My Unfiltered Review: The 2025 Private Beginner 1 on 1 Surfing Lesson at Kuta Beach

So, you’ve been dreaming of Bali, and you know, that vision almost always has a surfboard in it. I mean, standing on a board and riding a wave toward a sandy shore is kind of the ultimate Bali fantasy, right? Well, that was definitely my goal. As a total newcomer to surfing, honestly, the thought of joining a big group lesson felt a bit much. That’s why the ‘Private Beginner 1 on 1 Surfing Lesson’ at Kuta Beach really got my attention, you see. This specific experience, at the end of the day, is all about you and an instructor. It’s also listed “without transfer,” so basically, you have to get yourself to the famous Kuta shoreline on your own time. Frankly, that gave me a nice feeling of freedom, letting me soak in the area before and after the big moment in the water.

First Impressions: Arriving at Kuta and Meeting the Instructor

Alright, making my way to the designated spot on Kuta Beach was, you know, an experience in itself. The beach has this unique energy, a sort of constant, gentle hum of activity. You’ve got people relaxing, sellers with colorful sarongs, and then there’s the steady rhythm of waves, obviously. I located the surf school’s little setup pretty easily, and honestly, it was very low-key and approachable. My instructor, a local guy named Wayan, greeted me with a truly genuine smile, you know? There was just no big corporate feeling here; it was more like meeting a new friend who just happens to be a pro at riding waves. We spent a few minutes just chatting, and I mean, he asked about my swimming ability and any fears I had, which right away made me feel much more comfortable. Clearly, this one-on-one setup was already showing its worth before my feet even touched the water.

The whole vibe was just really relaxed. Frankly, I half expected some intense, boot-camp-style briefing, but it was nothing like that. Wayan’s whole approach was kind of centered on making sure I was having a good time. He explained that the goal for the day was simply to feel the ocean and, you know, maybe stand up once or twice if things went well. This pressure-off attitude was exactly what I needed, to be honest. It sort of took away the fear of looking silly, which, let’s face it, is a big part of trying something new. We just talked about the currents, how the tide works, and stuff, all in a very easy-to-understand way. I really appreciated that human touch, it made the whole thing feel a lot less like a formal lesson and more like a fun afternoon activity.

From Sand to Sea: The On-Shore Training

Okay, so next, we moved on to the practical stuff on the sand. This is where Wayan laid the board down and literally walked me through the basics, step-by-step. He showed me the right spot to lie on the board, so I wouldn’t be too far forward or too far back. He had a really clever way of explaining things, using little pointers and stuff to help me remember. Then came the paddling technique, which is apparently a lot more about rhythm than pure muscle, you know? And of course, there was the “pop-up,” that explosive move you see surfers do to get to their feet. At the end of the day, this is the part that often looks the hardest.

Wayan broke it down into three simple movements. First, hands flat on the board by your chest. Next, a push-up motion. Finally, you swing your feet under you into a standing position. Well, it sounds simple anyway. We practiced it over and over on the solid ground, and honestly, it felt pretty awkward at first. But the great thing about a one-on-one lesson is that there’s no one else waiting for their turn, you know? He could just watch my technique and give me small corrections right away. For example, he pointed out I was looking at my feet, and he just said, “Look where you want to go, always.” That little bit of advice was actually a game changer, more or less. I felt like I was building muscle memory without the added challenge of a wobbly wave underneath me just yet.

Catching My First Wave (Or Trying To!)

Alright, so this was the moment of truth. We waded out into the shallow, white water, and I mean, the feeling of the warm Indian Ocean was just incredible. Kuta’s waves are usually pretty friendly for learners, like, they are gentle and rolling, not the massive barrels you see in movies. Wayan stayed right by my side, which honestly was a huge comfort. He showed me how to read the incoming water and would tell me when to start paddling. On the first few tries, he would hold the back of the board to keep it steady and then give me a little push as the right wave approached, you know?

Honestly, the feeling of that first wave picking you and the board up is just wild. It’s a rush of pure energy! I completely messed up the pop-up, of course, and ended up in the water with a mouthful of salt, laughing.

But that’s where Wayan was so great. He’d just laugh with me and say, “Okay, good try! Let’s go again.” There was absolutely no judgment, just encouragement. We kept at it, and with each attempt, he’d offer one tiny piece of feedback, like “paddle a little faster this time,” or “pop up quicker.” Then, after maybe the tenth try, it kind of happened. I pushed up, swung my legs through, and wobbled on my feet for a few seconds before falling off. But for those few seconds, I was really surfing! That feeling was just completely and utterly amazing. Seriously, having an instructor right there to pick the wave and give that push makes all the difference in the world.

What Makes This Private Lesson Stand Out?

So, you might be wondering what makes this kind of lesson different from a group one. To be honest, it’s all about personal attention. In a group, an instructor has to divide their time among several people, so you might only get a few minutes of direct help. Here, you basically have an expert focused only on you for the entire time. The progress you make is, frankly, much faster. The lesson moves at your speed, not the speed of the slowest person in a group, you see. If you are a quick learner, you can move on to bigger challenges. If you are a bit nervous, like I was, the instructor can spend more time building your confidence in the shallow water.

The “without transfer” aspect is also something to think about. For me, it was a positive. It let me arrange my own scooter ride there, which is a pretty quintessential Bali experience, you know? It also meant I wasn’t tied to a group’s schedule. After the lesson, I could just sit at a local warung on the beach, grab a coconut, and watch the sunset, all on my own time. On the other hand, if you prefer the convenience of a hotel pickup, you might see this as a slight downside. At the end of the day, it just comes down to your personal travel style. I think the independence it offers is actually a really nice part of the deal.

Who Is This Lesson Really For?

So, let’s break down who this private lesson is perfect for. Frankly, if you’re a complete beginner who feels a little intimidated by the idea of surfing, this is absolutely for you. The one-on-one attention is like a safety net that really helps you get over those initial fears, you know? It’s also fantastic for anyone who is really keen to learn properly and quickly. You’ll likely learn more in one two-hour private session than you would in several group lessons, just because the feedback is constant and tailored to you.

It’s probably also a great fit for couples or two friends who want to learn together but still want that focused instruction, as you could likely book two simultaneous private lessons. However, if your main goal in Bali is to meet loads of other travelers, a group lesson might actually be a better social setting for you. Similarly to that, if you are on a super strict budget, a group lesson will definitely be a bit easier on your wallet. But at the end of the day, for the quality of instruction and the rapid confidence boost you get, I personally think the experience offers amazing value. You’re not just paying for a lesson; you’re kind of paying for a memory and a new skill that you’ll have for a very long time.

Key Takeaways from the Experience

Alright, looking back at the whole thing, a few things really stand out. The personal coaching is clearly the biggest advantage, letting you learn at a pace that is just right for you. It’s really effective for building a solid foundation from the very start.

Personalized Feedback: You get instant, specific corrections that really speed up your learning curve, you know?
Confidence Building: Having an expert right beside you in the water, honestly, makes you feel so much safer and more willing to try.
Efficient Learning: You get to practice on more waves and get more direct instruction than you ever could in a group, so your time is used very well.
Flexible Pace: The entire lesson is built around your comfort and skill level, so there’s literally no pressure.
Location Convenience: The “no transfer” part gives you the freedom to explore Kuta on your own terms, which is a really nice bonus for independent travelers.

Read our full review: Private Beginner 1 on 1 Surfing Lesson at Kuta Beach without transfer Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Kuta Beach 1 on 1 Surfing Lesson)