Uluwatu area in Bali is a popular destination for surfers around the world, besides known as the gems of many white-sand beaches and famous Uluwatu Temple. Located within 45 minutes from Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport, some surf spots around Uluwatu highlight some of the best surf breaks below the dramatic steep cliffs facing the west. So, seeing the magical sunset while drinking the beer is one of the perks after a challenging day of surfing in Uluwatu Bali.
Having the warm water along its magnificent stretch of coast, Bukit in Uluwatu Bali has a lot to offer for all levels of surfers, mainly due to its super consistent and varied swells and surf breaks. Having a year-round surfing season, it has several surfing spots lining along the coasts, starting from Uluwatu beach, Padang-Padang Beach, Impossible Beach, Bingin Beach, Dreamland Beach, Balangan Beach, and Nyang-Nyang beach.
Uluwatu
For more experienced and expert surfers
Uluwatu is one of the signature surf spots around Uluwatu, where the waves are super consistent, producing the great waves. After paddling through the cave, surfers will pass the channel out to the surf breaks on the left named The Peak, Racetrack, Outside Corner, Temples, and The Bombie. Remember to bring your reef booties, and after chasing the big waves, you can sit while drinking the beer, looking up onto the majestic Uluwatu temple above the cliff.
Padang-Padang Beach
For all levels of surfers
Padang-Padang beach has two sides of surfing spots. The first is the Padang-Padang Right, or called “Baby Padang”, one of the best surf spots around Uluwatu for beginner and intermediate surfers, offering the soft break, which is easy to paddle out for beginners.
Another one is Padang-Padang (left), which has the famous surf breaks for the advanced and professional surfers, also the regular spot to host the international surfing event of Rip Curl. However, be aware of the massive waves, sharp coral reefs on shallow water, and jagged rocks in this surf spot.
Impossibles Beach
For more experienced and expert surfers
Compromising of three peaks along the vast reefs, Impossible Beach offers good and consistent swells, making it a perfect spot to practice your turns. For those who look for a challenge between Bingin and Padang-Padang, this surf spot has long and fast waves to enjoy with the swells ranging from 4 to 8 ft.
Located just 5 minutes from Uluwatu Temple, this Impossible Beach gets its name from how difficult it used to be reached.
Bingin Beach
For intermediate surfers
Bingin shares the same reefs as Uluwatu, but the waves are not as big as Uluwatu’s. The perfect barrels are consistent, just like Uluwatu, but shorter and sharper, making it more challenging to catch a good big wave in time. Pay attention to the tide charts: the high tide is ideal for longboarders and novice surfers, while the low tide is only suitable for advanced surfers.
Dreamland Beach
For beginner and intermediate surfers
With mellow breaks on all tides, Dreamland is one of the best surf spots around Uluwatu for novice surfers who don’t need to worry about the reefs. With deep water and sandy bottom with the occasional big rock, it is the only non-reef breaks around Bukit area. However, be careful of the frequent shore breaks as it can get crowded both with surfers and tourists.
Balangan Beach
For beginner and intermediate surfers
With the extensive stretch of white sand, Balangan Beach offers gentle and fun waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. It has the southern swells with left-hander breaks ranging from 4 to 6 ft. – one of the longest swells on the island. Remember to bring your booties to head out to the reef in front of the beach which can be reached within a short paddle out.
Nyang-Nyang Beach
For more experienced and expert surfers
To get to Nyang-Nyang beach, you should get 600 steps down from the top of the cliff, where you can see the spectacular view of the white sand beach below. Facing the south, Nyang-Nyang has the short and fun waves, right-hander running into a channel. The hollow and fast waves can be surfed on higher tides on the early morning, as it can be exposed to trade winds and become strong starting early afternoon. Be aware of the strong sweeping current near the channel, and due to sharp coral reefs and uncertain conditions, it is more suitable for more experienced surfers.