Uluwatu

Surf Guide

In the 70s, the film Morning of the Earth put Uluwatu on the international surf map. Surfers around the world saw that first ride of young Steve Cooney at what is now known as Outside Corner, and packed their bags and set out to find Uluwatu. These days, a lot has changed around the Uluwatu area. Roads, electricity, places to stay, and substantial development have changed the look of the area drastically, but the waves are still as good as ever. Uluwatu is actually a series of breaks on the southwest tip of the Bukit Peninsula. These include The Racetrack, The Peak, Temples, Outside Corner, and The Bombie. With all of these breaks to choose from, Uluwatu is an ultra-consistent spot. Depending on the tide and swell size any of these breaks will usually be firing at one point during the day. Generally, due to the access through the cave and the strong currents, the best possible conditions for larger swells are very low tides. Smaller and medium swells work well on all tides. During smaller swells, look for barrels and peaky surf on the higher tides at The Peak. On lower tides, The Racetrack can provide an ultra-fast reef grinder with a big barrel at the end. Those who choose to cut back often miss the end section hence the name, The Racetrack. When surfing The Racetrack it is important to know the tides. On a middle tide, most advanced surfers will be able to negotiate the end section barrel with success. Once the tide drops, and especially on the lower tides of the month, The Racetrack end section is a twisting, multi section barrel, a very dangerous place and is surely for experts and professionals only. When the Largest swells of the year hit Bali, Uluwatu transforms into a true Big wave surfing venue. The Peak, Racetrack, and Temples, are all under whitewater, and Uluwatu's outer reefs The Bombie and Outside Corner come alive. These breaks will handle any size, and it's not uncommon to see perfect fifteen-foot surf at these spots. Big boards and strong leashes are a necessity, and surfers paddling out into these conditions should know exactly how they are going to return to the beach, with or without a surfboard. Click here to download Surfline's Bali Surf Guide pdf.