Surf Retreats FAQ
Do I need a visa to enter Indonesia?
It depends where you come from. Most countries can enter with a 30-day visa on arrival, renewable for another 30-days if desired. However, you should make a quick google search based on your nationality to confirm whether a visa is required.
Do I need to have the Covid-19 vaccine for my trip to Indonesia?
Effective June 2023, authorities no longer require international travelers to present proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to enter the country. Plus, there is no requirement to undergo PCR tests or quarantine for unvaccinated travelers.
What should I bring with me?
When you join us on a surf retreat we recommend you bring an eco friendly sunscreen/zinc (reef safe), a refillable water bottle, mosquito repellant, a USB key to download the footage from your trip, and anything else you like to bring on a surf trip (snacks, wax, hats, rash guard, cameras, etc.). Try to avoid consuming products wrapped in plastic packaging while traveling through Indonesia as the country doesn’t have a waste management system and it will end up in illegal landfills or in the rivers / oceans.
Which surfboard should I bring?
We suggest you bring your everyday surfboard, the one that you like to surf the most so you can improve with it. Plus, a second surfboard as a backup in case of any major dings. You can also bring a step up surfboard with a little more volume than you usually ride in case of bigger swells (most likely to happen between May and September).
If you are joining us on a longboard retreat, you do not need to bring your surfboard unless you want to. If so, email us so we can guide you on how to bring it since it is hard to carry a longboard with the Indonesian airlines.
What will be the surf level of other people in the group?
We try to make groups of similar surf levels as described in the “surf level” on the retreat page. If you are doubting which surf trip is the right one for your surf level, do feel free to reach out!
Do you rent surfboards?
We don’t rent surfboards. Some of the places where we organise our retreats have surfboards that can be borrowed but we highly recommend everyone to bring their own surfboards for the retreats. Alternatively, you can find good quality surfboards in Bali to buy / rent before joining us on the retreat.
Will I get photos and video footage of my surfing?
Yes, you will get all the footage and photos handed to you at the end of the trip.
Are there any extra costs involved? Do I need to prepare cash for anything?
All our retreats are organised in a way where you shouldn’t have to spend anything once we pick you up at the airport until the moment we drop you off.
A small amount of cash is handy for staff tips, alcoholic beverages, or massages.
What’s the best website for plane tickets?
We recommend using the Traveloka app for all domestic flights. It is easy to use with options for rescheduling and refunds when needed. For international travels, we like to check GoogleFlights or Skyscanner to have a variety of options to choose from.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require a 50% non refundable deposit to book your spot on a retreat. Full payment is due 90-days before the start of the retreat.
In the case of a cancellation made by you before the 90-days period, you can still use a credit of the same amount for another retreat within the next 2-years.
In the case of a last minute cancelation (less than 60-days before the beginning of the retreat), we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to give you a credit for another trip however we will do our best to find someone to replace you to minimise the loss of your last minute cancellation (we understand it can happen!).
In the case of a cancellation made by us (very unlikely to happen!), you would get a full refund.
In the case of a natural disaster preventing the retreat from happening, the full credit of the paid amount can be used for another retreat in the future.
What happens if the retreat gets canceled?
We have run over 20 retreats since 2018 and have only ever had to cancel once. It is very unlikely to happen and there is a 99.5 % chance the retreat will run as programmed (excluding possibilities of major events like a pandemic or natural disaster).
Can I bring a non-surfer to the retreat?
Of course you can. Just be aware that the rhythm on the surf retreat can be intense with a lot of time spent in the water, training on land, and video analysis. Some of the places where we host our retreats offer yoga classes and other activities which can make it very pleasant for a non-surfer to hang out while you’re surfing. Other places are more remote and basic, not making it the ideal holiday for a non-surfer. If you’re unsure, please check with us beforehand.
How can I train myself before the retreat to be fit enough and make the most of it?
If you have the chance to surf before the retreat, do it as much as possible. If you don’t but can paddle, go paddle and combine that with other strength and flexibility exercises. Hatha & Vinyasa yoga can be good practices done before the retreat to arrive in good shape, strong and flexible.
How many hours do we surf per day? Are all the sessions filmed?
We usually surf at least twice a day (about 2-hours a session). The most hungry surfers happen to surf three times a day when the waves are good. Those two sessions are being filmed, we usually aim to surf all of the surf sessions.
What are the opportunities to give back with Indo Surf Crew?
We are constantly looking for more ways to give back to the planet and to Indonesia. We do our best to work with eco-conscious and socially responsible resorts and hire local coaches and support whenever we can. Currently, a part of our profit also goes to Sungai Watch, a Bali based NGO that works to clean the rivers of Bali and Indonesia and create awareness around garbage management, plastics and pollution. They have removed over 1,000,000 kg of trash from the rivers and beaches of Bali over the last year and are doing incredible work – we believe supporting them is one of the best ways to give back to the Ocean these days. You can also support them here.