Beginner Surfing Bali Wet Season February/March

[moeroesch]

Hi there,

im relatively new to surfing. I learned surfing on soft tops and mini malibus and now i am trying to get better and improve my skills with a surf trip to Bali in February/March.
I heard that the east coast has better surf in the wet season.
Can anyone name a few spots which are suitable for a beginner?
I read about Nusa Dua or Serangan.....

Thanks in advance!

Cheers

Moe

[Big H]

East coast is not suitable for a beginner regardless of the season.....strong currents, changing conditions, breaks well offshore are very dangerous for the beginner with so so paddle and ocean reading ability. Nikko used to be somewhat ok but it's since been spoiled by kempinski's jetty project. Chicken wing & black rock have always been beginner spots regardless of the season, but can be shallow if you don't know what tide levels to surf on (you have to sort that one on your own as well as where black rock and chicken wing are since it isn't labeled on any surf map I've seen).

Off or onshore winds, beginners should go to Kuta.....there is a relatively forgiving community at batu belong for the next step......kookville and you won't get much heat for typical beginner mistakes since EVERYONE is making them wherever you look there.

Serangan might have seemed like a good one; wave is well off shore, local guides and tour companies can bury the break with hordes of tourists then block you off ensuring their tips and return service requests.

For a beginner, any wave will do so don't worry too much about needing to go to the East since smooth perfectly groomed waves are going to be taken by those better than you anyway as quality wet season waves are hard to come by and there is plenty of competition for them. Get Nusa 2 out of your head; even in the wet season can be well overhead on a given day and rips, longshore and the channel currents are as strong as a river at times.....surfers who go missing do so from the breaks on this side (and nusa lembongan out in the channel) more often than the west for sure.

Last bit; those are probably two of the very worst months to surf in Bali. I skateboard a lot during those couple of months when i'm not trapped inside by rain. Stay west, surf onshore crumbles and have fun!

[Tudeo]

I surfed east coast yesterday, first time this season, and it struck me how utterly dirty the water was, a f*cking sewer it was. Much more dirty than my regular west coast spots. Maybe it was just this particular spot? I can't mention he name unfortunately..

Big H, did you notice the east coast more dirty in general?

[Big H]

Horrible....and it's just getting started. Was out at Padma the other day and you could see the currents by watching the garbage movement.......YUK! Went out to another west coast spot for an early morning sesh after a heavy night of rain earlier this week and my eyes feel like they are still burning just remembering the time.....whatever was mixed into the run off that day was super hard on the eyes and burned, really burned......

As disgusting as it may sound, I still have the habit of gargling water when I first go out.....I'm convinced that has built up my antibodies and have not yet gotten any ear or sinus infections from surfing even though I do in in middle of garbage packs sometimes.....

[Big H]

Definitely cleaner on the east.....also definitely not for beginners....ocean knowledge and awareness and paddle fitness as well as the ability to rescue yourself in the event of a leash snap and subsequent drift/current swim is imperative.

[Tudeo]

As disgusting as it may sound, I still have the habit of gargling water when I first go out...

I try to keep my mouth shut as much as possible, but still you can taste it, disgusting.. But no crowd, last time out..

But yeah, east coast definitely more dangerous. On the rising tide there was a strong north east (going offshore) current. Not a narrow rip, just current. I had to paddle hard and much to just get back, glad I took the big board.

[jaffa1949]

I understand sometimes holidays happen only at certain times because of work commitments etc, but it really is the wrong time and place for beginners in Bali, talking currents Nusa Dua, Sanur and most east coast spots back onto the Lombok Strait, which is deep enough to put Mt. Everest in upside down and still have deep water over it.

Just off soft top surfers are at serious risk, you are a long way offshore and there is no life guard service.

+ All the sewerage and wet season garbage in the water, only real option for you and all the beginners = Serangan. Crowded even in the wet.

Very early morning Kuta can give a surprise brief off shore hour.

Seriously if you must go to Bali , choose the dry season!

[moeroesch]

Thanks for the responses.
I'm not a total beginner, I surfed a couple of weeks last year in Bali and Hawaii while I was touring the world. But I don't want to to go ahead of myself and over judge my skills. I'm not a beginner anymore but also definitely no intermediate.
I want to challenge myself and get better at surfing.
You guys said that I could get some waves at kuta or canggu... But is it really a decent surf over there in the wet season? Because i don't wanna fly to Bali from Germany if i can only chase white-water waves or really small and crappy ones.... It's just to much money for me

[Big H]

Better wait till April if that is the issue...May even better.

