7 Ultimate Beaches For Surfing In Bali For Beginners

You’re dreaming of catching your first wave in Bali, but the island’s legendary breaks can seem intimidating. Don’t worry – Bali offers plenty of gentle, forgiving spots perfect for beginners. Whether you’re completely new to surfing or looking to build confidence, these seven beaches provide the ideal conditions to start your surfing journey. From consistent whitewash to mellow reef breaks, these locations offer the perfect balance of challenge and safety for novice surfers.

Key Points

• Kuta Beach offers beginner-friendly waves over a sandy bottom with consistent conditions year-round, especially from April to October.
• Old Man’s (Batu Bolong) in Canggu features mellow, consistent waves suitable for beginners with both left and right riding options.
• Serangan provides gentle waves in a protected bay with multiple peaks for various skill levels, best during December to March.
• Seminyak Beach features a stable sandy bottom with longer rides perfect for practicing basic maneuvers on longboards.
• Beginners should surf during early mornings when winds are lighter, and use 8′-9’6″ foam boards available for $10-15 daily rentals.

Kuta Beach: The Ultimate Learning Ground For First-Time Surfers

When it comes to beginner-friendly surfing in Bali, Kuta Beach stands unrivaled as the perfect learning environment. You’ll find waist to knee-high waves breaking over a forgiving sandy bottom that minimizes injury risk during inevitable wipeouts.

The beach delivers consistent, soft-breaking waves year-round, with peak conditions from April to October during dry season. Bali’s reputation as a world-class destination for surfers of all levels makes Kuta particularly valuable for beginners looking to develop their skills. You’ll appreciate the left and right peeling waves suitable for all stance preferences, especially during mid-to-high tide when waves become longer and more manageable.

Unlike Bali’s more famous breaks, Kuta offers relatively uncrowded lineups with a beginner-friendly atmosphere. The most popular spot is Halfway Kuta located just 50 meters north of Poppies Lane 2, which primarily offers right-hand waves perfect for beginners. For added convenience, the 8km stretch provides easy access to rentals, instructors, and cafes. Just watch for rip currents near Discovery Mall’s south end.

Old Man’s (Batu Bolong): Gentle Reef Breaks Perfect For Progression

Moving beyond Kuta’s training grounds, Old Man’s at Batu Bolong offers the perfect next step in your surfing journey. Located in Canggu, this spot features consistent, mellow waves that break right but provide options for both left and right rides—ideal for improving your skills in a supportive environment.

Old Man’s offers the perfect progression from Kuta—mellow, consistent waves for improving surfers in Canggu’s supportive lineup.

The spot shines during the dry season (April to October) when southwest swells combine with light morning winds to create ideal conditions. With current temperatures around 85°, we recommend wearing a rashguard for sun protection while surfing this popular break.

You’ll find it’s surfable at all tides with warm 82°F water year-round. If planning an extended surf trip, some adventurous surfers combine their Bali experience with land travel to explore surfing opportunities near Jakarta.

For best results at Old Man’s:

1. Bring versatile equipment—longboards, funboards, and fish boards work exceptionally well here
2. Watch for the reef beneath, especially during low tide
3. Go early to avoid the mid-day crowds that gather at this popular progression spot

Berawa Beach: Mellow Waves In Canggu’s Expat Paradise

Nestled just north of Old Man’s, Berawa Beach offers consistent mellow waves that have made it a favorite among Canggu’s thriving expat community. You’ll find a versatile beach break with reef sections that works on all tides, from waist-high to 1.5x overhead.

Early mornings provide the best conditions, particularly with offshore NE winds shaping clean faces. While crowds can be dense due to Finns Beach Club proximity, convenient rip currents make paddling out easier on bigger days. With the current 29° temperature, wearing a rashguard is highly recommended for protection during longer surf sessions.

After catching waves, explore nearby warungs serving Balinese cuisine featuring aromatic spices and fresh ingredients that perfectly refuel hungry surfers.

For just Rp4,000, you’ll get all-day beach access with adjacent parking. The beach delivers year-round, though April-October brings cleaner conditions. Watch for reef sections at the northern and southern ends, and avoid surfing after heavy rains when runoff pollutes the lineup.

