Imagine a week where you wake to warm water, surf twice before lunch with a coach who knows exactly which spot suits you that day, and fly home able to paddle out, pick a wave and ride it on your own. Bali can deliver that, but only if you choose the right part of Bali for your level. The island has some of the most forgiving learner waves in Asia and some of the most dangerous reef breaks in the world, often less than an hour apart.
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This guide gives you an honest breakdown of where to surf in Bali by level, when to go, what it really costs, how to get there, and which of the camps we’ve researched fits you. Every camp below has its own detailed page with a quick-facts table, inclusions and FAQs.
Bali at a glance
- Who it suits: complete beginners through to advanced surfers, as long as you match the area to your level.
- Waves: sandy beach breaks, reef-sand mixes, long point waves and shallow coral reefs.
- Water: warm all year. Most people surf in boardshorts or a swimsuit and a rash guard.
- Main airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Denpasar.
- Camps in our directory: 12 packages from 7 operators, from 4-day lesson camps to 8-day surf-and-yoga retreats.
Region by region: where to surf in Bali for your level
Canggu and Pererenan (beginner to intermediate)
Canggu is the most popular base for surf camps in Bali, and for good reason. Its beach and reef-sand breaks offer gentle, crumbly waves on smaller days, with punchier peaks for confident surfers nearby. Batu Bolong is a classic mellow longboard and learner wave, and Echo Beach and the breaks around Pererenan offer more power.
The trade-off is crowds, plus a busy café and nightlife scene. If you want a social, convenient base with lots of surf schools, Canggu is hard to beat. If you want quiet, look at Pererenan or Cemagi just to the north.
Camps here: In Da Surf Bali (semi-private lessons, max 2 guests per coach), Surf & Yoga Bali 6-day and 8-day in Tibubeneng, Mondo Surf & Lifestyle Village in Pererenan, and Pelan Pelan in Cemagi.
Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula (intermediate to advanced, with beginner lessons at gentler spots)
The Bukit is home to Bali’s most famous reef breaks: Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Impossibles and Balangan. These waves break over shallow, sharp coral. Some, like Padang Padang on a big day, are world-class and genuinely dangerous. Uluwatu and the Bukit reef breaks are not for beginners.
Beginners can still stay on the Bukit, as long as their camp takes them to gentler spots that suit their level, which is how CARI Surf Camp runs its lessons. Wear reef booties if your coach recommends them.
Camps here: CARI 4-day and CARI 8-day in Padang Padang.
Medewi and the west coast (improver to advanced)
About 55 km from the airport, Medewi is a quieter, rural corner of Bali. Its long, mellow left-hand point, often described as Bali’s longest left, is a great wave for building technique. Nearby there’s the Diva beach break, Irons, the Truck Stop A-frame and the Balian river mouth, all within about 10 minutes of each other.
It’s far less crowded than the south, but there’s less nightlife and fewer shops.
Camps here: Medewi Green Wave guiding (intermediate and advanced, max 5) and Medewi "Blue" coaching (from whitewater to green waves).
Nusa Lembongan (beginner to advanced, island pace)
A fast boat from Sanur takes you to Nusa Lembongan, a small island with reef breaks reached by boat, crystal-clear water and great snorkelling, including manta rays. It’s slower and more relaxed than mainland Bali. The waves break over reef, so even beginner sessions need good guidance.
Camps here: Isla Indah Retreat with Monkey Surfing: 4-day, 6-day and 7-day. Groups have a maximum of three students per instructor.
Kuta, Legian and the east coast
Kuta and Legian are the classic learn-to-surf beaches, with soft sand-bottom waves close to the airport. The east coast (Keramas, Sanur’s reefs) comes alive in the wet season, but these are mostly reef waves for experienced surfers. We don’t currently list camps in these areas.
When to go: Bali’s surf seasons
Bali has two broad seasons:
- Dry season (roughly April–October). Trade winds blow offshore on the west-coast reefs, so this is prime time for the Bukit and Canggu. It’s peak season, with more crowds and higher prices. July and August book up early.
- Wet season (roughly November–March). Good conditions swing to the east coast. There are more afternoon showers, but it’s quieter and often cheaper.
Beginners can surf year-round because there’s almost always a sheltered beach break working somewhere. Some camps only run part of the year. Medewi’s camp runs roughly October/November to June, for example, so check the dates on each listing.
What a Bali surf camp really costs
Packages in our directory (snapshots, so always check the live price):
- 4-day lesson camps: from about US$343 (CARI 4-day) or US$349 (Isla Indah 4-day).
- 7-day coaching and guiding: from about US$457 (Medewi Green Wave) or US$515 (Medewi Blue).
- 6–8 day surf-and-yoga retreats: from about US$614 to US$925 (Surf & Yoga Bali, CARI 8-day from about US$759, Pelan Pelan from about US$897).
Costs people forget:
- Flights. For most travellers outside Asia and Australia, Bali is long-haul, and the flight can cost more than the camp.
- Airport transfers when they aren’t included. In Da Surf charges about US$25. CARI 8-day, Medewi, Mondo and Pelan Pelan include transfers. CARI 4-day doesn’t.
- Meals. Many packages include breakfast only. Local warungs are inexpensive, but Canggu’s cafés are not.
- Board rental on guiding camps. Medewi Green Wave charges about €50 a week.
- Indonesia’s entry requirements and tourist levy. Check the official rules before you fly.
- Travel insurance that covers surfing, reef booties, sunscreen, massages and scooter or driver hire.
- The Nusa Lembongan fast boat, if it isn’t included.
Deposits and cancellation: when you book through BookSurfCamps, each camp sets its own deposit and cancellation terms, and deposits are often non-refundable. Read the policy on the listing before paying.
