Two-Three week family friendly or solo traveler surf trip in Bali. This budget conscious trip makes sure you hit all the iconic and some off the beaten track surf spots in Bali. Great for first time Bali travelers.
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I've tried and tested all the properties listed in my guide.
Fly into Denpasar airport Bali's main airport. Book your airport pick up and transfer to Canggu through booking.com. Last thing you want is to be haggling with drivers as soon as you get off the plane.
A few tips:
- get cash out of the ATM at the airport (these ATM's are safe)
- get a SIM card or make sure you turn on global roaming. This way you can contact your driver if you can't find him on arrival. There are about 100 drivers at arivals so this does happen
- I have a contact for a driver if you need. This can help with your transfers from Canggu to Medewi, to the boat transfer for Nusa Lembongan and to the Bukit.
First Stop Canggu.
Canggu is a great place to get climatized to Bali. It's got everything you need to start your journey in Bali.
Canggu is a great place to start your trip. It's an iconic surf town and has a couple of great surf breaks that are suitable for beginner to advanced surfers.
Couple this with amazing restaurants, massages and even some night life if you are not tired from surfing all day!
Old Man's is a bar close to the beach but also the name of the most popular surf spot in Canggu.
You won't be alone at this spot but it has quality lefts and rights that suit long and short boards.
There are a ton of surfboard rental stalls here if you did not bring your own surfboard.
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Where to stay
You'll want to stay within walking distance of the surf spots unless you are a gun on the scooter. Traffic can be very hectic in Canggu. If you stay at either of these two places you will be able to walk from your door to the surf in under 5 minutes. On top of the surf you will also be in walking distance to the best restaurants that Canggu has to offer and get yourself a cheap and cheerful massage.
This mid range hotel is right next to the surf spots and walking distance to any restaurants, massages and shops. This is more in the middle range price wise with rooms starting at $100 AUD a night. It has a great roof top bar and restaurant with view of the surf breaks.
This place is your budget friendly option in Canggu. Still within 5 mins walk to the surf spots and also next door to the Practice, a great yoga studio.
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Second Stop- Medewi
This is my favorite village for enjoying the surf without the crowds (or at least not as many as other surf breaks in Bali). It's about 2 hour's drive from Canggu.
You are walking distance to the point break so it means you don't have to worry about renting or riding a scooter and there are a few local restaurants that are not too expensive. There is up market if you want it at Bombora and Umedewi. The local surfers are mostly friendly but make sure you buy the 'Medewi Boardriders' shirt!
This luxury hotel is a stone's throw from the surf spot. You can literally wake up and check the surf from your front step and be in the water in 5 minutes.
They have a great pool for when you need a break from the surf or if you have little ones. The beach is not great for swimming so its good to have an alternative
This budget hotel is still walking distance to the surf. They have a good range of rental boards and surf guides if you need one. The only downside is there is no pool. They have good options for family rooms.
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Third Stop - Nusa Lembongan
Transfer from Medewi to the boat harbour for your trip to Nusa Lembongan. It's about 3 hours. You'll need to catch a fast boat to Lembongan. This takes about 45 minutes. I book D'stars fast boats. Just google them and book direct through their website.
Once at Nusa Lembongan you want to stay within walking distance of 'Playgrounds'. This is an intermediate surf break that you can easliy paddle out to. The other breaks such as Lacerations and Shipwrecks are a little further out and depending in your skill level can get a little heavy.
White sand beaches, clear blue water and plenty of water activities such as snorkeling with the manta rays and Stand Up Paddle boarding on this island. You can even do a day trip to Nusa Pendida from here if you want to add this to your trip.
I have contacts for the manta ray snorkeling trips. Just message me for these.
This is also on the cliff walk to 'Playgrounds' surf spot and next door to Oka 7.
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Fourth Stop- Padang Padang
Finish up your trip on the Bukit. You can check out all the legendary surf spots such as Uluwatu and have access to many restaurants and night life. It's also about 45 mins to the airport from here for your return flight.
Padang Padang is a small beach in the heart of the Bukit. It has a beginner friendly surf break and also a more advanced one, so great for families with different surf levels. It's also walking distance to many amazing restaurants and shops or a short taxi ride to the famous Uluwatu temple and social scenes.
This surf spot has a beginner right "baby padang padang" and a left that is world class. Its also a lovely beach for a swim or a sun bath with clear calm water close to the shore although it can be very busy both in and out of the water
This family friendly hotel is located walking distance to Padang Padang beach and the surf breaks of Baby Right's and Padangs famous lefts. There is a pool and many great restaurants within 5 minutes walk.
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Alternate Option- Bingin
If you want a more small town vide also on the Bukit, Bingin is an excellent spot. The surf break is friendly on a mid to high tide on a smaller swell but barreling on low tide. They have board rentals down at the beach and great seafood restaurants.
Spectacular beach location with a barreling wave that can be surfed safely on a smaller swell mid-high tide. Still a great spot for hanging at the beach.
This is budget accommodation not always at budget prices but the locations is great. Its just at the top of the walkway to the beach so close to any land based options for eating out such as the "Cashew Tree' but also quick access to the beach.
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Book a transfer to the airport for your flight home!
