Surfing Uluwatu / 6 Helpful Tips to Surfing Ulu’s Legendary Peaks

surfing uluwatu
Main Peak

If you surf and haven’t been to Bali yet, go! Like, tomorrow. Okay, maybe not tomorrow. But seriously, make some plans to get over there as soon as your time and budget permits. Bali has a lot on offer; warm water, epic surf, delicious food, friendly people, great places to stay, and so much more.

Uluwatu has been a world-famous surf break since the 1970s film, Morning of the Earth. Ever since the film started making the rounds, surfers from around the globe have flocked to this magnificent stretch of coast hoping to get a taste of its extremely consistent perfection.

After spending a couple of months exploring and surfing Bali and Uluwatu, I’ve learned a bit about how to make the most of a surf trip to this magical land of waves and Bintangs. So without further ado, here’s the lowdown on surfing Uluwatu, and a few tips to make your visit a whole lot smoother.

Check out the Lush Palm Guides to Surfing Bali and Surfing Indonesia>>

surfing uluwatu view from warungs
The famous cliffs of Uluwatu

Surfing Uluwatu

1 • The 6 Peaks of Uluwatu

surfing uluwatu temples
Temples area

Uluwatu is actually a cluster of 6 different reef breaks on the southwest tip of the Bukit Peninsula. From the left point to the right you’ll find Secrets, Temples, Bombie, Peak, Outside Corner, and The Racetrack.

There are roughly about 100 meters between each of the 6 peaks. On a good day if it’s double overhead you could potentially connect a ride from Bombie clear through The Racetrack.

The farthest waves around the bluff are Secrets and Temples and are somewhat similar. The waves can often look like they’re going to close out only to hold up and peel off along the shallow reef. There are plenty of barrels on offer if you’re good enough to slow down and pull in. Respect the lineup and wait your turn and you’ll be sure to score some fun ones.

surfing uluwatu bombie
A Bombie bomb

Bombie is the deepest wave and in a league of its own. There are often only a handful of surfers interested in the peak. The large peak grows and jacks up as the deeper water turns into shallow and it would be wise to take a few extra inches of length and liters of volume on your surfboard if you’re keen on snagging a Bombie’s bomb.

Peak and Outside Corner are two of the main waves and where you’ll often find the masses. And for good reason. Perfect peaks line up nicely and produce clean barrels over shallow reef. If you’re set on getting a good wave there you’ll need to be comfortable with navigating the crowds as everyone wants a piece of the action and the locals have it wired.

surfing uluwatu the racetrack
The Racetrack

On a good day, The Racetrack can produce barrels like clockwork. You’ll have a rippable open face followed by a draining barrel almost in the exact same spot every time. It’s a beautiful thing.

2 • Access and Paddling Out to Surf Uluwatu

surfing uluwatu stairs
surfing uluwatu entrance

As far as getting in is concerned, on larger swells, a mid to low tide is the best time to go because of where you access the breaks from. You get in the water through a rocky cave entrance. Once you walk down the famous steps to the main cave entrance of Uluwatu you can either paddle straight out from there if you’re looking to surf The Racetrack, Outside Corner, or Peak.

surfing uluwatu paddle out main entrance
Main entrance paddle out at mid tide

Or when you walk down the staircase go left and you’ll see another cave entrance that takes you to a hidden beach and a better point of access if you want to paddle out to Secrets and Temples. It’s a beautiful sandy beach for lounging and swimming at mid tides if you have a non-surfing partner too!

surfing uluwatu temples and secrets entrance
Walk along the bluff to paddle out at Temples and Secrets

But when the tide is high and the swell is big, serious surges can come crashing into this cave wreaking all kinds of havoc on the inexperienced surfer or ill-informed tourist. Don’t be that guy (or gal).

If it’s head high or under, just about any tide should be fine for getting in and there will most likely be something glorious waiting for you out at the breakers. The water is super clean and clear, mid-80s, and the surf comes in all shapes and sizes from fun open shoulders to hollow draining barrels across the shallow and sharp reef.

3 • To Bootie or Not to Bootie?

surfing uluwatu reef walk
The always humbling reef walk

That is the question. I’d recommend to any friend to pack a pair of reef booties. But it totally depends on your comfort and tolerance for hoofing it across the sharp reef. It’s probably about 50/50 in the lineup. A lot of locals don’t wear booties. I’d bet most of them have cuts and open sores on their feet because many of the surf breaks on the Bukit come along with 50 – 100 meter walks across a jagged reef.