BTW, a couple of weeks is still a beginner. No badge of shame....it is a long road ahead and it is what it is.

[Tudeo]

Kuta Seasonal Wash Up of Trash and Debris to Reach its Peak in December 2016

http://indosurflife.com/2016/11/kuta-se ... mber-2016/

[Big H]

Wouldn't be surprised after the rain we had last night.....sure all the guts have washed down to the sea now......

Gargled yesterday and the taste was definitely off......

[Laviz]

Bumping this thread as I am also heading to Bali in March as well. I remember being there 2-3yrs ago during March. The wave are small at Kuta beach but still okay for beginners (back then it was my 1st time trying out surfing) and don't recall having thrash during this month? I hope not!

BUT it was really crowded and I bet it still is. So was wondering if there are any other alternative for beginners like me and my brother who is an intermediate surfer? I am at the stage of learning to catching green wave. (if you are wondering why I did not progress...ya i stop for a year or 2 ...now I am getting serious about it)

Thinking of Canggu/Seminyak area?
Somewhere with accommodation that is near the beach would be much preferred.

P.S: We are going as a family with kids

And if anyone have any idea about Lombok...when is the best month if I am planning to surf the southern area? Because I see contradicting information on the web...some say dry some say wet season so I am confused.

[Alex44]

If you are still beginner/intermediate, you can check with surf school in Sanur as they have a surf spot sheltered where they bring their beginners. You go by boat as it's far from shore but it's really safe and you are not alone.

Sure it's not worldclass, but it's pretty decent for beginner intermediate on most days. On big days it can even be really good, and you can surf it even when the swell is big, it remains average size. The water is clean there and there is a wide channel and no current, as said before that's one of the only options realistically ok for a beginner, with Serangan on small days. Most of the other waves are shallow and far from shore on east coast, some of them like nusa dua can be pretty hairy even on small days and you don't want to be there alone.

As for the crowd, Bali is crowded almost everywhere, you can't really avoid it. Canggu is in my opinion the worst in high season for that matter, bukit on small days can be too. Serangan in rainy season can be pretty crazy as well.

For beginner improving, I would also recommend Batu Bolong as stated before, long and mellow wave on most days. The paddle can be long too so it's a good training for your paddling skills, but the current aren't that strong. If that's too big for you to paddle at the peak, you can always try to catch the inside sections that are a lot closer from shore. That's the place where most longboarders and beginners go, although it can be fun with shorter boards with a little bit of size. But yes it's crowded, and many beginners in the water, but you can always take waves as there are different take off spots and sections.

Going in Bali in February March is a bit of a gamble anyways. Can be quite dry with no pollution, no wind and sunny (then incredibly hot!!) like last year (almost no rainy season) with good surf. Or it can be as it is usually, which is quite rainy and windy, not so good for the surf compared to the dry season, but still plenty of sessions to have if you are in holiday and have time !

Good luck !

[Laviz]

Thanks Alex44!

Sanur sounds scary though since I read that the East side is not for beginner and we have kids + nonsurfer along so it's not possible for surfing that requires boat ride

But Batu Bolong sounds like a good option. Although that paddling distance sound abit for a weak paddler like me but we have to start somewhere ya . If all else fail I will have no other choice but to travel to Katu beach.

What about Padang Padang right? I read that it's for beginner as well but since I am going in the wet season...do you think I should try gambling going there 1 of the days? I will be in Bali for a week.

[jaffa1949]

Padang Padang is too dang much for a beginner experienced barrel riders and the Bukit sweep will challenge weak paddlers. Batu Bolong or some parts of Kuta will have some moments of being OK. Be aware that a new swell can almost arrive unannounced to the beginner and any spot can go from benign to dangerous as the swell kicks in.

You asked about Lombok, it too runs best in the surf season times, improving from laye April and epic from end of May to October.
Kuta Lombok has surfing beginner style in front of the hotels and lots of day trips as far as Gerupuk and then boat trips from Awang to Inside Ekas and Ekas beach .but the last two spots may be beyond your skill level.
The further afield you go the more reliant you will need to be on your lifesaving skills for yourself.

[Alex44]

Hey Lavis,

Most of spots in Sanur aren't good for beginners, but this one definitely is. The best is that you use one of the surf schools that operate there, they bring you with instructors to the spot and watch after you/push you etc... So it's actually very good, even for kids. Sanur is a popular destination for families, probably more than Batu Bolong.

