Impossibles is a long left reef break on the Bukit Peninsula. The spot is very sensitive to swell direction (it needs a southerly) and to wind. When all the conditions line up, you can get an excellent fast long left here. A characteristic feature of Impossibles is several consecutive sections ("ledges") that, on a good swell, line up into long even lines. The reef stretches for about a kilometre and divides into three sections: Top (closer to Padang Padang), Middle and End (closer to Bingin). Top and Middle are the fast walls Impossibles is famous for; End is a more open wave for turns. Several peaks give it plenty of capacity, and the spot holds size well.
The wave & conditions
The spot needs a size of 4–5 ft to work. The wave can be very fast — sometimes so fast that making it all the way is practically impossible (hence the name). On a small to medium swell the wave closes out quickly and long rides are rare. On a good swell in the right conditions you can get long walls across several sections. On a big swell an extra outer peak switches on, with a mellower, slower wave. Barrels aren't frequent — this isn't a barrel spot. On a small to medium swell it works better at mid tide; on a big swell, at low tide. On a big swell an unlucky set can wash you 200 metres toward Bingin. Don't overrate your abilities!
Conditions & tips
The spot suits intermediate and advanced surfers. On a big swell it's genuinely dangerous here, because of the shallow reef and the awkward exit. There's no channel right in front of the spot, so paddling straight out means duck-diving through the whitewash — on a big swell this wears you out and pushes you toward Bingin. It's easier to go around: for the Top peak you paddle out through the Padang Padang channel — it's right by the first peak and works even on the biggest swell; for the End peak you come in from the Bingin side (a long paddle against the current, but it works). There's no strong current past the lineup, but on the inside there's a steady drift toward Bingin that strengthens on big days.
The scene onshore. Right below the spot the cliff is almost sheer, with only villas up top. People usually come in from the north (the Bingin side) or the south (the Padang Padang side) — at both ends there are cafés and warungs where you can leave your things if you order something.
Hazards: shallow coral reef, awkward exit (no channel of its own — you go around via Padang or Bingin), drift in the whitewash toward Bingin if you end up on the inside
