Nestled on the west-side of the Bukit, which means “hill” in Indonesian, Bingin beach is one of the Island of Gods most hidden treasure.
Surfing Bingin Beach is suitable for advanced surfers. It’s a sharp and shallow left hander that handles up to 8 ft swell, and requires its riders to take-off quickly to seize the opportunity of getting barreled. Indo surfing is at its best during dry season (April to September) but also gets more crowded. Timing is really important, as usual, especially while surfing Bali and its reef breaks! But it’s also suitable for beginners at hide tide, my boy was surfing there at 4 years old. And still today !
Bali is said to be blessed by the gods, who were very generous in giving the gift of perfect waves to this lively island. Since the 1960s, Bali has been a top destination for surfers of all experience levels in search of the ride of their life. Whether you’re an experienced surfer, or a first time wave rider, there is sure to be a special wave for you.
Impossibles features 3 separate peaks on a wide reefhelping to breaks up the crowds. On the right conditions with a good size swell and offshore wind it is possible for the sections to link up and to get a ride of a mile or more to the warungs at Bingin. Impossibles is a fast racy wave and because of this it is almost explicitly for advanced surfers.
However, it can be amazing for intermediates on smaller days.
If you want to practice barrel riding lefts – Bingin is the perfect location. It's a super consistent wave that throws out multitudes of perfect barrels. At low tide it can be very shallow and for expert surfers only. At high tide the wave breaks very soft and it's where children or beginners learn to surf. Mid-tide is best for intermediate surfers on a small day, but during the surf season it's mostly only suitable for advanced surfers. Due to the popularity of the beach with locals, it's advised to go with a Balinese surf guide.
Uluwatu is the indicator break for the west side of the Bukit and very consistent, picking up any swell and never flat. The wide reef offers many different peaks which all turn on at different tide stages. Paddling out from the cave, The Peak is immediately in front of you. It's best from mid-high tide, whereas Outside Corners, the next break along the reef, only breaks at low tide on the biggest swells. Racetrack lives up to its name, as does Growers, starting at shoulder height and get bigger and bigger, the end section throwing a great barrel.
Temples is a bit of a paddle from the main peak, so tends to be less busy and works best at mid-high tide. The Bombie will break on the biggest swells and is rideable at up to 30ft or even bigger! In general Uluwatu is best suited for the advanced surfers, but conditions are commonly appropriate for intermediate surfers.
Padang Padang is known as the Balinese pipeline as it is very similar to Hawaii's very own pipeline. It is a very fast long barrelling wave that lives up to its reputation as the most serious wave in Bali. The waves come in fast out of deep water and breaks over a shallow coral reef which makes the wave barrel (tube). It truly is one of our favourite waves and as such we are proud to sponsor the Ripcurl Padang Padang Cup. Expert surfers only.
Padang Padang right is also known as Baby Padang as it is a soft mellow break in stark contrast to its namesake. Located on the other side of the channel to the world famous Padang Padang, is fantastic for kids, beginners and low intermediates offering a range of rideable waves – breaking both left and right. The left is a long ride and can be ridden almost all the way to Impossibles, whilst the right is a shorter ride that takes you back to the channel for an easy paddle back to the lineup.
Dreamland is a beautiful white sand beach a short walk from Impossibles & Bingin. Fantastic for beginner to intermediate surfers as there are many different breaks that work at different stages of the tide. The two main waves are an A frame peak that works best at low tide on a big swell, and a punchy shore break suitable for aerials. Dreamland is the perfect location to spend the day surfing, sunbathing and hanging out in the local warungs.
It’s also a great place for the kids to enjoy the swim, mostly a beach break with no rocks ! Body surf highly recommended.
The next break along the Bukit is Balangan, mere waking distance from Dreamland. Balangan is a stunning, peaceful,
white sand beach; which is very quiet and relatively undeveloped, retaining that old Bali charm.
The reef break is a fun left hander, however it is quite fast so wave selection and positioning is key. Very popular with intermediate surfers, but also suitable for beginner surfers on the smaller days. Balangan can be ridden at any tide, but low tide can be a bit challenging for novices and is therefore best on mid-high tide.
Continue down South coast and check out Nyang-Nyang.
Keep travelling on the road to the Uluwatu Temple and stop somewhere near the Puri Bali Hotel. Nyang-Nyang can be
cheked from atop the cliff there. It’s a long hike down the beach. Several surf breaks, but the main wave is a bowly righthander (a rarity in Bali) which on a favor-giving swell can give good walls and solid barrels. Nyang-Nyang catches nearly any swell. Most of the time it is big, fast and closed out, you go there when the rest of Bali is relatively flat.
From Nyang-Nyang, head East to the Bali Cliff Hotel, turn off to the left side of the hotel before you reach its entrance.
Expect a grand cliff staircase. It’s a shifty deep water right which first cranks up fast, then wind down slow, and finally provides a grinding bowl section at the edge of a channel.
Best conditions will be mid tide, but be aware that very strong currents literally rae out to sea. It’s rarely good.
Wet season spot (November to April). You can paddle out, but a number of jukungs (canoes) are available for your pre- and post-surfing ferrying to and from the break. Once out in the lineup (which from the beach might not look like much) you will encounter a ruthlessly shifty righthander made up of three definite peaks. Expect grand take offs and indulge yourself in a barreling righthand walls. Wet season spot, can be busy especially with a group of locals. Mid or hide tide.
Last stop on your Bukit surfing jaunt, is Sri Lanka, a snappy righthander in front of the chic Club Med Bali. Sri Lanka is one of the special treats of the Bali wet season, and though it’s not a long ride, this wave is not short on hollowness. Good days you can get fully barreled. Best surfed during mid or low tide periods and at least five feet of swell. The reef is shallow but paddling out is easy.
