Looking for the best surf retreat in Bali? Discover how to choose the right retreat for your surfing level, travel style and goals.
9x TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winner
Since 2014
For solo travelers • couples • families
Choosing a surf retreat is about more than accommodation and the number of surf sessions included. The quality of the coaching, the size of the surf groups, the choice of surf spots and the atmosphere all shape your experience.
At Pelan Pelan, we combine personalised surf coaching with carefully selected surf spots and a relaxed, family-run retreat in Cemagi, just outside the busiest parts of Canggu. We also give guests a chance to experience Balinese culture through our local team and the everyday life of the retreat. Our homemade Indonesian lunches are served communally, creating a welcoming opportunity to share food and connect with other guests.
Since 2014, we have welcomed solo travellers, couples and families looking to improve their surfing while enjoying a more personal Bali experience, with local hospitality, Indonesian food and a genuine connection to Balinese culture.
We are a small, family-run surf camp and yoga retreat in Cemagi, on Bali’s south-west coast, about 20 minutes from central Canggu. Emma moved to Bali in 2012, met Putu through surfing, and together they opened Pelan Pelan in 2014. Putu still leads the surf coaching today.
With just two surfers per coach, your guide can pay close attention to every wave you catch and give you feedback on your pop-up, stance or timing while it’s still fresh in your mind.
At Pelan Pelan: max 2 guests per surf guide, one-on-one coaching for young children.
The best surf spot depends on the swell, wind, tide and your surfing level. Choosing the right spot means better waves and a more enjoyable session.
At Pelan Pelan: We choose quieter surf spots daily, usually 15 -30 minutes from the retreat, based on the conditions and your level.
Video analysis helps you see your technique, understand what to improve and put your coach’s feedback into practice.
At Pelan Pelan: Daily video analysis with your surf guide, Monday to Saturday.
From first-time surfers to experienced riders, good coaching adapts to your ability and gives you clear goals to work towards.
At Pelan Pelan: Personalised surf coaching from beginner to advanced, plus dedicated surf lessons for children.
Surf equipment, meals, yoga and wellness treatments can all affect the value of your stay.
At Pelan Pelan: Airport pickup, surfboards, daily breakfast and weekday Indonesian lunches, with yoga and massages depending on your package.
A little more Bali. A little less rush. A great surf retreat offers more than time in the water. It’s also about having space to relax, enjoy good food and experience local culture.
At Pelan Pelan: A family-run retreat in nature, with a pool, yoga shala, spa, local Balinese team and freshly prepared Indonesian lunches shared around the table.
Based on 600+ reviews from Tripadvisor & Google
“I spent 3 weeks here, and every day
confirmed how special this place truly is.”
-Irina B. (Solo traveller)
“The quality of the surf coaching is the best I’ve ever had”
-Francesca H. (family)
“I’m blown away by the hospitality.
I can’t say enough positives things about this heaven!”
-Marisa B. (friends)
There is no single best surf retreat in Bali for everyone. This overview shows the main types you will come across, so you can see where your priorities fit.
Surf hostel or party camp
Group lessons, with varying group sizes and levels of individual attention
Budget-conscious travellers who enjoy a social atmosphere and nightlife
Check group sizes, individual feedback and how structured the coaching is
Day surf lessons
Private or group lessons, depending on the surf school
Travellers who want to try surfing during a short stay
Check whether transport, equipment and follow-up coaching are included
Luxury or wellness retreat
Surfing combined with wellness activities; coaching varies by retreat
Travellers who prioritise comfort, relaxation and spa treatments
Check how much focus is placed on surf coaching and progression
Advanced surf camp
Specialised coaching focused on technique, performance and wave conditions
Experienced surfers looking to refine their skills and tackle more challenging waves
Make sure the coaching and surf conditions match your ability and goals
Boutique small-group surf retreat (Pelan Pelan)
Maximum 2 guests per surf guide, personalised coaching, video analysis and surf spots chosen according to conditions and ability
Beginners to advanced surfers seeking individual attention, technical feedback and a relaxed retreat experience
Family-run in Cemagi, with a local Balinese team, communal homemade Indonesian lunches and opportunities to experience Balinese culture. Choose the package that best suits your goals.
Pelan Pelan Bali is a family-run surf retreat in Cemagi, near Canggu. We combine personalised surf coaching with a relaxed, nature-based setting and opportunities to experience Balinese culture.
Pelan Pelan may be a particularly good fit if you want to:
If nightlife, a large hostel atmosphere or a highly specialised big-wave experience is your main priority, a different type of surf camp may suit you better. The best choice ultimately depends on your surfing goals and the kind of Bali experience you’re looking for.
This beginner surf program is designed to help first-time surfers build confidence in a safe and supportive environment. At Pelan Pelan Surf Retreat near Canggu, we start with the basics on the beach before heading into the water.
You’ll learn how to handle the board, paddle, catch waves, and stand up step by step through personal coaching and small groups.
This level is for you if:
• It’s your first time surfing
• You’ve surfed before but still struggle with paddling or standing up
What you’ll learn:
• Practicing your take-off on the beach
• Paddling and standing up in white water
• Surf safety and basic surf rules
• How to move through white water waves safely
Ready to improve your surfing in Bali
with personal coaching and small groups?
Already tried surfing before, but not feeling fully confident yet? This level is designed for surfers who already have some experience and want to improve their foundation in a safe and supportive environment.
At Pelan Pelan Surf Retreat near Canggu, we focus on refining your technique, improving your timing, and helping you catch waves more consistently through personal coaching and small groups.
