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I've been getting some mail from people asking me about issues of surfing in Bali, being a subject I do not know fully, I decided to ask our friend Dani who has spent five months doing surfing in Bali this year, we wrote an article for blog about their experience, advice and impressions. Thank
Dani! I simply
Dani copying what it has sent us!
Bali in general: As a general feature, one could say that in Bali (Indonesia) dominated by two seasons as surfing is concerned. The "rainy season" and the "dry season." That carry 2 or 3 tables at most, is sufficient (with more, you may have to pay some money upon arrival at the airport). Most of the waves are going to surf, are very strong and that 95% of cases, break over a coral bottom. That for people with little experience or surfing in some spots, we recommend using socks or boots and sometimes summer will have to enter or exit the reef (coral or background).
for navigating through the island to surf different spots, I recommend renting a bike or gear automatic. It is the most practical and the most time you will win to move, as the traffic in Bali is generally chaotic. At first it may look like a suicide driving a motorcycle in Bali. But before long, he takes a taste. Very important to get the International Driving Carnet. Avoid you take more than a fine in a control. The fines are laughable because the police is one of the most corrupt police and the fine is part of his salary, but if you go to spend time on the island, it is better to have it with you. For those who panic driving the bike is always the option of the car. Most expensive and travel around the island in some areas can be an ordeal. The price of jet average around 25,000 to 35,000 rupees per day. But you can haggle over the price and download it if you want to rent the bike for a month or longer. Prices for cars, because no idea. I have only enjoyed the island on a bike;). Whether
surf sessions to go on the bike when driving, it is essential to take along a good sunscreen. Date cream long time even before it is raining very hard. Depending on the season, the weather in Bali is very variable. The same He was then the universal flood, as 10 minutes for the rain, it clears, and you have a sun of hell. Still and all, sure you burn a day.) Always Carry a bottle of water. The sessions and the weather sure you are dehydrated and in more than one occasion that bottle questions remain. You can always buy it if you carry with you on many of the places you go to surf, but it sure will be far more expensive.
As far as food is concerned, I recommend eating in the typical Warung's with typical food of the island. Undoubtedly, you will discover ways to eat dishes that will surely not have imagined. The food in general in Bali is very good and is almost based on rice. Be prepared to eat white rice as ever in your life. Most dishes come with rice. The food is cooked with lots of spices, and much of that food is spicy. So you can be careful if you are not tolerant to hot. In general these places you can eat for between 10,000 and 15,000 rupees (which amounts to less than one euro or 1.20 according to the change.) I recommend eating in areas where there is less tourism. Because most requested areas, food is still the same but the price may be double. For me, the best dishes were the Soto Ayam, Sate Ayam on the Baksa and Campur Nasi. Dishes hovered between 7,000 and 12,000 rupees. But of course, for taste is colors. And the flavors;).
For me as a must and can be bought at the surf shops on the island, is a small book as a guide to surfing in Indonesia called "Wave-Finder Indonesia" . It is a very famous book because in it, are most spots to surf on the island and the ideal conditions of tide, wind direction, swell direction and other characteristics for each spot. Are also driving directions to places and small maps of the areas. Come from nearby islands spots and how to reach them, and the names of airlines or sea. Some spots do not come in the book and are usually less common as people or do not know, or you can not reach. Are good choices if you want quiet and surf quality waves. The truth is I do not remember the price of the book but for what it may cost is a very good investment. The information comes from, is gold. I recommend it highly.
And if you do not have the book and do not know how to get to places he asks. Asking that you come to Rome. And in Bali, which many people not related to the surf, know where or how to reach spots. Bargain
. Bargain all you can to get a good price until more or less over time, you know where to go. Generally at the beginning always give you a higher price than normal. That if you do not see you as a newcomer to the island. That's when you get double or triple normal. And this, almost that can be applied to anything that does not have a visible price on a poster, glass window of the store, food menu, or any other form. In the end, it is nothing more than your money.
Where to sleep: The area south of Bali (Bukit Area) is home to most of the good waves on the island. As they say, I've spent nearly 5 months in that part of the island and the variety of waves both the right and left is abundant and quality in some is global (World Class). There are some area southwest of the island where you can also surf some waves calm (and Medewi Balian) in regards to strength but much less crowded.
The area where you stay to spend your time sleeping, depend on the type of person you are. Are you a person you like the atmosphere, variety of restaurants, a little party at night, your base camp, could easily be
KUTA. Kuta is home to most of the hubbub of the island. Options hotels, restaurants and shops, not missing you. The prices of the hotels can roam from the 40,000 rupees, up everything you want to spend. Everything depends on the quality of the hotel. A decent hotel where I I spent most of the time, is the Suka
BEACH INN. Located on the street
BENESARI , came to cost about 110,000 rupees with breakfast, room with double bed, hot water (more than one day you will thank) and swimming pool.