I prefer to preserve my precious tender feet. I know for a fact that I have softer soles than most people and I’m more susceptible to getting cuts. So I always wear booties if I know I’ll be walking across the reef. I’ve had sharp pieces of reef go through my bootie and puncture my foot to give you an idea of what you’re working with.

You can pick up booties all over the cliffside shops of Uluwatu. You just might pay a little extra if you buy them in Bali instead of bringing a pair from home.

4 • Rent a Board or Bring Your Own?

surfing uluwatu
Main Peak

It’s always nice to have your own equipment, but board bag fees can be ridiculous ($150 – $200+ each way), and sometimes it’s nice to travel without surfboard bags. I rented a board the first time and brought my own boards on our second trip.

Check out our guide on the Best Airlines for Surfboard Bag Fees >>

There are several places to rent boards in town, some with better selections than others. Just about any of the breaks you check out will have shops or restaurants (warungs) that have boards for rent. Uluwatu is a cool little community perched up on a cliff and there are dozens of vendors, plenty of which are board rental shops. That said, the selection can be minimal, so it’s really best to bring your own boards or you can also consider buying a board in Bali (there are some great local shapers and surf shops with nice boards for sale).

girl with surfboard on oceanview balcony

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Here’s the deal when renting a board. Like any good businessperson, these guys obviously want to make as much money as they can, so be prepared to negotiate. Negotiating is very common, almost expected in the Indonesian culture. On the cliffs, you should be able to rent a board for a few hours for about $10 USD total (150,000 rupiah). About 50,000 rupiah an hour was what I found to be a fair rate when renting there.

It’s a bit cheaper to hire a surfboard in town, you can find a decent board for about 80 – 100,000 rupiah a day and you get to keep it overnight for 24 hours. In my experience, the vendors at Uluwatu break on the cliffs weren’t too keen on renting out their boards overnight so your only option is by the hour. But in some cases, like if it’s pumping and you’re simply under-gunned, it’s definitely worth it and very convenient.

5 • Where to Stay in Uluwatu?

surf camp indonesia
Suarga Padang Padang / from $230 per night

There are many amazing places to stay in Uluwatu — surf resorts, surf camps, villas, hostels, you name it. You can find basic accommodations from $15 – $30 USD a night, on up to cliffside luxury hotels with surf break views. Your money goes a long way for accommodations in Bali so if you can swing it, this is the place to splurge. We’ve found luxury 5-star hotels in Bali for $180 per night that would cost $800+ in many parts of the world, so Bali is the place to level up your stay.

Check out our Guide to Surfing Bali for a detailed breakdown of accommodations and surf trip costs in Uluwatu and beyond.

And here’s a list of 10 rad Bali Hotels for Surfing based on ease of access to surf breaks and the ability to scout the surf from your hotel:

10 Best Hotels in Bali For Surfing >>

6 • How to Get Around in Uluwatu

surfing uluwatu scooter rental

Rent a scooter! Renting a scooter is a great way to get around in the Uluwatu area. You can expect to pay $4 – $6 USD a day for a scooter with a surfboard rack. Most likely, where ever you’re staying will be happy to help you get one. The quality of the scooters can vary greatly from beatdown to brand new. Make sure you know how everything works before taking off.

Renting a scooter is the best way to explore your surroundings in a scenic place like the Bukit Peninsula. Uluwatu is somewhat remote so it isn’t crazy busy like some of the more touristy areas in Bali.

However, be aware of a few things when driving a scooter. Never cruise around with a backpack, shoulder bag, or purse hanging off your side. It’s an easy target for thieves and there are stories of tourists being pulled off their scooters by bag snatchers. We met a tourist moments after her iPhone had been snatched right out of her hand (this happens often), so be careful if you’re using your phone for navigation.

Bali is a relatively safe place, but things like this do happen, so it’s good to just be aware. When on the road, always stash your belongings in the compartment under the scooter seat and you should be all good!

Besides Uluwatu, we’ve surfed many breaks all over Bali including Padang Padang, Impossibles, Balagan, Bingin, Keramas, Canggu, and beyond. And Playgrounds, Shipwrecks, and Razors in Nusa Lembongan (a small nearby island). If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below and we’re happy to share additional insights. We also created a comprehensive guide to surfing Bali where you can learn all about costs, places to stay, an overview of other breaks, and more.

Check out our complete Guide to Surfing Bali >>

And don’t forget, as when surfing anywhere around the world, be respectful in the lineup, smile and don’t take yourself so seriously.

