It’s May, and you know what that means! Dry season in Bali, that’s right, consistent swells, warm tropical weather, clear skies and long sunny days accompanied by the best surfing conditions. So this is the time to plan your surf trip to Bali, just as the high season begins and the swell rolls in.
But the last thing that many often forget, but it should be on the top of the list, is travel insurance! Make sure not to miss this small step that makes a huge difference.
Yes sure, booking flights, accommodation and activities is much more exciting then travel insurance, but when heading to a destination like Bali where you will be surfing daily, using scooters to get around and having countless parties it is important to be covered for these few reasons:
Even in the most perfect conditions, mistakes can happen. Anything from minor inconveniences like reef cuts and fin cuts to more serious accidents, which can happen when you are pushing your limits in the water. Surfing is an adventure sport, so it is important to have travel insurance to fall back onto.
Bali has excellent international clinics and hospitals such as Siloam in Kuta and BIMC, but treatment can get expensive quickly if not covered. So don’t try to take a shortcut here.
Delayed flights, cancellations or unexpected changes happen often while travelling. Having travel insurance means even if these changes do happen you have nothing to worry about and especially with the conflicts in the Middle East, it is good to have this in place.
Your precious boards and luggage can often be mishandled in transit, to ensure this doesn’t happen, having coverage is the way to go.
Travel insurance often comes at a small price but the benefits are much larger!
There are so many different travel insurance companies out there, so we will give you some tips to help save you some time. When going through all the different options it is important to make sure they include the following things in their insurance packages:
Although this sounds obvious, a lot of companies only cover “low risk” sports. So when you are choosing your insurance make sure surfing is listed, especially because you will be surfing some of Bali’s best spots, reef breaks and bigger waves.
You don’t only want a hospital plan, you want to make sure your insurance covers clinic visits, hospital stays and treatments. Rather be safe than sorry.
Make sure your insurance covers things like ambulance transfers, and getting you to better hospitals if needed.
Make sure your insurance will cover the costs if it comes to any flight delays, or last minute cancellations, this will save you lots of money.
Make sure that your insurance will cover any lost luggage or damaged items during airport transit to ensure you can get your surfboard to and from in top shape.
These are the most important things to check when selecting an insurance company as this will ensure that you are fully covered for your trip to Bali, now here are some great insurance companies we recommend:
This is your best bet when your trip is all about surfing, which yours most likely is when coming to Kima Surf Camps.They cover over 200 adventure activities and surfing is included within this list. They cover trip cancellations, gear and baggage, so your surfboard is sorted. It is slightly more expensive but ideal for a short surf trip that has fixed travel dates.
For travellers who plan to travel longer and with more loose travel plans, this is a better option. They have affordable monthly subscriptions, which is great when travelling with no end date. It is easier to start, stop or even extend, fitting perfectly to your plans. Just a side note, these budget-friendly plans often do not cover surfing, but can be added, so just check this.
If you are looking for something more modern and flexible, try these newer options that are getting more popular:
Final tip: No matter who you choose — always read the fine print. Especially around surfing, scooters, and anything “adventure-related.” That’s where most people get caught out.
Alright, insurance sorted? Good, just in time for the start of Bali’s peak season!
May marks the start of consistent swells, blue skies and warm weather — long-period swells start rolling in, the wind turns offshore on the west coast, and conditions line up day after day. This is when the island really comes to life for surfers.
Kima Surf Camps will have you covered in 3 locations at the end of this month:
Our surf and fitness resort in Canggu is just 200m from the beach, with fun waves for every level of surfer. From mellow rides at Batu Bolong Beach to more challenging surf at Echo Beach, everything’s only a short walk from camp.
Our camp in Seminyak is our laid-back social hub. In May, the clean and consistent waves make it the perfect spot for beginners joining our 5 Day Learn to Surf course.
Our brand new camp in Uluwatu opens at the end of May, right in the heart of one of the world’s best surf destinations. The nearby breaks are Padang Padang and Bingin which are perfect for intermediate to advanced surfers.
See you soon in Bali for the peak season swells, yew!