WEATHER
Bali, the only island of the Indonesian archipelago with Hindu roots, is famous for its world-class surf. Bali’s surfing spots – more than 40 of them – are suitable for all surfing levels, from absolute beginners to professionals and with water temperatures of 26-30 °C, you can surf all year round. Leave your wetsuit at home when going surfing in Bali!
During the dry season (between April and November) the constant trade winds make for an offshore wind on the west coast of Bali, and vice-versa, from December to March there are perfect wind conditions on the east coast. This unique Bali surfing area has the best swells (i.e. periods when wave frequency and size are highest) between July and September, but perfect Bali surfing breaks for all levels can be found all year round – if you know where to look!
CUSTOMS & CULTURE
There is so much we can tell you about Bali, but here we just want to give you the most important information and a brief impression of this island paradise. If you want to find out more about this unique culture we’d advise you to get an up-to-date travel guide for Bali. With a total area of 5,780 km², Bali is one of the smaller spice islands of Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago. Following a struggle for independence, the former Dutch colony has been part of the Republic of Indonesia since 1945. A hero of the liberation army from those days, Ngurah Rai, is still greatly admired, and the airport in Bali’s capital city Denpasar is named after him. Before Bali’s attraction for tourism was discovered, the population lived almost exclusively from fishing, cultivation of rice, coffee, tobacco and spices. The fertility of the soil means that even today up to three harvests a year are possible.
TOURIST COASTAL REGION
Nowadays Bali’s coastal regions are fairly touristy with a highly developed infrastructure particularly in the south of the island. Cinemas, restaurants, internet cafés, shopping malls and hospitals with western standards have been established around the hotspots Kuta, Denpasar and Nusa Dua.
However, large stretches of the interior around the volcanoes and the north and east coast still boast unspoiled nature. And here traditional Balinese village life – Kampung – is still very much alive.
The breathtaking scenery with its luxuriant, tropical vegetation and the famous rice terraces is the setting for ancient ceremonies and worship. The mystical atmosphere is still evident.
TRADITION AND FRIENDLINESS
90% of the around three million inhabitants of Bali are Hindu and have, despite the increasing impact of western tourism, managed to maintain their traditional beliefs and religious lifestyle. It’s still quite normal for the Balinese to make offerings to their gods three times a day and take part in these daily rituals with the family. Even in the midst of the more than turbulent Kuta, where totally different cultures collide in shopping, clubbing, eating etc., you’re still likely to come across small offerings and feel the mystic flair of the islands of the gods. And wherever you go, you’ll always be met with the legendary Balinese smile.
In Bali, if you’re open for new experiences, you will get to know many captivating people, discover the unbelievable beauty of nature and maybe even manage to take some of this peace and serenity home with you.
You really have to experience the wonderful island of Bali for yourself during your surfing holiday, and appreciate its wealth of culture, nature and mysticism – and of course its perfect waves. Keep your eyes peeled and always be ready for a new experience. Then you’ll see that Bali really is a paradise and you’ll understand why we have come to call it home.