The 12 best surf spots in Bali for beginners

Introduction

Bali is a renowned surfing destination, offering a variety of waves suitable for surfers of all levels. For beginners, the island has several spots with gentle waves, perfect for learning the basics. Here’s a guide to the 12 best surf spots in Bali for beginners.

The different beginner surf levels

While the spots in this guide can all be considered beginner surf spots, some of the surf spots might not be suited for someone who is surfing for the very first time, but rather for beginners who have surfed a couple of times before. Therefore, before choosing a surf spot to surf at in Bali, start by understanding your surf level. For each spot in this guide I have listed what type of beginner it is suitable for.

1. Complete beginner

A “Complete beginner” to me is someone who has never surfed before, or maybe has just surfed a couple of times before. You’re focusing on learning the very basics, like standing up on the board in the whitewater. The focus for this level is to get comfortable on the board and catch your own whitewater waves without falling off the board.

2. Mid-beginner

A “Mid-beginner” to me is someone who has had a few surf sessions and can consistently stand up and ride the whitewater without any help. You’re ready to start exploring small green waves with help from an instructor. What you’re working on at this level is learning how to push through waves when paddling out to the lineup, doing the turtle roll, and catching small green waves with or without help.

3. Advanced beginner

An “Advanced beginner” is someone who is confident in the whitewater and is now progressing to catching and riding green waves consistently. You can paddle out to the lineup, you can read waves more effectively, and you’re starting to learn how to catch your own waves and turn the board on the wave.

In my opinion, the difference between an advanced beginner and an intermediate surfer is that an intermediate surfer can confidently navigate the lineup, consistently catch waves on their own, make controlled turns on the face of the wave, and adapt to varying surf conditions and types of breaks with a greater level of comfort and skill.

The 12 best surf spots in Bali for beginners

Here’s a comprehensive list of the best surf spots in Bali for beginners. Each of these spots offer something unique, making Bali a fantastic destination for beginner surfers.

Tip: Always check local surf reports before you go surfing

While these spots are generally considered beginner-friendly, conditions can vary. Always check local surf reports and/or consult with local surf schools or instructors to ensure a safe and enjoyable surfing experience. Otherwise you risk going out when the waves are either disappointingly flat or dangerously large.

South Bali - Kuta, Legian & Seminyak

Kuta, Legian and Seminyak in the south of Bali are home to some of the best surf spots in Bali for beginners. If you are a complete beginner, then these three areas are the areas I recommend you to start at. The waves here are consistent, and the sandy bottom makes it safer if, or when, you happen to fall off your board.

1. Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is one of the most famous and best surf spots in Bali for beginners. The long, sandy stretch offers consistent, gentle waves, perfect for learning the basics. Kuta Beach is also known for its surf schools, so if you’re looking to take your first lessons, this is a good place for it. As a complete beginner you can stay in the whitewater, and when you get to the level of starting to catch green waves you can go out a bit further to the so called lineup.

This spot can get really crowded, but if you go out with an instructor they’ll make sure you get some waves. Just be aware of your surroundings and try not to stay too close to other surfers, so that you don’t get injured or injure someone else with your board.

2. Legian Beach

Legian Beach is located just north of Kuta, in the area of Legian. Legian is definitely a more calm area than Kuta, and it’s considered one of the best surf spots in Bali for beginners who are surfing for the first time. The waves at this beach are similar to the waves in Kuta and you still have the soft and forgiving sand bottom. The beach is just a bit quieter, which means fewer crowds- which is nice if you prefer a bit more space to practice.

3. Seminyak Beach

Just a short distance further north from Legian you’ll find Seminyak Beach. I think the waves here are similar to those in Kuta and Legian, but I’ve heard that they might be slightly more challenging. During larger swells, you should be aware of the rip current that might occur. But I still think this is one of the best surf spots in Bali for beginners of all levels, and I would also say it’s not too crowded in the water. After your surf session, you can enjoy some of Bali’s best beach clubs and restaurants nearby.

South Bali - Canggu

A bit north of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak you’ll find Canggu. Canggu is a vibrant and fun area where there’s always something going on. It’s a popular place to stay for the younger crowds that want to party, meet people, work remotely, go to nice gyms or yoga classes, and also surf from time to time.

