Surfing Waves

A surf buddy of mine is planning to go to Bali in December, and I thought someone here might have recommendations for him. Here's the hitch: he's meeting up with a non-surfing girlfriend, and it's NOT supposed to be a surf trip. So, he's looking for someplace beautiful and relaxing that just *might* happen to have a surfable wave in Dec. Also, is it easy to rent a board for the week or should he bring a board with him? Any suggestions? I already suggested that he find another girlfriend but he must not have heard me because he just stared a bit and then walked away.

I have friends , Aussie guy and Balinese wife, who have a nice small boutique villa resort at Bondalem, North Bali.
Very much like the older Bali!
It is away from the madness of Kuta and all the stuff there.
December is not the best time for surf in the Kuta come Bukit area so if he wanted. BigH and Tudeo might clue you in!

The place is called Villa Selina and can be google for a view and Facebook

They are on the Banda sea , have House surfboards and some small fun waves at times.
No disco, no drunken stagger homers, just a quiet village great Meals.
Girl friend impressing stuff!

He'd be better off indulging/lavishing his girlfriend with attention on this trip and stacking that positive relationship currency for when he can surf in conditions that are less like a glassy lake like it has been all week. That is when it's not raining with lighting flashes in the distance (double fatality in Canggu in the water last year so this is a real hazard). The amount of strain he'd put on the trip to rent a board, hire a driver/guide, actually go and surf is not nearly worth it as the waves this time of year are either terrible or non existent. Follow Jaffa's advice and tell him to stay where there is no surf at all, north Bali is wonderful even if on the coral sea with no waves.

I can confirm it has been a lake this weekend, I know it is out of season but I was hoping for something, stupid Bali lol

I think now you know the difference between surf seasons low shoulder high shoulder low! It is more about local windsystems and rain seasons than anything else.

Thanks for that. I think knowing that surfing is not a likely option helped resolve the conflict for him (and probably saved his relationship). I hope you guys get some waves soon!

Thanks but honestly this is the time of year to send boards to the shop and to do all the things neglected during the rest of the year.....plus it's the holidays and for all of us who are working in the tourist industry, high season coincides with low surf season which is handy as well.

Good times!

Sorry, Java Sea.....was doing homework with my girls and Coral sea stuck in the head....

surferbee wrote:...it's NOT supposed to be a surf trip... ...Also, is it easy to rent a board for the week or should he bring a board with him?...

Hmmm.. If he brings a board the girlfriend could get suspicious, if she's sharp...

Anyway, like the guys said december is not the best time to surf Bali. But there are plenty of waves (even though some spots can be flat, sorry mg100..) and it's not so crowded this time of year. Like Jaffa said mostly shoulder low, but you can get lucky, for next week I see overhead predictions.

It's mostly wind direction and (terrible) pollution and the real danger for lightning strikes that define surfing options. That said here are some options:
- Batu Bolong (west coast), lively (hipster) tourism, great offers for board rental, always waves but mainly onshore winds this time of year and very dirty water. Here was the guy killed by lightning last year (I thought the other guy survived?). Can be crowded, even this time of year..
- Sanur (east coast) for non hipster tourism and better wind conditions, great reefs but needs bit more swell or you'll be surfing very shallow waters. There are some board rentals but nothing like BB and you can find boats to bring you to surf spots in the area.
- There's Komune Resort at Keramas (east coast), nice resort in not so touristic area and world class wave. If it works it's crowded with high quality surfers.
- Then there's some east coast area's I'm not so comfortable mentioning in the public area because, well.. crowd control.

Thanks for the info, Tudeo, I'll pass it on!

Tudeo wrote: Hmmm.. If he brings a board the girlfriend could get suspicious, if she's sharp...

Yeah, not sure how he was planning to pull that one off. I think most likely he's in denial and there's a part of him that can't quite wrap his head around going to Bali and not going surfing. #notmyproblem #plentyofwaveshere

surferbee wrote:Thanks for that. I think knowing that surfing is not a likely option helped resolve the conflict for him (and probably saved his relationship). I hope you guys get some waves soon!

Death Valley is beautiful in December. Why not a trip to the desert?

Just,a relationship question. I wonder how many trade off surf and holiday trips have the surf bit curtailed for the other partner.
I know so many non surfers cannot understand what surfing means to a surfer who dedicated.
Warning rocky road ahead!

I would say better to take your chance considering this video

Of course you shouldn't expect challenging waves as well as in dry season but still you can catch some fun. Anyway it's ''challenging'' enough to impress a non-surfing girlfriend because the waves are free but acommodation is not. So better to push the boat out. Here's a tip: I usually use this site for various rental options for my travels, as they always have better ones and cheaper ones. Also it's so easy to get in touch with them. So, good luck to your friend

Thanks Gavirus82. How's the surfing in Novosibirsk?

It sounds like your friend is on the hunt for the perfect balance between a romantic getaway and sneaking in some surf time in Bali this December! Luckily, Bali offers the best of both worlds, with plenty of spots where beautiful scenery and surfable waves coexist, especially during December when the wet season can bring great swells to the west coast.

A spot that comes to mind is the area around Canggu. It's not only a surfers' paradise with various breaks suitable for different skill levels, but it's also a vibrant place where his non-surfing girlfriend can enjoy beautiful beaches, trendy cafes, and unique boutiques. Plus, renting a surfboard here is as easy as pie, with numerous rental shops offering boards for all levels at reasonable rates. Bringing a board along is an option, but considering the variety and convenience of rentals, it might be more hassle-free to rent locally.

For a slightly quieter and equally picturesque option, they might consider Bingin Beach on the Bukit Peninsula. It offers a laid-back vibe with crystal-clear waters, perfect for both surfing and relaxing days by the beach. The area is dotted with charming accommodations overlooking the ocean, ensuring a romantic backdrop for their stay.

And just a friendly reminder, while finding another girlfriend wasn't on the table, finding the perfect Bali experience certainly is! For more detailed recommendations on surf spots, board rentals, and must-visit places in Bali that cater to both surf enthusiasts and their non-surfing companions, I'd recommend checking out onbali.com. It's a treasure trove of local insights and tips to make the most out of a Bali trip, whether you're there to catch waves or just to soak up the island's tranquil beauty.

Hope this helps your friend have an unforgettable trip with the perfect mix of surf and romance!

This post works well since the original post was in 2018 possibly they are now married with kids , divorced? and it is now March 2024 December will come after the high surf season but of course all the surf spots mentioned are good, but will our love tourists realise how much has changed in Bali since 2018?

It also could have been an entry in an LP guide at any point over the last twenty years
Makes me wonder how much really has changed yet stayed the same in terms of crowds, pollution, and rampant commercialism since my ill fated love trip in '08. That relationship imploded, but I kept coming back. Guess it worked out

FWIW it feels like the population has doubled since the end of COVID. Not long before this place is avoided because it is really getting overcrowded in terms of what people imagine is here vs the new reality. New York is crowded but that's part of the charm; not so much here.

Kuta again, or just Canggu? Seemed like between 2015 to 2023, Kuta had just emptied out with everyone moving up to Canggu. I hear the Russian exodus is driving a land-villa boom up there too.

This is Ulus now; I think Canggu reached critical mass already. Whole area from Pandawa thru Ungasan down to Balagan thru Bingin out to Uluwatu. Covered with new construction and new people. Starting to look and feel alot like Canggu now. ...for better but mostly worse.