Uluwatu, Bali

A cliff-top surf legend on Bali's Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is the wave that put Indonesia on the world surfing map after it was filmed in the early 1970s. The village sits on limestone headlands above a series of world-class left-hand reef breaks that peel along the base of the cliffs.

The wave is a fast, hollow left over shallow coral, breaking in several distinct sections: The Peak, Racetrack, Outside Corner, Temple and The Bombie, each favouring a different swell size. It is genuinely advanced terrain, demanding confident tube riding and a cool head over the reef. Waves are reached through a sea cave at the foot of the cliff, so entry and exit are dictated by the tide.

Conditions peak in the dry season, roughly April to October, when south-easterly trade winds blow offshore and long-period south-west swells arrive from the Indian Ocean. The larger sections handle serious size, while smaller days off The Peak give intermediates a taste. Crowds are heavy year-round given the wave's reputation.

Beyond the surf, the headland is crowned by Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali's most revered sea temples, where cliff-edge terraces catch fiery sunsets and nightly Kecak fire-dance performances. Warungs, surf shops and cliff bars cling to the ridge above the lineup, and the wider Bukit hosts a string of other reefs within a short ride. Access from Kuta or Seminyak takes around an hour by scooter or car on winding roads.