A Frank Look at the 2025 Private Bali Horse Riding and Surf Lesson in Seminyak

So, we were looking for something a bit different for our Bali trip, you know? The usual stuff is great, of course, but we wanted a day that felt, well, just for us. That’s actually how we stumbled upon this private horse riding and surf lesson package on Seminyak Beach. Honestly, the idea of doing both in one morning sounded pretty cool, and frankly, a bit ambitious. I mean, we’re not exactly horse people, and our surfing experience was, to be honest, zero. Still, the promise of a private guide for both activities was, you know, the main draw. It’s almost a guarantee that you won’t be just another face in a huge group, which can really change the whole feeling of a day out. At the end of the day, you want to make memories, right? We just decided to go for it, thinking it would at least be a funny story to tell later. So anyway, we booked it for a Tuesday morning, hoping the beach wouldn’t be too packed with people.

The Morning Welcome and Meeting Your Gentle Giant

Our day started with, you know, a pretty early pickup, which was honestly a good thing. We got to the stables, which were sort of tucked away just a short walk from the main beach area, which was actually quite surprising. First off, the guides greeted us with these huge, genuine smiles, which really puts you at ease, you know? They just had a very calming presence. They walked us over to meet our horses, and I have to be honest, I was a little intimidated at first. These creatures are, frankly, pretty big up close. My horse, whose name was Bintang, was this beautiful dark brown color with a really calm set of eyes. The guide, named Ketut, clearly explained how to get on, how to hold the reins, and basically the simple commands for ‘go’ and ‘stop’. You could sort of tell right away that these animals were very well cared for. They seemed pretty happy and content, which, you know, is something you always hope to see. He made sure our saddles were comfortable and our helmets fit just right before we started our walk towards the ocean. The whole setup, I mean, felt very professional and safe.

Cantering Along Seminyak’s Golden Sands

Actually, walking out onto Seminyak beach that early in the morning on horseback is a completely different experience. The sand, you know, was still cool and mostly untouched by the daily crowds. The feeling of the horse’s steady walk underneath you, with the sound of the waves crashing just a few feet away, is honestly quite magical. Ketut led the way, keeping a pace that was just right for us beginners. After about ten minutes, he asked if we felt comfortable enough to try a little trot, or a canter for a short bit. I was a bit hesitant, you know, but my partner went for it. Watching them go a little faster, with the water splashing around the horse’s hooves, looked like something out of a movie, seriously. The best part, at the end of the day, was that it was just us. There was no big line of people on horses, just our little private group enjoying this massive, beautiful beach. We rode along for almost an hour, just taking in the views, the smell of the salt in the air, and that incredible feeling of, well, a little bit of freedom. It’s pretty much the opposite of the busy streets just a block away.

Swapping Reins for a Surfboard

After our really amazing ride, we said a proper goodbye to the horses and Ketut, who were, honestly, wonderful. We then met our surf instructor, Wayan, who was, you know, basically the picture of a cool, laid-back Bali surfer. He had this infectious energy and made us feel like we could totally do this, even with our complete lack of skill. First, we started on the sand, which, you know, is probably for the best. Wayan took about fifteen minutes to show us the parts of the surfboard, how to position ourselves, and, most importantly, the motion for popping up to your feet. He had us practice the move over and over on the sand, sort of like a drill. He was incredibly patient, offering little tips and adjustments to our form each time. I mean, it felt a little silly at first, like we were just playing in the sand, but it actually made a huge difference. He explained how the waves in this part of Seminyak were, for the most part, pretty gentle and perfect for people just starting out. You could kind of see his love for surfing, and that made us even more excited to get into the water.

My First Wave (and a Few Funny Wipeouts)

Alright, so then came the moment of truth. Paddling out into the water was, frankly, more of a workout than I expected. The board felt a bit wobbly, you know, but Wayan was right there with us the whole time. He helped us get past the first little breaks and into a spot where the waves were rolling in just perfectly. For my first try, he literally told me exactly when to start paddling and then gave the back of my board a little push to help me catch the wave’s momentum. And then, well, I tried to pop up. And immediately fell off. We all just had a good laugh about it. That is basically how the first few attempts went, to be honest. But Wayan was just so encouraging, saying things like, “Almost! You got this next one for sure!” And you know what? Eventually, I did. I managed to get up on my knees for a few seconds, which felt like a massive victory, you know? My partner actually managed to stand up for a moment on their third try, which was absolutely amazing to see. The feeling of actually riding a wave, even for just a second or two, is incredibly thrilling. It’s really hard to describe. At the end of the day, the wipeouts were just as much a part of the fun.

Is This Bali Combo Experience Right for You?

So, you’re probably wondering if this whole horse-riding-and-surfing thing is a good fit for your own trip. To be honest, I’d say absolutely yes, for almost anyone. Because it’s a private session, the guides can really adjust the experience just for you. If you’re a bit nervous on the horse, they will literally walk right beside you the whole time. If you’re scared of the water, the surf instructor, like Wayan, will stick with you in the shallows. It’s obviously perfect for beginners who want to try both activities without the pressure of a big group. For couples, it’s a really unique and sort of romantic way to spend a morning, I mean. Families with older kids would probably have a blast, too.

“The private nature of this tour is really what makes it special. You just get so much personal attention, which makes all the difference when you’re trying something new and a little bit scary.”

Just a few practical tips, you know? Definitely wear swimwear for the whole thing. For the horse riding part, you might want to wear leggings or light trousers over your swimsuit to be a bit more comfortable, and then you can just take them off for the surfing part. And seriously, wear a lot of waterproof sunscreen. That Bali sun, even in the morning, is no joke. You’ll probably be thirsty afterwards, so bring some water or cash to buy a fresh coconut on the beach, which is pretty much the best thing ever after being in the salt water. All in all, it’s a fantastic way to experience two of Bali’s iconic activities in a single, well-organized morning.

Key Takeaways from the Day:

The experience is genuinely private, so you get one-on-one attention which is pretty great for beginners.
The horses seemed very healthy and were, you know, incredibly gentle and well-behaved.
The surf instruction is top-notch, with a real focus on safety and making you feel comfortable in the water.
Experiencing Seminyak beach early in the morning without the crowds is, frankly, an amazing sight.
It’s a really efficient way to pack two big activities into one half-day, leaving your afternoon free.
Honestly, it’s just a lot of fun, and the occasional wipeout is part of the charm.

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