While it’s possible to surf in this area if you are a complete beginner, it’s slightly more challenging than Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, so be a bit careful.

4. Batu Bolong Beach

The best surf spot for beginners in Canggu is Batu Bolong Beach, which you can find right in front of the famous Old Man’s restaurant. Unlike Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, the bottom is not sand bottom here- it’s reef bottom. So, I actually don’t think it’s the best spot to surf at if it’s your first time surfing, just because I think it’s better to practice your first time at a spot that has sand bottom where you can land more softly when you fall and also to be able to stand on the sand bottom, practicing close to the beach in whitewater. But it’s up to you how confident you feel about it.

Batu Bolong has very nice, long waves that you can ride for quite a bit if you manage to stay on the wave. For a beginners’ spot, I think the waves can be a bit strong sometimes, so go out with an instructor if you’re still learning to handle stronger waves or if you don’t feel confident enough. There are plenty of surf schools and rental places on the beach.

5. Berawa Beach

If you want to surf in a less crowded place in the Canggu area, there’s a spot called Berawa Beach that you can try. It’s actually not located in Canggu, but in Berawa, which is an area very close to Canggu. You can find the beach right in front of Finns Beach Club.

I haven’t surfed here myself, but from what I’ve heard it’s also sometimes a bit powerful, even a bit more powerful than Batu Bolong. But it can still work for beginners- I’ve seen beginners surf there even on quite big days, just staying in the front in the whitewater.

Berawa Beach is a mixed break, consisting of both reef bottom on the outside, and sand bottom on the inside. There are three different spots in the water to surf at: the Peak, the Ledge and the Bombie. For beginners, the Peak is the best spot and this is also the spot that has sand bottom.

South Bali - Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu area)

The Bukit Peninsula is the southernmost tip of Bali. Right by the airport you’ll find Jimbaran Beach, and further down is Uluwatu- a famous surf town in Bali with plenty of surf shops and cafés around.

Uluwatu is a paradise for experienced surfers but a more challenging area for beginners due to the shallow reefs and powerful waves. However, there are a couple of spots near Uluwatu which are suitable for mid-beginners and advanced beginners. Complete beginners should not surf in the Uluwatu area. And definitely do not surf at the surf spot called Uluwatu– that’s for experienced surfers only (I have tried it with a coach on a smaller day and it was difficult and a bit scary)!

6. Jimbaran Beach

Jimbaran Beach is a mixed beach and reef break that offers mellow waves that are perfect for beginners. The beach is also less crowded, making it a peaceful spot to practice. However, this spot is inconsistent and works only with the right conditions, so make sure you read the surf forecast before heading out here.

7. Thomas Beach

My personal favourite surf spot in the Uluwatu area is Thomas Beach. It’s kind of a hidden gem, with white sand and secluded coves. It’s is a mix of sand and reef break- when you get into the water there’s sand, but I don’t think anyone really surfs where the sand is so I guess it’s mainly a reef break actually. In my opinion it’s the best surf spot in Bali for beginners in the Uluwatu area.

Not a lot of surfers go here, so you’ll definitely be able to catch some waves. I find that at many spots in Bali it’s kind of hard to get waves if you don’t have an instructor who helps you get them, because the crowds are so big that it’s hard to get a chance when you go out on your own. But at Thomas Beach I did not have that problem at all- there were plenty of waves for everyone.

Even on bigger days, this spot stays pretty manageable for beginners, so I think it’s almost always a good option to go here as a beginner. Some days it can get very small but I personally still enjoy that too, as long as it’s not flat of course.

8. Padang Padang Rights (Baby Padang)

Another great beginners’ surf spot in Uluwatu is the reef break Padang Padang Rights, or Baby Padang as it’s also called. Generally, when a surf spot has “Baby” in its name, it indicates that it’s a good spot for beginners. You have to pay an entrance fee to get to the beach- watch out for the monkeys on your way down to the beach so they don’t steal your things.

