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Bali is known for many things. The gorgeous volcanoes, the culture, and the waves make it a surfers’ paradise!
If you’re considering experiencing Beginner Surfing in Bali, read on as we share all the must-know to help you be prepared and the personal reflections of Muslimah Solo Traveler Farihah experiencing Bali as a Surfing destination.
- Surfing Spots In Bali & Where To Start?
- How Can I Learn Surfing Fast And Easily In Bali?
- Ideal Surfing Conditions & Climate in Bali
- How Can I Prepare for a Beginner Surfing Experience in Kuta Beach, Bali?
- Some Personal Reflections from Surfing For The First Time in Kuta, Bali
- Surf Camps in Bali – Are They Muslim-friendly?
- Safety First & Have Fun!
- What Can I Do in Kuta as a Muslimah Solo Traveler Besides Surfing?
- Bali as a Muslim Solo Travel destination
Surfing Spots In Bali & Where To Start?
For your first-time surfing experience, you’ll want to get it right.
There are many surfing spots that you can find in Bali, such as Canggu Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Uluwatu Beach, and Balangan Beach. All so that it can be quite confusing which one you should go to!
But if you must choose one place to start surfing in Bali, Kuta should be your destination.
Kuta is one of the Budget Surfing Destinations in Bali and presents ideal surfing conditions that are easy for beginners and even those who can’t swim!
P/s: Did you know that Kuta is also known as the home of traveling surfers so what better way to learn surfing alongside other travelers?
Known as the beginner surfing spot in Bali, you’ll be surrounded by beginner surfers here in Kuta and get to observe how other surfers do it!
The downside could be that the place can be full of tourists during peak season.
Other Surfing Locations in Bali that are good for beginner surfers:
- Black Rock Beach in Nusa Dua
- Canggu, located north of Kuta Beach, is also great because of its flat bottom reef.
How Can I Learn Surfing Fast And Easily In Bali?
If you have not tried surfing, and you want to be able to pick up the watersport fast and easy, hire a Surfing coach with you!
That’s what I did, and within 2 hours, and Alhamdullilah, with the guidance of my coach, I managed to surf in Bali
If you’re thinking of “how quickly can you get good at surfing?” especially when you travel on your own as a Muslimah, according to our experience within two hours in sha Allah, you will be able to master basic elements and knowledge in surfing.
Ideal Surfing Conditions & Climate in Bali
To maximize the most of your surfing, here are some ideal surfing conditions that you’d want to consider such as:
- The beach is flat
- There are no sea shells, so you would not hurt your feet,
- The waves are not too big, and lots of wave peaks to practice
- Gentle gradient so waves can run a distance
Climate in Bali
And of course, speaking of ideal surfing conditions, we can’t remove the fact that the climate in Bali does plays a part in it. While the weather in Bali is sunny all year round, some questions you should keep in mind are:
- What months are best to surf in Indonesia? Between April and October, the weather is pleasant and great for surfing.
- What time of day is best to surf in Bali? According to our surfing instructor, Ali, the best time of the day to surf in Bali early in the morning. Right before the sun hits its peak at noon. But if you missed the early time of the day, not to worry. Late evening is perfect, as well as the waves are consistent.
- When should a beginner surf in Bali? Anytime! As long as the sun is out!
How Can I Prepare for a Beginner Surfing Experience in Kuta Beach, Bali?
If it is your first time learning how to surf in Bali, some things to know are:
Be Aware of Your Physical Condition
Make sure you are physically fit to surf.
No leg or knee injury would be best as they would help you to stand up.
Standing up is a crucial part of surfing and determines whether you’ve successfully surfed or not.
Things To Bring: MST Edition!
- Microfiber towel (for easy drying)
- Sunscreen
- Burkini (best to have yourself ready in your burkini attire once you arrive so you can immediately hit the waves!)
- Extra clothes (for change later post-surfing!)
- Plastic for you to put your wet clothes in (From my experience, I always forget to bring plastic just to put the wet clothes in!)
- Flip flops
- Sunnies
When You Can’t Find a Surfing Instructor in Kuta Beach?
As a Muslimah Solo Traveler, you’ll inevitably join a group of beginner surfers if you choose to do a famous, reputable school.
But sometimes, these schools can have their slots filled in rather quickly.
If such a case happens, or perhaps, you prefer a more tailored, personalized lesson with your instructor, you can pick any of the instructors ready at the beachside.
Now, beware, some can make you uncomfortable and catcall you, as that happened while I was looking for a trustworthy instructor. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t trust anyone at all.
