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Read more →Bali is the usual starting point for a surf trip to Indonesia, and it is also a very good jumping-off point. Within a few hours there is a sand-bottom beach break in East Java, a reef-ringed island half an hour offshore, and a quieter coastline of bays on Lombok. Each has a different kind of wave and a different pace. This guide explains what each stop is like, how to get between them, and how to put them in a sensible order.
The islands at a glance
| Stop | The surf | The feel | Getting there from Bali |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canggu, Bali | Gentle learner waves at Batu Bolong and Old Man’s; reef breaks nearby for stronger surfers | Busy, social, cafés and nightlife | 45 minutes to an hour by road from Denpasar airport |
| Red Island, East Java | Sand-bottom beach break, lefts and rights, walk-in. Beginner to intermediate | Rural, quiet, a long way from the crowds | Overland and by ferry from Gilimanuk to Ketapang. About seven hours from Canggu |
| Nusa Lembongan | Reef breaks only. Playgrounds is the most forgiving; the others are for advanced surfers | Small island, clear water, slow pace | Fast boat from Sanur, about 30 to 45 minutes |
| Kuta, Lombok | Sandy Selong Belanak for learners; boat-access reefs in Gerupuk Bay | Quieter coastline of bays and headlands | About 40 minutes by air, or by fast boat from about an hour and a half |
Stop by stop
Canggu: the easy start
Most trips start here because the airport is close and the beginner waves are a short walk from town. It is a good place to get over the flight, find your feet on a board and meet people. Read the Canggu surf guide.
Red Island, Java: sand under your feet
Red Island, or Pulau Merah, is a wide bay in East Java with a wave that breaks over sand and not reef. That makes it forgiving to learn on, and several days in one place on one wave is how most people improve fastest. The journey is the longest of the trip, by road to the western tip of Bali, across the strait by ferry and south through Java. Read the Red Island surf guide.
Nusa Lembongan: reef and clear water
Lembongan is a short fast-boat ride from Sanur. Every wave breaks over reef, so sessions are planned around the tide and often start from a boat. It is a step up from a beach break, which is why it works well later in a trip, once you have some waves behind you. Out of the water there are mangroves, the cliffs at Devil’s Tear and the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan. Read the Nusa Lembongan surf guide.
Lombok: bays and boat trips
Lombok is the island east of Bali. Around the town of Kuta, on the south coast, there is a sandy learner beach at Selong Belanak and a cluster of reef breaks in Gerupuk Bay that you reach by local boat. It is generally quieter than Bali. Read the Kuta Lombok surf guide or our Canggu vs Lombok comparison.
When to go
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April to October | The dry season. The most consistent swell across all the islands, with the biggest waves from June to August. Trade winds blow offshore at Nusa Lembongan. Red Island’s swell season runs from May to November. July and August are the busiest months. |
| November to March | The wet season. Smaller, more variable surf and warmer water. Winds are often onshore at Canggu. Lombok is mellower and quieter. Rain usually comes in bursts. Boat crossings depend on the weather, so allow some flexibility. |
You can island hop in any month. The dry season gives the most reliable surf, and the wet season gives more space.
A ready-made route: the 15 Day Island Hopper
If you would like the route, transport and lessons arranged for you, our 15 Day Island Hopper links three of these stops in 15 days and 14 nights. It starts on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.
| Days | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Canggu, Bali | Arrive, with airport pickup |
| Days 2 to 7 | Red Island, Java | Six nights at the Red Island camp |
| Day 8 | Canggu, Bali | Back to Canggu for one night |
| Days 9 to 14 | Nusa Lembongan | Six nights on the island |
| Day 15 | Sanur Harbour, Bali | Trip ends at Sanur Harbour |
Included: 14 nights of shared accommodation, daily breakfast, 10 surf lessons with equipment, all transport between stops (ferry, fast boat and car) and a Mojosurf guide.
Not included: lunches and dinners, snorkelling and other extra activities.
The order makes sense for learning: a sand-bottom beach break first, then reef waves once you have had a week of practice. For current dates and full details, see the 15 Day Island Hopper page.
Shorter and longer options
- One island at a time. 7 Day Red Island Escape, 7 Day Nusa Lembongan Surf Camp Adventure or 7 Day Lombok Surf Adventure, each with transfers from our Canggu camp.
- A full month. The 1 Month Surf Academy Indonesia starts on the first Sunday of the month. In the dry season it usually visits Canggu, Red Island and Nusa Lembongan, and in the wet season usually Canggu, Lombok and Nusa Lembongan, depending on conditions.
What to pack for island hopping
- A soft bag or backpack. Easier than a hard suitcase on boats and beach landings.
- A dry bag. Fast boats to Nusa Lembongan land on the beach, and you step off into shallow water.
- A rash vest and water-resistant sunscreen. The water is warm enough all year that you will not need a wetsuit.
- Reef booties. Recommended for Nusa Lembongan.
- Sandals you can get wet.
- Some cash. Useful on the smaller islands and for meals that are not included.
Island-hopping questions
Can beginners go island hopping?
Yes, if the route starts with gentle waves. Canggu and Red Island are the friendliest places to begin. Nusa Lembongan’s reef breaks are a step up. You need to be able to swim 50 metres unaided to join our lessons.
What is the best month?
April to October has the most consistent surf. July and August are the busiest.
How long are the journeys?
Canggu to Red Island is about seven hours by van and ferry. Sanur to Nusa Lembongan is about 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat. Bali to Lombok is about 40 minutes by air.
Does the 15 Day Island Hopper include Lombok?
No. It visits Canggu, Red Island and Nusa Lembongan. Lombok can be added separately with a Lombok Surf & Stay.
