Frequently Asked Questions
PRICE
Our rates are as advertised on our booking page and are non-negotiable unless your stay is for longer than one month.
AVAILABILITY AND RESERVATIONS
To check our availability or make a reservation, we have an online quotation, availability and reservation system. Reservations are by room, so simply enter the number of people, arrival date & duration. The system will show you which rooms are available and the price by room. Additional items can be booked, such as group surf lessons, private surf lessons, Yoga classes, Board hire. A 10% deposit is required to reserve the room unless within 30 days of arrival when full payment is required.
SURF (GENERAL)
Bali is the most consistent surfing destination in the world. We get rideable surfing conditions 365 days a year. From April to October, the waves are generally bigger, while from November to March, they are usually smaller. This is the seasonal trend, but you can get small surf on any particular day in April to October and large surf from November to March; such is the nature of surfing. We are located in the world’s best surfing destination very near to Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Impossibles, Bingin, Dreamland and Balangan. Nusa Dua, Green Bowls, Pandawa, and Nyang Nyang are also very close, as are the airport reefs: Toro Toro, Airport rights, Airport lefts, Middles, and Kuta reef. As we have so many surf breaks to choose from, it is generally possible every day to find the right size and conditions for your ability.
SURF TIMES
The start time for surfing changes every day as the tide varies daily and we will vary the surfing location & time according to the surfing conditions, such as swell size, wind, tide etc. We typically offer two surf sessions for both surf lessons and surf guiding groups. This would typically be one session in the morning + one session in the afternoon or two morning sessions. Our surfing schedule changes daily according to the tidal cycle and other relevant factors. Scheduling is done the afternoon before as this gives us the best data in terms of current and expected surfing conditions. Sessions are typically between 1.5 and 2.0 hours long.
SURF GUIDE
Your surf guide will be knowledgeable of the local breaks and the best times to surf them depending on conditions – swell, tide & winds. Your surf guide will advise you on where to enter and exit the water, rips, where to line up for waves, positioning, etc. He will surf with you but will not teach or supervise your surfing. If you require teaching or supervising, then a surf lesson is more suitable.
WHAT LEVEL AM I?
Check out our guide to surfing ability levels here.
SURF LESSONS
Your surf instructor will be knowledgeable of the local breaks and the best times to surf them depending on conditions – swell, tide & winds. He will arrange the best times with you every day to go to the most suitable surf break. He will supervise you in the water and instruct you how to lie on and paddle the board, paddle out to the break, catch waves, stand up, and ride. He will also advise you on rips and determine when and where it is safe to surf. He will evaluate your surfing technique and advise what improvements you need to make.
Surf lessons are an additional cost however it includes board rental. Surf lessons are daily – typically twice a day. There is no fixed duration, but each session is usually between 1.5 and 2 hours. The defining factors are safety, wave quality, your ability, and level of fitness.
SURFING GROUPS
We typically operate four surfing groups a day for beginner, intermediate and advanced. We also offer private surf lessons and private surf guiding.
SURF EQUIPMENT
All surf equipment is included if you book surf lessons (surfboard, rash vest, leash). Otherwise, we rent surfboards for £10 a day. We have shortboards, mini-mals, mid-lengths, funboards, and soft-tops, and longboards.
WHAT TIME IS CHECK-IN/OUT?
Check-in time is 1 pm, check-out time is 11 am.
WHEN ARE MEALS SERVED?
Breakfast between 7 am and 10 am, lunch between 12 noon and 2 pm. Saturdays we have a Fish & Chicken BBQ or Pizzas from our wood fired pizza oven at 6 pm.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO BALI?
You should bring everything you would normally bring for a tropical beach holiday. For example, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, sunscreen, bathing costume. We provide a rash vest if you are taking surf lessons, but you should bring shorts to surf in. Some people wear reef booties, however in most cases, they are unnecessary and will affect the feeling of the surfboard. They can be purchased locally if required. We provide a room towel, soap & shampoo but do not provide beach towels. Most people in Bali use a sarong at the beach, and these can be purchased almost anywhere in Bali (including reception) for a reasonable price. Don’t forget your phone or camera to take loads of selfies! Bali is very Instagram-friendly.
SURFING PHOTOS & Videos
Our photographer and videographer join one of the groups every morning and shoot photos and videos for one of the sessions. All photos and videos are provided free of charge and are uploaded daily to google drive.
AIRPORT
The closest airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which is a one-hour’s drive from the surf camp in good traffic conditions. Our airport transfer service takes away some of the hassles of travelling. Airport transfers are included if you stay at least one week and are available as an optional extra for shorter stays. You will be met outside the international or domestic arrival terminal by someone holding a Padang Padang Surf Camp sign.
OTHER PICK UP & DROP LOCATIONS
If staying seven nights or more and not arriving or departing from the airport, we will provide an included transfer anywhere on the Bukit peninsula, including Nusa Dua and Jimbaran. We do not provide transfers to or from other locations such as Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, Ubud, Canggu, etc.
