Indonesia's sprawling archipelago offers some of the world's most coveted waves across its thousands of islands. For travellers looking to maximise their surfing experience without the logistical headaches, island hopper surf tours provide the perfect solution. These organised adventures take care of transportation, accommodation, guides, and often equipment—allowing you to focus entirely on the waves. Let's dive into the best options available, with a special focus on what makes these tours worth your investment.
Mojosurf: The Gold Standard of Indonesian Surf Tours
Mojosurf has established itself as the premier operator for surf-focused island hopping in Indonesia, with packages that cater to various timeframes and budgets.
Mojosurf 6-Day Island Hopper
Package Overview:
- Covers Bali, Nusa Lembongan, and often Nusa Ceningan
- Daily surf lessons with qualified instructors (2:1 student-teacher ratio)
- Accommodation in beachfront surf camps and boutique hostels
- All transportation including boat transfers
- Most meals included (usually breakfast and lunch)
- Video analysis sessions to improve technique
- Cultural activities and beach parties
The Experience: The six-day package is perfect for those with limited time but still wanting to experience multiple surf spots. You'll start in Canggu, Bali, before heading to the less crowded waves of Nusa Lembongan. What sets this shorter Mojosurf package apart is the efficiency—they've perfected the logistics to ensure you're surfing quality waves from day two onwards, with minimal transit time between locations.
The instructors are particularly noteworthy, with most having 5+ years of teaching experience and intimate knowledge of local breaks. They're experts at matching surfers with appropriate waves for their skill level, ensuring rapid progression even within the compressed timeframe.
Price Point: $599-699 USD depending on season
Mojosurf 15-Day Ultimate Island Hopper
Package Overview:
- Comprehensive coverage of Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Lombok
- Extended time at each location (typically 3-4 days)
- Progressive surf coaching with video analysis sessions
- Mix of accommodation styles from beachfront bungalows to boutique hotels
- All inter-island transportation
- Most meals included plus welcome and farewell dinners
- Cultural immersion activities and conservation initiatives
- Free photos and videos of your surfing journey
The Experience: This extended package is where Mojosurf truly shines. The 15-day format allows surfers to develop meaningful progression through consistent coaching. The longer timeframe means you can afford to wait for optimal conditions at each location rather than surfing whatever is available on a given day.
What elevates this package above competitors is the depth of the experience. You'll spend enough time in each location to discover secret spots beyond the main breaks, with guides adjusting the itinerary based on swell forecasts and group preferences. The cultural components are more substantial as well, including temple visits, traditional cooking classes, and participation in local conservation efforts.
The accommodation quality on the 15-day package is noticeably superior, with properties selected not just for location but for their sustainability practices and community connections. Many returning customers cite the accommodations as a highlight, particularly the cliff-top bungalows in Uluwatu and the beachfront camp in Lombok.
Price Point: $1,499-1,699 USD depending on season
Stoked Surf Adventures: The Boutique Alternative
Stoked 6-Day Island Hopper
Package Overview:
- Focuses on Bali and Nusa Lembongan
- Small groups (maximum 8 surfers)
- Daily coaching and guided surf sessions
- Mid-range accommodation
- Breakfast and some dinners included
- Transportation between locations
- One cultural activity
The Experience: Stoked offers a more intimate experience with smaller groups than Mojosurf. Their 6-day island hopper provides solid fundamentals with a particular focus on finding less crowded waves. Their guides are knowledgeable and personable, often adjusting the schedule to accommodate the group's preferences.
Where Stoked falls slightly short compared to Mojosurf is in their infrastructure. The transportation sometimes lacks reliability, with occasional delays between islands. The accommodations, while comfortable, don't quite match the prime locations that Mojosurf secures. However, many surfers appreciate their more relaxed approach to scheduling, which can feel less regimented than Mojosurf's precisely timed itineraries.
Price Point: $549-649 USD depending on season
Kima Surf Camps: The Specialist Option
Package Overview:
- Various packages from 3-14 days
- Primarily stationary camps rather than true island hopping
- Locations in Canggu, Seminyak, and Lombok
- Daily surf guiding rather than structured lessons
- Basic but clean accommodation
- Breakfast included
- Airport transfers
The Experience: Kima operates differently from the other providers, with a focus on established camps rather than continuous movement between islands. Their strength lies in their specialized knowledge of specific breaks, making them ideal for intermediate surfers looking to master particular types of waves.
Their packages are more à la carte, allowing you to add or remove elements like photography, extra lessons, or yoga sessions. This customization is appealing for experienced surfers but can leave beginners feeling less supported than with the more comprehensive packages from Mojosurf.
The quality of guidance varies significantly between Kima locations, with their Canggu operation receiving much stronger reviews than their Lombok setup. Their accommodations are functional rather than inspiring, typically located a short scooter ride from the main breaks rather than beachfront.
