You do not need to bring a surfboard to Bali. You do not need to bring a wetsuit. You definitely do not need to bring five pairs of shoes. What you do need are a handful of small, specific items that will make the difference between a good trip and a great one. We have hosted thousands of guests from all over the world, and these are the five things the experienced ones always have in their bag.
1. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
The Balinese sun does not play around. You are six degrees south of the equator, and the UV index regularly hits extreme levels by mid-morning. Bring a high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen that is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate — these chemicals bleach the coral reefs we surf over every day. Apply it generously before your session and reapply after. Your future self, and the reef, will thank you.
Zinc-based sunscreen sticks are a game changer for your face. They stay on in the water better than liquid sunscreen and do not sting your eyes when you duck-dive.
2. Reef Booties
Bali's best waves break over coral and rock reefs. Walking across a reef in bare feet is a fast track to a cut that will keep you out of the water for days. A thin pair of reef booties — the split-toe kind that still let you feel the board — will protect your feet without compromising your surfing. They also make the walk from the beach to the lineup much less stressful.
3. A Dry Bag
Your phone, your cash, your room key. When you are at the beach, these things need to stay dry and secure. A simple roll-top dry bag costs almost nothing, weighs nothing, and gives you total peace of mind while you are in the water. Clip it to your motorbike or toss it in your day pack. It is one of those items that you will use every single day.
4. Lightweight Quick-Dry Clothing
Bali is tropical, humid, and you will be wet a lot. Cotton takes forever to dry and starts to smell after one session. Pack quick-dry boardshorts, a few lightweight shirts, and a thin hoodie for cooler evenings. Merino or synthetic blends work best. Leave the jeans at home — you will not need them, and you will not want them.
5. A Reusable Water Bottle
Surfing in the tropics dehydrates you faster than you think. Between the heat, the salt water, and the physical effort, you can lose liters of fluid in a single session. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up before every session. Most surf camps and warungs in Bali have filtered water stations, so you can refill throughout the day without buying plastic bottles. It is better for you and better for the island.
The Full Packing Checklist
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+, zinc-based for face)
- Reef booties (split-toe, thin sole)
- Dry bag (10-20L roll-top)
- Quick-dry boardshorts and shirts
- Reusable water bottle (insulated keeps it cold)
- Basic first-aid kit with antiseptic for reef cuts
- Ear plugs for surfer's ear prevention
- Polarized sunglasses for days off
Everything else — boards, rashguards, wax, leashes — we provide at Bali Kami. Travel light, surf heavy. That is the formula.
