Surfing in Bali: Cost, Best Spots & Tips for Beginners

✅ Updated on 08.04.2026

In this article, you’ll learn when the best surfing season in Bali is, how much it costs to rent a board, which surf spots are ideal for beginners, and how to track tides. To make this guide more practical, I’ve teamed up with my friend Sasha — a surf instructor who has been teaching people to surf in Bali for the past 4 years.

Marat

Digital nomad, blog author

Follow me on social media

There’s a lot of useful content there you won’t find on the website.

Youtube Instagram Tiktok

Bali Is the Perfect Place for Surfing

Bali offers a huge variety of surf spots for every level — from mellow beach breaks, where waves roll over a sandy bottom and are perfect for beginners (like Kuta), to powerful reef breaks for advanced surfers, with waves reaching two to three times a person’s height (like Uluwatu).

Another big advantage: the infrastructure is excellent almost everywhere. You’ll find plenty of surf schools, board rentals, and all the gear you need — usually at very affordable prices.

When Is the Surfing Season in Bali?

Surfing in Bali is possible year-round, but conditions vary significantly depending on the season.

☀️ Dry Season (May–November) — West Coast

During the dry season, winds blow from east to west, creating ideal conditions on Bali’s west coast — including Kuta, Canggu, and the western side of the Bukit Peninsula.

This time of year also brings consistent and powerful swells, so you can expect regular waves rolling in from the ocean — often bigger and more reliable.

🌧️ Rainy Season (December–April) — East Coast

In the rainy season, the wind direction shifts, and surf spots on the east coast start to work — including Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Serangan. Most surfers move to this side of the island during these months.

You can still surf on the west coast, but you’ll need to wait for the right wind and weather conditions.

✅ If you’re visiting Bali between May and November, stay on the west coast (Kuta, Canggu, Bukit). If you’re coming between December and April, it’s better to choose Nusa Dua or other east coast spots.

Surfboard Rental Cost in Bali

The cost of renting a surfboard for one session (1–2 hours):

• In Kuta and Canggu — 50,000 IDR
• In Bukit, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Serangan — 100,000 IDR

Some rental shops may quote this price for just 1 hour. In that case, don’t hesitate to negotiate for a full session — most places are happy to agree.

Cost of Surf Lessons in Bali

A typical surf lesson lasts around 2 hours: 1 hour of theory and practice on the beach, followed by 1 hour in the ocean. Prices vary depending on who you choose to learn with:

• Local Indonesian Instructor — from $20
  Lessons are usually fun and relaxed, often in basic English. However, you may not build a strong technical foundation, and you’ll likely need to refine your technique later with an English-speaking instructor.
• Freelance Foreign Instructor — from $35
  Many of these instructors have lived in Bali for years and know the local surf spots and conditions well. Lessons are typically one-on-one, which helps you progress faster.
• Surf School — from $50
  Surf schools usually offer group lessons led by experienced instructors. The downside is less individual attention, but you can always upgrade to a private lesson if needed.

My friend Sasha (his IG) has been living in Bali for over 4 years and has already taught more than 1,000 students. His lesson costs $45, but if you mention Marat, you’ll get it for $40 per session. Discounts are also available when booking multiple lessons.

Surf Schools in Bali

Bali has a wide selection of surf schools — I personally know around 15. Most of them are located in Kuta and Canggu, and the overall teaching quality is high, largely thanks to strong competition.

Here are some of the most well-known Russian-speaking surf schools in Bali:

• Odysseys Surf School (Kuta)
• UP2U Surf School (Kuta)
• Bali Bisa (Uluwatu)
• Bali Swell (Uluwatu)
• In Da Surf (Canggu)
• Charlie Brown Surf School (Canggu)

What to Expect from a Surf Lesson in a School

Most surf schools in Bali follow a similar teaching method. Typically, lessons take place in the morning and last around 3 hours: 1 hour of theory on the beach and 2 hours of practice in the ocean. During the session, you’ll usually be filmed on camera.

After surfing, students return to the school, where the instructor reviews the footage and breaks down mistakes. This video analysis is typically included in the price at surf schools, while freelance instructors may offer it upon request.

Another important point: if there are no suitable waves in your area on the day of your lesson, the school may relocate the session to a different spot. Most schools have their own minivans and will take you to where the conditions are best.

What Is a Surf Camp in Bali?

Many surf schools in Bali offer surf camps — an all-inclusive format designed for full immersion. The price typically includes accommodation, daily surf lessons, and group activities. Most camps last from 1 to 2 weeks.

If you want to fully dive into surfing and progress quickly, this format is a great choice. To join, simply check with surf schools for availability on your preferred dates.

Best Surf Spots in Bali

There are more than 30 well-known surf spots on the island. Below are some of the most popular ones — listed from easiest to most advanced:

Where to Buy a Surfboard and Surf Gear in Bali

You can buy a surfboard and all the essential gear at stores like Quiksilver, Billabong, and Rip Curl — they’re everywhere in Bali. These shops carry everything you might need, from surf wax and rash guards to wetsuits and boards.

I also recommend checking out Boardriders stores and outlet shops with a wide selection of gear. For example, World Brand Factory Outlet and Original Surf Outlet are great places to find quality equipment at discounted prices.

How to Choose the Right Time and Spot for Surfing in Bali

If you’re surfing with an instructor, they’ll choose the right time and location based on your skill level and current conditions.

❗️ You can’t just go surfing whenever you feel like it. In Bali, you adapt to the ocean — not the other way around. You need to consider swell size, wind direction, and tide levels (high and low tide).

Some surf spots work best at high tide, others at mid tide. In certain locations, wind can completely ruin the conditions, while in others you can still surf even with some wind.

To track tides, you can use charts like the one on Rip Curl website.

Tips for Beginner Surfers in Bali

1. Protect your skin from the sun
   Wear a long-sleeve rash guard (it’s usually provided for free with your board rental), and consider a hat for extra protection. Apply zinc sunscreen to your face — it doesn’t wash off in the ocean and provides strong UV protection.
2. Take surf lessons
   Surfing is not as easy as it looks. A good instructor will teach you how to pop up правильно on the board, choose the right moment to catch a wave, and position yourself in the lineup. You’ll also learn how to avoid collisions with other surfers. Starting on your own often leads to frustration or even injury — and you might miss the real joy of surfing.
3. Get surf insurance
   Make sure your travel insurance covers surfing. For example, Genki includes surfing by default, which makes it a popular choice among travelers and digital nomads.