While there’s no shortage of swoon-worthy beaches all over Bali, you’ll find some of the island’s most beautiful beaches in Uluwatu.
Uluwatu is located at the southern tip of Bali, along the Bukit Peninsula. While it might be famous for its iconic cliffside temple full of cheeky monkeys, there’s another reason to visit. And that’s the beaches.
The beaches in Uluwatu are simply out of this world! With laid-back vibes, dramatic cliffs, tropical water, and the softest white sand under the sun, Uluwatu is the kind of place where it’s hard not to channel your inner beach bum!
Whether you want to bake in the sun, tackle the epic surf breaks, or play in the water, Uluwatu’s beaches have it all! To help you find the best ones, here’s our list of must-see Uluwatu beaches!
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Table of Contents
The Best Beaches in Uluwatu
Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang (the famous Eat, Pray, Love beach) is one of the most beautiful beaches in Uluwatu and definitely deserves a spot on your Bali travel itinerary!
The beach lies in the southwestern corner of Bali in Pecuta Village. It offers some of the best surf on the island, with several surfing competitions held here every year.
Besides being the go-to surfing spot in Bali, Padang Padang’s charm really lies in its setting. You’ll need to walk down dozens of stairs and squeeze through a tiny gap in a limestone cave to get to the beach. Along the way, you’re likely to run into some monkeys, so keep your valuables out of sight. Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, you’ll be greeted with epic blue waters and ivory white sand.
Padang Padang Beach is tiny, only measuring about 100m in length, but it’s a great place to bake in the sun, swim in tidal pools, or marvel at the unique caves and rock formations.
There are a couple of warungs right on the beach where you can grab an ice cold beer or freshly cracked coconut. And if you’re into surfing, there’s a beach shack where you can rent surfboards. The waves are quite intense here, though, so this might not be the place for you if you are a beginner.
The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR, and if you’ve got your own wheels, you’ll need to have another 5,000 IDR ready for parking.
Dreamland Beach
Recommended by De Wet & Jin from Museum of Wander.Β
Dreamland Beach is like a dream come true for beach lovers with its golden stretch of sand and fun waves. Whether you’re planning on bagging a few left or right beach breaks, swimming in the blue water, or hanging with friends on the beach or seaside restaurants, Dreamland has something for every kind of beach bum out there.
Dreamland personifies everything you imagine a Bali beach to be. It’s pristine, sexy, fun, and relaxing all at once. Besides the usual beach trappings like swimming, surfing, and sun tanning, you can also get a relaxing massage at one of the resorts behind the beach.
Dreamland is dreamy year-round but never too crowded; that’s part of its allure. There is no shade, but beach chairs and umbrellas are available on the beach. Restaurants and warungs serve tasty food, cold Bintangs, and fresh juice, so you have no excuse not to spend the entire day at this stunning beach. Free freshwater showers and restrooms are also available.
Admission is free; however, there is a 5,000 IDR parking fee if coming here with your own wheels.
Get to Dreamland is by scooter (or Gojek for those who can’t drive themselves). A scooter ride from Uluwatu takes about 20 minutes on quiet backroads, while a busy road will get you to Kuta in about an hour.
Nunggalan Beach
Recommended by Andy from Two Happy Wanderers.
If you’re looking for one of Bali’s last truly hidden white-sand beaches, Pantai Nunggalan is for you.
Located at the foot of a 400-meter high cliff, it takes quite an effort to reach this spot. But it’s worth it!
The trek will take you about 25 minutes. Quite steep in part, the track through the thick Balinese jungle is completely unsealed and is not always clearly defined. But once down, you’re quite likely to find you have the beach to yourself!
The clean white sand stretches several kilometers from end to end. And the water is crystal clear. It is a surf beach, so be careful if going for a swim. Remnants of a shipwreck on the beach have become an Instagram spot for the more daring influencer. And a warung, not much more than a bamboo lean-to, provides snacks and cold drinks served to you on the beach. You would be hard-pressed to find a better spot to sit and enjoy a fresh coconut. The warung is not always open so make sure you bring plenty of drinking water.
