Bali is a surfer’s Walhalla. With all types of waves and breaks, which are perfect from beginners to pro surfers, and consistently good conditions, it is no surprise that thousands of people flock the island to try it out for themselves. Add warm temperatures, beautiful beaches, jaw-dropping nature (hello Gunung Agung) and good food to the mix, and you have got yourself an adventurous yet relaxing trip.
Because there is so much choice, however, it can be daunting to decide where to go as a beginner, especially when you have never surfed before. As a relatively new surfer myself, who just made it to the more intermediate level, my first waves, but most of all the nose-dives and tumbles, are still fresh on my mind. With that experience, I think surf camps are the best way to progress quickly and have a lot of fun in between. This guide will not only help you to decide which surf camp is best for you but will also review what it is really like in one of the best surf camps on Bali.
What is a Surf Camp?
Will you be sleeping in tents? Are all activities mandatory? Will you be surfing all day long? Maybe, no and if you want to. Surf camps come in many different forms. Some will have a fixed schedule, meaning you must drop in on day one and see it all the way through to the end of the week, while most are more relaxed in their planning. While some surf camps are based on campsites, like the camp we visited in Sagres, Portugal, most will have dorm or private rooms for you to stay in.
The best way to describe a surf camp is as a summer camp for adults: all the fun without the mandatory activities. Although there are some camps that are more family focused, I mainly encountered parents with their kids at separate surf schools. The surf camps, however, often organize much more than lessons. Think breakfast and dinner, and sometimes lunch as well, but also parties, karaoke nights and other group building activities. Some evenings will be spent running through some surf theory, and others reviewing videos they took of you during the day’s surfing session. Surf camps are thus a great way to improve your surf skills and make new friends.
Why Book One and for Who is It?
Surf camps are generally meant for beginner and intermediate surfers. Beginners will get a strong understanding of the basics of surfing, while more intermediate surfers will learn how to improve their pop-up, turns or even progress onto bigger waves. A huge pro of camps like these, especially for beginners and intermediates, is that you can lean on local knowledge of the several surf spots and waves in the area. While learning how to read the ocean and the waves is part of becoming a better surfer, having to rely on your own judgement as a beginner can feel scary, plus: no one knows these surf spots better than those who ride its waves every day.
When it comes to advanced surfers, there will only be a handful of surf camps focused on their level, like this one on Bali. Once you have progressed so far, private lessons and personal guidance will be much more beneficial than the generalized group sessions of most surf camps. A good rule of thumb is thus to pick a camp that best fits your needs and your level when it comes to surfing. A great way to find these camps is through BookSurfCamps by Tripaneer, which allows you to filter the different surf camps by level.
Once you have determined your level, there are other needs and wishes to consider. Surf camps are inherently social, so wanting to spend at least some of your time with other people will greatly improve your enjoyment. But there is a strong difference between party camps, and yoga surf camps. There are even camps that offer photography lessons, so any type of traveler would find a camp that best fits their needs. I personally like a low-key vibe with the option of going out, but with other activities too, like watching the sunset together or doing a game night. But to each their own!
Should You Go Surfing on Bali?
My surfing experience in Europe exceeds my experience in the rest of the world, but having braved the rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean, I can understand why thousands flock to the seas around Bali. The waves are a lot cleaner, more predictable and the temperature just makes it a lot less rough. Still, as I rode my first ever wave in Mundaka, it took some getting used to for me. Even though the waves look clean, and therefore less intimidating, they are incredibly strong! Let’s just say I spent a lot of time under water.
For the surf you should put Bali on your list. Its waves are consistent, and its plethora of breaks make sure there is something for every level. However, we stayed in Uluwatu and found the island super crowded. The mass tourism and westernization made the island feel like a (neo)colonial enclave of the Global North, and I therefore much preferred spending time on Lombok and Java. For my gluten intolerance on the other hand, Bali did much better, so there is that to consider too. Still, I would recommend you pick a destination and surf camp from an ethical and sustainable perspective. Where is the money going and how does your contribution balance out the destructive effects of travel?
