Blog · By Gervas, surf coach at Nelayan Beach · 7 min read

Surfing in Canggu for beginners: what you need to know

Yes, Canggu is a good place to learn to surf. Batu Bolong, the area's best-known beginner spot, often has smaller waves for first lessons, and there are local instructors and board rentals right on the beach. What you do need to know is that conditions change a lot from day to day, and the tide can turn deep water into shallow water within a few hours. Start at the right time with the right person, and surfing in Canggu as a beginner is very doable.

I'm Gervas, a surf coach based at Nelayan Beach, right next to Batu Bolong. I'm on the beach most days, and this guide is what I'd tell a friend who just landed in Bali and wants to try surfing.

Is Canggu good for beginner surfers?

For most first-timers, yes. Batu Bolong is one of Canggu's most famous surf spots, and first lessons there often happen in smaller waves. Your first rides are usually in the whitewater, the foam that rolls towards the beach after a wave has broken. It's where almost everyone learns to stand up.

Learning here is also well organised. There are local surf instructors all along the beach, and every surf instructor in Canggu has to be a trained lifeguard before they can teach. I'm one too.

The downside is the crowd. Batu Bolong gets busy, with surf lessons, longboarders and people on rental boards sharing the same waves. That's manageable with someone looking after you in the line-up, the area where surfers sit and wait for waves. On your own, on day one, it can feel chaotic.

Where should beginners surf in Canggu?

I meet my students at Nelayan Beach. Nelayan and Batu Bolong are so close that they feel like one beach. Most of my beginner lessons happen at Batu Bolong, and I sometimes take intermediate surfers to Nelayan, depending on the conditions and their experience.

• Batu Bolong: the famous beginner spot, with cafés, board rentals and surf schools right behind the sand. It gets busy, especially mid-morning.
• Nelayan: a bit quieter and less chaotic than Batu Bolong, but close to everything. A good place to chill after your session and watch the sunset with a coconut.

I go into more detail in my guide to the best beginner surf spots in Canggu and in the Batu Bolong surf guide.

What are the waves like for beginners?

First lessons often happen in smaller waves. You'll mostly ride whitewater, which moves slower than an unbroken wave and pushes you towards the beach, so you can focus on your pop-up. The pop-up is the move from lying on the board to standing, and it's the main skill of a first session.

At Batu Bolong you usually paddle out to the waves rather than walk in, and the water depth changes a lot with the tide, from deep to quite shallow. I help with timing and positioning, so many people catch a wave in their very first lesson.

Once you can stand up fairly reliably, we start looking at green waves, which are waves that haven't broken yet. I explain the steps in from whitewater to green waves.

When is the best time to surf in Canggu?

You can surf in Canggu almost every day of the year, but not every day suits every level. The dry season runs roughly from April to October, and the wet season from November to March. In the dry season there's sometimes an offshore wind in the morning, blowing from the land out to sea, which keeps the waves clean. In the wet season the wind is more often onshore, blowing from the sea towards the land, which makes the waves messier.

Wave height changes a lot from one day to the next, in both seasons. The tide matters too: for beginners, mid and low tide are usually the easiest, although wave height and currents also play a part. Early mornings are often calmer, with less wind and fewer people. More in the best time to surf in Canggu.

Do you need a surf lesson?

It isn't required. For your first few sessions I'd still recommend one, mainly for safety and because you'll learn much faster.

A good instructor picks the right time for you, gives you a board that suits your level and finds you a good spot in the line-up, so you can catch waves without worrying about collisions. They also spot the small mistakes you can't feel yet, like standing up too slowly or looking down at your feet.

I teach private lessons, one student and one instructor, so I can keep my eyes on you the whole time, both for your technique and for your safety. Travelling as a couple or with friends? Book a semi-private lesson and learn together. There’s more about how I teach on my surf lessons in Canggu page.

What happens during your first lesson?

A lesson takes two hours. We meet at Nelayan Beach and look at the waves together. I'll explain why I'm choosing a certain time, because learning to read the conditions is part of surfing.

Before we get wet, we do some theory on the sand: how the waves break, how to paddle out with a big board and how to fall safely. Then we practise the pop-up on the beach until it starts to feel natural. After that, we paddle out, and I help you with timing and positioning on your first waves.

If you get tired, tell me. Tired surfers make mistakes, and in the water mistakes can become dangerous, so we can stop earlier if that's safer. When we're done, there's water to drink. Photos are available on request, with an extra cost for the photographer. For the full step-by-step, see what happens during your first surf lesson in Canggu.

How safe is surfing in Canggu?

Surfing always comes with some risk. A soft-top board (a board with a soft foam surface) and professional instruction make that risk much smaller, and that's how beginners learn here. The main things to watch:

• Other surfers and boards. In a crowded line-up, collisions are a real risk.
• Your own board. It's attached to your ankle with a leash, and it can bounce back towards you after a fall.
• Currents. Moving water can pull you away from where you want to be.
• Tiredness. Pushing on when you're exhausted is when most mistakes happen.
• Sun. Bali sun is strong, even on cloudy mornings, so always wear sunscreen.

The beaches have warning flags, and most of them aren't suitable for swimming. There are no big lifeguard posts, so on a busy day a dangerous situation can go unnoticed. Be careful, and when in doubt, ask a local. There's a longer explanation in my article on surf safety in Canggu.

What should you know before getting in the water?

A few basics make your first session easier:

• You don't need to be a very strong swimmer. I choose conditions that suit you, for example more whitewater waves in shallower water instead of bigger ones. Be open about your skills and any worries.
• When you fall, fall flat and away from the board, and cover your head with your arms as you come up.
• Keep your board to the side, never between you and an incoming wave.
• Look left and right before you go for a wave. If someone is already riding it, let it pass.
• Bring swimwear and a towel. I’ll provide the board, water, zinc sunscreen and a rash vest, a thin top that protects your skin from the sun and from rubbing on the board.

Eat something light beforehand. Paddling on an empty stomach is hard work.

Beginner surfing in Canggu: common questions

Can I learn to surf in Canggu if I've never surfed before?

Yes. Plenty of people start with zero experience. We begin on the sand and paddle out once the pop-up feels familiar.

How long is a surf lesson?

Two hours. We can stop earlier if you get tired, because staying safe comes first.

How many lessons do I need before I can surf alone?

It depends on your fitness, your comfort in the water and how often you surf. Most people need several sessions before they can choose waves safely by themselves. I explain what to expect in how many surf lessons you need.

Can I surf in Canggu during the rainy season?

Yes. There are waves all year. The conditions change a lot from day to day, so check with your instructor what to expect.

Which languages do you teach in?

I teach in English and Indonesian.

Surfing in Canggu for beginners: where to start

Canggu makes learning easier because it has a well-known beginner spot, lots of local instructors and waves almost every day. What makes the biggest difference is starting in smaller waves, at a sensible time, with someone who knows the water. After that, it's practice and patience, and a cold coconut at Nelayan once we're done.

First time surfing? Send me a WhatsApp on +62 813-3684-866. Asking for advice is free, and I'll help you find a session time that suits the conditions.