Uluwatu · 5 min read
Uluwatu Surf Spots: Padang Padang, Bingin, Impossibles and More
The Bukit has some of the best reef breaks in the world. Here is how each one works, which tide it likes, and whether it is right for you.
The Uluwatu surf spots are the reason many people come to the Bukit in the first place. Within a few kilometres of coastline you have long walls, heavy barrels, a reef that only wakes up on big swells and a wild right hander under the cliffs at Nyang Nyang. Almost all of it breaks over shallow coral, so knowing which tide and season each spot likes is the difference between a great session and a cut foot.
This is a practical overview, written for surfers staying at Baliwood Nyang Nyang and anyone planning a surf trip down here.
How the Bukit works: seasons and wind
The dry season, roughly April to October, is prime time. South swells from the Indian Ocean line up, and the south east trade winds blow offshore along the west facing reefs of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin and Impossibles. April, May, September and October usually bring lighter crowds than June to August.
The wet season, roughly November to March, flips things. Winds swing west and blow onshore on most of the west coast, though early mornings can still be glassy. That is when the south facing breaks, Nyang Nyang included, come into their own.
The main Uluwatu surf spots, one by one
- Uluwatu: the famous left, with several sections such as Racetrack, Temples and Outside Corner that work on different tides. It handles roughly 3 to 10 feet of south swell and rides can run for a few hundred metres. You paddle out through the cave at Suluban beach. Intermediate surfers can manage small days, the bigger days are for advanced surfers.
- Padang Padang: a left hand barrel over very shallow reef, one of the most famous waves in Bali. It needs a big swell to break properly, so it only really fires a few weeks a year. Advanced and expert only.
- Baby Padang (Padang Rights): the gentle inside right in front of the beach. On small swells around mid to high tide it is one of the friendlier reef waves for beginners and improvers.
- Impossibles: a long left between Padang Padang and Bingin with three sections that can link up on bigger swells. Best on mid to high tide with a west south west swell. Usually less crowded than its neighbours, intermediate to advanced. You can paddle out from Padang or Bingin.
- Bingin: a short, punchy left that barrels, best around mid tide on 3 to 5 feet. Crowded with good local and visiting surfers, so bring patience and respect.
- Nyang Nyang: a powerful right hand reef break, around 200 metres on a good day, with a short left. It needs high tide and is not surfable at low tide. Best in the wet season, especially October, November, March and April, as the dry season is often too big and windy. Intermediate to expert.
Where beginners can surf around Uluwatu
Most Uluwatu surf spots are not for first timers. If you are learning, stick to Baby Padang on small mid to high tide days, Dreamland on small swells, or Balangan on very small high tide days, ideally with a local instructor who knows the reef. On wet season days when the west coast is onshore, the sandier beaches around Canggu and Pererenan are an easy drive and much more forgiving, see our Pererenan and Echo Beach surf guide.
Practical tips for a surf trip on the Bukit
- Check the tide chart every day. On these reefs, the tide matters as much as the swell.
- Go early. Dawn sessions beat the crowd and the wind, and you are back for breakfast before the heat.
- Board rentals and ding repair are easy to find in the warungs above Uluwatu and Padang Padang.
- Carry cash for parking and a coconut afterwards.
- Respect the line up. Many of these waves have tight local crews, and a smile and some patience go a long way.
- Rinse cuts with clean water and antiseptic straight away, coral cuts get infected easily in the tropics.
Staying near the breaks makes all of this simpler. From the villa you can check Nyang Nyang from the cliff in a few minutes, drive to Uluwatu or Padang for the morning session, and be back by the turquoise pool when the wind comes up. For rest days, our guide to the best beaches in Uluwatu has calmer water for non surfers in the group.