This spot usually gets very crowded, both on the beach which is very small, and in the water. Just like Thomas Beach I think this spot stays rather manageable even on bigger days. Not as manageable as Thomas Beach, but it’s still usually a quite reliable option for beginners on most days. When the waves at Thomas Beach are too small, you can try surfing at Baby Padang instead.

9. Dreamland Beach

Dreamland Beach is another good spot for beginner surfers in the Uluwatu area, but only when the conditions are small enough. I think it’s a good spot to go to on days when Thomas Beach and Baby Padang are too small. The waves are a bit bigger, but they are still soft and mellow. If you want to go out with an instructor I recommend Dede from Color of life surf school. His brother Edwin captures great videos too that can be analysed and if you buy them you can use them for your social media or just keep them as a memory.

Dreamland is a mixed sand and reef break, and the name really suits the waves- the waves here are so dreamy. Dreamland suits various levels of surfers so it can occasionally become rather crowded, but I think it’s at least better than Baby Padang in terms of crowd.

10. Balangan Beach

Balangan Beach is not as central as the other surf spots I’ve covered in Uluwatu. It’s a reef break that’s located a bit further away from the other spots, and it’s a more calm and quiet area that is more rural.

This spot is a bit more challenging than the other spots I have covered in the Uluwatu area. Only go here on smaller days and definitely don’t surf here during low tide as a beginner surfer. I recommend that you go out with an instructor- there are a couple of surf schools on the beach that you can take lessons with.

East Bali - Sanur

Sanur is a calm and relaxed area in east Bali that’s popular among older travellers and families. It’s a very beautiful fishing village with calm waters by the beaches, and to get to the surf you need to go out with a boat taxi. There are a couple of different spots that you can access with a boat taxi from Mertasari Beach in Sanur. The spot that is good for beginner surfers is called Baby Reef.

11. Baby Reef

As you can hear from the name, this is a reef bottom spot. I personally don’t think complete beginners should have their very first surfing experience at a reef break, so I recommend you have at least surfed a couple of times before coming here. I’ve heard several stories now of quite new surfers coming here and getting very frightened, coming out of the water crying. So, do yourself a favour and come here only once you’ve surfed a couple of times at a beach break.

Baby Reef is a sheltered spot, so it generally stays small even on bigger days. The waves are not so strong- they are rather mellow and long and fun. That’s why I love surfing here. There’s a section in the front where you can surf either really small waves or just the whitewater, and when you feel ready you can paddle out a bit further where the waves are slightly bigger.

In terms of crowd, this spot is usually just crowded during sunrise, because there’s less wind and probably also because the sunrise is just breathtaking here. From 9am onwards it usually (not always) calms down and there’s only a handful of people in the water. So you’ll have plenty of waves for yourself here almost the whole day, which is really amazing.

North-west Bali - Medewi

Medewi is a charming, quiet village located it north-west Bali, far away from the crowded areas of Bali. It’s the perfect escape from the more commercial surf spots and for times when you want to have a slower pace of life and just enjoy beautiful scenery and nature.

12. Medewi Beach

Medewi Beach is a stunning black sand beach which can be a fun spot for beginners on smaller days. There are rocks in the water though, so it might not be ideal if it’s your first time surfing. This spot is known for its long, mellow left-hand waves. If you manage to catch one and stay on it you can expect a long and fun ride!

The 12 best surf spots in Bali
for beginners

Post contents

Introduction

The different beginner surf levels

1. Complete beginner

2. Mid-beginner

3. Advanced beginner

The 12 best surf spots in Bali for beginners

Tip: Always check local surf reports before you go surfing

South Bali - Kuta, Legian & Seminyak

1. Kuta Beach

2. Legian Beach

3. Seminyak Beach

South Bali - Canggu

4. Batu Bolong Beach

5. Berawa Beach

South Bali - Bukit Peninsula (Uluwatu area)

6. Jimbaran Beach

7. Thomas Beach

8. Padang Padang Rights (Baby Padang)

9. Dreamland Beach

10. Balangan Beach

East Bali - Sanur

11. Baby Reef

North-west Bali - Medewi

12. Medewi Beach

Quiz: test your knowledge