Know the spots. Discover important details about each wave, reefs, best tides.
Bukit peninsula
This area is very exposed and catches all the swells.
Bukit is the name of the peninsula at the southern tip of Bali.
Coming from south west waves, arriving in 3>7 per set formation, hit the Bukit first, then the rest of Bali.
This area is very exposed and catches all swells arriving from the “roaring forties”.
The wave under your feet has travelled far.
Period here is in the 10>18 seconds range.
These high periods bring consistent, clean and lasting swells.
Starting from south east and going north, at a short distance from each other, you find the following top quality reef breaks which made Bali world famous.
Uluwatu breaks
Suluban cave gives you access to a large reef with few breaks.
Swells swing in from southeast here, a lefts galore.
Uluwatu is located and the south west tip of Bali.
Uluwatu cave, which faces west, at low tide, gives access to a small beach.
On clean days, the Grajagan peninsula in Java, is visible at the horizon.
Most visitors hang out on the cliff in the many warungs and bars, recently renovated, on crowded rooftops, sipping strawless from glass bottles.
Here you will not only find 3 great spots for surfing, but also the Single Fin Cliff Bar, one of the trendiest in Uluwatu.
A surfers hangout to chill at sunset with sometimes live entertainment.
Starting from south here are the breaks are the following. (map link)
Uluwatu Temple
reaching the line up requires quite a long paddle
The Surf Spot Temple has the fewest surfers, as reaching the line up requires quite a long paddle.
On days with smaller waves, this surf spot is a good option as it catches more swell than the other surf spots.
Uluwatu peak
right in front the cave
The Uluwatu Peak is right in front the cave. This break picks up the most swell and works best at mid and high tide.
Here you have the possibility to easily get into barrels as the wave is rolling left gently and allows for deep bottom turns most of the times.
Uluwatu Racetracks
fast, long breaking wave with hollow barrels
Racetrack is the last spot on this reef going north. The waves move right around the corner of the cliff towards Padang Padang.
Racetrack has a fast, long breaking wave with incredible barrel options.
This spot is at its best on low tides and is therefore very dangerous due to the sharp reef that lies underneath.
uluwatu outside corner
legendary big swell break
Outside Corner is a legendary spot in Uluwatu.
It’s usually dormant as it needs a big swell to show itself and start breaking.
This spot works best at low tide with huge swells.
Outside Corner is located further out Racetrack and is an advanced surfers galore.
Everyone else can watch the gladiators from the cliffs top and cheer them on.
uluwatu bommie
big waves mecca
The Bommie Surfspot only works on bigger swells at high tide.
Here the biggest waves surfed in Indonesia were seen.
You definitely have to come and check out the action at big wave surf spot, if it breaking, during your trip to Bali.
padang breaks
An area, which includes two different beaches
Padang is actually the name of a whole area, which includes a few different breaks, two different beaches with local warung stalls which sell drinks and rent umbrellas and sunbeds. (map link)
thomas beach
One of the few beginner friendly waves
Starting form the south east end in the Padang area you find a place called Thomas Beach.
Here is a good spot for beginners with smaller waves, surfable with ease at any tide except low.
It offers also a nice large white sand beach with few warungs selling bottled drinks and fresh coconuts.
At Thomas Beach you can enjoy an open sunset over the ocean as is faces west.
Padang Padang
famous world class Padang Padang pipeline
Further north from Uluwatu you will find the famous world class Padang Padang pipeline, which only breaks with a decent size swell.
This hollow tubing wave is probably the most famous Bali wave, where all the expert challenge themselves on big days.
This wave is a mean crowded left which breaks on quite shallow reef at the north end of Thomas beach.
It ends into a deeper water channel right in front of Padang Padang Beach, locally called Labuan Sait.
baby padang
one of the easiest surfing spots on the Bukit Peninsula,
Padang-Padang Right, also known as Baby Padang, is one of the easiest surfing spots on the Bukit Peninsula, one of the few suitable for beginners.
It’s only about a 5 minute drive from KALA SURFCAMP, hence a popular spot among us.
The big channel allows you to just paddle out, without duck dives.
The break is a soft reef break that goes both left and right which is great for practicing walking on your longboard in both directions.
Waves can range from 3 to 6 feet high. However, for beginners it is best to surf on days when the waves are only about waist to head high, as with bigger swells this wave become fast, steep and hollow.
impossibles
Bukit longest ride
Impossibles Reef is one of the largest surf spots in Bukit.
Impossibles Beach consists of 3 separate sections on this broad reef.
When they line up, it’s arguably one of the most photogenic waves in the world.
Here you can almost always surf with a high level of consistency. An hardcore playground to practice as Impossibles can also come up with racy passages.
This waves break quickly, and you’ll need to pump fast down the line.
They are almost exclusively for advanced surfers.
When the swell is smaller, medium level surfers can join in the fun.
It is recommended to paddle from Padang Padang or Bingin Beach.(map link)
bingin
Perhaps the most perfect wave in the Bukit
Bingin Beach is perhaps the most perfect wave in the Bukit.
Usually smaller than Uluwatu it gets the same swells.
This strong left is a consistent barreling wave machine.
With super hollow barrels, this paradise gets the hardcore surfers out to play.
Bingin drives more crowd than Uluwatu as the wave is less intimidating. This leads often to long cues.
Tides play an important role here. While this wave works best on mid-tide.At other tides you’re likely to find experts and pros who dare to surf this wave with new twists and turns.
Level: intermediate and expert.(map link)
dreamland
a gentle beach break that works with most swell conditions at all tides
Dreamland Beach is a gentle beach break that works with most swell conditions at all tides, but probably best at mid to low.
It offer three distinct breaks with both right and left waves.
Good for beginners as it’s an easy paddle and a mellow wave and you don’t have to worry about shallow reef.
The water is quite deep and the bottom is mostly sandy, especially in the beach break right in front of the bar, be careful though, cos it is easy to injure your feet on the scattered rocks.
Apart from Baby Padang, Dreamland Beach is also the best surf spot in Bukit for beginners on days with small swells on the inside left.
At low tide it can also be fun for shortboards or body surfers.
Due to the powerful shore breaks, many locals also surf and show their skills here.
Be careful as both the surf and the beach can get crowded with many tourists and locals alike.
Level: Beginner, Advanced (map link)
balangan
surfing for all levels on the turquoise waves
Balangan offers both a beautiful beach and great waves. Surfing for all levels on the turquoise waves is just beautiful.
Waves can range from 4 to 15 feet. A mostly steady, medium-speed left-hander that can be surfed at all tides.
On big swells, an harsh tubing section in the middle, makes it gnarly.
Additionally, there are other water sports activities that you can do while visiting this beach. (map link)