Best Beginner Surf Camps in Bali
Why Bali is the Perfect Place to Catch Your First Wave
Bali is not just a world-class destination for pro surfers; it is also one of the best and friendliest places on earth to learn how to surf. With miles of forgiving, sandy-bottom beaches in Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, alongside dedicated beginner spots in Canggu and Uluwatu, the island offers the perfect gentle white-water waves to get you standing on a board on your very first day.
However, as a first-timer, safety and patient coaching are your top priorities. Some travelers want a completely hassle-free holiday in a beginner-friendly surf camp, while others have already booked their hotel and simply need the most patient, highly-rated surf school on the beach. We have categorized the best beginner surf camps and schools across Bali below, based on thousands of verified Google reviews, to help you choose the safest and most supportive environment for your first surfing adventure.
Category 1: Beginner Surf & Stay (All-Inclusive Camps)
Best for: Absolute beginners who want a completely hassle-free holiday where accommodation, board rental, and dedicated coaching are all bundled together in a safe environment.
Category 1.1: Social & Vibrant Vibe
Best for: Solo travelers and outgoing beginners who want to learn to surf while enjoying a lively atmosphere, meeting new friends, and staying right next to easy, beginner-friendly waves.
1. Kima Surf Camp Bali Seminyak
📍Seminyak Jalan Camplung Tanduk Gang Puri Kubu II No. 63B, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +628113944332 🕒 Check-in: 14:00 | Check-out: 12:00 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned for solo travelers and absolute beginners, Kima Surf Camp Seminyak offers a completely hassle-free “Surf & Stay” holiday with an incredibly vibrant community atmosphere. You do not need to worry about logistics—everything from airport pickups to structured 5-day beginner surf courses is seamlessly organized before you even arrive. The camp features beautiful pools, cozy dorms, and top-tier surf guides who provide personalized support in the water along with daily video analysis to ensure rapid progression. Beyond the waves, Kima Seminyak truly shines because of its dedicated “Social Hosts” (like Julia, Ricarda, and Katie) who organize daily events ranging from sunset yoga and volleyball to BBQ nights. This makes it the ultimate destination for outgoing beginners who want to learn to surf while effortlessly meeting new friends from around the world.
“While Kima Seminyak offers an incredible 5-day beginner course, past guests highly recommend being mindful of the season you choose to visit. During the wet season (around March), the local Seminyak beach break can suffer from severe water quality issues, with trash in the water occasionally causing ‘Bali Belly’. The pro-tip: If you visit during the rainy season and the local beach is polluted, take full advantage of the camp’s free shuttle service! The guides can drive you to other stunning, cleaner beaches around the island so you can surf safely. Also, don’t forget that you can actually download the footage from your video analysis sessions to keep as a memory!”
2. Elsewhere Surf Camps Bali Canggu
📍 Jalan di tempat lain No.9, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +6282144092589 🕒 Check-out: 11:00 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly designed for absolute beginners who want to drop their bags and immediately feel like part of a family, Elsewhere Surf Camps offers a completely hassle-free “Surf & Stay” holiday. You don’t need any prior experience or your own equipment; everything is bundled together in a highly structured, safe environment featuring a rare 2-to-1 student-to-coach ratio. Beyond the intensive coaching and daily video analysis, Elsewhere shines in its incredibly vibrant social scene. It is the ultimate haven for solo travelers, famous for its daily communal dinners at one iconic long table that makes meeting new friends effortless. With dedicated social hosts organizing nightly activities from sunset walks to parties, you will learn to surf by day and enjoy an unforgettable, lively community by night.
“If you are a solo traveler looking to mingle, past guests universally recommend Elsewhere for its unbeatable social atmosphere. However, don’t let the word ‘party’ scare you away if you value your rest! Reviews confirm that while the camp offers a vibrant social calendar and occasional parties, it maintains a perfect balance that does not disrupt the peace of the hostel or ruin your sleep before an early surf session. Two quick pro-tips: do not miss the daily communal dinners as they are the ultimate ice-breaker, and be aware that the top bunk beds in the shared dorms are unusually high (though completely safe!).”
