Living and surfing in Bali

[alegz]

Hello everyone , I'm planning a Bali trip between April - September 2019. I'm a beginner/intermediate and have surfed some smaller reefs. By now it's only been a few two weeks trips with looong breaks in between, so I'm looking to stay longer and improve.

Would you be able to recommend some good area in Bali for learning? Is Bukit only for advanced surfers? I'm not much into partying, but I will be looking for a decent villa so I can work on my computer in the afternoons. Also, is it possible to find a nice place to rent after my arrival, or is Bali so busy that I have to book in advance?

Cheers,
Aleks

[Big H]

That is high season.....consistently big waves, strong currents, competitive lineups. Not a learner's paradise. If you are bound and determined to come here during this period Kuta beach will offer plenty of challenge for you while still having lifeguard overwatch.

Bali had 3.4m visitors from Jan to July last year (thanks google). Book in advance, well in advance.

[alegz]

Not a learner's paradise.

You mean Bukit, or all Bali?

[jaffa1949]

Let's give you a genuine heads up, April to October is prIme surf and high season time.
The best surfers from Australia all over head there, and outer islands, Bali sadly is a Mecca for the worse of Australian Tourist, male and female obnoxious, opinionated, argumentative, and conspicuously drunk!
There is a fair amount of similarly behaving vexatious of other nationalities. so book well in advance.
Maximum visa or non visa entry as a tourist 30 days, immigration needs to know living Arrangements.
You can extend visa by flying out to Kuala Lumpah or Singapore and returning.

[Big H]

Not a learner's paradise.

You mean Bukit, or all Bali?

All of Bali during high season....you'll have smaller days but then everyone in the same boat as you who can't surf during most of the week will descend on the breaks that are the most gentle and beginner friendly.


Pretty much the same all year around anymore.........beginner friendly days and breaks will for sure be super crowded and unruly pretty much anywhere around here.

[alegz]

Thank you for your responses. Is there a learner's paradise somewhere in the world anymore? Uncrowded and with consistent waves? I've been preparing for this trip for a while now, but maybe I could go somewhere else

[waikikikichan]

I'm a beginner/intermediate

Is there a learner's paradise somewhere in the world anymore?

But you don't need a Learner's paradise if you are currently a Beginner/Intermediate surfer.

Uncrowded and with consistent waves?

You are asking for too much. Just like the restaurants that serve good food at reasonable prices are crowded, if the waves are good, it's going to be crowded. Unless it's dangerous to get in and out, or if there's people shooting at you. ( So maybe another criteria should include "Safe" )

Why don't you consider Waikiki ? Hawaii is the birthplace of modern surfing. Waikiki is the best place for learners and the waves are consistent enough for you to get long rides.

[alegz]

I guess I'll do whatever everyone else does - try to find my way on crowded spots

Why don't you consider Waikiki ?

More difficult to get a visa + the costs of living are about 7 times higher than where I come from

[jaffa1949]

Could be an interesting answer if we knew where you are coming from.

Do consider this though, warm water, beginner easy surf, surfing is aworld wide lifestyle sport any one who wants to learn( say the young population of Europe) head to where the search pioneers have already been and set up surf school camps etc where the can go from to the even better breaks. The not even secret any spots!

Sorry 20 to 40 years too late though Bali is still a goodish option.
Further out in the Archipelago there are still discoveries but you dedication and there will be no WiFi .

[alegz]

Could be an interesting answer if we knew where you are coming from.

I am from Poland

Sorry 20 to 40 years too late though Bali is still a goodish option.

Thank you, I'll try to work with what's available.

Further out in the Archipelago there are still discoveries but you dedication and there will be no WiFi .

I need WiFi to work remotely as a programmer, but this is a nice option for the times I don't have to work

[jaffa1949]

Consider too beyond Bali either east or west and the further you go involves boat or Indo ferry transport or dodgy air flights then rough road transport then ferries across to other islands. Most surf camps are away from cities and anything like reliable WiFi.
Bali and maybe Lombok might suit your needs.

Another thing to be aware of is you need to self sufficient in your own safety. Surf can jump in size ridiculously over a couple of of hours, without warning . Be Prepared.

Another question where have you surfed already? We can give you a preparatory heads up,on any differences!

