How to find best surf camp in Bali?

It’s hard to choose best surf camp in Bali, when there are so many options around! But it’s also very important to pick up a right one, otherwise your holidays can be partly (or even fully) destroyed.  Someone would say that they don’t care too much because they’re not coming to Bali just to sit in a room all day. But a surf camp is not just an accommodation, it’s your provider to surfing, your guide and your friends for the certain period of time and even longer. So what does best surf camp in Bali consist of and how to choose one? Let’s figure it out!

Best surf camp in Bali – what to start with?

Location

This is the first point you should pay attention to. A camp can look amazing, sinking in green tropics away from cars and bikes, but also far away from the ocean. Or close to the ocean, but far away from surf spots for beginners. Anyway, you will spend more time en route, than enjoying the island and surfing itself. 

The best surf camp in Bali should be located close enough to the ocean, and in between surf spots of all the levels – from beginners up to advanced.  Even if the nearest spot to your camp is too much for you, it’s always good just to come down, have a coconut and feel this atmosphere and get inspired for further achievements!

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Rooms

Even if you are going to spend as much time outside as possible, sooner or later you will have to go back to your room at least to have some sleep and shower. If a room is dirty and there is no hot water, you won’t be so enthusiastic about coming there no matter how tired you are. And without a few hours of rest you still will be tired for further adventures.  

If you don’t want to turn your vacation into a challenge, make sure that every room has AC, hot water, wi-fi and cleaning at least few times a week. Maybe some of you don’t even need the internet or hot water, but it still shows the quality of service. A good surf camp in Bali should provide a few types of rooms, starting from shared rooms and up to luxury ones. So you can choose what exactly you expect from your holidays and follow your own budget. 

If you want to save your money and have a little bit more fun, shared rooms are the best. If you like your own space and need to work from time to time – any other options are good.

Territory

Just imagine: you wake up in a nice and comfortable room, take a hot shower before breakfast, open a door and see… dirty territory with rubbish on the ground and few trees around. Or would you prefer a small green oasis, soft grass, lush garden and birds singing on trees around you? Yes, maybe you won’t spend a lot of time enjoying it, but it feels way more nice! And the best surf camp in Bali, beside all of the above, will definitely have its own swimming pool and restaurant just to make sure that anything you need will be within a few steps from your room!

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Activities

A surf camp is basically just a combination of accommodation and surf lessons, best surf camp in Bali always will offer something more than basics. Have you ever camped with your friends back in the days when you were just a kid or a teen? Ideal camping is always full of different daily activities, so by night time all you want is just to lay down to get ready for the next day. So why minimize daily activities at a surf camp down to surfing? Bali is also well-known for yoga, diving, waterfalls, temples, volcanoes and hundreds of other things to do!

Surf instructors

If you choose to stay at a surf camp, it means you are ready to dedicate time to surfing. Maybe, after all, you will decide that surfing is not your sport, but it should be your own decision, not just a negative impression. A surf instructor is a person, whose job is to show you surfing the way it is, let you feel the ocean and emotions surfing gives.  And all of the above won’t be possible if your guru doesn't follow safety rules.  

Surfing is fun, but safety is the number one priority. Good instructors will also know how conditions shift across the year, see our guide to Bali’s surf seasons, and adjust your sessions accordingly rather than sticking to a fixed schedule regardless of swell.

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Administration and staff

It’s the last but not the least ‘ingredient’ of a good camp. First of all, they are responsible for the services you paid for. Transfers, excursions, clean and tidy room and its facilities, tranquil outdoors area and safety. A friendly, nice and helpful administrator is the face of any hotel and camp. 

A grumpy and always-busy-for-you administrator can spoil most of your holiday time, because you just won’t feel comfortable being next to him or her. Also administrators are responsible for informing you about schedule changes and surf lessons. The rest of the staff are people who always surround you and make your vacation better or worse.

Questions to Ask Before You Book a Bali Surf Camp

Beyond walking through the checklist above in your head, it helps to ask a few direct questions before committing:

• How many surfers per instructor? Smaller groups mean more individual coaching and faster progress.
• Do you adjust spots based on conditions and skill level? A good camp will not take you to the same break every day regardless of swell or your progress.
• What is included in the package? Board hire, transport to spots, and meals can vary a lot between camps, factor this into the price comparison.
• Can I see real reviews or talk to past guests? A camp confident in its coaching will happily connect you with people who have stayed there.

If all of the elements mentioned can be found in one place – congratulations, you found the best surf camp in Bali! Time to pack and start to countdown days left till good times!

Every point above is exactly what we built Surf Camp in Canggu around, the right location, comfortable rooms, daily instruction matched to conditions and skill level, and a team that genuinely wants your trip to go well. If you are ready to lock in your dates, check our guide to Bali’s surf seasons to choose the best window for your level.

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