s good for learners and up. Plus, the hotel itself is sheer lux – just check out that infinity pool!
Dreamsea Bali ($$$)
Best for: Unforgettable surf trips
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you see Dreamsea Bali. This lodge is nothing short of legendary. It clings to the rugged cliffs in the middle of the Bukit and is probably the surf camp that first brought serious luxury style to Bali. You get access to Padang Padang and Ulus, along with the rest of the peninsula (so best for intermediates and up). Needless to say – EVERYTHING is stunning. If the budget allows and you want to be down south, this has to be top pick. It simply has to be.
Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu ($)
Best for: Expert surfers
Tregge might not be the Ritz but it’s risen to become pretty hallowed ground for Bali’s regular crowd of returnee surfers. It sits on the cliffs above Uluwatu, just a stone’s throw from arguably the best left-hand reef break on the planet. Accommodation is in self-contained bungalows that front a flower-filled garden.
When to surf in Bali?
When school’s out for summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Bali is getting ready to feel the brunt of its very best swells. Yep, from May to September, the west coast mainstays are all pumping.
Plan your surf trip to Bali then if you’re keen on conquering the pipes and reefs of the west-facing Bukit Peninsula. That said, there’s always a wave on offer in these parts, with wet-season favourites stringing right up the east coast, from Green Balls to Serangan.
Let’s take a closer look…
Dry season (May-September)
The dry season is the best time for surfing in Bali. Dominant swell directions are from the southwest, which means you get reliable sets flowing into the famous breaks along the Bukit (not just Uluwatu, but Bingin and Padang Padang, too).
Offshore winds are from the north and northeast which helps matters even more – check out a proper NE day at Dreamland and you’ll see what people mean when they say Bali’s glassy in dry season! All that combines with a drop in the rainfall, which helps to keep run off pollution out of the water and that dreaded Bali belly at bay.
Wet season (November-April)
The wet season isn’t the end of the surf in Bali. The truth is this island gets very good swell all year. It’s just going to be a touch less reliable down on Bukit and up the shoreline from Kuta. Not that it really matters for beginners.
In fact, the drop in size helps the surf schools get in the water along the main stretch of resorts. On the flip side, the east coast of the island starts going. That brings swell to advanced breaks like Keramas, and to beginner spots like Playgrounds on Nusa Lembongan.
Learning to surf in Bali
We have some strong opinions on the surf spots that are good for beginners in Bali. In general: Avoid the breaks on the Bukit Peninsula if you’re a total beginner. There are three key spots that have emerged as the top places to go for a lesson…
- Canggu – Now the leader, Canggu has taken over from Kuta in the last five years as the hub of most of Bali’s surf schools. It’s a great place to learn because there are breaks for all levels and loads of fantastic schools. Plus, little aggro in the water.
- Kuta-Seminyak – The beach that runs from Kuta to Seminyak is sort of the same strip. It’s riddled with surf schools but we wouldn’t recommend going for one that’s right there on the sand. Book ahead and check reviews. This is tout territory! Waves tend to be very forgiving and it’s the OG of learner spots on the island.
- Medewi – We really like the idea of heading further afield for surf lessons and Medewi has emerged as a favorite simply because the crowds are way smaller. You won’t find the abundance of surf lesson options but it should still be a cinch to organize from your hotel.
Aside from choosing the right place, it’s important to know that most surf lessons in Bali can be divided into two types:
- Local – These are run by local surfers and are often set up on the side of the beach. They tend to be cheaper (around $30-40 per person for two hours) but typically have a smaller equipment selection and they may not be fully accredited.
- Accredited – These are surf schools that come with official ISA-trained surf coaches or accreditation to a similar level. They’ll be pricier (think over $70 per person for a session) but have had all sorts of training to get to where they are.
One important thing to note: Some local schools might also be accredited but not all accredited schools are local. Usually, you can tell by the price.
Our two cents: A local class for $30 or so can be a great way to sample surfing and are fantastic for total beginners who want to sample Bali’s great starter wave locations. If you’re serious about technical improvement then it’s probably better to pay extra for the accredited options.
With all that in mind, here are a few top recommendations for surf lessons in Bali that we think are great for first timers on the island:
- Spicy Surf School – Based in Canggu, these guys have garnered a rep for high-quality local tuition. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and they really know the waves.