Cheers, Eric

Bonus Tip • Getting There From California

surfing uluwatu single fin
Single Fin Bar with views above Uluwatu

On our first trip to Bali we flew out of LAX and got an awesome deal on our flights – we paid about $900 each and booked through Expedia. One of the benefits of booking flights through Expedia is they offer some killer deals (40-60% off in many cases) on booking hotels through them afterward.

That allowed for us to stay at some really nice places in Ubud and the Bukit Peninsula for reasonable rates of anywhere between $100 – $200 a night. Of all places, Bali is a great place to splurge since your money goes a long way.

From LAX our flight was about 15 hours to Melbourne, a short layover, and then about another 5 hours from Melbourne to Denpasar. It’s a long trip for us Californians, but it’s worth every second it takes to get there!

Before we first went to Bali I was introduced to a local driver through a mutual friend who picked us up from the airport. His name is Wayan Suta, and I have his contact info if you’re interested in being picked up from the airport by a friendly honest driver you can count on. Wayan is so nice, speaks perfect English, and it was an absolute pleasure to be greeted by him in an airport full of hustling taxi drivers. Drop me an email if you would like his contact info.

Have any questions or comments about surfing Uluwatu?

Let us know in the comments below!

Leave a Comment

35 thoughts on “Surfing Uluwatu / 6 Helpful Tips to Surfing Ulu’s Legendary Peaks”

  1. Great article, do you ride a scooter from Uluwatu to Keramas or do you hire a car to travel the longer distances? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Jim – We’d recommend hiring a car to travel the longer distances. Scooters are all good to get around areas like Uluwatu and Canggu, but for the longer distances it’s definitely more sketchy. A car is the way to go for Uluwatu to Keramas! Cheers

      Reply
  2. Hi Eric! Quality info!

    I’m going to Uluwatu for three days on late November . I then have 1 week and a half to choose where to go. I’m an intermediate goofy footed surfer that goes up to 5-8 foot waves. I had a few questions regarding surfing in Bali.

    1. After Uluwatu, where can I continue to surf around Bali for a week and a half. (I could consider Lombok)?

    2. Where can I make friends that will surf with me?

    3. During this time is it easier to rent in different locations or buy to then sell at end of my stay?

    Thanks Eric!

    Reply
    • Hi Alejandro! Thanks so much!
      Sorry I missed your comment and the opportunity to respond before your trip!
      I hope you scored. If you see this, I’d love to hear your feedback on your questions now that you’ve already gone and have firsthand experience with it.
      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Hi There!! I just found You website while doing my research before trip to Bali…or Lombok because i’m not sure yet where to stay. I would really appreciate if You can recommend if it make sense to stay in Uluwatu for intermediate surf in first week of December? If not i’m thinking about Canggu or flight to Kuta Lombok. I’m going with my girlfriend who can’t surf and just want to chill on the beach.
    Thank You for any help!!!! Btw, so lucky i found Your website, a lot of useful info great job!!

    Reply
    • Hi Darek! Awesome, yeah, Uluwatu would be a great place to stay during that time for an intermediate surfer.
      I’ll get in touch with you directly to recommend a few places.
      Cheers,
      Eric

      Reply
  4. Hi Eric – Thanks for the great info. I will be going to Uluwatu for 10 days over Thanksgiving. A few questions:

    1) I know this is the beginning of the “rainy” season, but is actually that rainy? I have heard it is not.
    2) I’m assuming crowds will be lighter during this time, but how are the overall crowds be and are most break pretty chill or are they more hostile?
    3) Best rights in the area?

    Thanks in advance!
    Ed

    Reply
    • Hi Ed, awesome! I’m sure you’ll have a great time and score some beautiful weather and surf. It’s a transitional month from dry to wet season so you’ll likely experience some thunderstorms here and there but I wouldn’t be too worried about it, usually plenty of nice tropical weather to go around. Regarding crowds, it’ll probably be a bit less crowded than normal and personally speaking I’ve never had any trouble with hostile crowds surfing throughout the Uluwatu area. That being said, you never know what you’re going to run into so it’s always best to practice extra good surf etiquette and knowing your limits/ability can help prevent hostile situations. As for rights, many of the most popular waves in the Uluwatu are lefts. If you’re seeking rights, you’ll want to go explore around Green Ball or head on up to Keramas, but that is a bit of a trek from the Uluwatu area (an hour and a half or so).

      Reply
  5. Eric,
    Great site….heading to Bali in late August for 4 days in between a business trip. Deciding on where to stay to maximize surf time…I really want to surf Impossibles but not sure how much swell it needs to break. Any insights would be appreciated. I’ve been to Mentawais 5 times so pretty comfortable in good waves.

