Kuta Beach Bali Surf Lessons 2026: Beginner's Guide & Reviews
Ready to ride the waves in Bali? Kuta Beach is a surfing paradise, especially for beginners. Get all the details on lessons, what to pack, and real experiences here.
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Ready to ride the waves in Bali? Kuta Beach is a surfing paradise, especially for beginners. Get all the details on lessons, what to pack, and real experiences here.


Hey there! Eunsu here.
In Bali, you'll find
Kuta Beach, often called a holy grail for surfers.
Since I've always loved water activities,
I decided to take on the challenge of **surfing** during this trip!
I'll cover everything from the surf school I booked, lesson times,
what to pack, and my honest review.
Contents |
1. Bali Kuta Beach: Why I Learned to Surf Here |
2. How to Book Surfing & Price Comparison |
3. My Surfing Lesson: What Was It Really Like? ⭐ |
4. Recommended Surfing Packing List |
5. Who I Recommend This For |
1. Bali Kuta Beach: Why I Learned to Surf Here
I picked Kuta Beach not just because it's famous,
but because its structure makes it exceptionally safe
for beginners.
With a soft, sandy bottom instead of reefs or sharp rocks,
they say there's minimal risk of injury if you fall
or tumble off your board.

The waves closer to the shore are soft, foamy ripples,
meaning they don't crash aggressively but rather roll in gently.
It was absolutely perfect for someone like me, practicing standing
on the board for the very first time!

With so many surf schools clustered in the area,
from Korean-run businesses to local shops, the options were endless!
I didn't have to worry at all about booking lessons
or renting a board.
2. How to Book Surfing & Price Comparison
As I looked into surf schools at Bali's Kuta Beach,
I found myself weighing two main options.
One was 27 Surf School, which had tons of reviews on booking platforms,
and the other was a Korean-run business.

You can book 27 Surf on both Trip.com and Klook,
but the prices vary slightly.
I chose to book through **Klook,** as it had more reviews.
Category (Platform) | Details (Price) |
27 Surf School (Trip.com) | Beginner Lesson 90 min 1:1 Price ~$9 27 Surf Lowest Price |
27 Surf School (Klook) | Beginner Lesson 90 min 1:1 Price ~$10 Platform with many reviews |
Ricky Surf School (MyRealTrip) | Surf Experience 1 hour 1:1 Price ~$18 Korean-operated Easy communication |
You can add pick-up/drop-off services with 27 Surf.
It's an additional ~$3.
Lesson start times are available every hour from 07:30 to 16:30,
so you can simply pick your preferred slot when you book.

Plus, a dedicated photographer captures your moments during the lesson –
photos are included as standard, but if you want video, there's an extra charge.
Korean-operated schools tend to be pricier than local ones,
but they offer not only 1:1 but also 1:2 and 1:3 group lessons.
Opting for a group will make it more affordable than a private session.
3. My Surfing Lesson: What Was It Really Like?

So, what was the surfing lesson actually like?
I'm excited to share my honest review!
I booked my lesson for 08:30.
After a quick breakfast at my accommodation, I was off!
Walking along Kuta Beach on the way there,
I was amazed by just how many surf schools lined the shore.
27 Surf seemed to be the largest school around.
📍 27 Surf School | 1 on 1 Lesson
Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361 Indonesia

First up, simply show your booking voucher!
They explained that the photos taken during the experience would be sent within 3 days
via email or WhatsApp.
(I actually received mine via email the very next day!)


During the lesson, they offer a place to store your shoes and belongings.
Although the storage area isn't the most luxurious,
it's right next to the desk, so I felt my items were safe.
I arrived about 15 minutes before my scheduled time,
dropped off my belongings, and waited for about 10 minutes.

When it was time, I quickly greeted my instructor
and we headed straight to the ocean.
We started with some simple theoretical training.
Things like how to balance on the board, paddling posture,
and the timing for standing up were practiced on land first
for about 20 minutes.
Since my instructor could speak a bit of Korean,
I was able to understand the theoretical training without much difficulty.

After the theoretical training, we moved to the ocean
for the practical session of catching real waves.
My instructor pushed the board from beside me
and helped with the timing, so it felt easier than I expected.

For the first few attempts, I fell off the board
as soon as I stood up.
But after a few more tries,
there came a moment when I felt like I was actually catching a wave
and cruising forward.

I could really feel why so many people come to Kuta Beach in Bali
to learn how to surf.
The waves are genuinely calm, with occasional larger waves,
and smaller ones, coming in at different difficulty levels.

My instructor kept checking on me throughout, asking if I was okay.
There were many reviews mentioning how kind they were, and it was absolutely true.
If I said I wanted to rest a bit, we'd move to the resting chairs
and I could rest for as long as I needed.

By the end, when I managed to successfully stand up,
I started having fun and kept wanting to try more.
The 90-minute lesson came to an end, and it was amazing that even as a beginner,
I was able to ride the waves.
🔻🔻
Book Your 27 Surf School Experience Here!
4. Recommended Surfing Essentials List
Item | Why You Need It |
Swimsuit + Rash Guard / Water Leggings | Changing room facilities can be basic, so it's more convenient to wear them beforehand. Also protects against board friction and UV rays. |
Waterproof Sunscreen / Sun Stick | Regular sunscreen washes off quickly in seawater. |
Change of Clothes / Towel / Large Towel | For moving around wet after the lesson, and to cover up when changing if changing rooms are limited. |
Dry Bag (Waterproof Bag) | Shower rooms and lockers are often small and dated, so this prevents your belongings from getting wet. |
Hat | To shield from the sun when moving around after the lesson. |
Small cash (Rupiah)
For buying bottled water or drinks during lessons
Shower essentials (all-in-one wash)
To quickly wash up and move on, as washing facilities are basic
5. Recommended for these adventurers!

If you want to learn to surf safely,
Kuta Beach has shallow waters,
making it easy for beginners to give it a try.
For those who want an activity where you truly challenge yourself physically,
there's nothing quite like surfing.
I hesitated at first, but it became such a memorable part of my Bali trip.
I highly recommend giving surfing a go at least once.
Considering a trip to Bali? Check these out! |
A 90-minute 1:1 beginner lesson at 27 Surf School can be booked for ~$9 on Trip.com and ~$10 on Klook. The author of this article booked through Klook due to its many positive reviews.
The surfing lesson at 27 Surf School lasts for 90 minutes. Photos taken by a photographer during the lesson are included as standard, but video recording incurs an additional cost.
At 27 Surf School, you can store your shoes and belongings in the storage area next to the desk. Since the changing room facilities are basic, it's recommended to wear your swimsuit and rash guard beforehand and bring a dry bag to protect your personal items from getting wet.
Kuta Beach has a soft sandy bottom instead of reefs or sharp rocks, which reduces the risk of injury. Additionally, the waves near the shore are foamy and roll in gently rather than crashing hard, making it ideal for beginners to practice standing on the board.

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