Most instructors on Kuta Beach are men, so go with your gut feelings when choosing an instructor.
Also, the good thing about Kuta Beach is that the waves are filled with surfers, so you know you’re not entirely alone with your instructor.
No Private Showers
Unfortunately, there are no private showers for the Muslimah in Kuta Beach. The showers are all located outside, wide open, and the changing rooms and toilets are inside.
They have a rule that the changing rooms and the open-air showers are in two separate locations.
So another solution may be that you may want to dry yourself in the sun, change your clothes (rub off the sand) in the changing rooms available, and only hit the showers when you’re back in your hotel.
Some Personal Reflections from Surfing For The First Time in Kuta, Bali
Finding a Trustworthy Surfing Coach!
Like what is mentioned above, find a surfing coach that you can trust ultimately depends on your gut feelings.
I had to find another surfing coach because the one that was recommended to me had a full slot, and I didn’t have the entire day to lounge around.
As shared in our #MuslimSoloTravel newsletter,
Know The Fears That Are Limiting You From Surfing
What’s inevitable when you surf is that you will eventually fall, and you’ll eventually get surfer’s nose so while these fears can hold you back, you might as well embrace the fears!
- Embrace the fall
- Embrace the waves
If you embrace the fact that falling out of your board and into the water is inevitable, you’ll start dancing with those fears and believing that there’s always a lesson to be learned from each fall.
Struggling To Stand Up
This can be a real struggle because of that fearful mindset.
There’s no way to work around this besides just trying again and again.
By then you’ll be able to stand up perfectly while you surf the gentle waves in Bali.
Timing Is Everything
Like everything else in life, timing here plays a role. The timing of the waves, the timing of you standing up, the timing of you falling down (because eventually, you will see either way).
So try a couple of times, get a good hunch on these timings when it comes to the surfing cycle and in sha Allah, you’re on your way to a wonderful surfing experience in Bali!
You Might Not Be Ready To Paddle If You’re a Beginner!
Sometimes you can be so quick to want to progress to the next level after you have mastered the essential surfing skill.
But do not be so adamant into progressing to the next level if you’ve just mastered beginner skills.
I tried paddling right after mastering the basic surfing skills, and then my ribcage hurt. So be aware of the signs where your body is telling you to stop. Only you know your body.
Surf Camps in Bali – Are They Muslim-friendly?
Walking along Kuta Beach in Bali, you’ll find many signages of surfing camps in Bali.
These surfing camps operate like a bed and breakfast with surfing lessons. However, the environment and vibe are more inclined Western norms. So the surfing camps may not be favorable to Muslimah who want privacy or just Muslims with faith-based needs.
So we do not recommend you join the surfing camp as the environment can present many intermingling and uncomfortable situations for the Muslimah.
But if you find a Muslim-friendly surfing camp that presents favorable conditions for Muslim women who travel alone, share with us in our Muslimah Solo Travelers Community Facebook Group!
Safety First & Have Fun!
Of course, do not do things beyond what you’re capable of. Say no to your instructor if you can’t do it because safety comes first.
And ultimately, don’t forget to have fun!
What Can I Do in Kuta as a Muslimah Solo Traveler Besides Surfing?
Now that you’re done surfing, you might wonder, what can you do at Kuta Beach?
First, before you explore Kuta beach, hydrate yourself with coconut water!
Well, there are lots of nearby attractions like:
Pop-up markets
Dresses, hats, Bali souvenirs, and wooden homeware goods, you name it! They’re all here in the pop-up markets.
Feast on Local Halal food at Beachwalk Mall or Local Restaurants!
After surfing you must be starving!
You can either have Halal food at the nearest mall to Kuta, which is Beachwalk Mall (Ask the mall information counter for Halal restaurants). Some shops at this mall also allow tax-free shopping, so be sure to ask before buying!
Otherwise, you can dine in the local Halal restaurants around Kuta. Make sure to look for familiar signages like “Muslim”, and “Halal” signs in Arabic just to be sure!
Rent a Bike! Or an E-Bike
Explore Kuta and the rest of Bali, the local way with renting a bike!
Talk to the local Muslims!
Of course, get a sense of Kuta, Bali by talking to the local Muslims! You’re lucky if you are able to meet them as the island is home to the country’s largest Hindu population.
Bali as a Muslim Solo Travel destination
We hope this has inspired you to have the best first-time surfing experience in Bali as a Muslimah Solo Traveler. Until then, stay tuned in our newsletter as we release more on Bali as a Muslim Solo Travel destination.