    Brendan

    Reply
    • Hey Brendan, I definitely recommend you stay on the Bukit Peninsula anywhere from Uluwatu up to Bingin. Impossibles doesn’t need much of a swell to have some fun waves and based on your timing you’ll probably be good! We’ve recently launched a new booking service where we help our readers to find and book awesome places to stay on their surf trips at no cost to you. I’ll follow up with you via email with some recommendations and to continue the conversation. Cheers, Eric

      Reply
    • Hi Tina, thank you so much for your kind feedback, it’s very, very much appreciated!
      Lush Palm is a labor of love that we intend to keep going for a long time 🙂
      We recently started working with our readers more hands-on to find and book amazing surf camps, boutique hotels/properties, and surf resorts around the globe.
      You can learn more about the Lush Palm Surf Club here: https://lushpalm.com/about-lush-palm-surf-club/
      If you’re all set for this trip, that’s great, we hope you come back and would love to help you book some awesome trips in the future!
      Cheers,
      Eric

      Reply
  6. Hello Eric,
    I appreciate for very useful information.
    I am planning to surf at Ulu on 7/29 – 8/03 and forecast shows 5-8 ft & 6-10 ft & 10-15 ft after 8/01.
    I am thinking one for default 7’6″ (47 litter) as mini gun and debating between 6’3″-19 1/4 (32 litter) or 6’6″-19 3/8 (37 litter). I am 5’7″ and 155 lbs.
    What you think about above combination or any other suggestion?
    I will look forward having your experienced opinion, my friend.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi Chris
      Glad you found it helpful!
      Your trip is coming up fast so hopefull my feedback comes in time.
      I’ve surfed Ulu when the reports showed 5-8 and 6-10 before, but I have not actually been out in 10-15 ft swell, although there were definitely 10-12 foot faces on some days.
      That being said, I’m 6’2 180 lbs and surfed a 6’1″ and a 6’2″ thruster on 6 – 10 ft faces there. A bit more board probably would have been good for me.
      I think your quiver is really well-rounded and covers all bases.
      Again, I can’t speak directly to the 10-15 ft swell and mini-gun, but I’d think you’d be covered there based on your height and weight.
      Hope you have an incredible trip and score some amazing waves! Sounds like you’re in for a treat.
      I’d love to hear how it goes after your trip.
      Cheers
      Eric

      Reply
  7. If you are renting a scooter with board what do you do with your stuff, wallet phone ect?

    Reply
    • Hi Dean, great question. The best things to do are a) travel light when out and about, and b) there is a little storage compartment you can lock under the seat of the scooter so that’s where you can lock your money/sunglasses/shirt/etc when you go out to surf.

      For the keys to the scooter, most board shorts have a special key loop or pocket, so that’s where I typically attached and carry my key (very securely).

      Hope that helps and that you have an awesome trip!

      Cheers

      Reply
  8. Hello, thanks for the great blog and info. I am an intermediate surfer and am comfortable with head high waves but probably not much more than that. Will be visiting in mid-November. Can you recommend any breaks for that time period? Will most likely be staying in Nusa Dua. Also, my fiance has never surfed and may want to take lessons, so if you can recommend any that’d be great!

    Reply
    • Hey TK, thanks! You’ll be there after the peak season so generally speaking the surf should be much smaller and more manageable. Also, the winds are typically better for the east side so Nusa Dua area could be a good option. For surf lessons and accommodations (if you’re still looking) you might want to check out Rapture Surfcamps https://www.rapturecamps.com/bali-surfcamp/surf-lessons/
      They’ll take great care of you and point you in the right direction for the best waves when you’re there.

      Reply
  9. Hi Eric. Thanks for the post, it is really helpful.
    Quick question: which spots in Bali would you recommend for an intermediate surfer like me? I’m ok with head-size waves but not much more than that. Also if you can point out any rights in your recommendations, that would be great (I’m a regular and enjoy riding front-side).
    Just in case it matters, I plan to be there by the end of September

    Reply
    • Hey Alo, thanks for the comment, glad you found it helpful.
      Well, the size of the waves will depend on the swell you get when you’re there.
      September is a good time to surf both sides of the island and the swells aren’t typically as big they are in the peak season, so your timing is good.
      As for rights, you might want to check out the Rivermouth in Canggu. There are some fun friendly waves (rights and lefts) to be had there.
      Depending on your comfort with punchy sometimes hollow and shallower reefs, Keramas is a classic right that is more user-friendly and fun if it’s in the head high range.
      Balian and Dreamland could be good options for you as well with some rights on offer.
      You might want to check out and stay near Green Bowls as well. There’s a great surf camp right near the break. https://www.rapturecamps.com/surfcamp-bali/
      Hope you score some fun waves and have an awesome trip!
      Cheers

      Reply
  10. If you are true surf lover and never visited Bali, then you should visit if your budget allowed to you as Bali has so much good things and surfing points that you can enjoy it here one well known place is uluwatu in Bali the world famous surfing point.