- Bali Green Surf School – Another top-quality local surf school that shouldn’t break the bank, Bali Green ply their trade on Double Six Beach (a part of the Kuta-Seminyak strip). They also donate portions of profit to orphan charities in Bali, so it’s ethical travel 101.
We actually have a complete guide to 4 of the best surf lesson packages on offer in Bali right now – check that out if you’re looking to book lessons on your trip.
Renting a surfboard in Bali
It’s easy to rent a board in Bali.
For beginners there are stands that do big foam boards and funboards around the 7″-9″ range all along the main beaches of Kuta and Seminyak. The price is pretty standardized now: You’ll pay 50,000 IDR ($3) for two hours of rental.
Often, you’ll go to the stand that’s closest to the place you’re sat on the beach, or where you arrive at the beach. That’s fine because most are great. But we would recommend doing a quick Google beforehand to ensure there’s none of those 1-star “they scammed us” reviews!
For more advanced surfers, there are lots and lots of options. Bali probably has one of the best arrays of performance boards up for rent – it’s a popular place to surf, don’t ya know? Again, this is usually a case of Googling to check where’s good and close to where you’ll be staying. However, some outlets we can recommend are:
- Boardriders Echo Beach – Very good range of boards in cannggu, basically aimed at more experienced surfers. You’re looking at Pyzel shorties for 450,000/day ($30/day).
- Bali Tubes – A good range of Kelly Slater Designs and GAMMA options here right in the heart of the Bukit. They also rent scooters with surfboard mounts.
- White Monkey Surf Shop – On a country road to Ulus, these guys have a very wide selection and a great quiver of new boards to buy.
Things to do in Bali (other than surfing…)
We’ll assume – since you’re reading this guide in the first place – that you’re planning on doing at least SOME surfing in Bali.
And quite right too. Whether you’re a pro and pining for Keramas or a beginner down in Kuta, this is one of the best surf destinations on the globe.
But it’s also not only about surfing.
Now, we’re not qualified to write you a full itinerary for the Isle of the Gods. But what we can do is offer some tips and ideas for top things to do that are easily accessible from the main surf zones towards the south end of the island.
Hiking in Sidemen
Sidemen is one of the lesser-known jewels of south-central Bali. It’s often likened to what Ubud was 20 years back. We agree. There’s hardly anyone around and the views are spectacular.
Get yourself a hotel (we loved the Sawah Indah Villa) that has a view down the Sidemen Valley and you can wake to visions of Mount Agung in the distance. It’s an incredible sight of Bali’s highest volcano. You can also do walks through the rice paddies here to find the lovely Gembleng Waterfall, which has formed a sort of natural infinity pool in the cliffs.
You could also do a guided day tour that takes you through the highlights of the Sidemen valley with a pickup in Denpasar near to the surf spots of the south coast.
A weekend on the Gili Islands
You can either fly or whiz across the Bali Sea to the Gili Islands. Either way, the result is the same: A Shangri-La of shimmering white beaches, resplendent coral reefs, bamboo beach bars, and azure waters. There are three islands in total. Choose Gili Trawangan to party until sunup. Choose Gili Meno or Air for R&R, freediving, and sunbathing.
We like Gili Air the best of all. It’s got variety that you just can’t match and is chilled to the T. It’s also home to one of the best small-scale boutique hotels we’ve ever stayed at: La Siesta bungalows & Cuisine, a really nice clutch of small cottages cantered around a pool.
Go to Ubud
Ubud is a worthy reason to leave the coast. Yep, even with the crowds of grammers and influencers!.
Hemmed in by emerald-green rice paddies and jungles in the southern heart of the island, it’s a mystical town that’s topped by Hindu shrines and ancient palaces. The Monkey Forest is a must, to meet the resident macaques, but also be sure to head to Ubud Market to get your necklaces, saris, and traditional Balinese batiks.
It will be busy, but there are some cracking hotels nearby that have spas attached – perfect for resting the bones after big surfs down south. The Sebali Resort is one that really stands out for us. In fact, it was one of the best hotels we’ve ever had the pleasure of checking into. $$s though!
Nusa Penida
Talking of the Instagrammers: Nusa Penida. This small isle on the south-eastern edge of Bali can be reached on quick ferries that leave regularly throughout the morning.
