Uluwatu Surf Guide – Uluwatu Cave, Impossibles & Other Spots

by Oliver Boyers
Published: Last Updated on

Planning a surf trip to Bali? This surf guide will help you discover the best surf spots in Uluwatu. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced surfer, you’ve come to the right place. We had the joy of being able to explore the region first hand and figure out the conditions so that you can arrive prepared and ready to shred!

Bali is one of the best spots to surf in June. Read about the others here.

This Uluwatu surf guide describes each of the main surf breaks in Uluwatu including when is the best time to surf and where to get a surfboard if you need one.

* Just to let you know that this article contains affiliate links. If you click on them we might receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Contents

Surfing Uluwatu: Map View

Bali is a small island in the country of Indonesia (check out the first map of Bali). We’ve circled Uluwatu at the south-westernmost tip of the island on the Bukit Peninsula.

Below is a zoomed-in map of Uluwatu so we can get a closer look at the surf spots.


Uluwatu map of surf locations

The Best Time Of Year To Surf Bali (Guide)

The best time of the year to surf in Uluwatu, Bali, from a swell perspective is June, July and August. The swell hits hardest then, but the crowds are also at their biggest. Therefore we recommend the shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October. There are fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation, but it’s still the dry season.

The wet season isn’t great as the rivers come down in flood and make the water very dirty in some places. Sometimes it can get so bad that going for a surf could mean getting seriously ill. I’ve met people in Canggu who said they surfed on a dirty day and got sick for a week.

For ocean cowboys, it’s always the best time to surf Uluwatu. The wind is amazing and always seems offshore. The swell is really consistent all year round too.

when to surf bali - best time of year to surf in bali

 

Uluwatu, Bali, Surf Spot Guide

Each of these main spots can be broken down into even smaller sections. For example, Uluwatu cave can be segmented into Temples and Racetracks. However, we will cover each spot holistically.

1.   Uluwatu Cave

Sunset at Uluwatu

As the namesake of the town, this is probably the most famous spot in this Uluwatu surf guide. The Cave exit out into the lineup is a pretty awesome way to start the surf but can also be a challenge to aim for when paddling back in. If you miss the cave on a big day then you can end up a few beaches down and will need to take the two hours walk of shame back to where you parked your motorbike.

If you are in the water looking back at the cave, always paddle to the right of the cave. The current will pull you hard to the left. The stronger the current, the more you should aim to the right.

Uluwatu surf guide infographic

2.   Padang Padang

This is one of the iconic spots for Uluwatu surfing. To access the beach you have to pay IDR 15k (USD $1) per person to get down to the bottom. The walk goes through a temple-like stairwell and it is also where the Balinese regularly have ceremonies. Padang Padang is a small beach with lots of little bars and food stores around. You can pick up a surfboard on the shore for about IDR 50k-100k (USD $3,5 – 7) depending on how much you look like a foreigner.

The surf spot can really be considered as two separate spots. As you are looking out to sea on the left are dank barrels, fast waves, big crowds and potentially the best wave of your life. On the right, tons of beginners competing for waves and a mega current that pushes you back onto the beach. Don’t try to paddle through it, paddle back into the channel and around.

Padang Padang surf spot guide infographic - Bali surf guides

3.   Impossibles

It’s so fast that it’s impossible to make. That’s what the name suggests and I am inclined to agree at certain points on this wave. The wave has various takeoff spots with good length, but it’s super fast.

Impossibles surf spot is also home to some of the sharpest coral around Uluwatu, in my opinion, so reef booties would help when walking out at low tide. Alternatively, avoid the low tide. You can check out a Uluwatu surf report before arriving to double-check. Otherwise, it is also super shallow at low tide #reefburn. I met a lady with the most unfortunate reef burn on her face from impossibles. Ouch.

Impossibles surf spot guide infographic - Bali surf guides

4.   Bingin Beach

Bingin Beach is another one of the most popular spots when surfing in Uluwatu. Lots of bars, BBQs and board rentals make for large crowds. There’s a fairly small takeoff zone on a single peak. Many locals (and Aussies who think they are locals) to contend with.

