Years ago, when I was learning to surf out at Kuta Reef, I had one of those days. You know the kind—when everything is happening at once. The reef felt sharp and closer than it should, the sets rolled in faster than I could read them, and I was still learning how to duck dive without panic. But the real challenge wasn’t the waves.
There’s a unique kind of freedom that comes from boarding a plane with just your board bag, a few essentials, and a one-way ticket to somewhere warm and wave-rich. For many, that place is Bali—and for good reason.
The Mentawai Islands sit at the top of every surfer’s dream list—and once you’ve been, you’ll know why. Imagine glassy turquoise waves peeling over coral reefs, palm-fringed islands untouched by mass tourism, and a rhythm of life that revolves entirely around the tides.
With warm tropical water, consistent swell, and a laid-back surf culture, the Island of the Gods attracts wave chasers from around the world. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned surfer, Bali has something for everyone.
Bali is a great destination for long boarders, with a variety of breaks that offer long and mellow waves. Here are five of the best long boarding waves in Bali.
For Carly, surfing while pregnant kept her healthy and happy: “Surfing and instructing during this time helped me have a great pregnancy. It gave me purpose and kept away any pregnancy blues.
The salt water, the rush of a wave, the thrill of standing up—there’s no way to put these experiences into words, you just have to see what it’s all about for yourself.
