A question about Bali, and suggestions for alternatives?

[Cezve]

Hey guys. Some friends and I have been planning a trip to Bali with all the doe-eyed enthusiasm of novice surfers. I've been reading on beginner friendly spots in Bali and noticed more than a few comments on pollution both on the beaches and in the water... especially in places like Kuta Beach. I don't know if these comments are exaggarated or true, and I'm not sure if this is a deal breaker. Is it possible to find easy, clean sandbreaks? Also how would the crowd would be during October? Can you share your experiences if you have visited Bali recently?

Also, in the case Bali is a no-go... any suggestions for some warm water surfing (boards shorts and rashguards) in October. We're situated in Europe, and I heard that October is a good season for most of the Europe, but for this trip we were thinking somewhere warm where we could surf wetsuit-free.

[billybomba]

Hey man,

Just got back from Bali about 2 days ago. My gf and I are novice/intermediate surfers as well and had an awesome time at Padang Padang. There's a surf camp there called "padang padang surf camp" which is very affordable and have great guides that really look out for you. Without them i'm sure we would have been trashed by the reef and had a miserable time not knowing the local knowledge of the breaks and currents. Padang is a reef break, which can be dangerous at times but no one in the group suffered anything serious outside a few cuts.

I don't know much about the other beaches, but we did go to Jimbaran which was a beach break. Very nice place with mellow waves and great restaurants on the beach.

I would highly recommend the area around Padang Padang if you can go. It's situated outside of the traffic and crowds of the city is a little more remote.

[jaffa1949]

Hey guys. Some friends and I have been planning a trip to Bali with all the doe-eyed enthusiasm of novice surfers. for this trip we were thinking somewhere warm where we could surf wetsuit-free.

I answer to your question for October, Bali is quite good, the areas to look are Dreamland Bingin and Jimbaran Bay area on the Bukit Peninsula.
Kuta can have beginners waves and has surf schools but can generate severe rips that are notorious for drowning unaware beach goers!

There is is better beginner friendly surf west along the coast at Medewi, Caangu out that way.

All water in Bali and Indonesia should be considered polluted just as it is considered in any SE Asia country! Don't swallow!.
Garbage and other rubbish and some effluent is in all the waterways and generally scattered around.Coral too can cause septic cuts and as it is the tropics good antiseptic and injury cleaning practices are important.
The other thing I'd say to anyone coming from Europe, who is a new surfer, you need to self sufficient in the water as there are not life saving services anywhere except parts of Kuta Beach. Other surfers often will save you but it is not a thing to rely on as they put themselves at risk to do that!

[Galiciabound]

I'm in Bali at the moment. Being a beginner I've limited myself to Kuta beach. It's been OK but quite crowded. You can find quieter spots along the beach but the waves tend to close out in these areas.

I'm not sure about pollution. It's been much worse when I've been here in the winter, probably due to the winds being onshore then. Saying that, I've a throat infection at the moment, but that might be down to a different reason

I'd suggest you base yourself in the Kuta area, everything you need is there, and rent motorbikes to get around to different spots. Hati-hati (be careful) though.

[Jorge Herrera]

hi if u change ur mind and u looking for another option i can suggest u to visit my country Peru in October i have many spots over the north with warm water that u can surf with out crowd also we have many options if u have any question just write me at my email is gonna be a pleassure to help u djpika (.) chu @ hotmail (.) com

[surferG]

Hey, I'm not spamming I genuinely stayed here and they were great people so just helping them out by posting this!
I just got back from Bali and went surfing with an awesome camp they were very professional got me amazing waves! knew all the un-crowded spots and all at about half the price of one of the big camps I stayed with last year who really dissapointed me :/
They were honest and got me the best deals unlike some of the expensive western run camps who earn western salaries they are an Indonesian and Western husband and wife who live to surf and they charge a local price too. Groups were kept to a minimum, I in fact had one to one attention so I was pretty happy and they were always giving me tips out in the water. But anyway I will stop blabbering on! I couldn't recommend them anymore really great experience. www.balisurfingguideindo.webs.com is their site n I think they do girls specific trips also they have a page on fb called "girls surf trips bali" Cheers

[surferG]

and BTW all the places we surfed had crystal clear water and they never pushed me in waves i was uncomfortable in, they cater for all levels. I stayed at Padang Padang surf camp last year and they were really overpriced and the guides were always dropping in on me I was very dissapointed that I spent so much but happy i found this place on my last trip its made me want to go back in October holidays too haha

[Blueroom]

The reality is that surfing now in Bali is overcrowded and very polluted.

After 16 years of travel to Bali I have had enough. Rubbish on the beaches and in the water, paddling through plastic bags and human waste not to mention the crowds. I have only visited Bali once without contracting some form of ear, nose and throat infection or stomch bug from the surf (my first ever visit) and I go twice a year. I have just arrived back with a throat virus which I still have after 4 weeks and a stomach bug (waiting for results from the lab for this one). No more for me or my familly. There has been a recent report carried out by Denpesar university and published in the Jakarta Post highlighting chemical pollution including lead in the water in unacceptabel levels at tourist beaches including Canggu.

If you are a novice, then sure go to Padang Padang on a small day. By 11 am you will be joined by around 50 other novice surfers on a small wave as they recover from their hangovers and make it to the Bukit on their scooters. Or go to Canggu and jostle with the other 100 novice surfers dropping in on every wave, not to mention the slick of human effluent (depending on tide and current).

All up, nowadays, there are lot better options than Bali. Sorry for not providing any other options and no, this is not an attempt to stop you travelling to Bali, but you should be prepared .Take some Immodium, general anti biotics with you and expect crowds. F me, its even crowded when there's no surf.