Tick It Before You Kick It

Where to Catch the Best Waves in Bali

• Alexandra Lauren | The Bucket List Mermaid • Season 1 • Episode 29

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Bali is a surfer's paradise, offering consistent waves, rich culture, and stunning landscapes that make it an ideal destination. From beginner surf spots to advanced breaks, exploration of local traditions, and recommendations for a fulfilling trip, this episode inspires listeners to embrace the thrilling adventure that Bali represents.

• Overview of Bali as a surfing destination
• Personal story of learning to surf 
• Top surf spots: Uluwatu, Padang, Canggu, Kuta Beach, Madui 
• Cultural and spiritual experiences in Bali 
• Advantages of learning to surf in Bali 
• Challenges: crowds and traffic 
• Recommendations for alternatives and off-the-beaten-path surfing locations

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Alexandra:

Hello, my intrepid adventurers, and welcome back to Ticket Before you Kick it, the podcast that gets you one step closer to checking off those epic bucket list adventures. I'm Alexandra, your go-to guide for all things travel and thrill-seeking, and I also run a blog called the Bucket List Mermaid, and today we are going to take a deep dive pun absolutely intended into one of the most conic surf destinations in the world Bali. Now, bali is a name that rings the ears of surfers and adventurers seekers alike, and there's a good reason for that. This Indonesian paradise is more than just a pretty face. With its lush landscapes, vibrant culture and mind-blowing sunsets, it's actually a global surfing mecca. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner like me, looking to catch your first wave, bali is your place to be, and this is actually where I learned or more like, first wiped out surfing. This is 100% a bucket list thing to do.

Alexandra:

So let's start with the obvious question why Bali? Well, bali isn't just famous for surfing, it's legendary. It's pretty much got the perfect cocktail of all the conditions that just make a surfer's dream come true. Now I'm going to be completely honest. I am not a pro surfer. However, according to the experts, this is because they have warm waters, consistent swells and a huge variety of surf breaks. Surfers can enjoy those long healing waves or the challenging of barreling reef breaks. Bali's just got it all. Plus, the waves here are pretty much as consistent as your morning coffee run. They also have a year-round surf season, so it's always a good time to hit the water. And let's also not forget about the culture. Bali is deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition, and there's something about the Balinese way of life that just clicks with surf culture. You know it's like that hang tight, I'm zen kind of thing. It just works. The island's laid-back vibe, combined with the locals' warmth and hospitality, just makes it a home away from home for surfers around every corner of the globe. So me personally surfing in Bali I ended up going to Bali on my big, huge backpacking trip after college and if you haven't heard my ear horror story, I would recommend going and listening to it.

Alexandra:

And warning, it's not for the faint of heart, but basically I had to have an earring surgically removed in Vietnam, so I was still recovering from that because the doctor said that I had to not get it wet for three months. However, I really wanted to check this off of my bucket list. So I'm going to be honest, I chickened out the first time. However, when I came back to this location, I ended up making a makeshift ear pocket gauze bandage thing around my entire head. It was so attractive and I got so many looks. However, I was so determined to check this off of my bucket list and to try surfing in Bali that I just made it work. But basically, I taped a bunch of gauze and band-aids to my ear to make a little seal around my ear. Now, warning, this did not work at all. However, I would like to think that it kept some water from going into my ear.

Alexandra:

However, I wiped out a lot, so I'm not sure that that's actually the case, but oh well. So I ended up taking a class in Bali, a surfing beginner class, and it was really, really nice because we started off on the shore. They explained, you know, how to get up, how to place our weight and just all of the basics for learning how to surf, and this was really nice to actually get to do this in a setting where I wasn't in the water first. However, once I got into the water, it was a whole different beast. It was a mixture of feeling cool on the surfboard and just completely wiping out in the water and not looking cool anymore. I wiped out a lot, I laughed a lot and, as I said, I'm not a avid surfer. However, I would go on from here and become an avid snowboarder. So I'm really wondering, if I did go surfing in Bali again, how different it would be now that I've snowboarded for a while. I did end up also surfing in Fiji. However, I think that, although Fiji was stunning, I think that this had better waves. So, again, bali is just superior as far as surfing, but that is what I have to compare it to. If you are an avid surfer and you have surfed in Bali and all these other locations, I would love to hear from you so that you could just tell me how this actually does compare to other surfing capitals of the world. However, from this beginner, wiping out on these waves in Bali was pretty darn fun.

Alexandra:

Now let's get to the good stuff. Where should you actually go when you're ready to ride those famous Balinese waves? Here are some of the best spots on the island. Now number one Uluwatu. This is the granddaddy of Bali surf spots. Uluwatu is not just a wave, it's a rite of passage. The surf breaks here are over a sharp reef and when it's on, it's on. Advanced surfers flock to Uluwatu for its powerful, fast and sometimes heavy waves. But don't worry. Even if you're not ready to tackle Uluwatu's legendary break, the cliffside views are worth the trip alone and they are worth the traffic. I ended up going to the temple at Uluwatu and watching some of the surf spots. I personally wasn't quite ready for that level. If you are an advanced surfer and you really want to check this off your bucket list, uluwatu is the place to go Now.

Alexandra:

Next, padang. Padang, which is known as the Balinese Pipeline. This place is famous for its hollow, barreling left hand wave. Let me be honest, I have no clue what that means, but that's what they told me. It kind of looked like a wave that just came straight out of a surf movie and I can imagine that riding it feels like you're starring in one. And again, just remember, this spot is best suited for experienced surfers.

