Surf With Aldo

Surf With Aldo is a small, locally run surf school in Canggu, on Bali's south-west coast, built around founder Aldo and a team of local instructors. Lessons take place on Canggu's beginner-friendly breaks, where slow, crumbly waves over sand and reef give first-timers plenty of room to practise, and the school is a short hop from the area's cafés and yoga studios.

The school teaches private, semi-private and group lessons, along with sessions for kids, couples and families. Beginners learn the basics from scratch, while intermediate surfers can book coaching aimed at progression; reviewers particularly recommend private lessons for first-timers. Lesson lengths and prices aren't published online, so ask for current rates when you book.

Aldo also runs lessons in Kuta, Lombok, using the uncrowded breaks of South Lombok such as Tanjung Aan, which makes the school a handy option for surfers splitting a trip between the two islands. The team is available daily from 6am to 7.30pm, and bookings are made by WhatsApp or email.