The reward? Well..how do glistening white-sand beaches backed by high jungle-clad cliffs sound? How about uber-romantic resorts with honeymoon suites? How about remote coconut groves and beautiful vistas back across the Indian Ocean?
How to get to Bali?
Being an island, there are really only two ways to get to Bali: by plane or by boat.
Most travellers will take the first option.
Oodles of regional low-cost airlines (AirAsia being the largest) serve the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, and there are also plenty of long-haul connections arriving to boot.
If you’re traveling in with a surfboard, then we can highly reccomend the connections with Emirates or Qatar, which both offer free surfboard transit (at least they did last time we checked in!). They come in from thier Middle Eastern hubs respectively, so can be linked up with departures from Europe, the US, and other parts of Asia.
Short-haul fliers are likely to use AirAsia. They have a generous surfboard policy for people flying from Australia but will charge (something like $40 a pop) for a board if you’re flying from other places in Asia. That’s annoying, becuase it can add up since flights that come from, say, Sri Lanka, often involve a connection through thier hub in KL, meaning you’ll have to pay the cost of a surfbaord check-in twice!
If you want to hop across the water, you can get high-speed ferries into Padangbai (from Lombok) on the east coast or into Gilimanuk (from Java) on the west coast.
Getting around Bali
Honestly, these days, we’d do this: Pick 2-3 hotels right on the surf breaks you want to hit in Bali and base yourself in those, only moving from A to B when it’s time to hop spot.
The reason we suggest that is a) transport in Bali is a bit pricier than the rest of Indo and b) the traffic can be crazy around the main surf areas (especially Canggu). You’ll waste tons of surf time trying to dodge crashes on narrow alleyways. Not fun.
When you do need to move, these are the three main ways to get about:
Scooters in Bali
There was a MEGA kerfuffle when the news broke that the governor of Bali was to ban scooter rentals to foreigners in 2023.
Of course, the reality of the change is very different to the sensationalism of the headlines. Officially, it’s illegal to rent a scooter in Bali. Unofficially, loads of people still do it and tons of companies offer it.
There’s no doubt there’s a risk you could get stopped and fined (either for renting in the first place or not having a proper international driver’s license, which is required).
We’ll leave it to you to decide what you want to do, but would add that we basically NEVER rent scooters here any longer. It’s better to find a stay near the beach you want to surf and then move to the next spot to surf there, staying a few days in each. Â
GoJek/Uber/Grab
All these apps work in Bali. They’re the cheapest way to get rides from A to B. For the cheapest of all, choose the scooter options, which – crucially – DO NOT come with surfboard racks. Rates are roughly around 10,000 IDR/10 mins of transit on a two-wheeler and more in a car.
We’ve had some bad experiences using GoJek and the like in Bali. Local drivers HATE it and will often harangue travelers who choose to go that way instead of renting a pricier ride from them.
Local taxis
Taxis are on offer everywhere in Bali but they’ll often be more expensive than the ones in the apps. You’re looking at around 250,000 IDR ($15) to go from the airport to Canggu, a trip that would be maybe 150,000 if you got it on GoJek.
Where to go surfing AFTER Bali
The thing about Bali is that it’s one of the gateways to a whole surf region. You don’t have to just jet in here and only surf the busy breaks of Ulus and Kuta or whatever. A quick ferry hop and you can be exploring other Indonesian bucket-listers and finding breaks that have much smaller line ups.
Lombok
We think anyone who enjoys Bali will enjoy Lombok more. It’s a controversial thing to say given the sheer quality of those Bukit breaks but Lombok has chilled vibes and just-as-fantastic waves. The hub of it is Kuta Lombok and the highlights would be the heavy lips of Ekas Outside and the low-tide tubes of Air Guling (for more advanced surfers) or the cruisy A-frame peaks of Tanjung Aan (for learners).
Surf camps in Lombok
Interested in Lombok? Surf camps are the way to see the isle next to Bali because they’ll take you around all the 20+ breaks that dot the south coast. And they have some serious quality about them.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Lombok right now
Java
Bali is actually one of the launchpads for getting to the eastern end of Java, Indonesia’s most populous island. It’s hallowed surf territory because it hosts G-Land, one of the world’s most iconic spots. Go there for rustic surf camps that have hosted legends and a series of left handers that barrel to perfection in the dry season. Ferries leave Bali from the port in Gilimanuk to go to East Java every day.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Java right now
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!