All in a well nice with trees and always with younger people. The waves if you're not going to surf through the area, we remain as a 35-minute moto. A walk as they say.
If you are a person who loves the quiet and off the burden of the cities and bustle, I would go to the area of \u200b\u200bUluwatu , Bingin or Balangan . Areas where people are focused on surfing and relaxation. Prices may be higher than in Kuta, but if you're that kind of person, you worthwhile to pay a little more. In that area of \u200b\u200bUluwatu, I would recommend the hotel or hostel Mamu. This place has nice rooms as if it were a small house and be near many of the best waves in the area. The price can roam among the 120,000 or something else depending on the time and what you can haggle. For Bingin area, you also have plenty of options and the scenery is beautiful. Prices also vary but I would recommend the hostel of a Frenchman who has spent many years in the area called (XXX). The view from the upper rooms is incredible and you can enjoy an evening of grilled seafood for a price or what you think. And if you fancy a quiet walk on the beach, the area is Balangan . All hostels come to cost the same, about 150,000 rupees per night and do not give much room for haggling. But the site also worthwhile. The cottages are thatched-style globe-trotting surfer thrown. And right in front of the hostels, you Balangan wave . A quick wave left a few days is somewhat saturated.
SURF IS Gerund:
What comes next is an orientation. Since everything depends on the weather forecasts and storm surges. It is very important to see the forecast on the Internet to be prepared in your surf sessions. You can connect to the Internet almost every corner as they say. Bali is full of business connectivity services. The price is usually around 5,000 to 12,000 rupees an hour. But yes, do not expect to navigate the speed you're used to. Some pages seem to load pedal.
If you've never surfed in your life, in my opinion, there is only one place you should go. Kuta Beach.
Kuta Beach is located in the town of Kuta near the south of the island and a sandy beach is ideal for beginners. In it, you'll find some places to rent a table if you come without monitors surfing equipment and delivering lectures. I recommend asking about the classes and the material in those places where the price is established. Almost all other parts of the island, the coral bottom and can be a danger rather than a diversion.
RAINY SEASON (mid-October through mid-April):
The very name of the station, makes one wonder. Some days, you go tired of seeing rain hard. This season, usually the swell's not usually large, often-changing winds. Thus probably able to surf most of the spots on the island. Always look on the Internet forecasts. It is also the season where fewer tourists are hungry for waves.
At this time of year is very important wind direction and intensity. If the wind speed is low and you are a person you do not like surfing with too many people, the south, southeast and east of the island, in my opinion is ideal. Since on the other side (South and West) are the most famous waves as Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Kuta Reef, etc ... usually, you're surfing with another 30 people or more.
As good options in this area of \u200b\u200bthe South - South East - East, are Green Balls, Gunung Payung, Timbis (or Secrets to call it), Nyang Nyang (with about 700 steps leading down to the spot), Serang (a bit saturated at times), Sanur Reef (an incredible wave but a bit wayward with the conditions, the locals are very hard also in the water), Kerama (very good wave but saturated with good condition). All of these spots you are offering high quality waves and power. Explore the area because there will be days when you're surfing or alone, or with very few people. Those days are a gift.
If you want to take a break to surf other waves on another island but do not want to go too far, this season, a very good option is to Nusa Lembongan. This island close to Bali, has some great waves in the West Coast. It is a very quiet island in terms of party and referred traffic. To reach this island, the boats leave every morning from Sanur (a town near Kuta) at about 08:30 am or 09:00. Make the jump for at least a couple of days on this island, well worth. Bring cash. Calculate the time you are staying and make accounts. On the island, do not have ATMs and there is only one place you can find cash. But this place is not always operational. In addition, they charge you a fee a little high on passing your credit card for a dataphone and give the money in hand.
DRY SEASON (late April to early October):
At this time, the weather is usually pleasant. The temperature and humidity levels will be those who do not want to go home and crawl. This season, usually the swell's are usually bigger and the winds are often predominant in the East. Thus probably the best waves are in the west of the island. Always look internet forecasts, some days you can take more of a surprise . This season, the influx of hungry surfers waves, is massive. Many people expect this time so powerful and big waves coming in the Bukit area. There are days of tubes in which you enter on foot without any problem.
here and there is little to say. The best options to these terms of wind from the east, is Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Kuta Reef, etc ... All these waves of the West that when you see them with a fair wind, will leave an image on the retina is difficult to forget your life. Of course, you'll be surfing with other zillion or more that have the same image saved as you. In addition you will meet with a high level surfers. So get ready for war.
The sea and weather conditions are always changing. So surely, there will be days when you can not surf. Those days are best to know the other possibilities that the island its culture and its people. Take the opportunity to do something different because life is not all surf.
and otherwise as final summary ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... letting go. This leads to the island. To enjoy every moment and make it as if you were to never return to that paradise. Because it is not how long, but Bali is still a paradise.
