Uluwatu is situated on the southwest side of the Bukit Peninsula. If you look at a map of Bali, the Bukit Peninsula is the bit that sticks out, right at the bottom of the island.
Uluwatu, on the left side of the peninsula, is a lush region sporting plenty of wonderful beaches.
There are hundreds of beaches on the peninsula, ranging from tiny coves to long stretches of golden sand. There are plenty of things to do in Uluwatu, but checking out the beaches should always be at the top of your list.
Here are ten of the best beaches in Uluwatu.
Padang Padang
Padang Padang beach is my personal favourite, though it can get busy so it’s important to time your visit.
This beach stretches about one hundred and fifty metres, with the sand weaving in and out of rocky outcrops. There are plenty of little coves to explore, and a couple of small beach bars in the main part of the beach, if you fancy a drink.
You do need to pay to enter the beach; it’s 10,000 IDR ($0.65 USD) for locals and 20,000 ($1.30) for tourists. This fee helps keep the beach in pristine condition and protects the surrounding forest. You might even see some monkeys as you walk down to the beach!
Padang Padang is in Pecuta Village and there is plenty of parking nearby.
It’s also one of the best surf beaches in Uluwatu for beginners, with a super pleasant break that forms about one hundred metres off the sand, thanks to a long reef and underwater rocks. If you want to try your hand, there is a stall on the beach where you can rent beginner boards and even get a lesson.
If you’ve ever googled ‘Uluwatu beach’, the first result is probably a picture of Padang Padang. And when you’re standing on the sand, you’ll see why. It’s arguably the best beach in Uluwatu.
Bingin Beach
Bingin is another beach renowned for its surf, but it also features a dazzling shoreline, which makes it perfect for a day of sunbathing too.
To get to Bingin, you’ll have to park your scooter in the car park atop the cliffs (and pay a small fee), and then walk down a decent set of stairs before your feet actually touch the sand.
If you want to rent a board at Bingin, there are a few surf shacks that offer board hire. But if surfing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to do at Bingin.
That includes exploring the many other little beaches further down the coast. You can get to these by venturing through and around the rocky outcrops and coves at the end of the beach.
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland Beach is an Instagrammers dream, thanks to its stunning white sand and aquamarine waters.
Beware when swimming at Dreamland though, because the waves can be quite strong and tend to break right on the shoreline, which can be dangerous.
Unfortunately, Dreamland is a tourist hotspot, meaning it’s usually very busy. There are also large resorts right by the beach, and more rubbish than at other, more secluded Uluwatu beaches. It’s definitely still worth checking out though.
Green Bowl Beach
Getting down to Green Bowl is a real challenge, thanks to the 300 steep steps. This means that if you are a bit older, unfit or carrying an injury, it’s probably best to give Green Bowl a miss.
The beach itself is yet another popular spot for surfers and thanks to the difficult walk down, it’s very secluded and not at all built-up. Swimming there can be hazardous, thanks to the strong currents, and there are no sunbeds on the beach.
This is one for surfers or those who are just happy to lie on their beach towel and enjoy the sound of the breaking waves. Green Bowl is often so quiet that it feels like a private beach in Uluwatu.
Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach sits right at the bottom of the Bukit Peninsula, and is currently having its time in the sun.
Just a couple of years ago, Melasti was a locals-only beach, but the rapid urbanisation of the area saw beach clubs and resorts spring up nearby, and tourists flock to this beach. However, it’s still a beautiful spot and is one of the best beaches for swimming in Uluwatu.
Palmilla Bali Beach Club sits right on the beach, and you can often hear music pumping from their speakers. This is the spot for a cocktail and a swim in the infinity pool.
If you prefer a local warung and a quieter stretch of sand, simply continue down the beach and you’ll find a few great (and more affordable) options.
Melasti is a great choice for families with kids, as swimming at Melasti is very safe. In fact, it might just be the best swimming beach in Uluwatu.
There are no large waves pounding the shore, and there are always plenty of kids playing in the shallows. You might even find it hard to get the little ones to leave!
