Uluwatu · Indonesia
Surfing Impossibles
A reef break in Uluwatu, Indonesia, for advanced and pro surfers.
- TypeReef Break
- LevelAdvanced / Pro
- Size3-8 ft
- Best monthsMay-Sep
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Impossibles is a long reef between Padang Padang and Bingin with three takeoff spots. On the right swell and tide they link into one very fast left, and most rides end after a section or two because the wave outruns you.
Mid to high tide is best. At low tide it gets shallow and breaks in sections. It picks up more swell than Bingin and the crowd spreads out across the peaks, so you often get more waves here than anywhere else on the Bukit. The middle peak is usually the easiest one to make.
It's a speed wave, so ride something that goes fast rather than something for big turns. Paddle out from the Padang channel and drift down, or from the gap in the reef at Bingin.
-8.816, 115.096 · SW swell, SE trades offshore · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Impossibles
Impossibles is at its best from May to September. Conditions it likes: SW swell, SE trades offshore. This is how the year looks across Bali:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May to June | Prime | Pumping SW swell, offshore trades, crowds still civilised |
| July to August | Prime | Peak everything: waves, crowds and prices. Book ahead |
| September to October | Good | Still good waves, fewer people in the water |
| November to March | Shoulder | Wet season: the east coast (Serangan, Keramas, Nusa Dua) takes over |
Waves near Impossibles
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bingin | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | under 1 km |
| Padang Padang | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Advanced / Pro | under 1 km |
| Uluwatu | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 2 km |
| Dreamland | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced / Pro | 2 km |
| Nyang-Nyang | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 3 km |
| Balangan | Uluwatu | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 4 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Uluwatu
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Uluwatu surf guide →
A week here costs from about $781 with flights from Europe, or around $1,432 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Impossibles: common questions
When is the best time to surf Impossibles?
Impossibles works best from May to September. Ideal conditions: SW swell, SE trades offshore.
Is Impossibles good for beginners?
No. Impossibles is a wave for advanced and pro surfers.
How crowded is Impossibles?
Impossibles is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Impossibles?
Impossibles is in Uluwatu, in the Bali region of Indonesia (-8.816, 115.096). The nearest wave we cover is Bingin, under 1 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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