The Ultimate Guide to Uluwatu Surf
Uluwatu offer sup some of the best darn surf in all of Bali. There are five spots, all with truly rippable walls and sweet barrels. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the various take-off spots on this epic left to where to stay nearby.
An introduction to Uluwatu surf
Ulu’s is a wave of serious quality. Actually, it’s a few waves of serious quality.
Like Padang Padang and Keramas, it’s one of Bali’s famous spots. Surfers from Slater to Florence have carved its fat, rippable shoulders and dropped into the barrels here. There’s also a loyal local following on the Isle of the Gods – some of the best surfers the island can muster most days when it’s on.
Set beneath the huge cliffs of the Bukit Peninsular, the waves of Uluwatu get their power from the S-SW Indian Ocean swell. That means they’re typically at their best in the dry season, when the tubes of the east coast aren’t working so well. Ideal conditions here look something like this: SW groundswells of 8+ foot, NE offshores (although wind isn’t such an issue under the high cliffs), and an early morning start to beat the crowds (there are ALWAYS crowds).
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing Bali
Uluwatu surf at a glance
The good:
The bad:
What’s in this guide to Uluwatu surf?
Where is Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is best known for its mystical Hindu temple, conveniently known as the Uluwatu Temple. The surf spot, despite what many guides will tell you, isn’t actually right below that, it’s around a few rugged headlands just a touch to the north. It’s not far but it is too far to paddle. You’ll need to get the right spot if you’re coming in by taxi or on your own scooter.
The main entry point to the line up is at Blue Point Beach. You’ll have to squeeze between the high rocks. There are stairs leading straight down into the cove, which is known, simply, as The Cave. Skid over the reefs and the breaks of Ulu’s will be right in front of you. Surfers heading to Outside Corner or Bombie might be better of ducking under to Suluban Beach to paddle in. It’s a little closer but is only accessible on low.
Uluwatu surf spots
The Uluwatu surf isn’t just about one spot. It’s actually about five different breaks. They spread north-west up the coast of the Bukit Peninsula from the bays north along from Uluwatu Temple. There’s about 100-120 meters separating them.
Strictly speaking, each is simply the next section of a single left-hand point, which does – when the heavens open and Jupiter is in alignment (whatever that means) – link up. Masterful surfers could connect a ride all the way from the outside to Racetracks. But boy that’s a leg burner hardly worth thinking of!
The Bombie
The Bombie is the least-ridden of the Uluwatu surf breaks. It’s the only XXL wave here that can crank up to tow-in heights. It’s basically an out-at-sea break that wedges up well beyond the reefs. Only for the pros but rarely big enough to really get thumping.
Temples
Temples is called Temples because it’s the closest of the breaks to the Uluwatu Temple. Obvious, eh? That means it’s a little far out, so expect a hefty paddle from the Cave on Blue Point Beach. In-the-know locals will go for the better cove to paddle out from just to the south of that.
Without the protection of the Uluwatu cliffs, Temples is a bit of a swell magnet (that’s really saying something out here too). It can work when other sections of the Uluwatu surf aren’t. The wave is a punchy left hand reef that can get hollow but is really sectiony. Watch for the reef landing zone. Crowds are pretty good.
Outside Corner
All hail Outside Corner. This is unquestionably the most famous surf break in Uluwatu. Nah, scratch that – it’s one of the most famous surf breaks in all of Bali.
Coming left off the cliffs to the south of Blue Point Beach, it’s the third outer break and so really visible from the clifftop bars. The swell needs to hit at least six foot for Outside to get going.
Thankfully this is Bali and the Indian Ocean, so it’s usually there or thereabouts. The wave is best when it peaks to 12-15, which brings the classic Outside Corner walls in, with a crumbly peel that never interferes with one of the purest straight wave faces in the world. It’s rippable like you’ve never seen rippable before.
The Peak
Consistency is the drawcard of the second to last break on Ulu’s majestic lineup. It’s classic shortboard stuff, with a peak that moves ever so slight from right to left on the shifty outside.
So, positioning is the first challenge (don’t expect lazy sits in the line up here). Then you’ve got the pit, which is way narrower and tighter than others here. It’s a real duck job. The Peak will last into some sectiony bits where you can let off and cruise a little, but be sure you know where to pull up because there are rocks at the end.
Racetracks
This one’s named because its fast. Like, seriously fast. It’s probably the quickest section of all in Ulu’s, so you’ll need to be real nifty with the realignment into the pocket if you want to catch it.