Suluban Beach
Suluban is also known simply as Uluwatu Beach, and it’s arguably the most popular surf beach on the peninsula. Some even say it’s the home of Uluwatu surfing.
Like many of the other beaches on this list, the cliffs tower above the sand. And there are plenty of spots up on the cliffs where you can enjoy the view with a drink in hand.
The beach itself is punctuated by many rocks, little coves and caves. It can be a lot of fun exploring the bits and pieces of Suluban Beach but always exercise caution.
Make sure you take time out to lie on the sand, have a swim or test out your skills on the board.
Nyang Nyang Beach
Nyang Nyang is one of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu. It’s a long stretch of white sand, and is actually made up of two beaches… Nyang Nyang and Nunggalan beach Uluwatu.
Again, it’s popular among surfers, thanks to the nicely formed waves. However, it can be dangerous to swim here in parts, thanks to the strong currents.
If you come at low tide, there’ll be plenty of rockpools to explore, thanks to the exposed reef and rock. This makes it hard to swim at times, but there is a spot right in front of The Bubble Hotel that is ideal for swimming.
Like some of the other beaches on the list, Nyang Nyang is home to a few warungs for tasty local food and you can rent a sunbed for the day.
Getting down to Nyang Nyang can be a bit of an adventure. There are two options; either park at Nyang Nyang Warung and walk for about ten to fifteen minutes or park your vehicle near the steep path that begins at Villa Plenilunio. The latter isn’t advisable if you struggle with steep, uneven terrain.
Pantai Pandawa
Pretty Pandawa is surrounded by chalky cliffs and is dotted with umbrellas.
The white sand and crystal clear water make it a paradise, so it’s no wonder that this beach is becoming increasingly popular among tourists.
To enter, you’ll need to pay a small fee, which was 10,000 IDR ($0.65 USD) last time I checked.
For the surfers, there’s a nice break about 50 to 100 metres off the beach and you can rent a board at one of the warungs.
Pandawa is also a very safe swimming beach, with nice shallow waters close to the sand, where the current isn’t too strong. Pandawa is also patrolled, making it a great spot for families with small kids.
Balangan Beach
Balangan Beach is a common favourite among beachgoers in Uluwatu. Again, there’s good surf (seems like every beach here has great surf!), it’s an easy beach to swim at and best of all, it’s not too difficult to get to.
Many of the beaches in Uluwatu involve a decent trek down a narrow set of stairs, but Balangan is much easier to navigate. There are warungs and lounges available too, so you can really make a day of it.
Just remember to avoid coming to Balangan at low tide, because it’s tough to swim when the reef is exposed.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is a long strip of sand between Padang Padang and Uluwatu Beach and it’s a bit of a hidden gem.
Most of the tourist crowd ends up at other beaches, so Thomas is often nice and quiet.
It’s lined with local Uluwatu beach restaurants, along with little beach bars and surf rental huts.
It’s impossible to swim here at low tide, but there’s plenty of serenity to enjoy while you kick back on your sunbed with an ice-cold Bintang and admire the view.
The Best Places to Stay Near the Beach in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is home to accommodation for travellers of all budgets, with plenty of hotels, villas and hostels right by the beach.
Anantara is a luxurious resort close to Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach and Uluwatu Beach.
It features tiered infinity pools set above the ocean, incredibly comfortable apartment and room accommodations and some of the best dining on the peninsula.
Another incredibly classy abode, Bulgari Resort sits 150m above sea level, giving breathtaking views of the sea.
Bulgari offers a range of traditional-style villas, along with plenty of options for recreational activities. That includes a gym, spa and pools.
Alila features a fifty-metre-long swimming pool that looks out over the Indian Ocean, along with an art gallery and its own library.
There are two restaurants in the complex, one serving Indonesian cuisine and the other offering western food. The villas are modern and comfortable and come with private pools.
Sal Secret Spot is right by Bingin Beach, with some rooms set right on the beachfront. Others are just a short walk from the water.
