Best Surf & Yoga Retreats in Bali 2026: Where I’d Go
SURFTRAVEL
8/20/2026
There’s a specific kind of person who books a surf and yoga retreat instead of a typical beach holiday and honestly, it’s usually someone who already knows they need a little structure. Bali has built an entire industry around this combination, and once you understand why it works so well, it’s easy to see why so many people come back for a second retreat, myself included.
I know how hard it can be to choose between so many tempting options. Having lived in Bali, I’ve put together this guide to the best surf and yoga retreats in Bali, including what makes each one special and who it’s best suited for.
P.S. If you’re also wondering how to choose the right surf camp or you’re completely new to surfing, check out my guides on how to choose a surf camp and beginner surfing in Bali.
If You Love One Week of Consistent Surf and Yoga (Like Me)
A surf retreat genuinely helped me improve faster than any amount of casual surfing ever did, and the reason is embarrassingly simple: I couldn't make up an excuse for myself to skip the early morning session. When surfing is just something you do occasionally, it's easy to sleep in, push it to tomorrow, decide the swell "doesn't look great" from bed. A retreat removes all of that. The lesson is booked, the group is waiting, the yoga session is scheduled right after, and suddenly consistency isn't a discipline problem, it's just the schedule. A week of that structure will move your surfing forward more than months of occasional sessions ever will.
Best Surf & Yoga Retreats in Bali
CARI Surf Camp Bali
Set in Padang Padang near Uluwatu, CARI pairs two surf lessons a day, taught by local instructors who grew up surfing this exact stretch of coast, with three yoga sessions, a wellness experience at Istana Uluwatu, and gym access at 360 Move. White private villas, a large communal pool, and a restaurant built around locally sourced ingredients round it out. A genuinely well-balanced option if you want serious coaching alongside real recovery.
Mojo Surf
Mojo Surf Bali is a great option if you’re looking for a surf retreat that combines structured surf lessons with a fun, social atmosphere. It’s especially appealing if you want to improve your surfing while meeting other travelers and enjoying the Bali lifestyle. Whether you’re a beginner catching your first waves or looking to take your surfing to the next level, it offers a mix of coaching, surf sessions, and downtime to make the most of your stay.
Pelan Pelan Bali
An 8-day retreat in Canggu capped at just 12 participants, with five private surf lessons suited to any level, four Hatha yoga sessions, guided meditation, and three Balinese massages worked into the week. Accommodation is shared-lodge style with a pool and tennis court, and Friday night brings a group barbecue, genuinely social without losing the personal, small-group feel.
Surf'n Yoga Bali
Based in Padonan, just off the main road through Canggu, this one leans hard into a vegetarian, wellness-first identity, homemade food, outdoor activities, and water sports alongside the core surf and yoga programming. A good fit if plant-based eating is already part of how you want the week to feel.
Brown Sugar Surf Camp, Medewi
For something further off the beaten path, this 8-day camp on Bali's west coast is built specifically for surfers who already know the basics and want to progress onto Medewi's long, mellow green waves, paired with yoga in a noticeably quieter, less crowded setting than Canggu or Uluwatu.
Best Yoga-Only Retreats in Bali
I have to admit, I was not a yoga person. It took Bali, and honestly surfing itself, to make me actually fall for it, something about needing my body to recover properly between sessions finally made the practice click in a way a studio back home never did. If you want to skip the surf entirely and just focus on yoga, maybe even walk away with an actual teaching certificate, these are the retreats worth looking at.
Bali Green Retreats, Ubud
Bali Green Retreats offers a peaceful and rejuvenating escape surrounded by nature, combining yoga, wellness, relaxation, and the laid-back atmosphere Bali is known for. It’s a great choice for travelers looking to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and enjoy a more mindful holiday in a tranquil setting away from the busy tourist areas.
Check Availability & Rates Here
Salty Prana, Uluwatu
A Vinyasa teacher training with a completely different atmosphere, industrial-chic design, a rooftop yoga shala with genuine ocean views, and an ice bath on site for recovery. A strong option if you want yoga training paired with Uluwatu's more modern, upscale surf-town energy rather than Ubud's jungle stillness.
Check Availability & Rates here
House of Om, near Ubud
Based at the Yoga Amertham Retreat and Resort, known simply as "The Mansion," set among rice fields just outside Ubud. A 20-day, 200-hour teacher training in one of the more comfortable, luxurious settings on this list, if you want the training experience without sacrificing comfort.
