The day has finally come and you’ve made the decision to change „someday“ to „surf’s up!“ and reserve your first surf trip. But the biggest decision stands… Sri Lanka or Bali? Both are in the tropics, with warm water and world class waves but each destination has its own distinct personality, surf season and our renowned Kima camp atmosphere. To help you select the ideal first wave, let’s explore the differences between these two surf destinations so you can find your ideal fit! We have two surf camps in Bali: Canggu and Seminyak and two surf camps in Sri Lanka: Weligama and Hiriketiya so you have a lot of options to choose from and Kima Surf Camps cater to every type of traveller.
So where would you like to catch your first wave?
Kima Surf is all about sharing the stoke of surfing with everyone and that is why we have designed our own custom 5 Day Learn To Surf course so that we can make surfing accessible to everyone, even those who have never tried before.Our 5 Day Learn to Surf course is for complete beginners. This course will teach you everything you need to know about surfing from paddling techniques, to pop up styles, surf etiquette and reading the waves all guided by our knowledgeable surf guides both on land and in the water.
Our Learn to Surf program in Bali is based at our Seminyak Camp, but surfers staying in our Canggu Camp can still participate in the course and transport is provided between the two locations. Classes are held at Double Six Beach, one of Seminyak’s top beginner-friendly surfing locations with gentle white-water waves that are ideal for learning to surf.
In Sri Lanka the Learn To Surf Course is based in Weligama, at Weligama Beach which is a forgiving break with a sandy bottom and consistent gentle surf.
So whether you choose either Bali or Sri Lanka our Learn to Surf Course is available!
You will advance more quickly on Bali’s waves because they are typically a bit stronger than those in Sri Lanka. Bali also has a lot of variety so once you get more confident you can step up and surf more challenging spots.
Canggu’s „longboard heaven“ is Batu Bolong. Here you will find gentle, slow waves that are ideal for cracking your pop up and the inside section here has the ideal wave for novices.
Double Six: Just a few short minutes away from our Kima Surf Camp in Seminyak, you’ll find the surf spots where we’ll take the beginner surfers and where we teach our Learn To Surf School. This is located at the iconic Double Six surf spot with consistent, gentle waves and a sandy bottom.
Bali’s best playground for beginners is Kuta Beach. This is a long shoreline with many beach breaks ideal for novices. The waves here are mellow and cruisy and also forgiving thanks to the sand bottom. Kuta Beach is a short driving distance from the Seminyak Camp.
Bali’s West Coast gets year-round swell so this means you can catch your first wave at any point of the year. Bali is home to a few long, sandy beach breaks in Seminyak and Kuta area which is ideal for beginner surfers.
Weligama Bay is one of the world’s most well-known beaches for beginners. It is a forgiving wave, where beginners can enjoy long rides across sandy bottom. Located within walking distance from our Weligama Surf Camp.
The Hikkaduwa Beach Break has a smaller and softer peak that is ideal for riding down the line and performing pop-ups.
When the swell is right Midigama’s Lazy Left offers extremely smooth rides for beginners on small days. Typically longboarders dominate the line up here.
Because Sri Lanka’s waves are often softer and weaker than Bali’s they can boost the confidence of beginners faster however they require a strong paddle to catch the waves as well.
Bali has two seasons: the dry season (April to October) and the wet season (November to March). In the dry season the west coast of Bali is working well and these spots are receiving consistent surf for beginners because trade winds from the dry season shape beaches like Double Six, Seminyak Beach, and Batu Bolong into rolling, consistent waves. The east coast starts working in the wet season and there are still lots of safe places for beginners to go. You’ll advance quickly because Bali’s waves typically have a little more push and there is somewhere to surf all year round.
In Sri Lanka November through April is the best time of year for beginners to visit the south coast, when locations like Weligama Bay and Hikkaduwa produce long, chill wave playgrounds. Compared to Bali, the waves break more slowly here, the paddle-outs are shorter, and the water is consistently warmer but the rainy season makes surfing less consistent compared to Bali.
One thing all our Surf Camps have in common is that our main priority is surfing and once you set foot inside our camps you will feel part of the Kima Family! The camps do have a few minor differences so that we have camps to accommodate each and every kind of surfer!
In Bali our Seminyak Camp is a small charming tropical haven with authentic Bali charm that is ideal for beginners as our Learn to Surf Course is onsite, the location of our Seminyak is in the heart of the area itself surrounded by a lively atmosphere, with great restaurants, bars and nightlife. Surfers seeking luxury and a more mellow experience are drawn to Canggu, a larger resort-style camp with upscale amenities like 3 pools, a rooftop gym and a climbing wall. Our Canggu Camp is walking distance to some of Bali’s intermediate reef breaks but also to the famous Batu Bolong with a great beginner friendly wave. In Sri Lanka our Hiriketiya Surf Camp is a more intimate, romantic getaway surrounded by Hiriketiya’s lush nature, with two breaks at one bay and a calmer, more relaxed mood. Our Weligama Camp offers a social, lively feeling with a variety of rooms and beginner-friendly waves just a short walk away.
Now its decision time? If an ideal surf trip to you sounds like warm, soft waves with a mix of beach and reef breaks combined with a lively surf scene with countless cafés and nightlife then Bali is the island. Kima Surf Camps will guide you to Bali’s beginner-friendly and as you advance you’ll have the chance to try harder waves. However, if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, fewer crowds and a slower-paced island lifestyle then Sri Lanka is the place to go. The waves are more mellow in Sri Lanka. Bali offers vibrancy and diversity while Sri Lanka offers simplicity and charm. The greatest option? The one that fits both your dream vacation needs and your surfing intentions.