Canggu: 3-days surf course with ISA certified instructor

If you want a surf course that feels personal, this 3-day setup in Canggu at Batu Bolong Beach is a strong choice. You get coaching from an ISA certified instructor, with Yahya specifically called out in standout reviews for making lessons clear, fun, and safe in real ocean conditions.

I especially like how the sessions are paced for skill level, with lots of hands-on time when you are paddling and popping up. I also like the “show up, get in the water, learn fast” vibe, plus the gear support like a rash shirt, sun protection, and GoPro photos and video so you can actually see what changed over the days. One drawback to plan for: it is not suitable for non-swimmers, so you need real comfort in open water before you start.

Key points before you go

• ISA certified instruction in Canggu, with Yahya repeatedly praised for reading waves and coaching with calm confidence
• 2 hours per day for 3 days, so you get repetition, not just one quick taste
• Flexible day choice, and start times that can be tuned to tides and conditions
• Safety-first coaching, including on-land health and safety guidance before you paddle out
• Gear is included (surfboard, rash shirt, water, zinc, sun cream) plus GoPro photo and video
• Optional progression if you improve quickly, with some people upgrading boards by day three

Why Batu Bolong Beach Is a Smart Place for a 3-Day Course

Canggu has plenty of surf energy, but Batu Bolong is one of the more beginner-friendly areas for learning the basics with less chaos than you might expect. The reason this matters is simple: you need time in the water, not time waiting. With a 3-day course, you want momentum, and Batu Bolong tends to offer enough learning variety that you are not just doing one tiny drill forever.

This location also makes the whole experience feel like a mini routine, not a one-off excursion. You meet near Old Man’s Bar at Batu Bolong, then you can easily swing by nearby cafes or grab a post-session snack after you finish. One review even mentions the walk to restaurants and cafés nearby, which is exactly what you want after a morning of paddling.

The other reason I like this setup is timing. Reviews mention early timings that can help you get in before the crowd, and instructors who work with tide and wave timing. When conditions line up, you spend more time actually surfing, less time waiting for the ocean to cooperate.

Your ISA Instructor, Yahya, and What Safe Surf Coaching Looks Like

The coaching is the heart of this course. You are not just handed a board and told good luck. The instructor is ISA certified, and Yahya is specifically highlighted for being patient, encouraging, and cheerful in the water. That combination matters because learning to surf is equal parts technique and nerves. If your coach keeps your head straight, you progress faster.

What I’d call the “safe surf” approach here shows up in the structure. Before you even get out, you get an on-land introduction to basic guidance plus health and safety points. Then you move to warm-up exercises on shore, and only after that you practice paddling and standing up in waves matched to your skill level. That staging is one of the best ways to avoid frustration and injuries, especially if you are brand new.

Another practical detail: instruction happens in English, Indonesian, or Czech. So if English is not your strongest language, you are still likely to get guidance you can understand quickly. One more thing you’ll feel in the water is flexibility. Reviews mention Yahya adapting start times based on tide and weather, often communicating on WhatsApp to find the best window. If you are serious about progressing, that flexibility can be the difference between a decent session and a great one.

Day 1: Basics, Paddling, and Standing Up on Waves That Fit Your Level

Day 1 is about building a foundation you can trust. You meet at the beach, with the most practical meeting spots being the parking lot of Old Man’s Bar at Batu Bolong Beach, or Warung Magic Wave (about 200 meters from the carpark at Batu Bolong). From there, you work through a structured on-land start before you enter the water.

Here is what that first 2-hour lesson typically includes:

• Basic surf guidance while you are still on land
• Health and safety points
• Warm-up exercises
• Practice paddling and standing up on the surfboard, with close instructor guidance in waves suitable for your level

The best part of Day 1 is that it is not just theory. You learn the motions, then repeat them immediately. Surfing is one of those sports where your body needs reps, not just explanations. Close guidance during paddling and popping up helps you avoid picking up bad habits early.

A small detail that can help your confidence: you are learning on conditions that match your ability. Batu Bolong can have different wave energy day to day, but the lesson is designed so you are not forced into situations that feel too big too fast. That matters for first timers, and even for people who have tried once before.

Day 2: Wave Entry, Positioning, and Turning Technique

By Day 2, you should feel the difference. The course shifts from basics to refinement and decision-making. The goal is still to surf, but now you are also learning how to choose what to do next.

This second 2-hour lesson focuses on:

• A recap of key techniques from Day 1
• Refinement of paddling skills for better wave entry and positioning
• Understanding different types of waves and choosing the appropriate ones for skill development
• Introduction to basic turning techniques

That wave type piece is surprisingly important. Many beginners struggle because they think every wave is the same. Your success depends on timing, angle, and whether the wave is setting up for your current skill level. When you learn how to read the wave type, you start surfing with intention instead of hoping.

The turning intro is also a big confidence builder. Even if your first turns are small, they are proof that you can control the board. By the end of Day 2, you should feel less like you are surviving waves and more like you are actually surfing them.

You should also expect repetition with purpose. Paddling is not just paddling. It is how you get into the right part of the wave at the right time, and Day 2 hammers that into your muscle memory.

Day 3: Bigger-Wave Strategy, Timing, and Confident Maneuvers

Day 3 is when the course turns from learning skills to building confidence. The ocean will feel familiar by now, but it will still demand respect. This lesson uses that balance by helping you pick bigger waves safely and time your entry more accurately.

