Bali vs Sri Lanka
Which is the best Kima Surf Camp for you?
Bali and Sri Lanka are two perfect locations for a surf trip in Asia. Both locations exhibit beautiful coastlines, epic waves and are rich in diversity and culture. Whilst Bali has its history of being a world-class surfing destination, Sri Lanka has begun making waves in the surf scene in recent years and is seen as the next up-and-coming surf destination.
Kima Surf has camps in both locations: Canggu and Seminyak in Bali and Weligama and Hiriketiya in Sri Lanka. Whilst both locations offer amazing experiences in and outside the water, they do have their unique appeal. Let’s break down the differences between the two so you can choose the best location to join Kima Surf in either Bali or Sri Lanka!
1. Waves and Surfing
Bali Waves:
Bali has for many years been one of the best surfing destinations in the world, with people travelling from all over the world to surf incredible waves or even just learn to surf. The best surf spots include Keramas and Nusa Dua on the East coast, Uluwatu in the South and Kuta, Canggu and Medewi on the West coast.
Bali offers opportunities for every surfing level. Featuring beach breaks, semi reefs, and reef breaks, there is no doubt you will have a great time learning to surf or improving your skills.
Bali has a rainy and dry season, which determines which side of the island experiences the best surf conditions. In the rainy season, which is from November until March it is best to go surfing on the East Coast of Bali. This then alternates in the dry season from April to October, which brings awesome waves to the West Coast, with many of the famous surf competitions happening at this time of year, especially in Uluwatu.
Our two Bali camps are situated in Seminyak and Canggu, close to all the surf spots. Both camps have their unique vibe so everyone finds their place. Our smaller Seminyak camp offers a more cosy, typical surf camp vibe and is only a 10-minute walk from our 5-day Learn to Surf Course location in Gado Gado. Our Canggu camp provides a magnificent setting featuring yoga, rock climbing, surf skating and three pools, all within reach of the island’s best surf breaks. While spending your days surfing, it is also the perfect location to take advantage of all that Canggu has to offer.
Sri Lanka Waves:
Sri Lanka’s Southern coasts have recently earned their spot on the surf map. With multiple surf breaks all located close together along a single coast, with a more relaxed vibe, it is a great option for all surfers. Weligama, Ahangama, Mirissa and Hiriketiya are the most well-known surf spots along this coast.
Sri Lanka has all types of surf breaks, including reef breaks, beach breaks and point breaks. It is a great place for novice surfers as the waves are more mellow and gentle, perfect for learning and gaining confidence in the water. Although for the more advanced surfers, there is still an opportunity to improve their skills in places like Mirissa or Ahangama.
If you are new to surfing, you can enrol in our 5-day Learn to Surf Course. In this course, you will learn all the basic skills you need to establish a solid foundation for your surf journey and advance at your own speed.
There are two seasons in Sri Lanka, these being Yala (May to October) and Maha (November to April). The South coastline, where our Weligama and Hiriketiya surf camps are located, receives its best waves from November to April. However, there are waves all year round, and when the Southwest coast experiences its monsoon season, you can move to the East coast.
2. Religion and Culture
A Hindu Heartland: Bali
Bali is known for its unique rituals, beliefs and traditions and when you visit Bali, you have to visit to one of its beautiful temples that can be found all around the island. The combination of Hindu, Buddhism and Balinese has a beautiful influence on the buildings, music and dance. Balinese people are known for their warmth and kindness and this is something that keeps people coming back for more.
The idea of “tri hita karana” is very important in Balinese philosophy and means “three causes of welling being”. This is something that the Balinese always live by and highlights the importance of having harmony between people, the gods, and the natural world.
Food lovers will find paradise here with options to try a variety of traditional Balinese dishes, or you can enjoy a huge selection of food from all over the world.
In addition to enjoying Bali’s delicious food and incredible surf, you may want to participate in our various cultural day trips. Use your free time to join a trip to see breathtaking views of waterfalls, rice terraces or temples all around the beautiful island and learn a bit more about Bali’s culture.
A Buddhist Past: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s main religion is Buddhism, with a smaller number of people being Muslim, Hindu or Christian. Buddhism influences Sri Lanka’s culture, art, and architecture, with many Buddhist temples being found around the island and they are worth a visit.
Our camp in Weligama was built on an old colonial farmstead, demonstrating how the Dutch, British, Indians and Portuguese have had their influence on this island. Multiple ethnic groups, like the Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors live here and also contribute to the rich culture on the island.
Sri Lanka, like Bali, has many cultural activities and festivals happening throughout the year and this gives tourists a unique and authentic experience. Join Kima Surf on some cultural trips to discover what Sri Lanka has to offer! With Kima, you can encounter elephants at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage or see Sri Lanka’s exquisite nature at Yala or Udawalawe National Park.
