The Uluwatu coastline stretches down the west side of the Bukit Peninsula and offers some of the best swimming and surfing in all of Bali. Dramatic cliffs dot the landscape and drop to the stunning sandy and rocky beaches below. While Uluwatu’s big waves draw surfers from around the world, they also have great swimming beaches and some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see! So ready to discover the best Uluwatu Beach? Let us break down where you can surf, swim, and how to get to all the best beaches in Uluwatu.
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Uluwatu Beach Guide
Uluwatu is a special part of Bali that no traveler should miss! In between all the fun cafes and seaside clubs, is the Uluwatu beach scene that will blow your mind. The best part is the beaches in Uluwatu are all very unique from each other!
One thing to keep in mind is that Uluwatu is large and spread out so you will have to do some driving. Many beaches are also located under the towering cliffs which makes them a little more difficult to get to. Be ready to park and walk down plenty of stairs, but also know that these Uluwatu beaches are so worth it!
6 Best Beaches in Uluwatu Bali
1. Dreamland Beach
Getting There: Multiple Entries Walk In or Ride Scooter
Ease of Beach Access: Easy
Best For: Swimming & Surfing
Dreamland beach is one of the most popular in Uluwatu Bali, but actually ended up being our least favorite. The ease of its location means that there is a steady stream of people hitting the beach.
Despite the crowds, the waves are perfect size for boogie boarding and surfing. You can also head to the hill on the left side of the beach and join countless tourists, locals, and food carts for the nightly sunset!
2. Bingin Beach
Getting There: 15 Minute Hike
Ease of Beach Access: Medium
Best For: Wave Watching & Surfing
Location:
This might not be the best Uluwatu beach for swimming, but it turned out to be our favorites. Hike 10 minutes down to travel back in time. Simple restaurants and cafes are built into the hillside and span the length of the beach. Almost every place offers “rooms for rent” that you can’t find online and look like they were built 30 years ago.
Bingin Beach is the ultimate spot to relax and take in the beautiful Uluwatu Bali coastline. There are a few sandy spots to jump in quick and cool down, but the hard rocks can make it difficult to swim. At night the handful of restaurants bring tables onto the beach and offer fresh grilled fish dinners for sunset!
3. Padang Padang Beach
Getting There: Quick Walk Down After The Main Road
Ease of Beach Access: Easy
Best For: Swimming & Surfing
Location:
Directly off the main road that cuts through Uluwatu lies Padang Padang Beach. The easy access to get there and quick walk down attracts many to the small sandy cove. You can grab an umbrella or crawl under the natural rock wall that shades part of the beach. This is many travelers favorite beach spend the afternoon floating in the clear blue water, or catching some waves.
4. Thomas Beach
Getting There: Bumpy Dirt Road & 10 Minute Hike Down
Ease of Beach Access: Medium
Best For: Swimming & Long Walks
Location:
Located down a bumpy road off the main street of Uluwatu, it would be easy to pass Thomas beach if you weren’t looking for it. The quick hike down is made up of paved concrete steps, and you’ll be rewarded at the bottom with a true paradise.
Small restaurants and beach chairs line the start of the beach where the gentle blue water crashes against the sand. This is one of the few beaches in Uluwatu Bali that’s perfect for a relaxing day of sun, sand, and swimming!
5. Uluwatu Beach and Suluban Cave
Getting There: Paved Road & 10 minute Walk Down the Developed Cliff
Ease of Beach Access: Medium
Best For: Surfing & Surf Watching
Location:
This famous break has drawn surfers to Uluwatu long before Bali became the international destination that it has today. Surfers charge down the developed cliffside where others can pull up a chair and admire the waves from afar.
To get out and surf the break you can paddle your way out from the beach. The other option is to cut through a small cave at low tide and make your way from there. Even if you’re not surfing at an Uluwatu Beach, Suluban is a fun place to splash around in the water. Just watch out for the dangerous tides!
6. Nyang Nyang Beach
Getting There: Bumpy Dirt Road & Hike 20 Minutes Down the Mountain
Ease of Beach Access: Hard
Best For: Swimming & Beach Walks
Location:
The view from above Nyang Nyang beach will literally take your breath away. The massive green mountain rolls down the hillside and transform into a long stretch of perfect white sand.
This isn’t an Uluwatu beach that you can make a quick stop at, so you should plan for a full afternoon if you’re going to hike down. The path is old and worn, but below you should (almost) have the beach to yourself. Make sure to pack any water or snacks you need for your beach day!
We recommend at least two days to explore all the beaches in Uluwatu, and even that will feel very rushed! Have any questions about our Uluwatu beach guide or want to share your own favorites? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Helpful Indonesia Articles
Bali: Bali Warung – 20 Facts About Bali – Kecak Fire Show
Nusa Islands: Nusa Penida – Nusa Ceningan – Nusa Lembongan
Gili Islands: 20 Gili Islands Tips – Gili Islands Ferry – Gili Air – Bali to Gili T Ferry
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Where To Stay Around Uluwatu Bali
Ultra Luxury – Alila Villas Uluwatu – If you have some money to spend and want a taste of luxury near Uluwatu Temple, this is the spot for you! Most villas include private pools and incredible views of the ocean.
Fun Vacation – Village Bali – Add a fun twist to your Bali vacation with the fun and colorful decor. This hotel is located perfectly near Padang Padang beach.
Boutique Hotel – Hari Indah Boutique Hotel & Spa – Upscale bed and breakfast surrounded by a beautiful jungle setting. On site spa & restaurant, Bali decor, and a fun swimming pool!
Relaxing Stay – Davu Sundara Villa Uluwatu – A family run guesthouse with large rooms that overlook a lush jungle swimming pool. Quiet and relaxing area just outside of the main hustle of Uluwatu.
For more places to stay in Uluwatu Indonesia you can explore the latest prices here!
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Indonesia Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Singapore to Bali for $60 USD, and Bali to Surabaya for less than $40!
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: 12Go is where we look first in Asia for ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! From speed boats to the Gili Islands and bus transfers around the country.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Bali. We recommend taking a sunrise Mount Batur hike with breakfast, an authentic cooking class in a local village, and the Ubud waterfall tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