    Reply
  11. Yeah i was that guy and after a great surf
    At ulu on high tide (tripple over head) i attempted to reach the cave once and was sucked back out to sea.
    The second attempt i was smashed into the cliff face several times but made it in finially.
    Lesson learnt!

    Reply
    • Geez, that sounds like it was pretty rough. Good thing you didn’t get knocked out slamming into the cliff! Mother Ocean can be a harsh teacher.
      Good to hear you had a great surf though!

      Reply
  12. Hey! Trying to head to Uluwatu tomorrow. Been surfing 3 years, I’m pretty good but Bali waves are the biggest I’ve surfed yet. Here in canggu. Are there certain spots in Uluwatu that are a bit more chilled?

    Ps amazing blog post

    Reply
    • Hi Shelly! Good stuff, hope you’re having an awesome trip! If Canggu was challenging at all, then Uluwatu proper, meaning the 5 or so main peaks at Uluwatu Beach are probably going to be even bigger and more challenging depending on the swell forecast. I know some folks refer to the whole stretch of coast from around Dreamland to the points at Uluwatu as the Uluwatu area. So that would include, Bingin, Impossibles, Padang Padang, Balangan, etc. Balangan is pretty chilled out and so is Impossibles on smaller days in my opinion. If it’s too small to be working at most breaks, then Uluwatu proper is the swell magnet and the place to check. As always, know your limits and if ever in doubt, please don’t paddle out. Be safe and have fun!

      Reply
  13. Hi Eric! This guide is amazing thank you very much! We’ll be there in May! Can you give me the contact of the driver? 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Elisa, glad you like it! Thanks for the kind feedback. Below is his contact info, he also has some nice villas that he rents out in Ubud now if you want to inquire about that. Hope you guys have a great trip! Cheers!

      Wayan Suta
      wayansuta@yahoo.com
      WhatsApp +628123931450

      Reply
  14. Hi Eric, I’m planning my international study abroad to include some beach time at uluwatu. Thanks for the informative article with helpful tips. I’m in San Diego as well. I was wondering: I’m a very experienced surfer and I don’t want to bring any boards because I will be spending a week in elementary schools doing my volunteer work for SDSU. My normal shortboard quiver ranges from 5’6″ to 6’6″. I’m 5’2″. Are there typically any smaller boards like this for rent around? My go-to is a 5’6″ quad, then a 5’8″ thruster.

    Reply
    • Hi Brandy, that sounds like an awesome study abroad experience! Good on you! I know you’ll be able to find plenty of options for boards in the 5’10” to 6’6″ range. And I even think you could find a number of 5’8″ thrusters on offer if you look around a little bit. So yeah, you should definitely be able to find boards in your preferred range without any issues. Wishing you loads of fun waves and stoke!

      Reply
  15. I agree that it is not always ideal to bring your own surf board when you’re traveling. If you are visiting a surf resort there could be the potential to find a place that rents high quality surf boards that are equal to the one you own. It would be very frustrating to damage your surf board while traveling on your way to your surfing trip and then having to rent regardless.

    Reply
    • Using someone else’s surfboard is like wearing someone else’s underwear. Never ideal, but you could do it if you had to. I always travel with my own surfboard and underwear.

      Reply
  16. Great article and pictures, Eric. Super helpful.

    Quick question: any tips on where to leave your stuff (i.e. passport, wallet) while surfing in Bali? Is it best to leave it with one of the warungs?

    Reply
    • Thanks, Mac. Glad you found it helpful! I left my passport back at the hotel where we stayed. As for money, sometimes I’d surf with it on me and then air dry it afterwards. Or I’d leave some locked up in a plastic bag with a copy of my passport in the under seat storage on the moped. I suppose you if you grabbed a bite or a beer at a local warung, they’d be happy to hold on to your stuff while you surf. Everyone was super friendly and helpful in our experience. Enjoy, good luck!

      Reply