Serangan: The Uncrowded Left-Hand Haven For Beginners

Located on Bali’s southeastern tip, Serangan offers an ideal playground for beginner surfers seeking gentle waves away from the crowds. This protected bay delivers consistent, clean waves during Bali’s rainy season when other spots become too powerful.

You’ll find waist-high to head-high waves that break over a mix of sand and occasional reef patches. The A-frame peaks provide options for both right and left rides with soft takeoffs that forgive beginner mistakes. The surf spot features multiple peak choices that accommodate surfers of various skill levels across the coral reef platform. Unlike the more famous Uluwatu breaks, Serangan provides a relaxed atmosphere perfect for those still mastering the basics.

1. Surf at mid-to-high tide for the gentlest wave faces
2. Stay on the right side of the break where beginners naturally gather
3. Visit during December-March for the most reliable conditions

Multiple surf schools operate here with affordable board rentals, making Serangan a convenient one-stop learning environment.

Bingin: Your First Step Into Intermediate Waters

After conquering the beginner-friendly waves of Serangan, Bingin Beach offers your perfect graduation to intermediate surfing. This south coast gem delivers fast, barreling left-hand waves breaking over a shallow reef that’ll challenge and improve your skills.

You’ll find ideal conditions during mid-tide with south or southwest swells and east winds. Accessing the beach requires parking and walking down several steep steps to reach the shoreline. Avoid low tide when sharp coral becomes exposed, making entry and exit hazardous. Consider wearing booties to protect against reef cuts.

The beach is small and picturesque, though it can get crowded at high tide. If you’re still building confidence, hire a local guide who’ll teach essential techniques while ensuring your safety. Bingin is just one of many thrilling adventures Bali offers for those seeking an adrenaline boost.

Several board rental options are available right on the beach, making it convenient to test your improving abilities on Bingin’s powerful waves.

Medewi: Long, Gentle Rides On Bali’s Western Coast

Traveling west from Bingin takes you to Medewi, Bali’s hidden longboarding paradise on the western coast. This point break delivers smooth, left-hand rides over a pebbled bottom—perfect for your longboard but be careful as it’s slippery underfoot. The spot is renowned for its soft-breaking waves that can roll for up to 800 meters, offering exceptionally long rides.

For the best experience at Medewi:

1. Time your visit during dry season (May-October) and aim for mid-tide with north-northeast winds
2. Practice your turning skills to avoid the rocks and reef hazards near the wave path
3. Enter and exit carefully, especially with larger boards, as the beach access can be challenging

While less crowded than Bali’s popular spots, you’ll still need to navigate moderate currents. Consider arranging trusted bike rentals from local providers to easily explore multiple surf spots along the western coastline. The warm 29.8°C water and stunning coastal views make this journey worthwhile for beginners seeking longer rides.

Seminyak: Upscale Comfort Meets Beginner-Friendly Waves

Seminyak stands as Bali’s premier destination for beginners looking to catch waves without sacrificing comfort. The beach break’s sandy bottom provides stable takeoffs while offering both left and right waves perfect for practicing basic maneuvers.

You’ll find gentle whitewater rollers during mid-to-high tide, ideal for building foundational skills. The mellow lineup vibe prioritizes safety over competition, with forgiving 1-4 foot waves that work well for longboards. Beginners should consider using 8′ to 9’6″ foam boards for better stability when learning at this beach.

After surfing, you’re steps away from upscale amenities—W Bali and The Legian resorts, plus beach clubs like Ku De Ta and Potato Head. Couples looking for romantic surfing experiences can book private lessons together for a unique bonding activity while enjoying Bali’s stunning coastal scenery.

Rentals run $10-15 daily, with lessons available for $30-50.

For best results, hit the water at dawn when winds are light and crowds thin.

Last Words

You’ve now discovered Bali’s best beginner-friendly surf spots, each offering unique advantages for your surf journey. The theory that beginners need only crowded tourist beaches simply isn’t true. From Kuta’s consistent waves to Medewi’s long rides, you’ll find suitable options across the island. Start with these seven beaches, build your confidence, and you’ll be progressing to more challenging breaks before you know it.