3. Wave House Surf Camp
📍 Discovery Villas Jl. Subak Sari No.#100, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +6281246902423 🕒 Check-in: 15:00 | Check-out: 1200 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Wave House Surf Camp delivers the ultimate “Surf & Stay” holiday for absolute beginners and solo travelers who want a premium, completely hassle-free experience. You don’t need to worry about logistics—accommodation, delicious daily meals, surf gear, and structured coaching are all seamlessly bundled together. Nestled in a beautifully designed tropical oasis with two pools, the camp perfectly balances a highly social, vibrant atmosphere with luxurious relaxation. Professional instructors prioritize your safety and group you by skill level, offering daily in-depth video analysis to ensure rapid progression. Out of the water, the exceptionally warm staff organize regular social events and BBQs, making it effortless for solo travelers to build a community and make lifelong friends.
“Wave House offers a fantastic all-inclusive experience, but past guests share a few crucial tips to help you set the right expectations. First, the camp is located in a quiet area a bit further inland, so you will need to use Gojek/Grab to reach the beach or the bustling center of Canggu. Second, Mother Nature dictates the schedule—if the west coast waves become too rough for beginners, the camp prioritizes safety. In these cases, your afternoon session might get canceled, or the guides may offer to take you out on a boat to safer reef breaks for an extra fee. Embrace the early 6:00 AM ‘dawn patrol’ sessions to beat the crowds and get the best beginner waves!”
Category 1.2: Coaching-First & Relaxed Retreats
Best for: Couples and travelers who prefer a quieter, highly supportive environment where the main focus is on patient, step-by-step surf instruction and post-surf relaxation.
4. Padang Padang Surf Camp (Uluwatu)
📍 Jl. Labuan Sait, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +628113894440 🕒 Check-in: 13:00 | Check-out: 11:00 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Padang Padang Surf Camp is a hidden oasis tucked away from the busy streets of Uluwatu, perfectly tailored for absolute beginners, couples, and travelers seeking a coaching-first, relaxed retreat. Offering a completely hassle-free holiday, the camp seamlessly bundles your accommodation, high-quality gear, daily surf lessons, and nutritious meals. The core focus here is on patient, step-by-step surf progression, supported by daily video analysis and highly knowledgeable instructors who prioritize your safety. Out of the water, the camp transforms into a wellness sanctuary. Guests can deeply unwind with world-class yoga sessions led by the beloved “Captain Bingo”, rejuvenate in the on-site sauna and ice bath, or enjoy highly-rated massages. It cultivates a warm, family-like community where post-surf relaxation and mindfulness are just as important as the time spent catching waves.
“While the camp provides fantastic included breakfasts and lunches to keep you fueled, dinner is self-funded. However, you won’t have to eat alone! The dedicated social hosts (like Maria and Whitney) organize optional group outings to the best local restaurants every evening, making it effortless to mingle and try amazing food. Another highly recommended pro-tip from past guests: take full advantage of their on-site surf skate pump track! Taking a surf skate lesson with the owner, Andrew, is an incredibly fun way to improve your balance and turning technique before you even hit the water.”
5. SurfWG Bali Surf Camp
📍Jl. Pantai Berawa Gg. Damai No.24, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +6287736643631 🕒 Check-in: 13:00 | Check-out: 12:00 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned with travelers and couples seeking a coaching-first and relaxed retreat, SurfWG Bali offers a peaceful, “home-like” escape tucked away from the busy main roads of Canggu. It provides a completely hassle-free holiday where comfortable accommodation, delicious daily meals, and dedicated coaching are seamlessly bundled together. Instead of a chaotic party atmosphere, the camp focuses on a warm, family-like environment where guests can truly unwind and recharge after their sessions. Beginners receive patient, step-by-step instruction from friendly guides, combined with video analysis to ensure safe and steady progression in the water. The retreat also features great post-surf relaxation spots, an affordable on-site restaurant, and a legendary Friday night BBQ that effortlessly brings the community together.