Getting there
Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar. Approximate travel from there:
- Canggu and Pererenan: typically about an hour by car, though traffic can be slow.
- Uluwatu and the Bukit: south of the airport, and usually a shorter drive than Canggu.
- Medewi: about 55 km west of the airport. Allow a few hours, as the roads are winding.
- Nusa Lembongan: drive to Sanur, then take a fast boat to the island.
If you’re unsure, pick a camp that includes airport pickup. It removes the most stressful part of arriving.
Which Bali camp fits you?
| Camp | Area | Best for | Length | Key inclusions | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARI 4-day | Padang Padang | Beginner–intermediate, short trip | 4 days | 2 lessons/day, board, video, breakfast | ~US$343 |
| CARI 8-day | Padang Padang | Beginner–intermediate, tiny groups (max 3) | 8 days | 2 lessons/day, 3 yoga, transfers | ~US$759 |
| In Da Surf Bali | Canggu | All levels, near-private coaching | 4 days | 3 semi-private lessons, video, breakfast | Check live price |
| Isla Indah 4-day | Nusa Lembongan | Island taster | 4 days | Lessons, yoga, breakfast | ~US$349 |
| Isla Indah 6-day | Nusa Lembongan | Surf + snorkel + yoga | 6 days | 3 lessons, 3 yoga, snorkel trip, transfers | Check live price |
| Isla Indah 7-day | Nusa Lembongan | Slow-paced wellness | 7 days | 3 lessons, yoga, massage, snorkel | Check live price |
| Medewi Green Wave | Medewi | Intermediate–advanced | 7 days | Guiding 2x/day weekdays, video, transfers | ~US$457 |
| Medewi Blue | Medewi | Improvers (whitewater to green waves) | 7 days | Coaching, video, transfers | ~US$515 |
| Surf & Yoga Bali 6-day | Canggu | Yoga-first | 6 days | 2 yoga/day, 3 surf classes | ~US$614 |
| Surf & Yoga Bali 8-day | Canggu | Yoga + steady surf | 8 days | 5 surf lessons, breakfast & dinner | ~US$925 |
| Mondo 8-day | Pererenan | Sociable beginners/improvers | 8 days | Daily lessons (not Sun), 2 yoga/day, transfers | Check live price |
| Pelan Pelan | Cemagi | Solo travellers, calm base | 8 days | 5 semi-private sessions, yoga, 3 massages | ~US$897 |
Quick routing
- Never surfed, short on time? CARI 4-day or In Da Surf.
- Beginner with a full week? CARI 8-day or Mondo.
- Stuck in the whitewash? Medewi Blue.
- Already riding green waves? Medewi Green Wave.
- Want yoga and balance? Pelan Pelan, Surf & Yoga Bali or Isla Indah.
What you get in a good Bali package
Add up a typical full-week package and you get far more than a room:
- Accommodation near the waves
- Daily lessons or guiding, with spot selection by a local coach
- Boards and rash guards
- Video analysis
- Breakfast, sometimes dinners
- Airport pickup
- Often yoga, too
Booking all of that separately takes time, and you’d still have to work out where to surf each day. Choose the inclusions that matter to you, then compare like with like.
Who should NOT book a Bali surf camp
- Beginners who insist on surfing Uluwatu or Padang Padang. These reefs aren’t learner waves. Choose Canggu, or a camp that takes beginners to gentle spots.
- Anyone wanting a quiet, untouched beach in Canggu. It’s busy. Go to Medewi or Nusa Lembongan instead.
- Travellers with only a few days and a long-haul flight. The jet lag and travel time may eat most of your trip. Costa Rica may be closer for North Americans.
- People who can’t tolerate heat, humidity or traffic.
- Those unwilling to buy insurance that covers surfing. Reef cuts and scooter accidents are common reasons travellers need medical care.
Safety tips specific to Bali
- Reef cuts: clean them immediately and watch for infection. Pack antiseptic.
- Booties help on reef and around urchins.
- Respect the lineup. Bali’s breaks are crowded, so don’t drop in, and give way to locals.
- Scooters: only ride if you’re licensed and insured, and always wear a helmet.
- Sun: the tropical midday sun is intense, so use reef-safe sunscreen.
Ready to plan your Bali surf trip?
- Pick your area by level: Canggu or Pererenan for learners, Medewi for improving, the Bukit for experienced surfers, Lembongan for an island pace.
- Shortlist two camps from the table above.
- Check dates, inclusions and the cancellation policy on the booking page.
- Price flights and any transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bali good for beginner surfers?
Yes, if you choose the right area. Canggu, Pererenan and Kuta have beach and reef-sand breaks suited to learners, and camps on the Bukit take beginners to gentler spots. Avoid the shallow reef breaks such as Uluwatu and Padang Padang until you are experienced.
When is the best time to surf in Bali?
The dry season, roughly April to October, brings offshore winds to the west coast and the Bukit, making it peak season. The wet season, roughly November to March, favours the east coast. Beginners can learn year-round.
How much does a Bali surf camp cost?
In our directory, 4-day lesson camps start from about US$343 and 8-day surf-and-yoga retreats run from about US$759 to US$925, excluding flights. Prices change, so check the booking page.
Do Bali surf camps include airport transfers?
Some do. CARI 8-day, Medewi, Mondo and Pelan Pelan include them; CARI 4-day does not; In Da Surf charges about US$25. Check each listing.
Which Bali surf camp is best for intermediate surfers?
Medewi’s Green Wave guiding camp is designed for surfers already riding green waves, with small groups and video coaching on a long left-hand point.
Can I cancel a Bali surf camp booking?
Each camp sets its own deposit and cancellation terms on BookSurfCamps, and deposits are often non-refundable. Read the policy on the listing before you pay.
Prices, inclusions and availability change often. Always confirm the details on the booking page before you pay.