Bali, an island of breathtaking tropical and mountainous beauty, with activities for everyone and a variety of waves for all surfing kinds and skills. As a result, Bali is one of the best places in the world to combine a surf trip with a family vacation or a romantic retreat.
Bali is unique among Indonesia’s 2000 islands in that it is the only one where Hinduism is the prevalent religion. The Balinese love to celebrate, and many visitors will encounter a ceremonial parade while on the island, filling the streets with rhythmic drumming and magnificent costumes.
Bali Visa
When it comes to visas, you’re not obtaining a Bali visa, but an Indonesian one! Most nations (including the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States) provide a free 30-day visa on arrival but double-check with your embassy for the most up-to-date information.
A visa extension allows you to stay in Bali for up to 60 days; for more information, see our Bali Visa Extension Guide.
NOTE: As of March 2022, the VOA has been reinstated for a limited number of countries, and there are additional entrance requirements for CHSE Hotels and PCR testing, so make sure you are up to date on the most recent regulations before traveling.
How to Get Around
When it comes to navigating around Bali, you have a few options: private driver, Grab, local taxi, or renting a scooter.
Finding a good Bali driver is essential if you want to pursue the private driver route (the most convenient and comfortable in my opinion). Fortunately for you, we have our Ol’ Reliable Service from our good partner DiscovaBali, go check them out!
Renting a Scooter
If you’re going to be in Bali for a while and want the most flexibility, you should consider renting a scooter. This can be done directly with most hostels or guesthouses, although there are numerous rental locations across Bali.
For surfers, make sure to get one with a rack so you can easily get to all the breaks! The day rate is normally approximately 50,000IDR ($5AUD, £2.70, $3.50USD), but if you rent for a month or more, the price drops to around 800,000IDR ($80AUD, £44, $55USD), which works out to 26,000IDR per day (only $2.50AUD, £1.40, $1.80USD).
Accomodation Around Bali
You’ll be pleased to know that no matter what your taste or budget, Bali has lodging to suit you – from 5* villas to inexpensive backpacker hostels!
Hotels
There is a wide choice of hotels available across Bali for people seeking comfort and a touch of elegance. Expect to pay anything from $35USD/£25/$50AUD and $100s, depending on location and standard. Booking.com has the widest selection.
Hostels
If you’re on a tight budget and traveling alone, hostels are one of the finest places to meet new people and not break the bank. Again, there is a wide choice of hostels available, starting at $3.5USD/£2.5/$5AUD per night and going up to some sophisticated flashpacker options (like Kos One in Canggu) that offer greater luxury for roughly $17USD per night.
Guesthouses
This is our personal recommendation for Bali lodging. This not only benefits the locals, but if you’re staying for a week or more, it may also be the most cost-effective alternative! Don’t imagine you’ll be slumming it either; most have air conditioning and several even have pools!
Villas
Want to go all out and customize it? Are you traveling in a group? Renting a villa in Bali is another good option. Prices vary according to the size of the villa, season, and location, and can range from $105 USD per night to $1000’s!
FAQs on Surfing in Bali
How much does it cost to surf?
Local Beach Boy
Take a surf instruction from a beach kid – many locals will gladly assist you with this. The average price for one lesson is around $30-35 USD per person, but this is usually negotiable. The only issue is that while most locals are excellent surfers, few are excellent instructors. It is critical to be able to convey your knowledge and establish a distinctive method for each pupil.
A Surfing School
There are numerous surf schools in Bali for all skill levels that offer private, semi-private, or group lessons. The more lessons you take, the cheaper each lesson costs. For example, if you take 5 classes at Wave House surf school, you will pay approximately $39 USD per lesson plus expert instructor and post-lesson photo or video analysis. Each group consists of 4-5 members. Behind the scenes: travel to a surf area, soft beverages, surf gear rental, surf attire and towels. Finally, you will receive advice from teachers that will make your future surfing adventure smoother.
Surf Camp
A surf camp combines a hotel and a surf school. You simply reserve a bed in a dorm room or the entire room, and classes are already included in the cost of living. You reside and explore the island with other visitors, and you go surfing with experienced instructors every day. All transfers to and from locations are already included. Wave House surf camp has a variety of housing types; a bed in a dorm room at Wave House costs $360 USD for a week, and $650 USD for two weeks. The longer you stay, the lower your weekly rate and the more you surf!
Check out our guide on the best surf camps in the island : 5 Best Bali Surf Camp Guide – Beginner to Expert Surf
Where to Get Surfing Gear and Boards?
Renting a Surfboard
The first rule is that the longer you rent it out, the less you pay. Renting a board for $4 USD and up allows you to have fun while dealing with coincidences. It could be ancient, fixed 100 times, or simply ‘not yours’ – the feeling you get when you can’t get along with a board.
Purchasing a surfboard
If you wish to have your own surfboard, you can get a new or used one. In Bali, there are numerous surf stores where you can select a board in the shape and color of your choice. A new shortboard costs around $400 USD, depending on the brand. Longboards are priced starting at $700 USD.
Surfing will require more than just a surfboard. You’ll need swimwear if you’re not planning to surf naked. Boardshorts/bikinis from a well-known surf brand will cost between $40 and $50 USD. Lycra that protects your skin from sunburn or rush will cost you between $30 and $40 USD. A wetsuit is required for cold water: A jacket will cost around USD 50, a spring suit will cost between $100 and $150, and a full wetsuit would cost around USD 250.
The price of a wetsuit is determined by its thickness and brand. Prepare to spend at least USD 500 on a tailored wetsuit. You will also need a leash and a pad, both of which cost USD 20. Don’t forget that every surfboard requires wax, which costs roughly $5 USD. If you surf frequently, surf wax should last at least two weeks.
Fins. A cheap set of three fins costs $50 USD, whereas a nice set, such as Future fins, costs $150 USD. A single fin costs approximately $100 USD.
A board bag is a must-have for every Bali surf vacation. For short outings, a basic board ‘a sock’ is required to keep your board out of the sun. The’sock costs around $15 USD. Larger bags for aircraft start at $100 USD. Board bags with wheels are the most expensive, with costs beginning at $200 USD.
Do you think you’ve gotten over Bali? Go on an Indonesian tour! Lombok, the Gilli Islands, Nusa Lembongan, and Sumbawa are the closest places from Bali surf vacation. Prices for a week of surfing there range from $100 to $150 USD. Trips to other islands might cost up to $700 USD. G-Land, of course, is a dream surf place. Bali surf vacation rates are not inexpensive.
First and foremost, you’ll need a surfboard, followed by a solid surf school or camp. To improve your surfing and try new waves, you will need to travel a bit, which will undoubtedly drain your bank account. But in exchange, you will receive wonderful emotions and life experiences!