This level is for you if:
• You’ve surfed several times before
• You can stand up in white water waves, but not consistently
• You want to feel more confident and in control on your board
What you’ll improve:
• Your take-off and paddling technique
• Balance and positioning on the board
• Catching unbroken waves
• Angled take-offs and basic turns
• Better timing, flow, and confidence in the water
Ready to improve your surfing in Bali
with personal coaching and small groups?
You can already stand up and ride waves consistently? Now it’s time to take the next step.
At Pelan Pelan Surf Retreat near Canggu, this level focuses on helping you move beyond the basics and surf with more control and confidence. Through personal coaching and daily feedback, you’ll start understanding the ocean better and progress toward catching unbroken green waves.
This level is for you if:
• You’re comfortable paddling out and catching waves
• You can stand up and ride straight consistently
• You’re ready to improve your control and start turning
What you’ll improve:
• Spotting the best waves for your level
• Catching green waves with confidence
• Angling your board to ride left or right
• Starting basic turns along the wave
• Improving your balance, stance, and control
• Understanding surf etiquette and staying safe in shared waves
Ready to improve your surfing in Bali
with personal coaching and small groups?
Already surfing green waves and ready to improve your technique?
At Pelan Pelan Surf Retreat near Canggu, this level focuses on helping you gain more control, flow, and confidence in the water. With personal coaching and small groups, we help you refine your surfing step by step – always adapted to your level and the daily conditions.
The better your technique becomes, the more freedom and enjoyment you’ll experience while surfing.
This level is for you if:
• You’ve been surfing for weeks, months, or years
• You can independently catch and ride green waves
• You can turn left or right and control your board
• You want to improve your turns and overall technique
What you’ll improve:
• Duck diving and moving efficiently through waves
• Ocean awareness and wave reading
• Generating speed on the wave
• Refining your stance and positioning
• Bottom turns, top turns, and cutbacks
Ready to improve your surfing in Bali
with personal coaching and small groups?
Ready to take your surfing to the next level?
At Pelan Pelan Surf Retreat near Canggu, this level is designed for surfers who want to refine their technique, improve performance, and surf with more power, flow, and control.
Through personal coaching, video analysis, and detailed feedback from experienced local coaches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your surfing and how to progress further.
This level is for you if:
• You’ve been surfing consistently for a longer time
• You’re comfortable riding a shortboard
• You can position yourself well in the lineup
• You can generate speed and perform turns on the wave
What you’ll improve:
• Generating speed in different wave conditions
• Positioning yourself for better take-offs
• Refining your bottom turns and wave entry
• Improving top turns and overall control
• Developing stronger cutbacks and flow
• Progressing toward more advanced maneuvers like snaps, floaters, and roundhouse cutbacks
Fun, safe and supportive surf coaching for children from around 5 years old and up. Depending on your child’s confidence in the water, younger kids can often join too.
Most children start with tandem surfing together with one of our instructors, helping them feel safe, build confidence and enjoy the waves in a playful way.
At Pelan Pelan, we don’t just provide surf lessons – we create a relaxed and positive experience where kids can learn at their own pace while parents can surf and enjoy Bali too.
Staying with family?
*All room prices include a retreat package,
accomodation, daily surf or yoga, meals, and more
Look beyond the price and accommodation. Consider the quality of surf coaching, the number of surfers per instructor, the choice of surf spots, and whether equipment, transport and meals are included. The atmosphere also matters: choose a retreat that matches your goals, whether you want to improve your surfing, relax or connect with other travellers. At Pelan Pelan, we combine personalised coaching with quieter surf spots and a relaxed, family-run retreat in Cemagi.
Yes. Many surf retreats welcome complete beginners as well as surfers with some experience. Look for qualified instructors, small coaching groups and surf spots suited to your ability and the daily conditions. At Pelan Pelan, our coaching is tailored to your level, from your first waves to more advanced techniques.
Absolutely. A surf retreat can help experienced surfers improve their positioning, timing, turns and wave selection through personalised feedback and video analysis. The key is to find a retreat that adapts its coaching and surf spots to your ability and goals, rather than offering the same experience to everyone. At Pelan Pelan, we welcome surfers from beginner to advanced levels.
Inclusions vary between retreats. Some offer accommodation and surf lessons only, while others include surfboard rental, transport, meals, yoga and wellness treatments. Always compare the full package rather than just the room price. At Pelan Pelan, airport pickup, surfboards, daily breakfast and weekday Indonesian lunches are included according to the relevant package, while yoga sessions and massages depend on the package you choose.
Smaller coaching groups generally allow instructors to give more individual attention and feedback. When comparing retreats, ask how many surfers each guide looks after and whether coaching is adapted to your ability. At Pelan Pelan, we have a maximum of two guests per surf guide, with one-on-one coaching for young children.
Bali offers surfing throughout the year, but conditions vary with the seasons, swell, wind and surf location. The dry season, generally from April to October, often brings favourable conditions to many west-coast breaks, while the wet season can also offer good surfing at suitable locations. Rather than choosing by season alone, look for a retreat that selects surf spots according to the daily conditions and your ability.
Yes. A surf retreat can be a great way to travel alone while meeting people through shared surf sessions, meals and other activities. If you’re travelling solo, consider whether the retreat offers a welcoming communal atmosphere as well as opportunities to enjoy your own space. At Pelan Pelan, communal Indonesian lunches and a relaxed, family-run setting make it easy to connect with other guests.
The terms often overlap, but the experience can differ. Surf camps may focus mainly on surf sessions and a social group atmosphere, while surf retreats often combine surfing with comfortable accommodation, relaxation, wellness or cultural experiences. Neither is automatically better; the right choice depends on your priorities. Pelan Pelan combines personalised surf coaching with yoga, spa treatments, Indonesian food and local Balinese hospitality in a peaceful setting outside busy Canggu.
