All Episodes

January 30, 2025 13 mins

Send us a text

Bali is a surfer's paradise, offering consistent waves, rich culture, and stunning landscapes that make it an ideal destination. From beginner surf spots to advanced breaks, exploration of local traditions, and recommendations for a fulfilling trip, this episode inspires listeners to embrace the thrilling adventure that Bali represents.

• Overview of Bali as a surfing destination
• Personal story of learning to surf 
• Top surf spots: Uluwatu, Padang, Canggu, Kuta Beach, Madui 
• Cultural and spiritual experiences in Bali 
• Advantages of learning to surf in Bali 
• Challenges: crowds and traffic 
• Recommendations for alternatives and off-the-beaten-path surfing locations

Let's Go Adventuring:
https://thebucketlistmermaid.com/

Follow the Tail:

@TheBucketListMermaid (YouTube)
@thebucketlistmermaid (Instagram)
@TheBucketListMermaid (Pinterest)

Get in Touch:
alexandra@thebucketlistmermaid.com

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Alexandra (00:00):
Hello, my intrepid adventurers, and welcome back to
Ticket Before you Kick it, thepodcast that gets you one step
closer to checking off thoseepic bucket list adventures.
I'm Alexandra, your go-to guidefor all things travel and
thrill-seeking, and I also run ablog called the Bucket List
Mermaid, and today we are goingto take a deep dive pun
absolutely intended into one ofthe most conic surf destinations

(00:24):
in the world Bali.
Now, bali is a name that ringsthe ears of surfers and
adventurers seekers alike, andthere's a good reason for that.
This Indonesian paradise ismore than just a pretty face.
With its lush landscapes,vibrant culture and mind-blowing
sunsets, it's actually a globalsurfing mecca.
So, whether you're a seasonedpro or a beginner like me,

(00:46):
looking to catch your first wave, bali is your place to be, and
this is actually where I learnedor more like, first wiped out
surfing.
This is 100% a bucket listthing to do.
So let's start with the obviousquestion why Bali?
Well, bali isn't just famousfor surfing, it's legendary.
It's pretty much got theperfect cocktail of all the

(01:09):
conditions that just make asurfer's dream come true.
Now I'm going to be completelyhonest.
I am not a pro surfer.
However, according to theexperts, this is because they
have warm waters, consistentswells and a huge variety of
surf breaks.
Surfers can enjoy those longhealing waves or the challenging
of barreling reef breaks.

(01:30):
Bali's just got it all.
Plus, the waves here are prettymuch as consistent as your
morning coffee run.
They also have a year-roundsurf season, so it's always a
good time to hit the water.
And let's also not forget aboutthe culture.
Bali is deeply rooted inspirituality and tradition, and
there's something about theBalinese way of life that just

(01:50):
clicks with surf culture.
You know it's like that hangtight, I'm zen kind of thing.
It just works.
The island's laid-back vibe,combined with the locals' warmth
and hospitality, just makes ita home away from home for
surfers around every corner ofthe globe.
So me personally surfing inBali I ended up going to Bali on

(02:11):
my big, huge backpacking tripafter college and if you haven't
heard my ear horror story, Iwould recommend going and
listening to it.
And warning, it's not for thefaint of heart, but basically I
had to have an earringsurgically removed in Vietnam,
so I was still recovering fromthat because the doctor said

(02:32):
that I had to not get it wet forthree months.
However, I really wanted tocheck this off of my bucket list
.
So I'm going to be honest, Ichickened out the first time.
However, when I came back tothis location, I ended up making
a makeshift ear pocket gauzebandage thing around my entire

(02:54):
head.
It was so attractive and I gotso many looks.
However, I was so determined tocheck this off of my bucket
list and to try surfing in Balithat I just made it work.
But basically, I taped a bunchof gauze and band-aids to my ear
to make a little seal around myear.
Now, warning, this did not workat all.