The drop-in is the closest to the cliffs, and there’s hardly a whisker of front clearance. On punchier days it’s basically a pop and grab the rail jobby, followed by a push on the back foot to enter the small barrels. A few turning sections do open up but you’ll need to be brave if you want to take them. Racetracks can be steep and rolls straight into the shallow reef shelf, where jagged rocks are just waiting to be fed!
Other surf breaks near Uluwatu
The thing about Ulu’s is that it’s situated at the southern end of the Bukit Peninsula. That’s Bali’s surfing mecca. There are all sorts of breaks to the south and north. It’s basically wave territory extraordinaire. Some of the ones you can get to from Uluwatu with ease include:
Padang Padang (north)
The next famous Bali break on the menu to the north is Padang Padang. There’s two for one here. The Padang Padang Right is not the one that puts it on the radar, but is a rare beginner wave in this corner of the Isle of the Gods. The Left is where the money shots are. It’s a classic Indo barrel factory with sculpted pits that’ll chew you up and spit you out at zoom speed. High tide is best and the crowds can be unbearable.
Read our complete guide to surfing Padang Padang
Bingin and Impossibles (north)
Bingin is a lovely left break that can get neat and hollow on 5 footers and up. It sits below the Bingin cliffs and has a lovely vibe that’s a little more chilled than other spots. The wave is fast and rides aren’t long, but they’re a dream for goofies. That’s also true of the longer Impossibles reefs that lurk to the south of Bingin itself. You’ll need to hit high tide for those and be really wary of the uber-shallow reef shelf. The paddle out is from nearby Padang Padang.
Read our complete guide to surfing Bingin beach
Nyang Nyang (south)
Nyang Nyang is the Wild West wave of the Bukit Peninsula. It’s completely exposed to those strong south swells so it’s super-reliable but lacks a little in shape and style, especially compared to the reef points of the main Uluwatu surf. High tides are best on the push because they drag in more water to create A-frames over the reef that are doable on both rights and lefts. It’s pretty hard to get to and the rips are strong. Good intermediates and up only please!
Hotels near Uluwatu
There are plenty of hotels and surf camp accommodations in the vicinity of Uluwatu. Some put you real close to the waves. Others are by nearby beaches like Bingin or further south, which is a tad quieter.
The Korowai ($$-$$$)
AHMAGAD The Korowai is stunning! Clinging the cliffs above gorgeous Bingin Beach, it’s a boutique coast hotel with loads of style. You’ll be just a short drive from the paddle out to Ulu’s, but also within reach of Padang Padang and Impossibles. Did we mention than it’s absolutely gorgeous!?
Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu ($-$$)
There’s hardly a surf camp in these parts that’s closer to eh Uluwatu waves than Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu. It’s literally within walking distance to the paddle out at The Cave, so you’re well placed for beating the crowds to Outside Corner on days when it’s working its magic. The camp itself is basic but fun, with a shared lounge and a lush tropical garden.
Ocho Bali Surf Camp ($$)
Ocho Bali Surf Camp is close to Pandawa Beach on the south side of the Bukit Peninsular. That means it’s great for accessing eastern breaks like Green Balls and the epic spots at Ulu’s itself. It’s a cracking accommodation that’s away from the big crowds around Bingin and Padang Padang, offering rustic bamboo bungalows fronted by a shimmering Balinese pool.
Surf camps in Uluwatu
Now, we woudln’t typcially reccomedn a surf camp in Uluwatu. Why? Surf camps are best suited to beginners and improvers, ergo Ulu isn’t the place to be. But Bali has some of the finest all-level camps out there, and some of them are close to Uluwatu because they know that more advanced surfers will want a piece of this here pie.
What’s great is that a camp will take the hassle out of planning your trip. They include everything from bed and board to board rental and transport to surf breaks around the Bukit Peninsila. If that interests you, be sure to check out…
- Cari Surf Camp – Up the road from Padang Padang and Uluwatu, the Cari Surf Camp is a relative newcomer to the scene but it’s cracking. They have a deluxe property with a pool set in a palm-shaded garden and the tuition is seriously good. They call it surf “education” not just teaching, and we can see why, becuase it’s a real holistic approach to surf lifestyle, with yoga, surf theory, and BBQ evenings all together.
- S Resorts Hidden Valley – This is the option to go for if you’re more into hotel stays with a surf package on the side. You’ll stay at the lovely S Resorts Hidden Valley but get 5x lessons with their partner team at some of the best breaks in the south of the island.
We have a complete guide to the best surf camps in Bali right here, just incase you need any more inspo on this front!