However, if you can get in position then you will have a cracker of a wave. There’s also a beginner spot on the left (if you are looking out to sea) which is over the reef, so not great at low tide.

Bingin beach surf spot guide infographic - Bali surf guides

Dreamland beach bali

5.   Dreamland

Dreamland is a great place to spend the day under an umbrella and surfing at one’s pleasure. The wave is on beach break by the river mouth, and on sand/reef bottom further to the right. So if you’re looking for Uluwatu beach surf breaks, this is a great choice. There are lots of restaurants and little shops where you can buy cheap t-shirts and curios.

Dreamland surf spot guide infographic - Bali surf guides

Surfer uluwatu

6.   Balangan

This is a long stretch of beach with a long powerful wave framed by very rustic beach bars and restaurants. Don’t be dissuaded by the dirty and dusty town you drive through to get there (the back of Balangan needs some TLC). I probably had one of the best surfs at Balangan and can confidently say that it’s an epic Uluwatu surf spot. A fast left-hander with wide-open faces.

Bali Surf Guide: Where To Get A Surfboard

There are so many places to get a surfboard in Uluwatu. If you are a beginner looking to rent, you can find board rental on these beaches:

  • Uluwatu (although, this isn’t really a beginner spot)
  • Padang Padang beach
  • Bingin beach
  • Dreamland
  • Balangan

If you are more experienced and you are looking to buy a surfboard for your trip, you can ask any of the rental places as they will certainly have some for sale. Some will even buy them back from you after your trip.

You can also check this Facebook page for epic deals on second-hand surfboards in Bali.

Uluwatu Surf Lessons

Pretty much every place that rents boards have someone who can act as a surf coach or surf guide for you.

The Balinese are super kind and will guide you expertly in the lineup and will even claim Uluwatu waves on your behalf so make sure you are on it safely if you’re a beginner.

There are also several Uluwatu surf camps to choose from if you’re looking for a more immersive experience. For example, here’s an 8-day yoga and surf camp in Uluwatu.

Uluwatu Surf Report

Before you head out for a surf, be sure to check the daily report for tides, swell size and wind. This will massively increase your chances of having a good surfing session. The tides change things up around here in a big way.

You can even check out how busy the lineup is with the surf webcams that are available at certain spots.

The best sites for daily surf reports are Surfline and Magic Seaweed.

Surf Localism in Bali

Fortunately, we did not experience and crazy localism whilst in Bali. It’s probably because these guys get so many foreigners that they are used to people from all over the world. The Balinese, in general, are pretty chilled too.

Read our blog on spots with crazy localism here.

Where To Stay In Uluwatu

If you want to surf Uluwatu and have a comfortable place to stay, then you’ll have a wide range of options. The town is pretty small but I enjoyed being in the middle of all the surf spots so that it was never a long drive to any single one spot.

Staying around the Padang Padang beach is probably the best as there are a few nice shops in the area, some nightlife on Padang Padang beach and some great and affordable restaurants all around.

Browse places to stay in Uluwatu here.

Other Things To Do In Uluwatu If There’s No Surf (Or If You Don’t Surf)

These are the quintessential things to do around Uluwatu if you are not surfing:

  • Visit Uluwatu temple – check out the traditional dancing here
  • Full day temple tour – visit 3 of the most prominent temples in Bali. Tick these off your list while there is no swell!
  • Paragliding – If you cant get your thrills from the surf, try the paragliding

All activities are available for booking below.

Getting around Uluwatu with a surfboard

Your best bet is to hire a scooter with surfboard racks. It is super easy to arrange. Just ask your accommodation to arrange one for you. If you are living in Bali you may even want to try your hand at making your own DIY surfboard racks.

Read our blog on how to make your own DIY surfboard racks here.

We hope you enjoyed this Uluwatu surf guide. Don’t forget your sunscreen, surfboard wax and good nature. Happy surfing!

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