The advanced 2-hour session includes:

• Recap of what you built over the first two days
• Advanced techniques for the next stage
• Strategies for selecting and catching larger waves
• Introduction to maneuvers on unbroken waves
• Refinement of timing for optimal wave entry
• Strategies for positioning on the wave for more challenging maneuvers

If you have ever wondered why people look confident on surfboards, it is often because they stop guessing. Day 3 teaches selection, positioning, and timing so you are making better choices. The maneuvers on unbroken waves are the kind of step that can make you feel like you are progressing beyond “standing up and hoping.”

One review mentions that by the third day, the student was using a hardboard after progressing. I cannot promise every participant will switch boards, but the course structure clearly supports progression when you are ready. If you want that chance to push a little, Day 3 is where it happens.

Meeting Spot and Waring Bogus Setup at Batu Bolong

The meeting point details are straightforward, and they matter because mornings can be hectic. You can meet your instructor in the parking lot of Old Man’s Bar at Batu Bolong Beach, or at Warung Magic Wave, located about 200 meters from the carpark. This course is based near Waring Bogus at Batu Bolong, with Matahari surf school listed in the area.

What I like about having multiple nearby meeting options is that you can pick the one that makes sense for your plan. If you are arriving by scooter, you can park and start from Old Man’s Bar. If you are more comfortable walking to Warung Magic Wave, that is easy too. Once you get to the main Batu Bolong carpark area, the 200-meter guidance keeps it simple.

Also note that the itinerary can adjust based on weather and on how you are progressing. That sounds vague, but it is actually a sign of a real coaching setup. Surf lessons must respect conditions. If the ocean changes, you want someone to adapt rather than force a rigid plan.

What You Get Included, and What You Should Bring Yourself

This is one of the nicer parts of the course. You are not paying extra for the basics you need to get comfortable in the water.

Included:

• Surfboard
• Rash shirt to protect your body from sun
• Water
• Zinc cream
• Sun cream
• GoPro photos and video

I love that rash shirts and sun protection are included. In Bali sun can be no joke, and you do not want to spend your first surf day thinking about sunscreen while your board is already waiting. Also, zinc cream is a good sign that they are thinking about actual surf-day needs, not just selling a lesson.

What to bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel

One more small note from the vibe in reviews: there are photographers in the water who help with photo-taking, and service fees may be separate if you want everything. The included GoPro gives you your own footage, but if you want extra images, plan for the possibility of additional costs.

Price and Value: How $98 for a 3-Day Course Can Work

The price is listed as $98 per group up to 1, for a 3-day surf course. That pricing can be a strong deal if it is effectively private or very small group coaching, because you get focused attention while you learn paddling, standing up, turning basics, and then advanced timing and maneuvers.

Here is what makes the value feel real beyond the number:

• You get instruction for 3 full days, with 2 hours each day
• Gear is included (board, rash shirt)
• Sun protection and water are included, which reduces what you need to buy
• You get GoPro photos and video, so you can actually track your progress

You also get a coach who adjusts start times to tide and weather, which can improve the quality of your sessions. In surf learning, timing matters, and having a schedule that adapts instead of locking you into one time slot is practical.

Potential cost extras to keep in mind:

• If there is a photographer and you want additional photos beyond the GoPro, there may be separate service fees
• Board upgrades might happen for people who progress quickly, but that is not guaranteed for everyone

Overall, if you are looking for a short, focused course where you can realistically improve within 3 days, this price structure makes sense, especially with safety-first instruction and included equipment.

Who This Course Suits Best in Canggu

This is best for beginners and early intermediates who want structured coaching and a safe learning environment. Multiple reviews highlight that it is an excellent place to learn, with instructors reading the waves and keeping you safe while you improve.

It also suits people who:

• Want confidence-building rather than a trial-and-error chaos session
• Like the idea of early or flexible timing based on tide and conditions
• Enjoy a small-group or private feel where feedback is quick and personal

Two people in reviews mention progressing fast enough to go out and catch waves on their own after the course, which tells me the method works for genuine beginners. One review also mentions learning improvements and then booking another lesson, which is a good sign if you want to keep surfing after the 3 days.

Big caution: it is not suitable for non-swimmers. Surfing is in open water, and if you do not swim confidently, you will not get the learning experience the course is designed for.

Should You Book This 3-Day Canggu Surf Course?

Book it if you want a focused 3-day plan that takes you from paddling and standing up to basic turns, then into confidence strategies for bigger waves and timing. The coaching style sounds supportive, and Yahya’s name comes up again and again for clear advice, patience, and safety in the water.

Skip it or think twice if you are a non-swimmer, or if you only want a super casual taste session. This course is designed for real skill-building, with reps and progression. That is great for learners, but it is not meant to be a casual splash and go.

If you are already comfortable in the water and you want your surf learning to feel safe, repeatable, and actually useful, this is the kind of course that can turn Bali surfing from a fantasy into a skill.

FAQ

How long is the surf course?

It runs for 3 days, with a 2-hour surf lesson each day.

Can I choose which days I do the course?

Yes. The days are optional, so you can choose the days that fit your schedule.

Where do I meet the instructor?

You can meet in the parking lot of Old Man’s Bar at Batu Bolong Beach, or at Warung Magic Wave about 200 meters from the carpark at Batu Bolong Beach.

What is included in the price?

The course includes a surfboard, a rash shirt, water, zinc cream, sun cream, and GoPro photos and video.

Who teaches the course and what languages are offered?

The instructor is ISA certified. Languages listed are English, Indonesian, and Czech.

Is this course suitable for non-swimmers?

No. It is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring to the lesson?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Do sessions start at fixed times?

Start times can be adapted depending on tides and waves, so timing can be flexible based on conditions.

Are there photos besides the GoPro included?

There are photographers who help with photo-taking in the water, and service fees may be separate if you want additional photos beyond the included GoPro video and photos.