Uluwatu – The Bombie

Surfing at The Bombie Overview

Quick Info

Uluwatu is possibly Bali’s most well known wave. It is a dry season staple, as it’s a wave magnet and very rarely goes flat. It breaks through all the tides, and has many different personalities, with each section of the reef warranting its own name. Check out Temples, The Peak and Racetracks.

It has grown a lot since its discovery in the ’70s, and what used to be a small fishing village, is now lined with places to eat, places to stay and even a few nightclubs! Its a great place to spend an entire day.

About The Bombie

The Bombie is Bali’s premiere big wave spot, and when it breaks at its full potential, most surfers will be left on the cliff, holding a Bintang and cheering on the brave surfers that are giving it a go. The biggest swells marching in from the Indian Ocean can stand up to 5 times over-head, but when conditions are right can peel of perfectly down the reef for over 100m. A proper big wave board is needed here to get yourself over the ledge, and strong offshore trade winds can add to the difficulty of paddling in.

Best Conditions for The Bombie

The Bombie will break best on low tides but will break on all tides when the waves are up over 2 x overhead. It is offshore in the dry season SE trade winds but will be much easier to surf during lighter winds du to the fact it is quite far offshore.

Getting in and out at The Bombie

Access the Bombie is similar to Outside Corner. Follow the path down the cliff to the stairwell that makes its way down into the cave. From here, at low tide make your way out onto the reef and you will see the Bombie to the left of the cave, Get out by wading across the reef and timing your jump in between sets. If Outside Corner is breaking, you will want to time it very well.

On High tide, you will not see the wave from the cave, and you will need to jump into the washing machine, trying not to get washed up against the limestone cliffs and follow the river like currents out and around the corner. The current will spit you out way down the end of the reef, and you will need to paddle back to the take-off zone a good 30 minute + paddle.

Coming back in on the lower tides is a matter of carefully straightening out and making your way in over the reef. Be aware of an incoming tide, as the current that surges past the cave will leave you stuck down the end past Outside Corner, unable to paddle back up to the cave. In this case, you will need to paddle all the way back up the point to the first take off at Outside Corner and straighten out south of the cave. If you miss the cave at high tide, you will need to repeat the process or drift down to Padang-Padang.

When it is this big, it is often a better idea to follow the drift down to Padang-Padang.

Getting to Uluwatu The Bombie

To get to Uluwatu, follow Jalan Labuansait all the way to end, turn onto Jalan Mamo, and you will find a car park at the end. Follow your way down past Single fin, and through the warungs on the cliff, that will happily look after your belongings in exchange for some business.

Hazards to look out for at The Bombie

Big, dangerous and serious wave best left to the experts.