Access is via Jalan Pantai Nunggalan. Parking costs 5,000 IDR. However, access to the beach itself is free of charge.
Melasti Beach
Recommended by David & Intan at The World Travel Guy.
Melasti Beach is a big white sand beach in Ungasan, south Bali. Aside from being known as the southernmost point of Bali island, Melasti also has public bathrooms and a bunch of nice beach clubs where you can relax by a pool or enjoy some food and drinks.
This beach has a 2 km stretch of soft white sand and several popular beach clubs (Cattamaran, Minoo, and Palmilla). The most famous of these is probably Palmilla. You can also reach Karma Beach Club (with another nice beach) by walking along Melasti to the far west end of the beach.
Melasti Beach is very popular with domestic tourists from Bali and the rest of Indonesia, so it’s recommended not to visit during a busy national holiday if you want to avoid the crowds. Otherwise, it’s usually quite uncrowded.
As of 2022, there’s an entrance fee of 10,000 IDR for adults or 3,000 for kids.
Pantai Pandawa
Recommended by Andy from Two Happy Wanderers.
If you’re looking for a great beach day out for the whole family, look no further than Bali’s Pandawa Beach. Located only 30 minutes drive from the resort area of Nusa Dua, this white-sand beach sitting on the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean will leave you wanting for nothing.
One of the safest beaches in the area, Pandawa Beach is sheltered by an outer reef and is patrolled by lifeguards. Rows of sun lounges and umbrellas line the beach with warungs, cafes, and market stalls behind them. Mum and Dad can relax with a cold drink, enjoying a massage or pedicure offered by the many hawkers working the beach. All the while, the kids paddle out in the turquoise waters on a canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Or how about a cruise behind the outer reef in a jukung, a traditional Balinese outrigger canoe?
Tour buses take visitors on a guided tour of the precinct, while a fenced-off area provides a safe space for the youngsters to ride a pushbike or peddle kart. This beach really does have everything. Access is via Jalan Pantai Pandawa. Parking is plentiful, and extensive paved areas ensure easier access than many other beaches in the area. Entry to Pandawa beach is 15,000 IDR per person, including parking.
Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran is technically not in Uluwatu, but it’s so close that you can easily squeeze it onto your to-do list.
As one of Bali’s top sunset viewing spots, Jimbaran Bay is famous for its cheap and delicious grilled seafood dinners served right on the beach. While you should definitely visit for the sunset (and seafood), Jimbaran is a fantastic place to hang out during the day with minimal crowds.
The sand is more of a golden color, but the beach is big, and there’s plenty of room to chill under a beach umbrella or play in the sand. If you get sick of lounging on the beach, take a refreshing dip in the warm waters or go surfing. During low tide, the water is calm, and it’s a great swimming spot for kids, while high tide offers some good mellow surfing opportunities. Since the waves aren’t as challenging here, Jimbaran is the ideal spot for newbie surfers.
There’s no entrance fee to access Jimbaran Beach, but you’ll need to pay for parking (5,000 IDR). Jimbaran gets busy at sunset, so if you also want to gobble up some of that famous seafood, best to make a reservation in advance.
Geger Beach
Another unmissable beach near Uluwatu is Geger Beach.
Geger Beach is actually located in Nusa Dua, on the peninsula’s eastern side. But since it’s only a 30-minute drive away, it’s definitely close enough to warrant an entry on this list. Plus, Geger Beach is absolutely stunning!
Geger Beach is a pristine 1km stretch of soft white sand fringed by palm trees and dreamy turquoise water. Besides its natural beauty, the beach is also a water sports hot spot. It’s a great place for swimming, but you can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, snorkel, or surf. And if you fancy a massage right on the beach, Geger Beach is the place to be! There’s also a nice strip of local warungs that serve tasty skewers and traditional Balinese dishes like Nasi Goreng.
