Bali, or otherwise known as the Island of the Gods, receives waves all year round. In Bali you will find it all, from beautiful beaches, to lush forests, world class waves and everything else in between. But when is the best time of the year to come and surf based on your surfing level? We will break down Bali’s seasons and when to come and catch waves suited to your level as either a beginner or intermediate surfer.
Bali experiences two main seasons in the year which is the dry season and the wet season. The dry season runs from April to October and the wet season is from November to March. Both seasons offer great surf conditions and many things to do!
From April to October, Bali experiences the dry season which is also the high season, days are sunny, with low humidity and temperatures between 25 to 30 degrees celsius. The peak season is when the island receives peak swells, so expect big and powerful waves every few weeks. Trade winds consistently blow from the southeast, so the west coast of Bali will light up with clean, offshore conditions. The dry season also brings the vibe, the island is lively, and filled with people from all over the world. Peak swell is expected between May to September, when spots like Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Bingin will be pumping. Bali’s dry season is about sun tanning, exploring the island and surfing non stop!
From November to March, Bali experiences its rainy season, where there is heavier rainfall and the occasional thunderstorms. The trade winds shift and the east coast of Bali lights up with clean and glassy conditions for surfing. Spots like Nusa Dua and Keramas are great to surf during this time of year! This is also the low season, so one can expect fewer crowds but the island’s greenery also begins to shine and this is a great time for some inland adventures.
As a beginner surfing small and gentle waves is ideal for your surfing journey. You should be looking to surf waves that are slower, and break gently over a soft bottom, such as sand, a beach break is always ideal. This means as a beginner surfer you should surf in Bali’s wet season, between November to March. During this period the waves are more manageable and the East Coast lights up. As a beginner surfer you should surf spots in Seminyak, including Gado Gado and Double Six as these are beach breaks. Mengiat in Nusa Dua is also a great surf spot for those just starting out on their journey.
The waves at these surf spots are gentler, and in this season the lineups will be less crowded meaning more space to learn without stress. Plus, fewer crowds make it easier to get personalized guidance from instructors.
At Kima Surf Camps in Canggu and Seminyak we offer a 5 day learn to surf course. This 5 day course is designed for complete beginners and teaches surfers all the basics from the pop-up to turning, both on land and in the water. In Bali our surf school is located at Seminyak Beach which you’ll reach after a 10min walk from our Seminyak Camp. If you stay in our Canggu Camp you will be driven there every day (commute time might be affected by traffic).
As an intermediate surfer you should be looking to surf waves that help you refine your skills like carving, trimming, and catching more advanced breaks. You should be surfing waves that challenge you. The best time of the year for intermediate surfers to visit Bali is the dry season, from April to October, with peak swells expected in July and August. During this season the west coast is firing, you will find powerful waves in Canggu, Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin and more! These spots will receive clean, glassy and consistent swells that will challenge you to push your limits and level up.
At Kima Surf Camps in Canggu and Seminyak, we have the Kima Premium Surfboard Collection so you can ride some of the surf industry’s best performance boards. Our Premium Surfboard Collection is a collection of high-quality performance boards from top brands like KT Surfing, AIPA, Woo Surfboards, MISFITSHAPES, Blank and Resin, Gerry Lopez, Hawaiian Pro Designs and Walden. Our Premium Surfboards give you the opportunity to push your limits with Bali’s peak swells.
Kima Surf Camps in Bali is the right place for you! Get your Kima Package which includes two daily surf sessions, daily yoga classes, daily three-course breakfast, video analysis, pool sessions, social activities and more! No matter when you visit, Bali will welcome you with waves, sunshine, and endless fun.
Yes, from November to March Bali experiences the Wet Season which can be very good for surfing in Bali, especially for beginners and intermediate surfers. There is more rain but the waves are smaller and more beginner friendly.
The tradewinds change direction in the wet season and the east coast of Bali receives clean and glassy conditions. Spots like Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Keramas benefit from offshore winds at this time of year.
The best months for beginner surfers in Bali are April to June and September to October. These shoulder seasons offer smaller, more manageable waves, lighter winds, and fewer crowds.