(03:15):
However, I would like to thinkthat it kept some water from
going into my ear.
However, I wiped out a lot, soI'm not sure that that's
actually the case, but oh well.
So I ended up taking a class inBali, a surfing beginner class,
and it was really, really nicebecause we started off on the
shore.
They explained, you know, howto get up, how to place our

(03:38):
weight and just all of thebasics for learning how to surf,
and this was really nice toactually get to do this in a
setting where I wasn't in thewater first.
However, once I got into thewater, it was a whole different
beast.
It was a mixture of feelingcool on the surfboard and just
completely wiping out in thewater and not looking cool

(03:59):
anymore.
I wiped out a lot, I laughed alot and, as I said, I'm not a
avid surfer.
However, I would go on fromhere and become an avid
snowboarder.
So I'm really wondering, if Idid go surfing in Bali again,
how different it would be nowthat I've snowboarded for a
while.
I did end up also surfing inFiji.
However, I think that, althoughFiji was stunning, I think that

(04:22):
this had better waves.
So, again, bali is justsuperior as far as surfing, but
that is what I have to compareit to.
If you are an avid surfer andyou have surfed in Bali and all
these other locations, I wouldlove to hear from you so that
you could just tell me how thisactually does compare to other
surfing capitals of the world.

(04:44):
However, from this beginner,wiping out on these waves in
Bali was pretty darn fun.
Now let's get to the good stuff.
Where should you actually gowhen you're ready to ride those
famous Balinese waves?
Here are some of the best spotson the island.
Now number one Uluwatu.
This is the granddaddy of Balisurf spots.
Uluwatu is not just a wave,it's a rite of passage.

(05:07):
The surf breaks here are over asharp reef and when it's on,
it's on.
Advanced surfers flock toUluwatu for its powerful, fast
and sometimes heavy waves.
But don't worry.
Even if you're not ready totackle Uluwatu's legendary break
, the cliffside views are worththe trip alone and they are
worth the traffic.
I ended up going to the templeat Uluwatu and watching some of

(05:30):
the surf spots.
I personally wasn't quite readyfor that level.
If you are an advanced surferand you really want to check
this off your bucket list,uluwatu is the place to go Now.
Next, padang.
Padang, which is known as theBalinese Pipeline.
This place is famous for itshollow, barreling left hand wave
.
Let me be honest, I have noclue what that means, but that's

(05:52):
what they told me.
It kind of looked like a wavethat just came straight out of a
surf movie and I can imaginethat riding it feels like you're
starring in one.
And again, just remember, thisspot is best suited for
experienced surfers.
Now, chengu.
Now, this is where I learned tosurf personally.
Now, this is more of a relaxedvibe, which, again, I vibed with

(06:15):
best because it was my firsttime.
It is perfect for all levels,with multiple breaks along the
coast.
It's also a great place tochill out after your session,
because they had some amazingbeachside cafes, some lively
nightlife and also some hipstermeets surfer atmosphere.
That's just hard to beat, whichis kind of what I am Again, I'm

(06:36):
a yoga hippie so this place andI vibed quite hard.
I would also 10 out of 10recommend their sunsets oh my
goodness, absolutely stunning,especially after a long, hard
day of surfing and wiping out inthose waves.
Now, when finding a place that Iwas learning to surf, I
actually went between two, andthat was Canggu and Kuta Beach.

(06:58):
So Kuta Beach is pretty muchthe place to go if you are a
beginner.
The waves here are mellow andforgiving, which does make it an
ideal spot for beginners.
Plus, you'll find plenty ofsurf schools here just ready to
help you catch your very firstwave or, in my case, my very
first wipeout.
However, it might be busy, butthere is a reason that it's such

(07:20):
a popular spot.
It's just a fun, accessibleintroduction to Bali's surf
scene, and although I didn'tspecifically surf here, I did
stay in Kuta for a few days andit's a really, really cool area
and pretty accessible from theairport as well.
So if you're looking to escapethe crowds, I would go for Madui
.
I'm gonna go with Madui Again.

(07:42):
I'm sorry if I mispronouncedthat, but this is basically on
the western coast and the waveshere are long and gentle.
This is perfect forlongboarders who love a more
laid-back surf experience, andit's also an incredible spot to
soak in the raw natural beautyof Bali, maybe a little bit
farther away from the hustle andbustle.