3. Travel and Excursions
Bali: mountains and coastlines
Bali has a wide variety of activities to keep you busy when you aren’t surfing. You could spend a day exploring Uluwatu’s beautiful beaches or take a trip further inland to explore Ubud’s ancient temples and incredible waterfalls.
Feel free to join one of Kima Surf’s cultural trips, which takes you on a journey to the centre of the island to visit Tegalalang Rice Terraces, cool off in one of the many scenic waterfalls, or even learn how to cook some of Bali’s delicious traditional food.
If you are someone who is looking for an adventure, you can join one of the trips to do a breathtaking hike up Mount Batur to watch the sunrise or spend the day dirt biking through the jungle or even along the beach.
Bali’s nightlife, resorts and festivals are also to be noted. Find yourself in the streets during a Balinese public holiday like Galangun or during the Ogoh-Ogoh parade to see the streets of Bali come to life at night. You could also visit Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu and dance the night away to all your favourite songs with world-renowned DJs.
Sri Lanka: South Asia's Undiscovered Treasure
The coastal areas in the South of Sri Lanka have experienced exponential growth in the past years, giving us many reasons to visit. You also have access to many facilities like retail markets, medical centres and some new trendy cafes with a Western influence.
Sri Lanka is known for its lush and natural beauty and has historical sites like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, vibrant festivals throughout the year, and delicious local cuisine. Join Kima Surf on a cultural trip to visit these beautiful places.
Consider taking a popular and very beautiful railway trip from Kandy to Badulla via Ella, where you can enjoy experiencing Sri Lanka’s greenery and see majestic animals all whilst riding on Sri Lanka’s infamous railway. If you are someone who enjoys seeing wildlife and natural beauty, there are plenty of opportunities for this. You can take a trip with Kima Surf to visit one of the national parks like the Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, or the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Our Kima Surf Camps
You are always welcome at any of our camps! Let’s see how our camps in Sri Lanka and Bali differ from one another.
Seminyak:
Kima Seminyak was our very first camp to open about 20 years ago. It is a stunning camp surrounded by greenery that gives a very homey and relaxed vibe. Its rooms range from spacious suites, twin and double rooms, as well as a range of shared dorms. It features two pools surrounded by greenery, creating a tropical atmosphere where guests can relax and unwind after their surf sessions. Beginner to advanced surf breaks are a short van ride away, and our 5-day Learn to Surf Course is just a ten-minute walk from camp for first-time or beginner surfers.
Canggu:
Our larger Canggu camp has a lot to keep you busy when you are not surfing. With its three pools, diving board, surf skate ramp, rooftop gym and yoga shala with ocean views, 15-meter-high climbing wall and now an ice bath, it is more comparable to a surf, yoga and fitness resort. It is located in the heart of Canggu, close to some of Bali’s best surf spots and has the opportunity for amazing dining and nightlife experiences.
Weligama:
With choices ranging from cosy dorms to double or twin bedrooms to a luxurious one-bedroom villa, Weligama Camp welcomes you with a large, luscious garden, a pool, and a lounge area to relax and meet other travellers. Our ice bath is another highlight of our Weligama Camp, and is an excellent way to cool down and recover from a busy day surfing.
Take a quick tuk-tuk ride and you’ll arrive at Weligama Bay or other more advanced surf locations along the coast. The surf spots right in front of the camp are very suitable for beginners to take part in our 5-Day Learn to Surf Course, especially during Maha (September to March) season when the wind is less.
Hiriketiya:
Close to the Southern tip of Sri Lanka, is where you’ll find our Hiriketiya Camp. Compared to Weligama, it is slightly less impacted by the change in seasons and has more consistent surf. As a result, it is the ideal location to stay during Yala Season (May to the end of August).
Our camp is covered in greenery, and guests can spend the day at the pool, use our outdoor fitness area or relax in our traditional Sri Lankan chalets for a homey and authentic stay.
Hiriketiya Bay offers two surf breaks, a reef break and a mellow beach break. This means Hiriketiya is suitable for all surf levels, and everyone can have fun on their surf journey. This camp, being the smaller of the two, is perfect for a quieter holiday or a romantic getaway.
Which Island Is Best for You?
Your personal preferences and preferred travel style will determine which camp is the one for you! With more dining and entertainment options, Bali is the option with a more developed tourism infrastructure. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, gives a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience.
Whichever island you choose, both Bali and Sri Lanka will give you an incredible surf experience that includes two surf sessions from experienced surf guides and daily yoga lessons, an opportunity for video sessions, as well as surf theory classes to improve your surf knowledge.
Now it’s time to start planning your trip, pack your bags, gather your surf gear and get ready for a surfing experience with Kima you’ll never forget!
