If you love surfing, then there’s a whole world out there for you to explore. And if you want to take the trip of a lifetime and spread your wings beyond Europe, then one of the first destinations you should consider is Bali. It’s home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world and is a fabulous place to visit in its own right.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about surfing in Bali: top beaches, travel advice, and why insurance cover is an absolute must.
Why is surfing in Bali so great?
Bali is a popular surfing spot for many reasons. First among them is the sheer variety of surfing options: as you’ll read below, there are literally dozens of surfing locations and camps to explore, many of which are in easy reach of the main city, Denpasar. Next is the versatility of those locations: whether you’re just starting out on your surfing adventure, or you’re more experienced, you’ll find plenty of choice to suit your ability. Add in low costs while you’re out there and warm weather all-year round, and it’s easy to understand the appeal of surfing in Bali.
When is the best time of year to go?
Most of the year will offer at least some good surfing conditions in Bali, but naturally certain times are better than others. The ‘dry’ season weather-wise is from May to September, which is when the spots on the west coast tend to offer the best conditions. If you go during the rainy season between November and March, then the east coast surf is generally preferable. Don’t be too put off by the rainy season: it can be considerably cheaper to go at that time of year, and the tropical climate means that the air and water are still nice and warm.
Which are the best surfing locations?
The standout choice for all abilities is Kuta Beach to the south-west of Denpasar, close to the airport: it’s rated as one of the best surfing beaches in the world and within good reason. As well as delivering consistently good surf conditions, there are also a variety of different instructors and surf schools that provide lessons for beginners here. Head a little way to the south and there are also some excellent reef breaks either side of the airport runway if you’re more experienced.
Over on the east coast, Keramas is a regular location for professional surfing competitions. This is a must-do if you want to test yourself against the best. And if you want a quieter location off the beaten track, then try the Green Bowl (but watch out for the current!).
What travel arrangements should I make?
The first bit of good news is that UK nationals don’t need to make a visa application in advance of a trip to Indonesia. Instead, you’ll be given a tourist visa on arrival that lasts for 30 days, and costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (around £25-30). You can apply to extend this to 60 days if you plan to stay for a longer period of time.
However, at the time of writing (March 2023), Indonesia still requires all arrivals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Any other visitors must be able to demonstrate proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 30 days along with a negative PCR test. As with all COVID-related travel requirements, these may be subject to change, so make sure you check up-to-date information before you book and before you travel.
Flights
As a popular tourist destination in its own right, there are plenty of flight options available into Ngurah Rai International Airport, which serves Bali. There aren’t any direct flights to Bali from the UK, but there are many leading airlines with which you can book connecting flights (for example, Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, KLM via Amsterdam, or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul).
If you’re combining your trip with some other destinations in south-east Asia or even Australia, then Bali is also served by a variety of low-cost carriers that can help you get from one place to another.
Accommodation
Bali has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury resorts and villas to low-cost guest houses that tend to be run by families. Many of them will be well-drilled in catering for surfers, and may well have dedicated storage areas for your board and equipment. Make sure you check with the premises in advance to find out what their specific arrangements are.
Equipment
This is one of the big decisions to make: do you bring your own board with you, or rent one when you’re there? If you take your own board, this gives you the benefit of not having to get familiar with new equipment, but there will naturally be an extra cost to take it on your flight(s). If you rent, then you’ll be able to save money – board rental is normally no more than a couple of pounds an hour – and this is potentially more suitable for beginners.
Some surfers prefer to buy a board while they’re out there, although they may not have the same build quality that you might expect at home. On the other hand, Bali is an excellent place to pick up surfing kit and accessories at bargain prices that you can take home with you.
Insurance
Accidents and injuries can happen whilst surfing in Bali, as they can in any location. The difference in this case is that Indonesia is a developing country where the quality of healthcare provision and facilities can be poor. Additionally, many surfing locations can be relatively remote, meaning it can take a lot of time and cost a lot of money to get emergency help if required.
If you or a companion gets seriously hurt whilst on your trip, then it is possible that an emergency transfer to a larger healthcare facility in Indonesia may be required. Taking out Insurance cover before you travel is essential as the cost of healthcare can run into tens of thousands of pounds, which is unaffordable for most tourists.
Get surfing insurance with SportsCover Direct
At SportsCover Directwe provide specialist surfing insurance that keeps you covered for every eventuality if you choose to go surfing in Bali. With our policies you’ll be protected for medical expenses, personal liability, travel disruption, and if your luggage or equipment is subject to loss, damage, or theft.
Take a closer look at our competitively priced policies for surfing travel here.