(08:02):
So hopefully, out of those fiveplaces that I just gave you,
you have a better idea of whereyou want to go surfing in Bali.
But why should surfing in Balibe on your bucket list anyway,
and why is it non-negotiable?
Well, let me count the ways.
First off, it's a surfer'sparadise.
It has waves for every skilllevel, from absolute newbies to

(08:22):
seasoned pros, and also I haveto say that there's a lot of
resources for learning.
As I said, I surfed in Fiji aswell, and there wasn't a ton.
However, bali has surfinglessons and surf schools
everywhere.
There's a reason that it is sopopular, and because it is so
popular, you will have notrouble finding resources,

(08:45):
people to help you.
So this is truly a perfect placeto learn how to surf, and it's
more than just a surfdestination.
It's a full-on cultural andspiritual experience.
I mean, seriously, it was likesomething out of a movie.
I got up, I did some sunriseyoga, I hit the waves, aka
crashed a bunch, and then Iended the day looking at this

(09:07):
beautiful sunrise.
And then they had this beachbonfire with a sky full of stars
.
I could not believe that it wasreal.
And then in the other days, theisland is bursting with things
to do.
It has rice terraces towaterfalls, to volcanoes, and
the food oh my gosh.
Balinese cuisine is anadventure in itself, just packed

(09:30):
with flavors that will blowyour mind.
Bali is such a cool destinationand it really is one of my
favorite places that I have been, just because it offers such a
unique mix of adventure andrelaxation.
So, after a day of surfing, youcan explore the ancient temples
, hike to hidden waterfalls,kick back with a fresh coconut

(09:51):
on the beach.
It really is adventurer'schoice.
It's the kind of place thatjust recharges your soul, fills
your camera roll and leaves youwith stories that you will be
telling for years.
With that being said, I do havea full Bali bucket list on
thebucketlistmermaidcom.
I will link it in the shownotes, because surfing should
not be your only thing on yourbucket list for Bali.

(10:12):
Bali in itself is so incredibleand, honestly, it's very
aesthetic.
It's like a photographer'sdream, and there's so much to do
here.
So if you are going to Bali, Iwould highly recommend checking
that out in addition to surfingin Bali.
Now, what are the cons tosurfing in Bali?

(10:32):
The only thing that I could sayis that it is crowded.
It is popular for a reason, sothere is a lot of people,
especially in the more beginnerplaces like Kuta Beach and
Canggu.
There is a lot of people whoare checking this off of their
bucket list, so you might find alot of crowds here which, when
you are surfing, can be a littlebit annoying.

(10:54):
A lot of crowds here which,when you are surfing, can be a
little bit annoying.
Luckily, I did not hit anybody,so I will take that as a win.
Another thing my biggestcomplaint about Bali is the
traffic is so bad.
I don't know why, but we wouldjust sit for hours in traffic,
like when I said that I went tothat Uluwatu temple.
It took so long literally justto get from one side of town to

(11:15):
the other, so make sure to planahead for that if you are
traveling from one destinationin Bali to the other to carve
out a chunk of time just to sitin traffic.
As I said, it is a touristdestination and there's a reason
that it's a tourist destinationbecause it's beautiful and it's
just so much to do here fortourists, so it is a little bit

(11:36):
touristy.
Speaking of that, if you do wantto go to a place in Indonesia
that is not as touristy, Iactually went from Bali to
Lombok and the Komodo Islandsand when I was in that Komodo
Islands I saw zero people.
I lived on a liveaboard.
I went around, saw some Komododragons.
That was not touristy at all.
So if you are looking forsomething that is a little

(11:58):
non-touristy I'm not sure aboutthe surfing I do know that there
is a surf school and camp inthe Komodo, I believe it's
called Nayaka.
So if you are looking for anon-touristy surfing destination
in Indonesia, I would probablysteer clear of Bali and go there
instead, or just do both.
Then you get the best of bothworlds.
So there you have it, bali inall of its surf-stoked glory.

(12:22):
Whether you're dreaming ofriding those epic waves, soaking
up the culture or just livingthe blissful island life, bali
is a must-visit destination forany adventurer's bucket list and
, trust me, once you go, you'llbe counting down the days till
you can return I surely am.
As I said, I want to try it nowthat I've snowboarded.
I'll probably still wipe out,and that's okay.

(12:43):
However, this time I will nothave a giant plastic bag on my
head, so that's a win.
A win is a win, people, a winis a win.
Thanks for tuning into thisepisode of Take it Before you
Kick it.
If you've got Bali on yourbucket list or you've already
been and already have some wildsurf stories to share, I would
love to hear from you.
Drop a comment, send me amessage and tag us in your epic

(13:04):
Bali surf shots on social mediaat the Bucket List.
Mermaid, if you did like thisepisode, I would just love it if
you would subscribe, leave acomment and share it with any of
your fellow adventurers.
Until next time, keep chasing.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Intentionally Disturbing

Intentionally Disturbing

Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.