Mega Semadhi, The High Priest of Uluwatu. Photo: Tommy Schultz

PADANG PADANG

Padang Padang Photo John S Callahan tropicalpix

Despite the blinding glare of the sun, you just can’t look away. Photo John S Callahan tropicalpix

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: 

APRIL THROUGH TO OCTOBER

Pronounced Pah-dung. Real name Labuhan Sait. Bali’s hollowest, most dangerous left, tubing over very shallow coral. Only breaks on big swells when Uluwatu is getting out-of-control, over 10 or 12 feet. The only way to make the wave is to backdoor the 2nd tube section in front of the cliff, so it is a place for experts only, safest at high tide. Low tide gets insane but deadly.

To get there, turn off the Uluwatu road at Pecatu village. Padang is a great place to watch the best surfers in the world tackling one of the most awesome tubes on the planet. You can sit comfortably in warungs on the beach and count the number of broken boards! Unfortunately, it is very dangerous under 5 feet because it breaks so close to the cliff. Definitely not for learners.

FREE TIDE CHARTS available here for 2023

Mustofa Jeksen,Padang Padang  Photo JEP John Hepler

Mustofa Jeksen,Padang Padang Photo JEP John Hepler

Dede Suyana, Padang bowl. Photo Ricardo Borghi

Dede Suyana, tripping the light fantastic deep inside a golden sunset-lit Padang bowl. Photo Ricardo Borghi

Padang line up. Photo JS Callahan / tropicalpix

Sparkling afternoon at Padang. Photo JS Callahan / tropicalpix

Rahtu. Photo courtesy Billabong

Rahtu, a 2nd generation Balinese surfer, the son of the one and only “Mr Bali” – Pak Gusti Somer. Photo courtesy Billabong

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