Uluwatu put Bali on surfing map more than 40 years ago for international surfers while local surfers have been enjoying these breaks for decades, polishing their craft.
Some of the best breaks, views, and waves are in Uluwatu, and pretty much all world-famous surfers surfed here, maybe you will bump into Kelly Slater?
If you are feeling confident and ready to up your surfing game, here is your ultimate guide to surfing in the Uluwatu region.
About Uluwatu’s Surf Scene: Is There Good Surfing in Uluwatu?
Uluwatu’s amazing surfing conditions are due to its location. It sits on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, where the Uluwatu cliff is punching through the powerful waves of the Indian Ocean.
It gets the big swell and cleaner surfing than many other surf locations in Bali. The whole Uluwatu is formed by a cliff face and reef breaks that shape different waves, chest to 2-3x overhead high on average. Each surf spot is best for certain conditions.
The best time for surfing Uluwatu is the dry season when the southeast-west wind hits the peninsula and brings powerful waves. During the wet season,n the surf isn’t great on the south coast, the swell size is much smaller even in Uluwatu.
All the breaks in Uluwatu are popular among local surfers and they surf like real beasts! Make sure to respect the surf culture and basic rules, and if you don’t remember all, make sure to book a sesh or two with a coach to dust off your board.
Where To Surf In Uluwatu: 5 Best Uluwatu’s Surf Spots
Most surfers coming to Bali from abroad probably know the Uluwatu break – a famous one near the Uluwatu temple. But we are here to share more surf breaks that offer various waves.
There are 5 sections of the break in the main Uluwatu Beach: The Peak, Outside Corner, Racetracks, The Bombie, and The Temples, all good for short board surfers.
The Peak
The Peak is a reliable rippable shoulder with double overhead waves on a good day. Great for daily surfing in Uluwatu during the dry season and is located right in front of the cave entrance.
It is one of the most popular and crowded breaks in Ulu. Fun during the mid tides.
Outside Corner
Outside Corner is the most iconic peak and it can get enormous waves up to five times overhead.
Not as crowded as The Peak but quite dangerous due to the swell size, so only for expert surfers who chase big waves, have a performant board, and are fans of the 100-foot wave TV show.
The Bombie
The Bombie is famous for Indonesia’s biggest waves, a typical left-handed reef break, perfect to surf during almost any tide, but only by expert and pro surfers.
Pretty dangerous during high tides as you can get smashed against the cliffs by the cave, as you need to gain access to the cave, and it is pretty easy to miss for less experienced surfers. Plus, paddling can be challenging.
The Temples
The Temples is one of the most diverse breaks, still left-handed, but with the smaller crowd. And the reasons are quite simple: a long paddle fighting powerful waves and rather shallow water, and not as consistent as The Peak with some days being just a white mess.
However, if you get through, during mid tide an experienced surfer will get some beautiful waves and even a barrel!
Racetracks
Racetracks is a left-hand reef break for advanced surfers, known for fast, powerful waves, as the name suggests, and some barrels.
Low and mid tide is best for surfing Uluwatu Racetracks, but the paddle in is a challenge. The current will try to pull you in the way of the oncoming surfers, so it requires a strong paddler. Stay the course and go straight from the cliff, avoid drifting at all costs.
Plus, don’t forget that there is a super sharp reef underneath the waves and the steep stairs leading to this break.
Some guides refer to Suluban Beach as Uluwatu break but that’s not 100% correct. Suluban beach opens via a small cave and this break is only accessible for surfing during the low tide. This hidden gem also attracts tourists, and a lot of them, but it is not the only way to access the Uluwatu break.
More Surf Breaks Near Uluwatu
Balangan Beach Break
A nice laid-back beach and a good surfing spot, even for beginners. Great during mid and high tide, it can expose the sharp reefs and rocky bottom during the low tide, so don’t stay out too long.
The conditions are good so the break is always crowded, although people, especially beginners, should stay away from the end section of the reef.
Thomas Beach
One of the very spots for surfing Uluwatu, if you have a longboard, and also doesn’t get as many crowds as other iconic breaks.
Mid tide is best, but strong current requires endurance, awareness, and skills.
Dreamland Beach
A popular surfing spot for both tourists and locals, welcomes all levels, and shoots out various waves both left and right-handed.
It is beginner-friendly as it is the only Uluwatu break with sand instead of the reef at the ocean floor. But, if not reefs, there are big rocks at Dreamland.
Nyang Nyang Beach
Located on the east side, Nyang Nyang is a right-hand coral break that gets northeast winds and good size waves for intermediate surfers.
The waves here are still powerful but much shorter, punchier, and more unpredictable. This break is better for surfing in the wet season and during mid to high tide.
Be ready to get down some steep stairs to get to the beach.
Bingin Beach
Bingin Beach has a difficult rocky access, so only dedicated surfers go here. You’d think a smaller group of people in the water, more waves to share, but nope, it is a pretty crowded and popular break, surfable at pretty much any tide conditions!
The take-off zone is small so you need to be a really confident surfer to compete with locals and tourists, and don’t drop in.
However, you need to be aware of the shallow reef here, especially at the section called Greedies – a spot on the break over a very shallow and sharp reef. You should also avoid drifting far, as it will be nearly impossible to paddle back.
Impossibles
Impossibles break is between Bingin and Padang Padang beaches. Left-handed waves surfable at all tides (lower tides are best) and great for experienced and pro surfers.
