You’re in Bali. You’re at the beach. Surfers are catching waves left, right, and centre. “That’s cool,” you think to yourself. Well, that could totally be you. Bali isn’t just a surfing mecca in Southeast Asia, they’re a hotbed for surf schools for those who’ve always wanted to pick up the sport.
From private sessions that cost less than S$15/pax to intensive surf camps, we’ve rounded up 8 surf schools in Bali for your first lesson:
What else to do in Bali:
Serial hobbyists will know that picking up something new can be costly, especially when it involves specialised equipment. So we completely understand holding back on learning surfing just in case it isn’t something you really fancy.
Image credit: 27 Surf Bali
Enter 27 Surf Bali, which has some of the most affordable surf lessons available in Bali. Private 1-on-1 lessons cost just IDR150,000 (~S$14.20) for 2 hours and come with all that you need to get started.
Image credit: @27surfschoolbali
You’ll get access to a surfboard and even a rashguard (swim shirt) to protect you from the elements like the sun and seawater. Just show up in your best bathing suit and bring a towel so you can dry off after hitting the water.
Book a surfing lesson with 27 Surf Bali.
2-hour private session (1 pax): IDR150,000/pax (~S$14.20)
Address: Jalan Raya Pantai Kuta No. 27X, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Sat-Sun 7.30am-6pm
Contact: +62 812 3980 2650 | 27 Surf Bali website
A question oft asked by 21st century philosophers: If a millennial did something cool but didn’t post it on IG, did he actually do it? At Pulau Biru Surf, you’ll get all the evidence you need of you hanging ten to take home after your surf session. Best of all, this film footage is free.
Image adapted from: Pulau Biru Surf～ One On One Class
Your surf instructors will have GoPros attached to them to capture your surfing experience from the minute you’re able to stand on the board.
Image adapted from: Pulau Biru Surf～ One On One Class
For those serious about improving themselves in the sport, the GoPro footage is a great way to review your stances and learn from mistakes. Of course, you could upload this onto IG too, just to brag to your pals of the waves you conquered during your lessons.
Book a surfing lesson with Pulau Biru Surf.
1-hour group session (2-3 pax): IDR250,000/pax (~S$23.55)
1-hour private session (1 pax): IDR300,000/pax (~S$28.36)
Address: Jalan Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: 8am-6.30pm, Daily
Contact: +62 823 3255 7253 | Pulau Biru Surf Facebook
So you’ve mastered popping up, standing up, and riding smaller waves, and now you’re ready to surf with the big boys. Before you dive into deeper waters, hang on for a mo’. You might want to sign up for intermediate and advanced lessons at Odysseys Surf School first.
Nail more complicated surf tricks like shredding with advanced lessons.
Image credit: Odysseys Surf School – Bali
The intermediate course is designed to build up your confidence in carving out waves on your own, and even picking up speed in larger swells. Then, level up by progressing to the advanced course, where you’ll learn how to manoeuvre through various waves in style.
There are a variety of surfboards you can rent, including longboards and funboards.
Image adapted from: Odysseys Surf School – Bali
Each course takes about 3-4 days to complete, with sessions lasting about 2.5 hours only. That means there’s still plenty of time to spend the rest of the day island hopping in Bali. But if you want to continue surfing – by all means, go for it. The boards are yours to rent from IDR50,000/hour (~$4.73).
Book a surfing lesson with Odysseys Surf School.
2-hour group session (3-4 pax): IDR350,000/pax (~S$33.07)
2-hour private session (1 pax): IDR450,000/pax (~S$42.50)
1-day intermediate/advanced private session (1 pax): IDR450,000/pax (~S$42.50)
Board rental: From IDR50,000/hour (~S$4.73)
Address: Jalan Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: 8am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +62 817-550-021 | Odysseys Surf School website
If the offspring are feeling FOMO from mum and dad going surfing on their own, bring them along for your next lesson at Nuna Surfing School.
Image credit: @balinunasurf.15
Kiddos as young as 3 years old can sign up for beginner lessons here. Rest assured, these classes are safe, as they are conducted 1-on-1, so that instructors have their full attention on the younglings.
Image credit: @balinunasurf.15
For those that take to surfing as they do breathing, Nuna Surfing School also offers intermediate classes to bolster skills out in the water.
Book a surfing lesson at Nuna Surfing School.
2-hour group session (3 pax): From IDR300,000/pax (~S$28.31)
2-hour couples session (2 pax): From IDR300,000/pax (~S$33.03)
2-hour private session (adult or child): From IDR400,000/pax (~S$37.74)
Address: Jalan Arjuna, Legian, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: 8am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +62 877 0217 3153 | Nuna Surfing School website
Kids of the ’90s, you folks probably remember all the cool kids buying their tees and swimwear from Rip Curl. Guess what – the surfwear brand doesn’t just supply surfer dudes with their duds, they also teach the sport at Rip Curl School Of Surf.