Most of these programs are Yoga Alliance-certified, meaning you can register as an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) upon completion if teaching is genuinely the goal, not just deepening your own practice. Worth confirming certification status directly before booking if that matters to you.
Serenity Eco Guesthouse & Yoga, Canggu
A genuinely budget-friendly option in Canggu, just 150 meters from the beach, offering a shorter 3-night yoga retreat format. Rooms are simple rather than luxurious, but the price point and location make it a solid entry point if you want to try the format without committing to a full week.
Check Availability & Rates Here
Best Areas for a Surf & Yoga Retreat in Bali
Canggu is the heartland of Bali's surf-and-yoga scene, beginner-to-intermediate waves, the highest concentration of retreats, and a lively cafe culture around it. Uluwatu suits experienced surfers chasing world-class reef breaks, paired with a more serene, cliffside version of the retreat experience. Medewi, further west, is the quiet alternative, fewer people, longer waves, and a genuinely different pace if Canggu's energy isn't what you're after. For more information about areas in Bali, check out my Where to Stay in Bali guide.
What to Expect from a Typical Day
Most retreats follow a similar rhythm: an early surf session before the wind picks up, breakfast, free time or a second activity through the middle of the day, yoga or meditation in the late afternoon, and dinner together as a group. The specifics vary, some add pool sessions or surf theory, others build in massages or sound healing, but the core structure, surf, eat, yoga, recover, repeat, is what makes these weeks so effective for actually improving rather than just relaxing.
How Much Do Surf & Yoga Retreats Cost in Bali?
Pricing varies widely by length, group size, and inclusions, but expect a noticeably higher cost than a standalone surf camp given the added yoga sessions, meals, and often massages or wellness extras bundled in. Shorter, simpler formats like Serenity's 3-night option sit at the budget end, while fuller 8-day programs with private lessons and daily wellness extras land at the premium end of the range.
Best Time of Year for a Surf & Yoga Retreat
Dry season, roughly April through October, is the strongest window, consistent waves on Bali's west and southern coasts (Canggu, Uluwatu) and reliably good weather for outdoor yoga sessions. Wet season isn't a dealbreaker, especially in Canggu, but conditions are less predictable day to day.
Tips for Choosing a Surf & Yoga Retreat
Match the surf coaching to your actual level. A retreat built for beginners in Canggu won't serve you well if you're already comfortable on a shortboard, and vice versa.
Check the coaching ratio, not just the schedule. Two lessons a day means little if you're one of twelve people sharing a single instructor's attention.
Decide how social you want the week to be. Small, capped-group retreats like Pelan Pelan create a genuinely different dynamic than a bigger, more anonymous camp.
Don't skip the recovery side when comparing options. Ice baths, massages, and proper yoga programming genuinely affect how your body holds up across a week of daily surfing.
Book dry season if your dates are flexible. Consistent waves make the surf side of the week far more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a surf and yoga retreat? A structured, typically week-long program combining daily surf lessons with yoga, meditation, and often additional wellness elements like massage or ice baths, along with shared meals and accommodation.
Which area in Bali is best for a surf and yoga retreat? Canggu for the widest range of options and a beginner-to-intermediate wave, Uluwatu for experienced surfers wanting world-class reef breaks with a quieter retreat atmosphere, and Medewi for a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path alternative.
Do I need surf experience to join a retreat? No. Most retreats, including CARI and Pelan Pelan, cater to all levels, from complete beginners to experienced surfers wanting to refine technique.
How long do surf and yoga retreats in Bali usually run? Most run around 7 to 8 days, though shorter 3-night formats exist for those who want a taste of the experience without a full week's commitment.
What's the best time of year for a surf and yoga retreat in Bali? Dry season, roughly April through October, offers the most consistent surf conditions and reliable weather for outdoor yoga.
Can I get a yoga teacher certification in Bali? Yes. Retreats like The Yoga Barn, Bali Yoga Center, and House of Om all offer Yoga Alliance-certified 200-hour teacher trainings, letting you register as an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) once you complete the course.
Final Thoughts
A surf and yoga retreat works because it removes the decision-making that normally gets in the way of consistency, the lesson is booked, the mat is waiting, and there's no version of the week where you talk yourself out of the early session. Pick the area that matches your surf level, check the coaching ratio before you commit, and give yourself the structure. A week of that is genuinely worth more than months of surfing whenever you happen to feel like it.
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