“While SurfWG provides a wonderfully quiet retreat and an excellent beginner experience, past guests have shared a few important insider details to help manage expectations. First, the camp caters heavily to a German-speaking crowd, so if you do not speak the language, the social dynamic might feel slightly different. Second, the camp operates on a fixed daily surf schedule—usually leaving at 7:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM on weekends—which means you might occasionally arrive at the beach and wait for the optimal tide. Lastly, while the core package is hassle-free, be aware that taking a local boat out to the outer reef breaks incurs an additional fee of 100,000 IDR per person. Pro-tip: Take advantage of their complimentary 3-hour daily scooter rental to easily explore the nearby cafes in Berawa!”
6. BROWN SUGAR Surf Camp Bali (Medewi)
📍Jalan Pantai No.1, Yeh Sumbul, Kec. Mendoyo, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali 82261 📞 +6288987414176 🕒 Check-in: 13:00 | Check-out: 12:00 | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Located in the peaceful coastal village of Medewi—far away from the noisy, commercialized hubs of southern Bali—Brown Sugar Surf Camp offers the ultimate coaching-first, relaxed retreat. This camp provides a completely hassle-free holiday where your biggest daily decision is simply getting into the water. Surrounded by lush rice paddies and nature, the camp cultivates a profoundly warm “Bali family” atmosphere, heavily credited to the legendary owner Dan, the beloved head coach Hery, and “Mama Boss” who runs the incredible kitchen. Absolute beginners thrive here thanks to the strict 2-to-1 coaching ratio, dedicated video analysis sessions, and access to a quiet beach break right out front. After a long day of catching green waves, guests can deeply unwind by the pool, enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, and experience the slow, authentic pace of Balinese life.
“If you book at Brown Sugar, you are committing to a true surf and nature retreat. Because it is located in Medewi (about a 2-hour drive from the airport/Canggu), there are no big nightclubs or bustling shopping streets nearby—which is exactly why guests love it! However, a crucial insider tip: because the camp features open-air tropical bathrooms and is surrounded by raw nature, you should expect to encounter occasional insects, geckos, or even frogs in your room. Embrace the jungle vibe, bring mosquito repellent, and don’t miss their legendary Saturday night BBQ to bond with the instructors and other guests! Also, they conveniently run a tab for all your extras (like massages or extra drinks) which you can settle by credit card at the end of your stay.”
Category 2: Beginner Surf Schools (Lessons Only)
Best for: Travelers who have already booked their own villa or hotel and are looking for the safest, most patient, and highly-rated surf instructors in Bali.
Category 2.1: Premium & Highly Structured Beginner Schools
Best for: First-timers who want a highly organized curriculum, top-notch safety protocols, and professional coaching from established veteran schools (typically located on safe sandy breaks like Kuta or Legian).
7. UP2U Surf School Bali (Legian/Kuta)
📍On the beach in front of the Pullman hotel, Jl. Pantai Kuta No.32, Legian, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +6282144147382 🕒 Open Everyday 07:30-18:00 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Tailored perfectly for travelers who have already booked their own accommodation, UP2U Surf School stands out as one of Bali’s most premium and highly structured beginner surf schools. Located on the safe, forgiving sandy breaks of Legian and Kuta, the school takes a highly professional approach to your surfing education. Under the guidance of the owner, Paul, the team prioritizes top-notch safety protocols and a highly organized curriculum. Unlike casual beach shacks, UP2U sends you detailed online theory materials and video tutorials to study before you even arrive at the beach, ensuring your actual water time is maximized. With patient instructors, strict 1-on-1 or small group ratios, and a fantastic complimentary photo and video package included in the price, it is the ultimate choice for first-timers looking for a structured, safe, and rewarding introduction to surfing.
“UP2U operates with a highly structured schedule dictated entirely by the ocean’s tides, meaning you cannot simply walk in at any hour expecting a lesson. Former guests highly recommend booking in advance via WhatsApp so the school can assign you the safest time slot for beginners. Crucially, do your homework! They will send you online theory and safety videos a day before your lesson—watching these is a core part of their curriculum and will make you much more confident. Also, while their complimentary photo and video service is an incredible bonus, make sure you clearly request it during your booking so their dedicated photographer is ready on the beach!”
