It’s no secret that the Island of the Gods is a go-to destination for surfing enthusiasts. But if you’ve never set foot on a board, you’re probably wondering “what are the best beginner surf spots in Bali ?“. Let me be your guide 😎 As a beginner surfer who lives here full-time, my feedback will surely be helpful. Let’s dive right in!
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Bali's best spots for beginners
A quick note before getting into the real deal: I’m far from being an experienced surfer (I’m currently still a master of wipeouts 😂) BUT I have tested all the spots listed below personally. So as usual, this article will be 0% bullshit, 100% reliable! Let’s find out right away where’s the best beginner surfing in Bali:
Kuta, South West
Kuta is the ultimate spot for beginners in Bali. Its long sandy beach offers gentle, consistent waves, ideal for progressing in complete safety. It’s the first spot I’d recommend to a total beginner, as you can get comfortable on the foam (= broken wave) and there’s no dangerous reef or rocks. This is where I tried surfing for the first time and I felt completely safe. You can also check out the very close Legian beach.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Beach break (= waves break on the sand), gentle waves
🌊 Best conditions: Rising tide, south-easterly wind, May to September (data come from the Surfline app).
🚩 Potential hazards: Crowded spot, risk of collision
Canggu, South West
Canggu is one of Bali’s most popular surf spots. Both intermediate and advanced surfers come here, but you’ll also find spots that are perfectly suited to beginners, such as Batu Bolong beach. Be aware though, since the waves here are more hollow and powerful. Stick to the smaller days and stay close to the shore.
🏄♀️ Wave type (at Batu Bolong ): Reef break left (= waves break on the reef and to the left), sometimes hollow and fast waves
🌊 Best conditions: Any tide, mornings with little wind, May to September.
🚩 Potential hazards: Reef bottom in some places, strong currents, crowds
Baby Padang, Bukit peninsula
People often ask “can beginners surf at Uluwatu ?“. Well, if we’re referring to Uluwatu beach itself, the answer’s no. But wait, don’t leave just yet ! A few spots closeby are the perfect playground for you.
Baby Padang (also known as Padang Padang Right since the spot is located to the right of the channel) is a gentler version of the famous Padang Padang wave. This reef break is adapted to both beginner and intermediate surfers. The wave is pretty fun, but personally I find it way too crowded… If you’re alone, it’s quite difficult to drop in with confidence, but it’s worth it if you surf with an instructor.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Reef break, right and left, fairly gentle
🌊 Best conditions: Rising tide, south-easterly wind, May to September.
🚩 Potential hazards: Reef bottom, dangerous low tide, lots of beginners all in one place
Balangan, Bukit peninsula
Balangan is one of my go-to spots and it’s another great beginner surf spot in Uluwatu – if we consider Uluwatu as the whole West coast of the Bukit peninsula. That left is long and regular, meaning you can catch it along the entire length of the beach (= not everyone is piled up in one place!) Accessible at high tide for the less experienced, it becomes more technical at low tide.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Reef break left
🌊 Best conditions: South-easterly wind, dropping tide
🚩 Potential hazards: shallow reef, current can be strong, fairly difficult to enter the spot as there is no well defined channel.
Bingin, Bukit peninsula
Bingin is another great spot of the Bukit. It generally attracts experienced surfers because of its powerful, hollow left, but the conditions sometimes make it an ideal beginner surf spot in Bali ! The best option is to stay on the inside (= waves closer to the beach), where the smaller waves allow you to train gently. Beware of the shallow reef though, especially at low tide.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Reef break left
🌊 Best conditions: Small swell, SE wind, dropping tide
🚩 Potential hazards: shallow reef, can get crowded
A quick note on another Bukit spot that’s often mentioned : Dreamland. You could give it a go if the conditions are really small… But generally speaking, I find it unreasonable to claim that this is a good spot for beginner surfing in Uluwatu. Some sets can get pretty big and the waves that break super close to the beach make it dangerous for a beginner to get in and out of the water. I was personnally traumatized after I got an accident there 2 months into my surf journey 🤕
Nusa Dua, Bukit Peninsula
Nusa Dua is an excellent option for beginners looking for gentler, more accessible waves. Unlike the more exposed spots of the Bukit, this area offers several protected spots with less hollow waves and a safer bottom. Among the spots suited for a beginner, you’ll find Black Stone and Mengiat, which offer gentle waves great for longboards, and Mushroom, perfect for a gentle introduction. Good to know: unlike the spots on the west coast of the Bukit, Nusa Dua works well during the rainy season!
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Pretty accessible lefts and rights
🌊 Best conditions: Small to medium swell, NW wind, mid-high tide.
🚩 Potential dangers: Currents depending on the spot, reef present but less exposed than on the west coast
Medewi, west coast
Medewi is one of Bali’s best spots for beginners, thanks to its (very 🤩) long left that breaks smoothly over a pebbled bottom. Unlike the more hollow waves in the south, here the take-offs are easier, perfect for learning and working on your technique. It’s an ideal spot for longboarders and surfers looking for easy to catch waves. I loved surfing Medewi: the landscapes are absolutely beautiful and I felt pretty safe on the wave as a beginner.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Point break left
🌊 Best conditions: Small to medium swell, easterly wind, mid-high tide.
🚩 Potential hazards: Slippery pebble bottom, rocks towards the beach, moderate currents
Nusa Lembongan island
If you’re wondering “where is the least crowded surf spot in Bali ?“, in my experience it was the neighbouring island of Nusa Lembongan (yeah, I’m kind of cheating). Not only do few people think of surfing here, but the waves are pretty good and the water is crystal clear! Playgrounds is the most suitable spot for beginners: the gentle wave breaks over a relatively deep reef. Lacerations, although faster, is also good for beginner/intermediate surfers when conditions are small. I surfed this spot last Christmas and I had sooo much fun.
