If you are a surfer, you might be under the impression that taking the family with you on a surfing trip just wouldn’t work out; you couldn’t be more wrong. Taking a surfing holiday with your family is easy if your partner or children are already into the sport, but it is also the perfect way to introduce the kids to the other great love of your life.
There are many premium surfing spots out there that are also fantastic places for your family to visit, and one of the very best of these is Bali in Indonesia. The island has many fantastic beaches and resorts, coupled with surfing spots that cater to every skill level, from absolute beginners to the most advanced surfers out there. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the bitesize breakers with the kids, or to sneak off and catch some big-ones on your own.
For the beach bums
© Finsurfing – licence
Bali has no shortage of wonderful beaches, but for the ideal combination of resort life and surfing potential, the first place you should start is the world-famous Kuta Beach. Named as one of the top 10 surfing destinations in the world by The Telegraph, the beach is located on Bali’s western coast, running for five miles along the narrow strip of land that makes up the island’s southern tip. The pristine sand and azure waters make Kuta a magnet for surfers and beach-lovers alike, making it one of the busiest beaches in all of Bali.
While Kuta is the spiritual home of surfing in Bali, the town itself can get very busy in the peak surfing months of July to August and during the festive season. Many holiday makers are now heading to the resorts in Seminyak, where things are a little less hectic. Kuta’s northern neighbour is at the very heart of what’s cool in Bali — with stylish bars, fashionable boutiques, and Michelin star restaurants. It also has some of Bali’s most luxurious beach resorts including Samaya Seminyak, located directly on the beach with luxurious private pool villas and The Legain, for those looking for a luxury resort. Staying in Seminyak doesn’t mean you lose your access to Kuta though, as the famed surf spot is just a short beachside walk to the South.
Sharing the sport
While the Southern tip of Bali brings in a lot of skilled boarders, it is also one of the very best places to learn how to surf, as acknowledged by Wanderlust travel magazine. This makes it ideal if you want to share the sport with any newbies in your family, and you can even enrol yourself or your kids in one of the area’s most reputable schools: The Ripcurl School of Surf. Set up by World Masters champion Cheyne Horan, the school operates an offer where if you can’t stand up by the end of the first day, you will get the second lesson for free. If you plan on taking the time to teach your family, be sure to kit them out in the appropriate gear before you fly out — specialist surf stores like Yakwax have everything you need for the junior surfer in your ranks.
Something a bit quieter
Seminyak is a very busy resort town, so if you are looking for something a little bit quieter you should head south to Jimbaran, where things are a little less lively. The resort is ideal if you are looking to spend more quality time with your family in a smaller, more intimate resort. The beach here still offers plenty of opportunities for both expert and beginner surfing — The Ripcurl School also has a Jimbaran branch, but on the whole you will find the beach quieter and more relaxed than its busier neighbour to the North.
Turquoise love the intimate Belmond Jimbiran Puri – located directly behind the beach with beautiful Balinese style villas accommodating up to four, a kids pool and all sorts of daily activities to keep the kids busy once beyond the beach.
Bali’s beaches of Seminyak and Jimbaran are the perfect locations for your family surfing holiday. Whether you are looking for a beach holiday with a spot of surf on the side, or a trip where you can all enjoy the sport, these beach towns are the best place to be. Have a look at our latest deals for Bali and Indonesia here.
Main image © Donald Man – licence