FLIGHTS AND VISAS
We do not arrange flights. We recommend Kayak.com to find all the flight options to Bali. You need to arrange your own flight either directly with an airline, a travel website, or a travel agent. Visitors from most countries can get a free tourist visa on arrival for 30 days. For more detailed information on Indonesian visa policy Indonesian visa.
CURRENCY
Indonesian Rupiah is the currency in Bali, and it is approximately 15,000 IDR to 1 US$. Currency exchange services are available at the airport. There are ATM’s near the pick-up area in the international terminal at the airport. There are also several ATM’s within walking distance from the surf camp.
WEATHER
Air: Bali has a mild and agreeable tropical climate year-round. Average daytime air temperatures are 28C°/82F° to 29C°/84F°. There is always a cooling breeze at Padang Padang Surf Camp, and it is not stifling hot.
Water Temperature
The water temperatures varies between 27C°/81F° to 29C°/84F°. You can wear board shorts all year.
CLOTHING
Shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops are the norm. It’s hot in the day, and people tend to dress casually and comfortably. Trousers and shirts may be worn in the evening going out, however, shorts and t-shirts are acceptable.
MOBILE PHONES
Most international phones work in Bali. The most practical and economical option is to buy a tourist SIM card from a shop near the surf camp. 4G service is available and usually very good.
INTERNET
The Surf Camp has enterprise-grade WiFi that allows you to connect from anywhere within the surf camp. There is free internet in most of the local restaurants. We have a Coworking office and a Private office with a dedicated connection.
SHOPPING/NIGHTLIFE
There is great shopping in Kuta which is about 1 hour from surf camp. Uluwatu and Padang Padang enjoy a vibrant nightlife with many sunset drinks or live music/DJ options available every night. We arrange evening activities at the camp, which vary from a cultural experience at the Uluwatu Temple to party nights at Cashew tree and Single Fin.
RESTAURANTS/FOOD
Food in Bali is very tasty with a great variety of both western and eastern food. Seafood is particularly good. Jimbaran seafood is world-famous and absolutely delicious – fish, crab, lobster, prawns, and clams. The surf camp package includes breakfast & lunch at surf camp (alternates between western and Indonesian on a daily basis). There are many excellent dinner options within a short distance from our surf camp. We usually have a delicious barbeque at our surf camp on Saturday night. Guests often join each other for dinner at a nearby restaurant. For a more local experience, there are several great warungs to choose from.
WATER
The local tap water should not be drunk. We provide drinking water at surf camp.
LOCATION
The Padang Padang area has many restaurants/bars, clothing shops, surf shops, and convenience stores all within a short walk from the surf camp. Padang Padang beach, Impossibles, and Bingin Beach are all walking distance from the Bali Surf Camp. Dreamland and Uluwatu are about 2 miles away. Motorbike and taxi transportation is cheap and readily available via the GoJek Application. Directions to Padang Padang Surf Camp
A variety of world-class breaks are very close to the Premier Bali Surf Camp and Yoga Resort, and there is a choice of white sand beaches. Padang Padang beach was the location for the beach scenes in the Julia Roberts movie: Eat, Pray, Love. We are more Eat, Sleep, Surf, but the point is that this is a spectacularly beautiful beach, and there is a great vibe there at sunset with travelers from all over the world and friendly locals.
VACCINATIONS
Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required to enter Indonesia. Bali is considered safe from Malaria. Medical facilities are good but comprehensive travel insurance that includes Surfing is a requirement. Consult your doctor for specific medical advice.
CULTURE
Our trip to the monkey fire dance at Uluwatu temple every Tuesday is unmissable. Ceremonies are performed for every new moon, full moon, and various other occasions. Bali is the land of the Gods and ceremonies. If you want to see a ceremony ask the staff what ceremonies are scheduled during your stay.
SURF TRANSPORT
The surf camp package also includes transport to and from the surf breaks at various times daily.
You will be arranged in groups according to ability and be transported to the surf breaks twice a day per group. In the evening, we will provide one-way transport for our nightly activities.
SURF SHOPS
White Monkey Surf Shop is 200 meters from us. There is also a Channel Islands Surfboard Shop and Drifter, a high-end surf shop, a short 10-minute walk away. Kuta, one hour away, has the most surf shops in the world! You can find anything you need related to surfing in Bali in Uluwatu, Kuta, or Canngu.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?
Breakfast & lunch is included, but you will need money for dinner in the evening. This will cost about US$10 for food. We cannot estimate how much you will spend on alcohol, gifts, taxis, nights out, and other items however Bali is relatively inexpensive and has ATMs & money changers.
AVERAGE AGE AT SURF CAMP
Each week different guests arrive so it is impossible to predict the average age in advance. Most people who stay here are professionals in their twenties, thirties or forties, but we get people of all ages. The “average age” varies from week to week.
SOLO TRAVELERS
Our camp is the perfect environment for individual travelers. We enjoy a friendly, social atmosphere where most residents surf, eat, and join evening activities. You are sure to make new friends and lasting memories.