Blue Point Beach — Full Guide for Tourists
The famous cliff-base surf and sundown beach at Uluwatu — approached through a cave, overlooked by warung terraces, and legendary among the global surfing community.
About Blue Point Beach
Blue Point Beach and Suluban Beach share the same location — Blue Point is the colloquial and older tourist name for the beach complex directly below the Uluwatu surf warung strip. The name comes from a former small hotel (Blue Point Bay Villas) that occupied the clifftop above for many years and became the landmark name for this section of Uluwatu's coast. The beach is reached through a cave passage cut into the limestone base of the cliffs — at low tide it is dry, at higher tides it requires wading knee-deep. Beyond the cave the platform opens to a coral reef shelf, a narrow sand pocket, and the Uluwatu surf break directly in front. The experience is unlike any other beach approach in Bali. The cliffs rise 40 to 60 metres above on three sides, cave openings punctuate the rock face, and the sound of the Indian Ocean fills the enclosed space even on calm days. The surf here is what draws the crowds: the Uluwatu left-hander is one of the most celebrated waves in Southeast Asia, a long peeling break with multiple sections that works consistently from April to October. Non-surfers come for the views from the terraces above, for the spectacle of the break, and for the atmosphere of the warung strip. The stretch of road above is lined with surf shops, board rental, warungs, and the iconic Single Fin Uluwatu. The area has evolved significantly from the 1970s discovery by Australian surfers into a fully-formed surf village, yet the actual beach access through the cave retains an undomesticated quality.
Best Time to Visit
Tide
Low to mid-tide for cave access and the beach shelf. The main surf sections work best at mid-tide rising.
Season
April to October for the south swell. June and July produce the most powerful and consistent surf. Sunsets are dramatic year-round from the clifftop above.
Crowd Level
High — this is the most visited surf location in Bali. The lineup has 50–100 surfers on good days. The warung terraces above fill at sunset.
How to Get There
From Denpasar (Ngurah Rai Airport)
23 km · 35 to 45 minutes
Via Jalan Uluwatu south through Jimbaran. Follow signs to Uluwatu Temple — the Blue Point / Suluban warung strip is signed just before the temple access road.
From Canggu
25 km · 35 to 50 minutes
Via the Bukit road. Leave by 06:30 for a morning surf session to catch the glass-off before the crowd arrives. Scooter rental from Canggu is common for regular Uluwatu trips.
From Ubud
47 km · 70 to 85 minutes
Via Bypass and Bukit road. Consider renting a scooter in Ubud for the day — the parking near the warung strip is easy and costs IDR 5,000–10,000.
What to Do
- Surf the Uluwatu left — paddle out through the channel on the south side for access to all sections from Outside Corner to Temples
- Walk through the cave at low tide for the physical experience of the beach approach
- Watch the break from the warung terraces above — the view of the whole Uluwatu line is actually better from above than from inside the water
- Sunset at Single Fin or any of the cliff-edge warungs — the sun drops directly into the Indian Ocean from this west-facing cliff
- Visit Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the temple on the cliff 1 km north, at dusk for the Kecak Fire Dance performance
Surf Conditions
Wave Type
Long left-hander with distinct sections: Outside Corner (biggest take-off), Peak (most consistent), Racetrack (fastest), Temples (most accessible for intermediate).
Break Style / Notes
The channel south of the main break gives a clear paddle-out route. The cave access is primarily for non-surfers and photographers. Boards can be rented from the warung strip above.
Level
Intermediate to advanced. The crowd also presents a challenge — wave priority knowledge and etiquette are essential.
Peak Season / Swell
South to south-southwest, 1.5–2.5 m at 14–16 second period. Offshore in dry season with trade winds.
Nearby Cafes & Warungs
- Single Fin Uluwatu — the iconic cliff-edge bar and restaurant above the break; Sunday Sunset Session is the headline event of the Uluwatu weekly calendar
- Uluwatu Surf Villas Restaurant — open to non-guests, elevated ocean view with quality Indonesian and Western food
- Om Burger Uluwatu — popular quick-service burger restaurant near the Blue Point access road, reliable and affordable
Where to Stay
What to Bring
- Surfboard if surfing — boards can also be rented from the warung strip for IDR 50,000–100,000/day
- Cash for parking, cave entry, and warungs — card payments are not universal here
- Sarong if visiting Uluwatu Temple — required for temple entry, available for rental at the temple gate
- Sunscreen and sun hat — the clifftop terraces get full western sun from mid-afternoon through sunset
- A light long-sleeve layer for the return at night — the Bukit evenings can be breezy
Safety & Scams
- The cave floods at high tide — always check the tide before descending, and plan your exit before the tide turns
- The Uluwatu lineup has strict priority rules — respect local surfers and do not drop in on waves being ridden
- Monkeys at the temple area above are notorious for taking sunglasses and phones — hold all items securely
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Point Beach the same as Suluban Beach?
Yes. Both names refer to the same beach below the Uluwatu warung strip, accessed through the cave. Blue Point was the older tourist name (from the Blue Point hotel above); Suluban is the local Balinese name for the area.
Can non-surfers visit Blue Point Beach?
Yes. Non-surfers typically visit the warung terraces above the cliff for the view and sunset. The cave walk at low tide is a popular experience even without surfing. The beach itself has limited space for sunbathing.
What time is the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu?
The Kecak performance at Pura Luhur Uluwatu runs daily at approximately 18:00 (check current schedule locally). Tickets purchased at the temple gate. The performance uses the temple cliff as a backdrop during sunset.
Is it safe to swim at Blue Point?
Not recommended for casual swimming. The surf is active, the reef is exposed, and the cave limits safe exit in higher swell. Non-surfers should swim at Nusa Dua or Jimbaran.
When does Single Fin open and close?
Single Fin typically opens around 11:00 and operates until late. The Sunday Sunset Session starts from approximately 15:00 and runs through the evening. Reservations recommended for the Sunday event.
How far is Blue Point from Bingin Beach?
Approximately 2.5 km south along the cliff path — about 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by scooter. Bingin is a quieter, more intimate beach that shares a similar vibe but a different (shorter) wave.
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