Bali is a surfer’s dream, but the heavy reef breaks and powerful swells can be intimidating for most newbies.
Many travellers from Australia have heard about how fantastic the swell is in places like Uluwatu, Canggu, and Padang, but unfortunately, they cannot try it out because of the treacherous conditions that suit only advanced seasoned surfers.
Anything with a reef bottom you can forget about because chances are you will fall off the board while learning, and the last thing you want to happen is hit the reef while you’re on holiday. A scarred and battered body is the last thing you want. You will get cut up, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth about the whole surfing experience. Plus, you will likely damage the board, which will cost you extra.
This article is about helping you, the beginner, find the best and easiest surfing breaks in Bali, where you can get out without feeling too scared or nervous about the wave height or sharp reef bottom. At these surf spots, you can ease into the sport and limit any hazards or dangers that go hand in hand with more advanced surfing spots.
The first thing you should know about these breaks is the best time of year to surf them. From April to December, the best offshore winds blow in the western part of the island, making offshore winds ideal for surfing conditions. If you’re coming to Bali during the rainy season, the best places to surf are on the East Coast, such as Sanur, Serangan and Keramas.
Also read: Surf & Fun: 8 Stunning Bali Villas in Uluwatu, Seminyak & Canggu
Kuta Beach
This is the most popular tourist area in Bali, where most beginners head to learn how to surf. It’s got a sandy bottom and is patrolled by lifeguards during daylight hours. The waves here are generally small, which is great for learning the sport. Renting a board here is easy, and there are heaps of vendors along the beach. You will be paying about Rp 250 000 or $25 for a day’s hire. Wave heights here can vary, but most days, they are between 1 to 3 feet, which is manageable for beginners. It’s a fun break with a sand bottom, so it won’t matter if you fall off. It can get crowded here due to its central location with loads of tourists, but overall, if you persist, you will get a wave. A few surf schools in Kuta will teach beginners how to stand and the basics of surfing. Overall, you have to keep practising to get good at it. Kuta would have to be at the top of my list for beginners heading off to Bali.
Tuban Beach
Located near the airport south of Kuta, beginners can surf the beach breaks here which are protected by the outer reefs known as ‘airport lefts’ and ‘airport rights’. Because you are in a protected area, it’s a good way to learn to master the surfboard by paddling around and getting your balance. This area is quieter than Kuta, so you will have more opportunities to get waves. The quality of waves here may not be as good, so it’s an area for beginners who have never been in the ocean or are very scared of the water. It’s a good introduction to surfing.
Legian Beach
Just north of Kuta, Legian is the same as Kuta: same crowds, same sandy bottom and same wave heights. It’s an extension of Kuta that is ideal for beginners. You can access Legian Beach from the main road known as Jalan Pantai Kuta. This long stretch of sand goes on for about 1 mile and is a fun place to hang for the day after you have finished the surf. Dozens of beachside vendors sell food, cold drinks and mandatory souvenirs. There are also tons of massage ladies walking up and down the beach, pestering you for a massage.
It’s best to surf Legian and Kuta in the morning, as the winds shift onshore in the afternoon, making the water surface too rough. The beach is also patrolled here, as in Kuta, but personally, I wouldn’t rely on the lifeguards.
Waves in Bali are great for beginners especially in areas like Old Man’s and Berawa.
Seminyak Beach
As we make our way north of Legian, we hit the ultra-cool and trendy area known as Seminyak. Again, it’s a continuation of the same beach with all the same conditions, but the only difference here is that after the surf you can hit the day clubs like Ku De Ta and Potato Head for a cold beer or lunch. All four breaks in this area, Tuban, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, are similar. It’s just where you prefer to base yourself that makes the difference. Backpackers and 20-somethings tend to be in the Kuta area, while most other holidaymakers gravitate towards Seminyak and Legian / Double Six beach area.
Batu Bolong, Old Man’s, Berawa & Echo Beach in Canggu
This is a completely different area, about a further 3 miles to the north of Seminyak. Getting there is only by motorbike or taxi and will take about 20 minutes from Kuta. This surfing area is a bit more challenging than the Kuta area, so only go here if you have had 1 or 2 hours of practice. The Canggu area is a famous beach break with many quality restaurants and
@balivillaescapes Coming to Bali and want to learn to surf then head to Berawa beach in Canggu where you can hire boards and instructors at great rates by the hour 🏄♀️🏄♀️ #seminyakvillas #balivillaescapes #cangguvillas #surfbali #bali
Wave heights here can get quite big, so check with the locals before you head out. Hiring a surfboard is also very easy here, especially near the Old Man’s car park area, which is a magnet for beginners. Again, the best time to surf here is during the morning before the onshore afternoon winds kick in. Echo Beach is a challenging break, so I would only attempt this if you are at the intermediate level. Go to Old Mans, Berawa or Batu Bolong first and spend time there before doing anything else. Echo Beach has loads of hidden rocks and is dangerous even for experienced guys & gals.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu, on Bali’s southern top, also known as The Bukit, is a surfers’ dream. World-famous breaks like Padang, Bingin, Dreamlands, and Suluban are all nearby and a quick scooter ride from your Uluwatu Villa. But a word of warning here: Waves, especially in Uluwatu and surroundings, can put the fear of God into advanced surfers, so my advice is to take care and know your limits. Download the Surfline App to check conditions and wave heights. For beginners, your best bet is Dreamlands at low tide with a surf instructor if the wave height is under one metre. Uluwatu, for intermediate to advanced surfers, is a mecca, but you probably already know about this and have surfed here before. The best time to visit Uluwatu for surfing is during the dry season, from April to October. Check the video below to get a better idea of the cool cave entrance to the sure at the super famous Suluban Beach.
@balivillaescapes Want to know where the best surf in Uluwatu is? Head to Suluban Beach at the southern tip of the Bukit in Bali for amazing waves🏄♂️🏄♂️ And, if you want to rent a holiday villa in Uluwatu check out Bali Villa Escapes – we’ve got fabulous holiday luxury villas in Uluwatu to rent. Aussie owned and managed!! 🎉 #balivilla #suluban #uluwatu #uluwatusurf #uluwatuvilla #balivillaescapes
Medewi
It’s a hike up north (around 2 to 3 hours) from Canggu, but Medewi is a laid-back surfie village with an outstanding left-hand break perfect for beginners. Go between mid to high tide and enjoy one of the longest left-handers. You can make it a day trip, but why spend all that time in the car getting there and coming back when ample accommodation is cheap in and around Medewi? A point to note is the rock boulders at low tide can be a bit of a worry, so to avoid this, go when tides are rising. You can also hire boards and local surf guides who are always hanging around and are easy to spot. A surf guide and lesson will set you back around $30, but it is worth it for the experience and safety.
Serangan
Serangan is a beginner’s paradise, and there could be up to 100 beginners on longboards learning to catch a wave (mostly Koreans) at any time of the day. But, if you are super keen, you’ll have to get the boat out to the reef from Serangan Village, which costs 2025 Rp 100,000. I would 100% hire an instructor and not navigate the break and sometimes tricky waves without a local guide (costs around Rp 300,000 for a couple of hours). Serangan is south of Sanur, and there’s both a decent left and right-hander with most of the beginner crew hanging on the right. Check the wave heights. I’ve been out there when it’s huge and snapped a board, so know your limits, as it can be treacherous with a sharp reef just waiting for you. On smaller days, it’s a super fun little ride on a longboard where you can catch 100-metre rides. The best part is that the boat that took you out there will drop anchor and wait for you on the return 10-minute trip.
If you are looking for fantastic surf villas in Bali that are close to the beach, contact our reservation staff.
