In short. The best time to learn surfing is the dry season, May to October, in the morning. For beginners: Kuta and Legian (gently sloping sandy bottom, moderate waves), Seminyak, Balangan; Canggu is a rare place for longboards, and Echo Beach is already for an intermediate level. For the experienced: Uluwatu with five reef waves, Padang Padang (a world-class left wave, 120 steps, paid entry), Keramas on a lava reef, Medewi in Jembrana. At reef spots there is little water over the reef at low tide, so check the tide table; a black-and-white chequered flag means a surfers-only zone. BMKG Maritim publishes the weekly waves and warnings. Learn with an instructor, and a beginner is suited by a large oval board.
When to go and when to learn. There is no single official table of surf seasons for Bali, so we rely on news reports. In June 2026 Detik wrote: "Musim kemarau menjadi momen terbaik untuk belajar surfing", that is, the dry season is the best time to learn. In October 2024 Tempo noted that Keramas on the east coast opens up especially in the rainy season and is meant for the experienced, while Bingin on the Bukit is steadier in the dry season. BMKG expects rain in southern Bali this year from 11 to 20 December, details in our breakdown of the forecast.
Spots for beginners.
- Kuta and Legian. In 2019 Kompas described Kuta as a beach without rocks, with a gently sloping sandy bottom and moderate waves, and said of Legian "karakteristik yang sama seperti Pantai Kuta", that is, the same characteristics. Tempo puts Kuta at beginner and intermediate level. Detik names the morning from 7 to 10 as the best time: fewer people.
- Seminyak and Balangan. In 2019 Kompas called the Seminyak wave safe and convenient for beginners, and Tempo considers the beach suitable for all levels. Per Tempo, Balangan is also for all levels: a left-hand reef wave with several sections, with more people in July and August.
- Canggu. Wikipedia notes Canggu as a rare place for surfing on longboards. Tempo puts Echo Beach in Canggu at intermediate and advanced level.
For the experienced.
- Uluwatu. According to Wikipedia, five waves on the reef: Bombie, Temples, Outside Corner, Racetracks and The Peak. The inner peaks are better at mid and high tide, the outside corner at low tide. You get to the water through a cave at the base of the temple.
- Padang Padang. The left reef wave "Padang Padang Left" is, per Wikipedia, world class. 120 steps lead to the beach, and entry is paid.
- Keramas. A wave on a lava reef, and the beach has hosted World Surf League competitions. In December 2024 NusaBali wrote that building a floating restaurant could harm the wave.
- Medewi in Jembrana. The official Jembrana page calls it one of the best surfing places in Bali, on the international map since 1990, with a rocky shore. In 2015 Antara Bali wrote that almost all levels play on the Medewi wave, best near high water and after it, but the bottom has sharp rocks.
Reefs, tides, currents. At the reef spots of the Bukit and Keramas there is less water over the reef at low tide, so look at the tide table for October and November. Detik advises beginners to avoid extreme low and high water: "terlalu surut dan terlalu pasang akan menyebabkan kesulitan". How to get out of a rip current is covered in the guide to the ocean and flags.
Flags for surfers. Bali Post (26 September 2025), citing the Denpasar water police and the Balawista lifeguards, listed the meanings: a black-and-white chequered flag means a zone for surfers and small boats only, and swimming is not allowed; a yellow flag with a black dot means "no boats, jet skis and boards". A red flag means swimming is banned.
Where to check the waves. The official BMKG Maritim site publishes the sections "Gelombang 7 Hari Kedepan" (waves for the week), "Prospek Gelombang Mingguan", "Peringatan Dini" (early warning about waves) and "Pasang Surut" (tides). Before going into the water, look at the weekly waves and the tides.
What to bring. Detik advises sun cream and suitable clothing. For beginners, Kompas (2016) describes a large oval board, on which it is easier to keep your balance. Learn with an instructor: Detik directly recommends practising under supervision.
What this means for you. If you are a beginner, learn at Kuta in the morning in the dry season and do not go into the water at extreme low and high water. Leave the reef spots of the Bukit, Keramas and Medewi for later, until you can read a wave and know how to fall without hitting the bottom. Before a session, open BMKG's weekly waves and tides, and on the spot find the lifeguard tower and the flags.