Bali is known for its pristine beaches and surfing swells of various characters. It’s what attracts so many visitors to this small island. If you’re new to surfing and feel overwhelmed by all the advice on where to taste your first waves, look no further! There are many surfing spots in Bali, but you don’t have to go on a cross-country trip to find them. One general area around Seminyak will provide the perfect range of waves. Even if you’re an advanced surfer, you don’t have to go too far from Seminyak to find larger swells and challenging pipelines. Here are the surfing spots you’re looking for.
Kuta, where you get your first adrenaline rush
For absolute beginners, Kuta’s friendly small waves that break into gentle white water can help you gain traction on your first longboard. At medium to low tide, from 3 pm onwards, you can learn to balance the surfboard to avoid falling off it so easily. If you feel confident enough, return to Kuta beach in the morning, say 9 to 10 am during the highest tide. You don’t have to tackle the big swells yet, but if you’re looking to learn quickly, pick knee-deep water and wait for slightly more challenging white water. Surfing instructors often invite beginners to learn at this time for a steeper learning curve and a thrilling experience of mastery!
Seminyak, where you’re just getting started
Seminyak might be an uptown, quiet and classy town, but its shores have an opposite character. At low tide (3 pm onwards), you can surf as a beginner (with some prior experience) with waves double the size of that in Kuta. The high tide waves aren’t that different from that in Kuta. Don’t shy away from going behind the breaks, that is, trying to reach the point before the swells break. Up until this point, you will feel increasingly harder forces of white water, and you might need to learn to swim underneath the waves. But once you get to that point, you will be rewarded with a good waiting point where you can choose the size of the wave you want to surf on. At high tide, this point isn’t that far from the beach, so the challenge is considered safe.
Canggu’s Echo Beach, where you hone your skills
Once you’re ready to leave the nest, drive up to Echo Beach in Canggu, just 20 minutes from Seminyak. This beach isn’t just one your friend posted on Instagram, with its white sand and spectacular sunset, it also hosts some of the most varied waves in Bali, for beginners and experts. Expert surfers should note that the surfing spot is considered world-class, with 1 – 2.5 meter swell at the middle to high tides around 8 am to 1 pm. The best waves are dominantly left, but smaller gentler waves go right. Beginners can enjoy waist-tall white water that gives them a nice, long surf towards the shore. Intermediates with at least a full month of surfing experience can enjoy taller swells at low tide, and experts can enjoy the smoothest pipeline they can find, without swimming too far off the shore.
Where to stay
To visit these spots, you need strategic accommodation. The Colony Bali is situated just a few paces away from Seminyak’s fine beaches. With the beach at your doorstep, you can go for a ‘morning surf’ as often as you go for a morning jog. With enough practice, you can become better at surfing, without having to drive hours across the island.