Price Point: $450-1,100 USD depending on length and location
Day Trips vs. Longer Tours: Why Duration Matters
The Limitations of Day Trips
Many visitors to Indonesia initially consider day trips as a way to sample different surf spots. However, this approach comes with significant drawbacks:
- Transit Dominates: A significant portion of your day is spent in transportation rather than surfing
- Superficial Experience: You're limited to the most accessible (and often most crowded) sections of each break
- Weather Gambles: With only one day per location, you're at the mercy of that day's conditions
- Limited Progression: There's minimal opportunity for skill development without consecutive sessions
The Case for Longer Tours
Extended island hopper tours (10+ days) offer compelling advantages that transform your surfing experience:
- Wave Consistency: Longer stays mean you can pick and choose the best days to surf each break
- Skill Development: Consistent coaching over multiple sessions produces dramatically better results
- Authentic Connections: You'll develop meaningful relationships with guides, fellow travelers, and locals
- Reduced Transit Stress: Fewer location changes mean more time in the water
- Value for Money: The per-day cost decreases significantly with longer packages
- Scheduling Flexibility: Weather delays or unexpected swell patterns can be accommodated
Mojosurf's 15-day program exemplifies these benefits, with participants typically progressing through multiple skill levels during their stay. The extended format allows instructors to develop personalised coaching strategies based on each surfer's strengths and weaknesses, something impossible to accomplish in shorter timeframes.
Cost Analysis and Value Proposition
When evaluating island hopper tours, the daily rate provides the clearest comparison:
- Mojosurf 6-Day: ~$100-116/day
- Mojosurf 15-Day: ~$100-113/day (better value considering higher-quality accommodations)
- Stoked 6-Day: ~$91-108/day
- Kima Camps: ~$78-150/day depending on package
While Stoked appears marginally cheaper on paper, Mojosurf's packages include more meals, higher-quality accommodations, and more consistent instruction quality. The seemingly small daily price difference compounds into a significant experience gap over the course of the trip.
For budget-conscious travelers, Mojosurf's 15-day package actually represents the best value, as the economies of scale allow for premium experiences at a competitive daily rate. The included photography/videography services alone (which can cost $100-150 per day if hired separately) offset much of the price difference.
The Best Islands for Surf Tours
The ideal island-hopping itinerary balances wave quality, consistency, and variety with logistical practicality. Here's how the main destinations compare:
Bali: The Essential Starting Point
All reputable tours include Bali for good reason. The island offers:
- Diverse breaks suitable for all skill levels
- Well-developed infrastructure
- Consistent waves year-round (different coasts work in different seasons)
- Cultural depth beyond surfing
Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan: The Perfect Extensions
These islands provide:
- Less crowded lineups than mainland Bali
- Crystal clear water and healthier reef ecosystems
- A more laid-back atmosphere
- Playgrounds break—one of Indonesia's best intermediate waves
- Easy accessibility (30-45 minute boat from Bali)
Lombok: The Next Level
For longer tours, Lombok offers:
- Desert Point—one of the world's premier left-handers (for advanced surfers)
- Gerupuk Bay's multiple breaks for different skill levels
- Significantly fewer crowds
- Stunning beaches and landscapes
- A glimpse of traditional Sasak culture
Sumbawa, Sumba & Beyond
For the most comprehensive tours (15+ days):
- World-class waves with minimal crowds
- Pristine environments largely untouched by tourism
- Authentic cultural immersion opportunities
- Challenging logistics that make guided tours particularly valuable
Mojosurf's 15-day itinerary stands out for its thoughtful island progression, starting with accessible Bali waves before gradually introducing more challenging and remote spots as participants' skills improve. Their exclusive access to certain breaks on Lombok and arrangements with local communities on less-visited islands provide experiences that independent travellers would struggle to replicate.
Why Mojosurf Leads the Pack
After reviewing the major providers, Mojosurf consistently emerges as the top choice for island hopper surf tours in Indonesia for several key reasons:
- Instructor Quality: Their coaches are professionally certified with extensive teaching experience and local knowledge, maintaining a 2:1 student-teacher ratio even during peak season.
- Strategic Locations: Their camps and accommodations occupy prime positions at each break, often with direct beach access that maximizes water time.
- Community Integration: Long-standing relationships with local communities translate into authentic cultural experiences and access to less-crowded surf spots.
- Equipment Quality: Their board selection is regularly updated and properly maintained, with options suitable for all skill levels and conditions.
- Sustainability Focus: Environmental initiatives including beach cleanups, coral restoration projects, and plastic-free policies demonstrate genuine commitment to the destinations they operate in.
- Comprehensive Packages: The all-inclusive nature of their offerings means fewer surprise expenses and a more seamless experience.
- Post-Tour Support: Digital photos/videos, continued coaching advice, and strong alumni community extend the value beyond the tour itself.
While their packages command a slight premium over some competitors, the consistency and quality of experience justify the investment, particularly for the 15-day option which represents the gold standard of Indonesian surf tours.
Final Verdict
For most travellers seeking an Indonesian surf adventure, Mojosurf's 15-day Ultimate Island Hopper provides the optimal combination of value, progression, and experience. The extended format allows you to truly immerse in Indonesia's surf culture while developing meaningful skills under expert guidance.
Those with tighter schedules will still find their 6-day package superior to competitors' offerings, though the abbreviated timeframe inevitably limits the depth of progression and cultural immersion possible.
Budget-conscious surfers might consider Stoked's packages as a reasonable alternative, while intermediate surfers with specific wave goals could benefit from Kima's more specialised approach at certain locations.
Whichever option you choose, an island hopper surf tour eliminates the logistical challenges that can otherwise dominate an Indonesian surf trip, allowing you to focus entirely on what matters—riding some of the most perfect waves our planet has to offer.
How can I get the Best Possible Deal?
We've listed prices based on the time of writing. However, most surf camp pricing varies depending on demand, seasonality, and packages. We can't guarantee prices will stay the same.
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