"The perfect Bali surf vacation!"★★★★★★★★★★
posted on 2018-11-07 · by Jennifer R.
Hospitality
Location
Surfing
Accommodation
Value for money
Services
This reviewer told us:
I have to start by saying that Craig (the owner) and his family are incredibly helpful and kind, and they were always able to help with any questions I had or to give tips on restaurants and such. They're very knowledgeable about the area and frequently gave me a lift somewhere nearby if I needed it.
The rooms are simple; the bed is comfortable enough and the bathroom has western plumbing. It is not a fancy resort. You will see geckos in the rooms at times. The grounds are beautiful, with lots of trees and vines, a nice little swimming pool, and a nice veranda where you can take your breakfast.
The school offered a daily breakfast in the rate; Western breakfast was offered, though I could have asked for Indonesian breakfast or anything I wanted. Western breakfast consisted of eggs and toast, muesli with milk, sliced fruit, coffee, and juice - a big meal! I eventually asked the staff to just prepare me a mixed fruit salad for breakfast and they sliced up a delicious array of tropical fruits for me.
The staff cleans the rooms every day and can also do your laundry; I'm sure they could do more, but their English ability is a bit limited. Craig and his family are always available to help, though, and they can help you take care of anything you need at the property.
Surfing:
I'm a beginner surfer and came to Bali specifically to improve my surfing abilities. Stoked Surf Bali could not have been a better fit!
The school employs a few instructors, and I was paired with "Froggy." We hit it off immediately as he's a friendly guy and loves to teach surfing. Froggy grew up in Bali and knows all of the breaks like the back of his hand, so once he saw my ability, it was easy for him to keep selecting locations that would help me grow. We eventually decided to travel to some breaks further away from the school, and Craig put together a special rate for this so that I could go on a guided "surf safari" every day that I was there. That's another cool thing about the school - if there's a certain activity you want to do or you want to surf all day, they can arrange any sort of special package for you. All you have to do is ask!
Overall, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. My goals were to improve specific aspects of my surfing - get more comfortable on a hardtop board and improve my turning abilities - and Stoked Surf Bali easily got me there. They were professional and competent, very responsible and focused on safety, and had a lot of fun doing it.
If you're just getting started or if you have a little experience on your belt and want to take it further, I highly recommend this school!
Other (e.g. surroundings, nightlife etc.):
The property is located in a small homestay complex in Tuban, which is about 5 minutes' scoot from the main strip in Kuta. I really liked this location because it was close to the hustle and bustle if I wanted that, but far enough away that I could enjoy quiet rest and sleep at night. There are restaurants and shops all within walking distance and the school can arrange a scooter rental if you'd like to drive yourself somewhere further.
