4 Surf Lessons in Bali That We Think Stand Out

Going to the Isle of the Gods? First: There are a few bucket-list things you simply must do…1) Take selfies above the lush rice paddies of Ubud, 2) hit the up the awesome Uluwatu Temple, 3) Party in Kuta. Oh, yea, and…SURF!

But then we would say that, right? Not only us. Bali is to surf what Chamonix is to skiing. If you’re coming here then you simply gotta’ hit the waves.

And, before you start spouting that Bali is for the pros. Not so. We’re guessing you wouldn’t be reading this if you’re planning on ripping lines in Bingin Beach. We’re guessing you’re more a beginner. For that, surf lessons in Bali are just about perfecto.

There are few reasons we say that, but mainly it comes down to two things. First off, this island is home to some of the very best beginner surf beaches in Asia – and we’re not just talking Kuta Beach mind you. Second, it’s got one of the best arrays of surf schools in the world, so there’s excellent tuition and it won’t break the bank.

Anyhow, here’s who we’d go with if we were booking a surf lesson on the black-sand beaches of this oh-so-lovely Indonesian isle.

We don’t think there’s a surf-lesson option on Bali that can quite match what the guys and gals of Spicy Surf School have put together for complete beginners. And that’s saying something, since the island is riddled with places offering tuition for novices.

Operating out of a small café right on the side of Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu, the outfit is as local as they come. We like that because it’s in line with proper ethical travel thinking – keep it local, keep the money local. The team is headed up by Iman, but you could have lessons with either Rian, Rapli, or Gibe.

Together, they offer 10+ years of surf-teaching experience and a very deep knowledge of the breaks around the Canggu beaches, plus each instructor is a certified lifeguard, which adds peace of mind.

What’s great is that they’ll tailor the package to your specific level. For total beginners, there’s a 30-minute dry practice and warm up on the beach to ease you into the technical ideas of pop up and paddle technique, but also the ins and outs of surf etiquette. That’s followed by 1.5 hours in the water.

More advanced surfers can opt to go straight out and the guides will adjust their pointers accordingly, to hone in on positioning or paddle power or whatever else it is you need. It’s the insights that really set Spicy apart. Previous guests talk about just how specific and helpful their pointers are, so you always leave with something new to improve and focus on.

If you’re after a bit of a more comprehensive surf course and are planning on being based along the popular southwest coast resort strip (basically anywhere between Kuta and Canggu), it’s definitely worth checking out the selection of surf teaching that’s offered by Bali Green Surf School.

The USP here is that you can go for standalone 2.5-hour-long sessions as an intro or book in for a multi-day package that involves 2.5 hours of surf lessons per day and a pickup at your hotel. There’s also a three-day option if you’re after something shorter. It’s essentially like doing a surf camp in Bali, only you’ll pick your own hotel.

Of course, these guys are super highly rated to boot. They’ve got a solid 4.9/5 and have a three-tier surf lesson format aimed at total beginners, improvers, and “advanced” (but it’s really for early intermediates who are already on green waves but want to learn key skills like duck diving and proper wave positioning).

There’s another kicker at the Bali Green Surf School: They do oodles of charity work. Yep, they donate a part of their profit to helping local orphans on Bali every single month, which is fantastic.

What the Pulau Biru Surf school does fantastically well is taster sessions. If you’ve never surfed before and are reading this guide because you just want to sample what it’s like to ride the waves of Bali, then these guys have a perfectly weighted package.

One of the reasons it’s great is where it takes place. You’ll be down on the long, wide beaches of Legian. Not only is that one of Bali’s top resort areas, so there are oodles of fancy hotels just behind to stay in, but it’s also got some of the most forgiving waves on the island. They all have a soft, sandy bottom and tend to be very forgiving.

Couple that with the fact that the instructors at Pulau Biru Surf do an in-depth intro to the fundamentals of paddling, surf safety, and technique before you even get in the water, and you can see how they’d set you up for a quick learning curve. And it’s true – most customers will finish their first two-hour sesh standing!

The Nyangko Surf School is our pick for more advanced riders looking for surf lessons in Bali. Again, it’s important to clarify what we mean by advanced here. This isn’t going to be ripping through backdoor tube sections in the Ments. It’s more for intermediates who have breezed through the whitewash and pop up stage.

The whole thing is run by the company’s namesake surf teacher, Nyangko. He’s based down on lovely Berawa Beach. That’s very much the heart of Canggu and means that you’ll have a selection of lippy A-frame breaks, reefs, and easier beach breaks, so you can be sure there will be something to match your level.

What you’re sure to get is some very on-point suggestions from a surfer who really knows his stuff, all for a price that would make one-on-one surf tutors in Portugal or France blush! It’s a fine option if you’re keen to improve more technical aspects of your surfing, from turn engagement to weight distribution and the like.