Trip to Bingin on the Bukit in Bali

Surfing is huge here in Bali and one place you always here about is Bingin.

I’d never been there and set off today to check the place out. Light rain was coming down as I hit the Bypass in the direction of Nusa Dua. Taking the Uluwatu turnoff I rode past the big Dreamland access road and down to Bingin. I had checked a map before leaving and knew there was a turn off to the right a couple of miles after Dreamland. An obvious right turn presented itself and I saw a warung that looked inviting.

Stopping for a snack the lady confirmed this was the road to Bingin while assembling my nasi campur ( mixed rice).

The nasi campur contained white rice, noodles, beans, a small piece of chicken and some satay liver. This together with my hot tea was 7,000rp.

I started taking photos which brought gigles form the lady’s 2 daughters who were firing up the satay stand outside. I asked what they were cooking as I thought it was satay babi, but they said as they were Muslim they only cook satay chicken and ’satay Baaa’ , meaning goat.

After my snack I rode down the lane and after several minutes it termintated in at a muddy track. This took me across a small stream and through someone’s pasture, finally to the cliffs overlooking Bingin.

People have described Bingin as a ‘machine’, the perfect wave is so reliable. The only problem is everyone knows this and the ‘take off point’ for the wave is a very small meaning everyone and his brother is trying to get on the same wave. I saw people dropping in on each other like crazy and many occasions where a couple of surfers were zooming on the same wave and narrowly missing the other people in the water.

Coming over the hill I noticed an assortment of warungs and guest houses. The access to the beach was down a set of step stone steps which gave great views. These 2 ladies were working at a warung and asked me if I wanted a massage later. I politely declined.

Bingin has a sandy beach which leads into rock. The break is a reef break though so be prepared with rubber booties. I saw local kids splashing around on body boards close to shore. To the left is ‘Impossibles’ a string of breaks that are impossible to join together, though you can give it a shot. From my vantage point I could tell when Bingin was going to get the next set as the waves break first across Impossibles, then after about 40 seconds wrap around and start crashing onto Bingin.

I bumped into surf photographer Morroke from Brasil who lives at Bingin. He was fixing his jet ski and told me he was surprised to see me down at the beach. I’d say there were a dozen foreigners down at Bingin although I know people stay in the 12 guests houses and surf other beaches for the day.

For access to the surf you only have to paddle out 30-40 meters from shore. The guest house go for about 40,000rp per night and there are 12 warungs serving food and drinks.

My day ended around 5pm with a ride home through Jimbaran.