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more Uluwatu surf camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
When to surf in Uluwatu?
As if we haven’t said it enough times yet: Consistency is the mantra on the Uluwatu surf. It’s really rare that things aren’t working here. That said, there are some times of the year that are simply better for giving those clean faces ready to rip up than others. Essentially, the dry season is the one for that. Check it out…
Wet season (November to March)
The wet season hardly closes down the west coast breaks of the Bukit. There will still be days when they are epic, all the way from Kuta to Green Balls. It’s more that there’s a slight dip in the reliability, with a downturn in the groundswells from the SW. Westerly onshore winds are also an issue.
Dry season (April to October)*
This is the most reliable season of all. It’s got the cream of the SW swell channels working, which means it should be good day after day in Uluwatu. The waves aren’t just more reliable than in the summer months. They are also bigger, with 10-foot+ on the forecast hardly an issue. Bigger periods coincide with the mega overheads to give Uluwatu its longest run of working.
Surf shops in Uluwatu
You’ll probably find more in the way of big surf emporiums back up in Kuta and Seminyak. There are still plenty around Ulu’s, with a big push on shaped boards and designer Bali beach wear. All good stuff.
Drifter Surf Shop Cafe & Gallery
The Drifter Surf Shop Cafe & Gallery is housed in a lush Balinese cabana with palm-thatched roofs on the main road leading into Padang Padang. You can easily make a pitstop en route to the Uluwatu surf. The stock is fantastico, with shaped boards, retro boards, independently designed surf wear, and oodles of surf art and publishing. The on-site cafe is pretty banging too.
BGS Uluwatu – Bali Surf Shop & Coffee Bar
The BGS Uluwatu – Bali Surf Shop & Coffee Bar is best known for its awesome brews (basically, if you don’t come for a new fin setup you’ll HAVE to come for the beans). It also stocks some bespoke surf hardware and locally designed swimsuits. Great bunch of guys, all really close to Ulu’s.
Where to eat in Uluwatu?
Uluwatu surf is such a scene that a whole town of hotels and eateries has popped up around these breaks. Some of the spots to chow down are simply fantastic. We’ve listed a few of our favs below. For extra suggestions, trust in The Honey Combers Ulu food guide.
Ours Bali
Brunch or breakfast here after your early-morning session is always going to be a treat. The menu at Ours Bali features uber-healthy acai bowls with natural berry mixes along with more indulgent options like haloumi salads and labneh cheese in the Turkish poached eggs. Look for the joint on the main road leading down to Padang Padang beach.
Single Fin
Single Fin is a legend on the Bali bar scene. It studs the top of a cliff just above the Uluwatu surf, so has undeniably fantastic views across all the famous spots. The place gets crazy busy around 6pm for the sunset and then the party starts from there. However, you can drop in during the day to enjoy a menu of sliders, pizzas, and barista-made coffee.
Delpi Cafe
Delpi Cafe has arguably the best position of all for watching the surfers rip up the Outside Corner. It’s sat just above The Cave paddle-out point and has an open deck for checking the drop ins from. Menu wise, you’re looking at simple local food with medium sized portions. Most come for the cold beers and the panoramas!
Other things to do in Uluwatu (when you’re not surfing)
Uluwatu is a very interesting part of Bali. Straddling the side of the Bukit Peninsula and hemmed in by glorious beaches, it’s actually a darn good place to be based for all manner of pursuits, not just surfing.
Here are just a few of the bucket-list things that the area has up its sleeve aside from getting on the water…
Watch the Kecak Fire Dance at the Uluwatu Temple
This isn’t just one of the musts in Uluwatu. It’s one of the musts on the whole of Bali! The temple at Uluwatu is one of the most important Hindu shrines on the island. It takes like 10 minutes to drive from the hotels around Padang Padang to the entrance and you’ll need maybe 2 hours to see it all.
However, by far the BEST way to do it is in the evening, when the iconic Kecak Fire Dance takes place. It’s a journey into the myths of the Hindu epics told by traditional dancers and masked performers, all set to a dramatic backdrop of Indian Ocean waves.
Generally, you have to book in advance. It’s that popular.
Beach lounges
The Bukit part of Bali is pretty famous for its beach lounges. We mention one or two above – in the where to eat section – but there are loads to pick from. They’re like a mix between a chilled boho bar and an Ibiza club.
The activity goes something like this: Get there early, chill all day in the sun, hit the cocktails for happy hour, watch the most incredible sunset you’ve ever seen, party the night away.
The best in Uluwatu are Single Fin and futuristic Ritual Bali.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