8. Odysseys Surf School (Kuta)
📍Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +62817550021 🕒 Open Everyday 08:00-17:00 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Tailored perfectly for travelers who have already booked their own accommodation, Odysseys Surf School stands out as one of Bali’s most premium, highly structured, and veteran beginner schools. Operating out of the ground floor of the 4-star Mercure Hotel, they offer a “worry-free” experience that goes far beyond a standard beach shack. Guests have access to excellent infrastructure including secure lockers, clean shower facilities, and fresh towels. Safety is their ultimate priority; not only are their instructors certified and highly patient, but the school also deploys its own dedicated lifeguards on the beach to watch over students. With a structured curriculum that starts with on-shore theory and progresses to the forgiving sandy breaks of Kuta Beach, Odysseys is the absolute best choice for first-timers and non-swimmers seeking a top-tier, highly professional introduction to surfing.
“Because Odysseys is a premium operation, they actually offer a free hotel pick-up and drop-off service, but you must request it at least 24 hours in advance! While the facilities are unmatched, past guests want you to be aware of a few structural details: their standard 2-hour lesson includes a mandatory 15-minute rest break on the beach. Some enthusiastic guests feel this cuts into their water time, but it is strictly enforced for safety and fatigue management. Additionally, while the beach photographers take amazing shots of your first waves, purchasing the digital files will cost an extra 100,000 to 150,000 IDR. Finally, be mindful of the season—during the wet months (January to April), Kuta Beach can sometimes experience an influx of ocean debris, so it’s always smart to check the water conditions beforehand!”
9. Bali Surf Class
📍on beach in front ROSSO VIVO Italian Restaurant, Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361 📞 +6281213136060 🕒 Open Everyday 08:00-18:00 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned for first-timers seeking a highly structured curriculum without the commitment of an all-inclusive camp, Bali Surf Class delivers a premium, highly organized learning experience directly on the safe, sandy shores of Kuta Beach. While it operates as a beach-front school, their teaching methodology rivals expensive resorts. They prioritize a structured progression: you will always start with thorough dry-land theory and posture training on the sand before ever touching the water, with mandatory rest breaks scheduled in between to recover your paddling energy. The absolute biggest Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of this school is their outstanding complimentary photo service—and incredibly cheap drone video add-ons—which provides you with high-quality memories of your first waves without the steep hidden fees charged by other schools.
“While their free photography service is universally loved, actual guests note an important detail: occasionally, the photographer might be taking a day off. Pro-tip: Explicitly request and confirm the photo service when you book your lesson via WhatsApp to ensure someone is there to capture your session! Additionally, because lessons are highly structured with built-in rest breaks, they provide complimentary water during your rest, but it’s a good idea to bring extra cash if you want to buy fresh coconuts or more drinks from the neighboring beach stalls after your exhausting session. Always book at least a day in advance so they can schedule your lesson around the safest beginner tides!”
Category 2.2: Local Beach Guides & Friendly Instructors
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners or nervous first-timers who want a super casual, friendly, and patient 1-on-1 session with a local guide right on the beach.
10. Froggy Surf School Bali
📍Jl. Pantai Bingin, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364 📞 +6283114499581 🕒 Open 24 hours | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned for budget-conscious beginners and nervous first-timers, Froggy Surf School is a standout local beach guide operation that delivers a premium-level coaching experience in a super casual setting. Based around the beautiful Bukit Peninsula, this friendly, locally-run school is famous for instructors (like Ubay, Agus, and Fonem) who excel at calming anxious students and building water confidence step-by-step. What truly sets Froggy apart from standard beach shacks is their impressive attention to detail: they provide everything from long-sleeve rash guards and surf booties to facial zinc for sun protection. Furthermore, they uniquely offer professional photography services and video analysis to help you visually correct your stance, a feature usually reserved for expensive all-inclusive camps.
“While Froggy Surf School is highly rated for its patient instructors, past guests suggest keeping two things in mind. First, be prepared for last-minute location changes. Their home base at Balangan Beach has a tricky, rocky entry, so if the waves are too rough or the tide is poor, the instructors will WhatsApp you to change the meeting point to safer sandy beaches like Jimbaran, Dreamland, or Nusa Dua. Second, regarding the amazing photos and videos taken by their dedicated photographers: some guests noted that you may need to negotiate the price of the photo package (which can cost around 350k – 400k IDR), and occasionally the team might ask you to leave a 5-star review in exchange for the footage. It’s always best to clarify the photo pricing before your lesson begins!”