Padang Padang Right (not left of course) is a good option too. My girlfriend who is an improving beginner surfs there on occasions and she likes it. I am not sure how often it's working though, but from what I recall you need to have a bit of swell for this wave to start working, So it's a bit of a gamble, but in my opinion the bukit peninsula is worth the trip even if you don't surf, just for the landscapes and in case of a nice swell watch the high level surfers (while you are peacefully drinking a beer on the cliff and happy to not be in the water drowning with them ! haha)

[Alex44]

As for Lombok, the gerupuk waves are pretty good for beginners, and if it's too big there is another wave called something like Beng Beng (?) in the middle of the bay, that is breaking smaller on big days.

Except that, I won't recommend Lombok if you plan to surf alone as a beginner (maybe ok with surf schools), as it's the opposite of Bali, it can get very remote and uncrowded. So good with a bit of experience and a little local culture, but if a problem happens you are pretty much sure to be on your own and the closest hospital can be hell of a drive... So stick to popular and beginners friendly spots or make sure you are into professional/experienced hands.
Besides that Lombok is amazing in terms of landscapes, cultures and pretty much everything. In my opinion, way way more beautiful than Bali, with a loooot less traffic ! So it's also a worthy trip !

[Big H]

Go to Sanur be ready to deal with localism, esp. as a tourist who isn't paying......lots of guides taking Japanese tourists in particular who aren't looking to share.

Kuta is the best spot for a beginner, regardless the season and the trash. Crowded is what Bali is; no escaping that.....at least Kuta you can kook out and no one will be too P.O.ed since it's wall to wall beginners there and expected. Padang2 inside right is popular for surf schools; works enough even on a medium swell to rock a longboard but is crowded and a long traffic filled drive from Canggu. Lots of breaks on small days at high tide would be alright for a beginner....don't know what level of intermediate your brother is but he should consider paddle stamina before cutbacks when evaluating whether he can handle a break. If I were you I'd stick to Kuta but stay off Halfway unless you can hold your own....second best would be that stretch of beach next to Batu Bolong.....lots of little peaks and gentle waves as well as space to work things out on.....your brother can paddle out back or go down to Echo if he's bored.

I wouldn't go East without being surf fit, not even to Serangan....besides currents it's a s___tshow this time of year with every backpacker, guide book holder or internet forum reader jumping off on peaks that can't handle the crowds that descend....there are some beginner/intermediate friendly spots that aren't overrun, but they get shallow and I'm not going to be the one to ruin them by pinning directions to them. Honestly, I live here.....we have to keep some things for ourselves.....secret is out about Canggu and Kuta, but they are beginner friendly and your best bet.

[Laviz]

Wow thanks for the massive info guys!

Jaffa1949/冲浪爷爷
Ya definitely not talking about Padang Padang left…don’t want to die young ! Thanks for the info on Lombok. Was planning to stay at Kuta Lombok and travel our way to Selong Belanak and Gerupuk. But seems like we can stay near the hotel if we want to since the surf is there! That we didn't know of. BTW does Gerupuk require boat to access the surf? I have to confess I am actually afraid of boat rides because I am not confident of sufing in place where I can’t sort of touch the seabed. Plus I get sea sick easily.

Forgot to mention for Lombok it’s a trip without the kids

Thanks for all the inform! Alex44
There will probably be at least 4 of us. 3 beginners and 1 intermediate.
Heard of the beauty of Lombok can't wait to get there!

Big H
Wow Sanur sounds bad…Guess there is really no escaping the crowd =/
Frankly I don’t know what level my bro is. I only know he can catch wave consistently but I am not sure about turns…cause I am busy struggling . We are trying to get our fitness up now during monsoon surf which will end in Feb. That’s the reason why we are going during March – also because of the kids 1 week holiday.
“stay off Halfway unless you can hold your own”
Do you mean not to go too far back out?


Actually I don’t mind any wave. I don’t need fantastic breaks. I only need wave that is “easier” for me to progress. Are there actually such wave? Waves that are easier for beginner to learn to catch wave on? Or it's all about paddling

Thanks guys I will probably try – Batu Bolong – Echo for my bro/ Katu / padang padang right

Btw is it easy to rent board in Lombok? I can't bring my sponge-board in the airline I am planning to fly and it's probably not worth the penny and trouble. I will probably go in May then.

[jaffa1949]

Lombok is very different from Bali in that it is more desert like, more like northern Australia ( Wallace line).

I haven't surfed Gerupuk but Google Gerupuk surf camp . There is a surf beach in Ekas bay inside of Inside
Ekas easy access from where you can stay Heaven on the Planet, they have boards you can hire if you stay at the resort. Pretty much a sand bottom.

Both main Ekas breaks are on Reef, so out of your league.

HOTP can look after you well.