Getting to Geger Beach is a bit tricky, and you’ll need to find the public entrance to access the beach (next to Mulia Resort). Hiring a private driver might be your best bet if you don’t have a scooter. There’s a small fee of 3,000 IDR to access the beach.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
Uluwatu has an excellent mix of accommodation options for all kinds of budgets β from dreamy cliffside resorts and laid-back bohemian hotels to gorgeous villas, funky surf hostels, and everything in between! Here are some of the best places to stay in Uluwatu.
- Luxury: For the ultimate splurge, book yourself into one of the gorgeous villas at Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali. Alila Villas is one of Bali’s most revered luxury 5-star resorts, and it’s not hard to see why. The hotel is perched right on Uluwatu’s famous cliffs, so it offers some pretty sick views. If that’s not enough reason for you, think swoon-worthy villas with private infinity pools, a spa, a fitness center, and several on-site restaurants. [Check rates/availability]
- Affordable Luxe: Le Cliff Bali is a beautiful 4-star hotel with surprisingly good rates. The rooms feature chic decor and are fitted with all the mod cons for an enjoyable stay. Book one of the balcony rooms that come with a hanging lounge net! [Check rates/availability]
- Mid-Range: Dreamsea Bali is a gorgeous bohemian-style hotel perched right on a cliff mere steps from the beach. The decor and food are amazing, and the views are even better! [Check rates/availability]
- Boutique Glamping: If you want to take glamping to the next level, definitely check in at Origin Uluwatu. This gorgeous 4-star property sports colorful modern interiors and a dreamy pool. The best part? It’s just minutes away from Uluwatu’s best beaches, like Bingin Beach, Thomas Beach, and Dreamland Beach.[Check rates/availability]
- Budget: Bagus Ink Surf Camp is the perfect spot for surfers and budget travelers looking for an affordable place to stay in Uluwatu. Located just 350m from Padang Padang Beach, Bagus Ink Surf Camp features clean and modern rooms with traditional Balinese touches. There’s also a bar, outdoor pool, and a lovely garden where you can chill or enjoy a barbeque. [Check rates/ availability]
Still need more choice? Find the best hotel deals here on Agoda.
How to Get to Uluwatu
Uluwatu is only 45 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and about 35 minutes from Kuta.
If Uluwatu is your first stop in Bali, it’s easy to grab a fixed-rate taxi right at the airport. But make sure to book the ride at the official taxi counter to avoid being ripped off. Book a private airport transfer here in advance instead if you’d rather have things planned out.
For those coming from elsewhere in Bali, the easiest way to get to Uluwatu is to ask your accommodation to arrange a transfer for you. If you’re a more independent traveler, you could also book a ride with Grab or GoJek.
Getting Around Uluwatu
Uluwatu is huge, so you’ll definitely need wheels to get around.
One of the easiest ways to get around is by scooter, but make sure you have a valid international driver’s license and you’re comfortable navigating hectic traffic. Scooter rentals generally start at 50,000 IDR a day.
If that’s not an option for you, it’s best to hire a private car with a driver. This is a great stress-free way to get around Uluwatu, as you’ll still get to plan all your stops without worrying about the traffic. Of course, another option is to take a taxi (like Blue Bird, Bali’s most reputable taxi service) or book a ride on Grab or GoJek to see all of Uluwatu’s best bits.
Uluwatu Beaches in Conclusion
It’s no secret that Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta have some pretty amazing beaches, but if you really want to experience something special, you’ve got to get yourself to Uluwatu!
Uluwatu is absolutely littered with gorgeous beaches! Whether you want to visit some of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu or chill out at its lesser-known gems, Uluwatu is a paradise for beachgoers!
Grab my Uluwatu Beach Gear
There you have it – the ABSOLUTE best beaches in (and near) Uluwatu! Tell me, did your favorite Uluwatu beach make this list? If not, let me know in the comments below so that I can add it to my Uluwatu beach bucket list!
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