Image credit: Rip Curl School of Surf Indonesia
The surfing lessons take place at Sanur, which is better known for its reef break surfing. It’s slightly harder than beach break surfing, but this just means you’ll be more attuned to handling your board by the end of just one session.
Stand-up paddleboarding.
Image credit: @ripcurlschoolofsurf
And it’s not just surfing that they teach at Rip Curl. The school also has courses on kite surfing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and diving. Lessons are on the pricier side from IDR770,000/pax (~S$72.70), but there are glowing reviews for its instructors and professionalism that we think is worth the money.
Book a surfing lesson at Rip Curl School Of Surf.
2-hour group session: From IDR770,000/pax (~S$72.70)
2-hour private session (1 pax): From IDR1,210,000/pax (~S$114.20)
Address: Prama Sanur Beach Hotel Bali, Jalan, Cemara, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Contact: +62 851 0003 8445 | Rip Curl School Of Surf website
If you’ve been surfing for a while, you’ll know that waves differ from location to location, even around the same beach. For beginners just getting the hang of their sea legs, you’ll want smaller, manageable waves rather than big kahunas that are tough to navigate.
Image credit: @malibusurfschoolbali
Now you can leave it to the pros at Malibu Surf School Bali to suss out waves for you with their surf guiding classes. Local surfers take the reins here to assess factors like weather, reef breaks, and even your skill level to bring you to the best surf spots of the day. This way, you’ll spend more time surfing and less time paddling on your belly.
Image credit: @malibusurfschoolbali
Surf guiding is best suited for those who already know how to surf. But for those who can’t, Malibu Surf School Bali also offers beginner classes from IDR400,000/pax (~S$37.74).
2-hour group session (3-4 pax): IDR400,000/pax (~S$37.74)
2-hour couples session (2 pax): IDR450,000/pax (~S$42.50)
2-hour private session (1 pax): IDR550,000/pax (~S$51.90)
Address: La Cabane Balangan Beach, Jalan, Pantai Balangan, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: 6am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +62 878 3454 8641 | Malibu Surf School Bali website
Like any skill, constant practice is the only way to get really good, really fast. Over at Wave House, you’ll eat, sleep, breathe, and live surfing for those who want to be a champion surfer by the end of their trip to Bali.
Surf camps are a quick way to meet new people who share the same interests in surfing.
Image credit: Wave House – Surf School & Camp
Wave House offers surf camps for all skill levels, where student surfers are put through intensive coaching daily. The itinerary even includes yoga and fitness training to strengthen your core, surfing theory classes, and even free board rentals throughout your entire stay.
Deluxe room for 2 pax.
Image credit: Wave House – Surf School & Camp
When you’re done with the day’s training, retire to your beach resort-style room for some R&R. Otherwise, check out the other facilities like the swimming pool, pool table, and chill-out bar. There are even social events in the evenings for guests to get to know each other.
Shared dorm room: From IDR720,000/pax per night (~S$68.08)
Private room: From IDR1,120,000/pax per night (~S$105.93)
Address: Discovery Villas, Jalan Subak Sari No. 100, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: 9am-7pm, Daily
Contact: +62 812 4690 2423 (WhatsApp only) | Wave House website
Despite the name of this place, there won’t be much wiping out when you’re in the hands of instructors who more than 10 years of teaching experience. At Enjoy Wipeout, lessons are adapted according to your personal abilities – whether you’re starting from scratch or not.
Image credit: @enjoy_wipeout
This means instructors don’t just go through the basic motions to get you standing on the board. They also suss out waves that will help you progressively get better at surfing. Since all lessons are conducted 1-on-1, you’ll also be able to receive much more detailed feedback on how to improve your technique.
2-hour private session (1 pax): IDR400,000/pax (~S$37.74)
Address: Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong No.100, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: +62 878 5290 0489 | Enjoy Wipeout website
Surfing’s one of those activities that’s on everyone’s bucket list, and now you can finally cross it off on your next trip to the Indonesian isle.
And it’s one of those skills that’s like riding a bike. Even if it’s been years since you last surfed, the muscle memory kicks in once you hop onto a board. Of course, you could easily book a refresher lesson to get reacquainted with the waves once more.
More water activities:
Cover image adapted from: @27surfschoolbali, Wave House – Surf School & Camp, @balinunasurf.15
Prices start from $10.
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