🏄♀️ Type of wave: Reef breaks lefts and rights
🌊 Best conditions: Small swell, offshore south-easterly wind, mid-high tide
🚩 Potential hazards: Reef present but deep, some currents
Find a good beginner surf lesson in Bali
Now you know where people surf in Bali. But starting out on your own is really intimidating… and quite dangerous! So my number one tip is to always start surfing in Bali with an instructor. We’ll talk about all that in this section!
Qualities to look for in a surf teacher
“My instructor spent the whole session pushing me on the waves without giving me any explanation”. “He didn’t even mention safety rules”. “I got so scared I never wanna go back”. These are all things I’ve heard from beginner surfers in Bali! As far as I’m concerned, my surfing accident was even caused by an instructor who pushed his student on me… Ended up with 10 stitches on the head.
A good surf instructor is someone who :
- has been surfing seriously for years
- takes the time to explain the spot and the basic rules before getting in the water
- treats students AND other surfers with respect
- doesn’t just push you on the wave, they give you constant feedback to help you improve
Price of surfing lessons in Bali for beginners
Yes, you’ll find lessons starting at 150,000 rupiah around Kuta (less than $10). I’ve actually linked some of those lessons at the beginning of the post. They’re fine if you just want to discover the sensations of standing on a board and you’re on a budget, but to be frank you won’t learn much.
For a real beginner’s surf lesson in Bali with a teacher who ticks the boxes mentioned above, you’ll pay between 500,000 and 700,000 rupiah for a private lesson ($30 to $40), a little less for a group lesson. In general, you should expect to pay a little more for the photos/video analysis included (super useful to improve your technique and a nice souvenir too !).
Keep in mind that prices in the Bukit are higher than in Kuta / Canggu because teachers there are more competent and the spots more dangerous.
Surfing lessons for beginners in Bali
Looking for a top-notch instructor ?
I’ve got your back! I know Najib personally and he’s got the full package: professional, super friendly and he makes you feel safe. Contact me now to book your session with him (based in the Bukit):
Weather factors to consider for surfing in Bali
Does the weather play a part in all this? Of course it does! When surfing you must adapt to the rules of nature… Here are a few things to guide you on this:
Best season for surfing in Bali
Now when should a beginner surf in Bali? As we saw above, generally speaking the best time to surf in Bali is during the dry season, which roughly corresponds to the months between May and October. Conditions are more predictable, with more consistent and powerful waves. However, the spots on the east coast of the Bukit work quite well during the rainy season!
How the weather influences the waves
During the dry season, offshore winds on the west coast create clean, well-formed waves, perfect for beginners. On the other hand, the rainy season brings onshore winds and more swell. Waves get more unstable and difficult to surf.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t go in the water after heavy rain… you’ll be surfing in a tidal wave of rubbish. I made that mistake once in Canggu and my stomach hated me after 🤢 It’s really sad to see, but that’s the reality of pollution in Bali.
some safety tips for beginner surfers
Surfing’s a dangerous sport, with lots of elements and rules to take into account. It can be really confusing at first. I was a TOTAL beginner until recently and let me tell you that I’ve had my fair share of scary moments and even a few accidents… just like any other surfer. So here’s the pieces of advice I’d give to someone surfing in Bali as a beginner:
Choose a spot and conditions adapted to your level
Going alone with a foam board on a spot where the other surfers are locals throwing airs… is pure stupidity. Not only are you putting your life at risk, but you’re also getting in the way of other surfers. But if you read this post on beginner-friendly surf spots in Bali, I’m sure you already knew that 😉
Follow the basic rules
These are the basic rules in surfing to keep in mind at all times:
- Respect priority. The surfer closest to the peak gets the wave – for example, if the wave is a left-hander, the surfer to your right has priority.
- Don’t catch a wave that’s already taken
- Don’t ditch your board, you might knock out the person behind you!
- Keep a relaxed attitude towards others and respect the environment
Let me also mention local customs: just because you’re in a ‘surf destination’ doesn’t mean you’re in Australia. The Balinese people are very traditional: avoid wearing swimwear outside the surf spots in the more local areas (or elsewhere in Indonesia, such as Lombok, where the population is Muslim).
Use the right equipment!
If you want to get a chance of catching some waves and not end up frustrated, start by choosing the right board! Yes, that means no cool short board for your first session, sorry 😅 For your first times, use a foam board. Once you’re comfortable, switch to a mid-length or fun board with a big volume (e.g. I use a 7’0 with a 44L volume).
Don't go alone
I’ve noticed that the majority of people who have never surfed totally underestimate the dangers of that sport. Trust me, it’s always safer to spend a bit more money and go with an instructor when you don’t know what you’re doing. Better safe than sorry!
FAQ
1. Is Bali adapted to beginner surfers?
Yes, Bali is full of spots suitable for all levels, making it the perfect island to try it out for the first time!
2. Is Kuta or Canggu better for surfing?
Both towns are completely suited to surfing. For a very first time on a board, I would recommend Kuta to surf on the broken waves.
3. Where can I rent a surfboard in Bali?
Unless the beach is really hard to access, there are always small rental shops on Bali’s surf spots.
4. Is Uluwatu ideal for beginner surfers?
There are a few beginner spots around Uluwatu, but I wouldn’t recommend it to total beginners (all the spots are reef breaks, which means that the wave breaks on reef and not sand).
5. Should I worry about sharks in Bali?
It’s not common to hear about sharks in Bali. The only ones you might come across are small, harmless reef sharks.