Alexandra:

Now, chengu. Now, this is where I learned to surf personally. Now, this is more of a relaxed vibe, which, again, I vibed with best because it was my first time. It is perfect for all levels, with multiple breaks along the coast. It's also a great place to chill out after your session, because they had some amazing beachside cafes, some lively nightlife and also some hipster meets surfer atmosphere. That's just hard to beat, which is kind of what I am Again, I'm a yoga hippie so this place and I vibed quite hard. I would also 10 out of 10 recommend their sunsets oh my goodness, absolutely stunning, especially after a long, hard day of surfing and wiping out in those waves.

Alexandra:

Now, when finding a place that I was learning to surf, I actually went between two, and that was Canggu and Kuta Beach. So Kuta Beach is pretty much the place to go if you are a beginner. The waves here are mellow and forgiving, which does make it an ideal spot for beginners. Plus, you'll find plenty of surf schools here just ready to help you catch your very first wave or, in my case, my very first wipeout. However, it might be busy, but there is a reason that it's such a popular spot. It's just a fun, accessible introduction to Bali's surf scene, and although I didn't specifically surf here, I did stay in Kuta for a few days and it's a really, really cool area and pretty accessible from the airport as well.

Alexandra:

So if you're looking to escape the crowds, I would go for Madui. I'm gonna go with Madui Again. I'm sorry if I mispronounced that, but this is basically on the western coast and the waves here are long and gentle. This is perfect for longboarders who love a more laid-back surf experience, and it's also an incredible spot to soak in the raw natural beauty of Bali, maybe a little bit farther away from the hustle and bustle. So hopefully, out of those five places that I just gave you, you have a better idea of where you want to go surfing in Bali.

Alexandra:

But why should surfing in Bali be on your bucket list anyway, and why is it non-negotiable? Well, let me count the ways. First off, it's a surfer's paradise. It has waves for every skill level, from absolute newbies to seasoned pros, and also I have to say that there's a lot of resources for learning. As I said, I surfed in Fiji as well, and there wasn't a ton. However, bali has surfing lessons and surf schools everywhere. There's a reason that it is so popular, and because it is so popular, you will have no trouble finding resources, people to help you.

Alexandra:

So this is truly a perfect place to learn how to surf, and it's more than just a surf destination. It's a full-on cultural and spiritual experience. I mean, seriously, it was like something out of a movie. I got up, I did some sunrise yoga, I hit the waves, aka crashed a bunch, and then I ended the day looking at this beautiful sunrise. And then they had this beach bonfire with a sky full of stars. I could not believe that it was real. And then in the other days, the island is bursting with things to do. It has rice terraces to waterfalls, to volcanoes, and the food oh my gosh. Balinese cuisine is an adventure in itself, just packed with flavors that will blow your mind.

Alexandra:

Bali is such a cool destination and it really is one of my favorite places that I have been, just because it offers such a unique mix of adventure and relaxation. So, after a day of surfing, you can explore the ancient temples, hike to hidden waterfalls, kick back with a fresh coconut on the beach. It really is adventurer's choice. It's the kind of place that just recharges your soul, fills your camera roll and leaves you with stories that you will be telling for years. With that being said, I do have a full Bali bucket list on thebucketlistmermaidcom. I will link it in the show notes, because surfing should not be your only thing on your bucket list for Bali. Bali in itself is so incredible and, honestly, it's very aesthetic. It's like a photographer's dream, and there's so much to do here. So if you are going to Bali, I would highly recommend checking that out in addition to surfing in Bali.

Alexandra:

Now, what are the cons to surfing in Bali? The only thing that I could say is that it is crowded. It is popular for a reason, so there is a lot of people, especially in the more beginner places like Kuta Beach and Canggu. There is a lot of people who are checking this off of their bucket list, so you might find a lot of crowds here which, when you are surfing, can be a little bit annoying. A lot of crowds here which, when you are surfing, can be a little bit annoying. Luckily, I did not hit anybody, so I will take that as a win.

Alexandra:

Another thing my biggest complaint about Bali is the traffic is so bad. I don't know why, but we would just sit for hours in traffic, like when I said that I went to that Uluwatu temple. It took so long literally just to get from one side of town to the other, so make sure to plan ahead for that if you are traveling from one destination in Bali to the other to carve out a chunk of time just to sit in traffic. As I said, it is a tourist destination and there's a reason that it's a tourist destination because it's beautiful and it's just so much to do here for tourists, so it is a little bit touristy.

Alexandra:

Speaking of that, if you do want to go to a place in Indonesia that is not as touristy, I actually went from Bali to Lombok and the Komodo Islands and when I was in that Komodo Islands I saw zero people. I lived on a liveaboard. I went around, saw some Komodo dragons. That was not touristy at all. So if you are looking for something that is a little non-touristy I'm not sure about the surfing I do know that there is a surf school and camp in the Komodo, I believe it's called Nayaka. So if you are looking for a non-touristy surfing destination in Indonesia, I would probably steer clear of Bali and go there instead, or just do both. Then you get the best of both worlds. So there you have it, bali in all of its surf-stoked glory.

Alexandra:

Whether you're dreaming of riding those epic waves, soaking up the culture or just living the blissful island life, bali is a must-visit destination for any adventurer's bucket list and, trust me, once you go, you'll be counting down the days till you can return I surely am. As I said, I want to try it now that I've snowboarded. I'll probably still wipe out, and that's okay. However, this time I will not have a giant plastic bag on my head, so that's a win. A win is a win, people, a win is a win. Thanks for tuning into this episode of Take it Before you Kick it. If you've got Bali on your bucket list or you've already been and already have some wild surf stories to share, I would love to hear from you. Drop a comment, send me a message and tag us in your epic Bali surf shots on social media at the Bucket List. Mermaid, if you did like this episode, I would just love it if you would subscribe, leave a comment and share it with any of your fellow adventurers. Until next time, keep chasing.