It is hard to reach, but the fruit is desirable: perfect barrels, bowls, and long take-off. However, the downside of this break is that sometimes it is too fast. But if you get on it at the right spot, you can cruise all the way to Bingin.
Very important note: to access this break you need to either paddle from Padang Padang, walk over the reef wearing shoes, or from the car park by the Padang bridge.
Padang Padang Beach aka Balinese Pipeline
Padang Padang is another left-hand break with world-famous barrels. It is great for experienced surfers and offers some of the best surfing scene in the world during the higher tides.
It works best when the large swell is coming from Southwest, but be ready for crowds.
Padang Padang Right (Baby Padang) is a rare surf spot in Uluwatu that is ok for beginners as the mellow waves break soft and underneath the water you have sand and seaweed on top of the reef. Ideal during the dry season and higher tide, as you can get clean long rides. And less surfers here too!
Green Bowls Beach
Green Bowls is a right-hand surf break and little sandy beach of the southeastern side of the Bukit Peninsula.
Best for advanced surfers, its clear waters produce good waves and barrels with smaller swell and almost no wind – mostly in the morning. Other weather conditions make the break too unpredictable and the current can be too strong.
Why Uluwatu Is Great For Advanced Surfers
For surfers who are looking for more challenging waves, barrels, and in general, more power and faster rides. Uluwatu is also the only spot in Bali where you can catch, or watch, big waves 6 foot plus. Tougher conditions also mean fewer crowds than in Canggu and fewer rookies dropping in on you.
Another important consideration is how accessible rentals and surf shops are. Some of the best and largest stores are in Ulu, as it is Bali’s mecca and ground zero for surfing. Some of the best shops are Drifter Surf Shop, BGS Surf Shop, and Channel Islands Surfboards.
The accommodation options are also numerous, you can literally stay within walking distance from the break and have a room with the ocean views (and sounds). Surf villas are a bit more pricey, but there are dozens of hotel and guesthouse rooms for every budget.
Great Surf Schools In Uluwatu
Although surf schools and camps are often associated with beginners, to really master Uluwatu breaks and learn about the reef, the best conditions, and tricks for paddling, you should consider a session or two or a short camp.
Especially if you haven’t surfed in a while. Surf culture in Uluwatu can be tough, and pros surf quite aggressively.
Raprute Surf Camp
One of the leading camps in Uluwatu that can cater to both beginners and progressing surfers.
They have two accommodations on both sides of the peninsula with dorms or private options, offer day trips, daily yoga, and, of course, intensive surf lessons.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait Jl. Buana Sari, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Kala Surf Camp
Another popular world-class surf camp in Uluwatu with different packages. You can easily get a 2-hour surf session a day with your instructor, full analysis, and get back in the water tomorrow to hone your skills.
Intermediate to advanced surfers have an opportunity to explore more challenging manoeuvres like Air, 360, and barrels.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Moana Surf School
a 5-star surf school at Thomas Beach with group and private surf lessons for all levels and all ages with local surf instructors who know the breaks the best.
It will be fun, laid-back, and the instructors are all patient and make sure you get at least some waves!
Where Is It? Kec, Jl. Labuansait No.10b, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Walkus Surf School
A mega-popular surf school in Uluwatu, located between Padang Padang and Thomas Beach.
Open for beginners to advanced, they will take you to different breaks depending on the best conditions and will provide videos and feedback after each session.
Where Is It? Jl. Labuansait No.250, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Cari Surf Camp
If you want a planned surf holiday, CARI surf camp is another great option that focuses on Ulu breaks, mostly Padang Padang.
You can choose a relaxed routine with daily activities or an intense course for intermediate to advanced levels.
Where Is It? Jl. Umpeng Sari, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
FAQs
Can Beginners Surf In Uluwatu?
The beginners can try surfing in Uluwatu area, for example at Baby Padang, but the main Uluwatu break is not recommended for beginners as they not only pose a risk to themselves but also to other surfers. Most breaks are super shallow during low tide and expose sharp reefs.
Is Canggu Or Uluwatu Better For Surfing?
Canggu is better for learning how to surf with mostly sandy reefs and smaller, consistent waves. Uluwatu is best for expert surfers who know how to read the swell and have good skills.
How Big Are The Waves In Uluwatu?
Waves in Uluwatu get pretty big, it is not a coincidence that major surf competitions among the best surfers in Bali happen in Padang Padang Beach in Uluwatu.
Can You Surf Uluwatu At Low Tide?
The waters during low tide are shallow and expose the sharp reef and jagged rocks, so it is dangerous to surf most breaks during lower tides. However, beaches with natural entrances like Suluban, are better to paddle in during the low tide.
Higher tides are safer and more enjoyable to be in the water.
How Do I Get To Uluwatu Surf Break?
From the car park by Single fin (paid), go down the stairs through the maze of shops and you will reach the beach.
Final Thoughts On Surfing in Uluwatu
Uluwatu offers outstanding surf for surfers with every board and preference. Paired with breathtaking views, catching a perfect wave or a barrel here is one-in-a-lifetime experience that makes your adrenaline spike.
We are excited for you to surf Uluwatu, but would like to remind you to treat natural power with respect, be always aware of your surroundings, and make sure to include extreme sports in your insurance coverage.