The shared pool is large and features a cabana for ultimate relaxation. Breakfast is included, and there is a restaurant on site for lunches and dinners. It’s a great example of a simple yet stunning Uluwatu beach hotel.
Radisson Blu Bali is a world-class resort, just a couple of hundred metres from Impossible Beach.
All accommodation is 5-star and there is a restaurant, bar and private garden in the complex. Some rooms come with a balcony and exceptional sea views.
For those on a budget, you can’t go past Dreamsea Bali. Dreamsea is just 100 metres from Impossible Beach and like the more upmarket options, includes a restaurant and a bar.
Breakfast is available and Padang Padang and Thomas Beach are a stone's throw away.
Can You Swim at Uluwatu Beaches?
Most of the beaches in Uluwatu are safe to swim at. A number of them do have strong currents and rocks or sections of the reef in the water, so make sure you read the signs carefully.
Some beaches are patrolled while others are not, so do take that into consideration when deciding on where to spend your day, particularly if you’re not a strong swimmer or have small children.
Are the Beaches of Uluwatu Clean?
Yes! Almost all of the beaches in Uluwatu are pristine, and much cleaner than those in Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu.
This is mainly because there are far fewer people living in Uluwatu. A number of the beaches we mentioned charge a small entry fee, which goes toward removing rubbish and keeping the beaches clean.
Is Uluwatu Better Than Canggu or Seminyak?
The answer to this question is that it really depends on what you’re looking for. If beaches and quiet, relaxing days by the water are your priority, Uluwatu is the spot for you.
There are also some really great eateries and beach clubs to check out and a burgeoning bar scene.
On the other hand, if you enjoy being in the hustle and bustle, and want to try as many different restaurants and bars as possible, you’re probably better off heading to Canggu or Seminyak.
But personally, I’d always recommend at least a few days in Uluwatu when travelling to Bali.
How Far Is Uluwatu From Kuta, Canggu and Seminyak?
The time it takes to get to Uluwatu from the busier areas really depends on traffic.
On average though, you’re probably looking at about 45 minutes from Kuta, an hour from Seminyak and up to an hour and a half from Canggu… but it really depends on the time you’re going, as well as whether you’re on a scooter or in a car.
The trip is certainly worth it though, for the beaches in Uluwatu.
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Uluwatu and Visit the Beaches?
One of my favourite things about Uluwatu is the traffic or lack thereof! Down on the peninsula, driving a scooter around is actually fun, and not the headache it can be in Canggu.
I’d always recommend getting a scooter (if you are licensed and know how to drive one).
If that’s not your cup of tea, getting a private car with driver is always affordable. Gojek is available in Uluwatu, but it takes a lot longer to find a driver compared to Seminyak or Canggu.
What’s the Best Beach for Sunset in Uluwatu?
Suluban and Thomas Beach both offer a great view of the sunset in Uluwatu.
However, it’s often best to see the sunset up on the cliffs, by Jaran Hill or Ritual Beach Club. Here you’ll get an absolutely spectacular view of the sun setting over the ocean.
What Are the Best Beach Clubs in Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is home to some of the best beach clubs in Bali, and indeed, the world.
Savaya (formerly Omnia) regularly hosts world-famous musical acts, sports a luxurious infinity pool high up on the cliffs, and offers the fanciest of beverages. You should be prepared to spend a few dollars though.
Sundays Beach Club is a more relaxed spot, right at the end of Melasti beach. The buildings are mostly timber, giving them a really natural feel, and the vibes are super chill. You won’t find these vibes in a beach club in Canggu.
If you’re looking for the latest chic beach club, check out Ritual Bali. This super sleek, clifftop complex offers great sunset views and even better cocktails.
Bali Must-Pack Items
Uluwatu boasts some of the very best beaches in Bali, and it’s definitely worth a visit.
If I was planning the perfect Bali itinerary, there’d be at least a few days exploring the best beaches in Uluwatu.
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