11. Bali Da Waves Surf School
📍Jl. Double Six, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +6282341915509 🕒 Open Everyday 07:00-23:00 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned for budget-conscious beginners and nervous first-timers who already have their own accommodation, Bali Da Waves Surf School delivers a premium coaching experience in a super casual, friendly beach setting. Located on the beginner-friendly sandy shores of Seminyak, this locally-run school goes above and beyond what you would expect from a typical beach shack. Instructors like Sono, Louis, and Yoga are widely celebrated for their extreme patience, ensuring students start with thorough on-land anatomy and safety training before ever touching the water. What truly sets Da Waves apart in this category is their outstanding facility perks: they provide clean indoor hot showers, fresh towels, secure lockers, unlimited cold drinks, and a generous complimentary photo and video package—extras that usually cost a premium at other schools!
“Because Da Waves offers excellent indoor shower facilities right in their building, past guests highly recommend bringing your own toiletries so you can wash up comfortably right after your lesson, especially if you have to check out of your hotel that same day! Additionally, while a past review mentioned that their lockers didn’t lock properly, the management has recently upgraded to brand new, secure lockers, so your belongings are 100% safe. Pro-tip: Make sure to communicate your skill level via WhatsApp when booking, as they are incredibly honest and will schedule your lesson around the safest, most optimal tide times for beginners rather than just taking your money for a rough session!”
12. Canggu Beginner Surf
📍84MR+2C9, Tibubeneng, Canggu, Badung Regency, Bali 80361 📞 +6281999009215 🕒 Open Everyday 08:00-18:00 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned with the needs of budget-conscious beginners and nervous first-timers, Canggu Beginner Surf offers the ultimate local beach guide experience. Led by highly praised and friendly local instructors like Jodi, Deni, and Jun, this school excels at building water confidence and creating a “safe, no-judgment space” for those who have never touched a surfboard before. Instead of a rigid, exhausting boot camp, you get a laid-back, highly personalized session where coaches let you go at your own pace, even providing chairs and water on the beach for you to rest between sets. As a fantastic bonus for a local beach operation, they offer facilities for changing and showering, plus the option to have your very first waves captured by a high-quality drone!
“Because the instructors here genuinely prioritize your safety and the quality of your lesson, they do not just push you into the water at any random time. Past guests highly recommend communicating with them via WhatsApp beforehand to check the surf conditions. Be prepared to be flexible with your schedule, as they will actively shift your booking time based on the best swells and currents for beginners. Also, make use of their convenient on-site changing and showering facilities—bring your own towel to wash off the Indian Ocean salt right after your session before heading out to explore Canggu!”
13. Walkus Surf School Nusa Dua Bali
📍Nusa Dua Beach, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 📞 +628113702130 🕒 Open 24 hours | 24/7 🔗 [Website ↗] [Direction ↗]
The Vibe & Experience:
Perfectly aligned for budget-conscious beginners and nervous first-timers who already have their own accommodation, Walkus Surf School in Nusa Dua offers a super casual, highly personalized local beach guide experience. If you find the massive waves and crowded breaks of Canggu intimidating, this school is your ideal alternative. Operating in the calm, shallow waters of Nusa Dua, the friendly local instructors—like Nandes, Safier, and Riski—specialize in building your water confidence step by step. It is a small-scale operation that prioritizes patience over pressure, offering genuine 1-on-1 support where guides will continuously assist you with paddling and wave positioning. While it lacks the luxury amenities of a big resort, it absolutely delivers on an authentic, supportive, and fun introduction to surfing.
“Since this is a casual beach operation, past guests emphasize that you should manage your expectations regarding the facilities. There are no formal indoor showers; instead, they use a simple outdoor spray system to rinse off the saltwater, and you will change your clothes behind a curtain next to the lockers. Additionally, they do not offer hotel pick-up services, and communication via WhatsApp can sometimes be a bit slow, so be sure to book your session a day or two in advance. Pro-tip: Do not skip the photo and video package! Photographers like Joe and Alex take fantastic, high-quality zoomed shots from the shore that make for an incredible souvenir.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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