How to Get to Bali
The easiest way to get to Bali is by plane. Denpasar Airport receives many flights from all over the world on a daily basis and is well-connected to the rest of the island through buses and taxis. We always use Skyscanner to find the best rates and dates, so we do not pay a euro more than we strictly have to.
If you will be island hopping, like we were, then you can also choose to get a boat from either Bangsal Harbor on Lombok or Ketapang on Java. The ferry ride from Java will take you to Gilimanuk on Bali in roughly thirty minutes, while ferries from Lombok sail to three ports: Padang Bai, Sanur Port, or Serangan Port. As the boat ride from Lombok takes a lot longer, it is best to buy your tickets in advance through Klook, as they tend to fill up quickly.
Tip! Boat journeys can be rough and your bags might get wet, meaning travel insurance is a must. Heymondo offers solid plans for all types of travelers.
Where to Stay on Bali
While surf camps do offer accommodation, like the one we stayed at in Uluwatu, some travelers might prefer having their own space and choose to organize their own surfing trip. If that is you, you might want to consider staying close to one of the breaks you wish to surf, so you do not have to arrange for transport every day.
One of the beaches we visited in Uluwatu was Jimbaran, which is a great spot for beginners and intermediate surfers. If you like to rest your sore limbs in some luxury after a day in the water, then the Mövenpick Resort & Spa is a wonderful place to be at. Another great surfing spot, which is not as crowded as Jimbaran, is the town of Medewi. Here, there are plenty of surf guest houses, like Three Palms Surf & Stay. This place is a gem owned by a family from Medewi, who will show you the best places to surf!
Best Places to Surf and Best Surf Camps on Bali
When deciding my next surfing holiday, I tend to use Surf Atlas, which has extensive lists of the best breaks in most destinations for every level. So, make sure to check out their list for Bali, to know which breaks are best for you. If you are just getting oriented on the specific regions you could visit, then keep on reading as I discuss each’ characteristics.
Bukit Region
Bali can be divided into a couple of regions when it comes to surfing. We went to the Bukit region, which is the peninsula on which Uluwatu is located. Here you will find the famous advanced breaks of Bingin and Padang Padang, which are great places to watch the pros, and the more beginner friendly Jimbaran. However, this region is mainly known for its advanced waves, meaning other areas offer more variation for beginners and intermediates.
Best surf camp in Bukit: Still, the camp we went to is one of the best surf camps on Bali, as it caters to all surfing levels and is therefore ideal for beginners as well. Rest assured that you will not be thrown off the deep end at Rapture Surf Camp, and instead progress quickly.
East Coast
On the East Coast, you will find myriad breaks in the two port towns, Serangan and Sanur, and in Keramas. However, like the Bukit region, this side of the island is popular among experienced surfers, especially during the wet season. If that is you though, then it is a great place to visit both for the surf and the jaw-dropping coast line.
Best surf camp on the East Coast: If you are looking to up your skill as an advanced surfer, the best thing you can do is to book a hotel like Keramas Surf Camp and find yourself a private guide. Due to its advanced waters, there are very few surf camps around like the ones mentioned in this guide.
West Coast
If you are looking for waves that cater to all levels, then head to the West Coast, where you can find the surf spots of Balian and Medewi. Both towns are a lot quieter than the busy towns of Kuta and Canggu, and might make for a more ‘authentic’ experience.
Best surf camp on the West Coast: Brown Sugar Surf Camp in Medewi is the perfect destination when you already know the basics and are ready to progress onto the green waves.
Southwest Coast
However, the Southwest Coast is known as the place to learn how to surf on Bali. Kuta is the ultimate beginner-friendly town, whereas Seminyak and Canggu offer waves that are fun for more experienced surfers too. This region, like Uluwatu, is super crowded though, as it is so versatile and consistent. If you are looking for surf spots on Bali that are not as flooded with mass tourism, then the West Coast might be more your style. Or just head to Kuta Lombok, to skip most of the crowds.