[alegz]

Thank you for being so helpful!

I've surfed 3 times on Fuerteventura, once in Batu Karas (Java) and once in Sri Lanka - each trip was about 2 weeks. I will be traveling with my girlfriend though, who is still a bit afraid of going out to the unbroken waves. I'm definitely going to look for a local guide for the both of us at the beginning.

I think I've made my decision that it's gonna be Bali, the question is - in which area to live (so it's not too far away to the surfspot every day)? I've read that there are suitable places for intermediate surfers on Bukit, but I'm not sure if it's true.

My understanding is that other options are Kuta and Canggu.

[jaffa1949]

Forget the Bukit, of the breaks you posted Medewi is your best option but that is entirelyin th opposite directionless of Kuta a left hand river mouth break not Reef but a boulder beach.
Good long wave.less crowded but a Japanese favourite.

Kuta is miles long beach breaks and strong rips and changes its nature with the tide and serious size jumps to catch you
Staying in Kuta unless you are truly beachside, going by Bemo,kjang or taxi is no picnic , full on traffic jam.
Medewi just a stroll to the break.
Bukit is also accommodation expensive and homestays may not be as represented in the cheaper options.

At least you have some idea of Indonesia from your Java stay.

Tidak Apa Apa

[dtc]

Just to add to Jaffa's comments, 'intermediate' surfer in that link doesnt mean 'stands up and goes down the line'. It means can do top and bottom turns, cutbacks and snaps, happy in overhead waves, fit, can duck dive etc. Basically people who have been surfing for 10 years or since they were 10 years old. Sure if the waves are waist high some of those are probably fine for your level, although you will have 80 other people out at the same time

Not to say you cant ever surf in those places; but maybe spend a bit of time in easier locations and get fit and more skilled. Then give them a go

[KitesurferAU]

I would suggest to go to Canggu (Batu Bolong / Old Man's bar), it's crowded but waves are very friendly (you have to go on high tide and be on a longboard).

There are some surf schools and camps around this area as well

[alegz]

Forget the Bukit, of the breaks you posted Medewi is your best option

It means can do top and bottom turns, cutbacks and snaps, happy in overhead waves, fit, can duck dive etc.

Ok, this clears things up for me

I would suggest to go to Canggu (Batu Bolong / Old Man's bar), it's crowded but waves are very friendly (you have to go on high tide and be on a longboard).

I've just watched some videos on youtube, it looks like these waves are rolling gently and endlessly

Thanks for help everyone, I can't wait to get there

[Big H]

Another thing to be aware of is you need to self sufficient in your own safety. Surf can jump in size ridiculously over a couple of of hours, without warning . Be Prepared.

I in terms of surfing and water skills I'd back this comment the most vehemently.......every big swell has bodies turning up and it is not uncommon at all for persons to be swept out to sea or to drown especially in the stretch of beach staring in Kuta going up through Legian, Padma and past Ku de Ta. Like Jaffa said in another post, rips pop up and they are river strong, shift and are wide, waves can be quite big and after you clear Kuta you get full force swell from Padma on up. To the point, being an intermediate or otherwise considered competent surfer here means being able to deal with these things, having the fitness, ocean knowledge, and experience to maintain the necessary calm when things go wrong.....nothing at all about what you're doing when you stand up on the board and everything about what happens once you get slammed, leash breaks and you're just off a rip with a longshore pushing you into it 200m offshore......that and how to read the waves and beach so that you will not to be in that spot in the first place.

I still stand by Kuta as being the place to go as a learner during high season in south Bali.....not out back and not alone, but the reforms on the right tides are just about right to learn on; not as powerful, smaller in size and you'll have plenty of company.

[jaffa1949]

And don't wear green board shorts or rashy!

[alegz]

And don't wear green board shorts or rashy!

I know, the gods might get angry

[jaffa1949]

And don't wear green board shorts or rashy!

I know, the gods might get angry

No it's about getting dead lucky, the Goddess Nyi Loro Kidul ( she is the goddess of the southern seas) takes young men wearing offering colours, green, as lovers This means drowning!
The belief is strong enough that coastal hotels have a room dedicated to her. Those who haven't have had a tsunami come through!