Best surf camp on the Southwest Coast: One of the best surf camps on the Southwest Coast is In Da Surf Camp just outside of Canggu. They offer lessons for both beginners and intermediates, and are located in a quieter spot than most surf camps around.
My Recommendation: Rapture Surf Camp Bali
Our final days in Indonesia were spent at Rapture, a ‘chain’ of surf camps that offers experiences all over the world: from Bali to Costa Rica, and from Morocco to Portugal. On Bali itself, Rapture has two locations, both on the Bukit peninsula: Green Bowl and Padang Padang. Both camps will have daily lessons together, so choosing one depends on which villa you think looks nicer and which location you prefer. Also, most communal nights with both camps take place at the Green Bowl, which might influence your choice as well!
The Common Space
When booking you can opt for a private or dorm room. We chose a private room, which was a little more expensive but super big and comfortable. The villa itself has a large communal space, multiple games like foosball, and a lovely pool in which you can either relax or practice duck diving with one of the instructors. Just beyond the pool there is an outdoor seating area with a tv, where you can watch a movie, review footage of your surfing session or follow a surf theory lesson. For those into yoga, there is also a yoga studio on the premises, which’ yoga lessons are included in the price.
The (Gluten Free) Food
There is also a kitchen with a communal dining space, where you eat at least two meals a day, as breakfast and dinner are included in the price from Tuesday till Sunday. They were very good when it came to gluten free food: I even had gluten free pancakes in the morning, and they made sure I always had enough to eat. Besides breakfast and dinner, you can also order lunch here, or head into town to try one of the many lunch spots. We went to Suka Espresso one day, which had gluten free burgers, bread, cakes and more!
The Surf Lessons
The surf lessons were of super high quality and took place in the early morning. After breakfast at 5 AM, we went down to get our surf boards, strap them atop the vans, and drove towards the beach. Before your first lesson, you are categorized into one of several levels. While they state only three on their website, in reality there were far more, as this is how they decide who gets to go where. Sometimes, the more advanced intermediate group would travel to a different beach than us beginner/intermediates, and once at the beach, each level would go with a different instructor into a different part of the water.
As we were part of levels 1 and 2, we went to Blackstone and Jimbaran beach, which were perfect for us. Personally, I really liked how they did this. It made the lessons personal, and the surf camp suitable for all levels. Sometimes, surf camps are mainly focused on beginners and put everyone into one big group, which makes it harder to progress when you are ready to hit some green waves. Knowing that they work with multiple levels makes me eager to come back.
The Overall Vibe
Besides some great surf, the atmosphere was lovely too. The people we met were friendly and laid-back, and while some surf camps are huge on partying, Rapture Bali had fewer wild nights. Probably because we had to wake up at 5AM every day for our surfing lessons. Still, we did plenty of things with our group, like playing games before bed, and going out for dinner together.
One of the best things we did was drive to famous Bingin Beach. During the last two days of our vacation there was a huge swell, which allowed us to watch pro surfers while enjoying a drink on Tuti Warung’s terrace. As the sun set, the views of the cliffs and the surfers got even better, which is why I took over a hundred shots with my camera as the rest of the group chatted.
Final Thoughts on the Best Surf Camps on Bali
Bali might be infamous for its mass tourism, it still is one of the greatest places to surf in the world. We had a great time at Rapture Surf Camp, but truth be told, I personally prefer quieter places like Sagres in Portugal. I am sure there are some parts of Bali that still feel like it did a couple of decades ago, but the question whether we should just leave them be, remains.
If you are planning a trip to Indonesia, make sure to check out my other guides as well, which include Java, Lombok and Gili Trawangan. To get the latest travel updates, I recommend you follow me on Instagram, where I post weekly mini guides and reels, or to sign up to my newsletter.
