Beaches in Uluwatu, Bali: A Local Guide to the Best Uluwatu Beaches
- THE SPIRITUAL PUNK
- 1 hour ago
- 15 min read
Looking to find the best beaches in Uluwatu, Bali?
This post will help you find out everything you need to know about the Uluwatu beaches, from access and vibes, to swimming, surfing, sand quality and sunsets.
I live in Uluwatu, Bali, and I spend a lot of time at the beaches. I’ve visited all corners of Uluwatu and have swum, sunbathed, eaten, explored, and generally vibed my way around the beaches in Uluwatu. In this guide, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on each one.
By the end of this post, you’ll know:
where Uluwatu is
how to get to Uluwatu
which Uluwatu beaches are best for swimming
which beaches are best for surfing
which have the best sand
and which have the best overall vibe
This is the hero / main post about Uluwatu beaches. Each beach listed below will also have its own individual blog post and YouTube video, going into more detail and targeting each beach’s specific keywords. This post is part of our Travels so far section, where you can learn all about our time in Bali and also our travel to other places in South East Asia, like Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.
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And you know us, we're friends so let's jump right in to todays blog.
Watch the Video: Beaches in Uluwatu (Local Perspective)
I’ve also created a long-form YouTube video to go alongside this post, where I walk through the best beaches in Uluwatu with real footage and local context.
This post and the video are designed to work together:
The video shows you what the beaches look like
This blog post gives you the detail, access info, costs, and honest opinions
Table of Contents – Uluwatu Beaches Jump to a Beach: |
Who I Am (And Why This Guide Is Different)
I’m Psy, the Spiritual Punk. I write about spirituality, meditation, and my life in Bali as a digital nomad.
Together with my partner Fletch and our family, we sold everything and left the UK to search for a better life in Bali.
We now live in Uluwatu, in the southern part of the island, and spend a lot of time enjoying everything this area has to offer.
This post is based on actually living here, not a short holiday.
Where Is Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is in the very south of Bali, in an area known as the Bukit Peninsula. If you look at a map of Bali, you can see the small section on its own at the bottom — this is the Bukit. According to Lonely Planet’s guide to Uluwatu, the area is known for its dramatic cliffs, world-class surf breaks and some of the most iconic coastal views in Bali.
Technically, anything south of Jimbaran is part of the Bukit. Jimbaran itself is the narrow strip of land that connects the Bukit Peninsula to the rest of Bali.
Uluwatu isn’t actually a clearly defined town or region. So what is Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is more of a name given to the tourist and beach area on the south-west side of the Bukit Peninsula — an area famous for cliffs, surf breaks, dramatic coastline and, of course, beaches.
In reality, a lot of people (locals included) refer to most of the Bukit Peninsula as “Uluwatu”. For this post, I’m expanding the definition slightly so you don’t miss out on some incredible beaches that sit just outside the strict “Uluwatu” label.
How to Get to Uluwatu
If you’re travelling directly to Uluwatu from Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS), it’s relatively close — but journey time can vary wildly.
30 minutes on a good run
60–90+ minutes if traffic is bad
The slowest parts are usually:
the narrow strip behind Jimbaran Beach
roads near GWK Cultural Park
Ungasan, depending on your route
My best advice: expect traffic, don’t fight it, and settle in.
Getting to Uluwatu from the Airport (Grab / Gojek Tips)
Grab and Gojek work well both from the airport and around Uluwatu.
If you’re booking from the airport, I strongly recommend:
waiting until you’ve cleared immigration and customs
booking your Grab or Gojek inside the arrivals area
Once you exit customs, you’ll be approached by:
SIM sellers
eSIM sellers
local taxi drivers
Some drivers will act like they’re Grab or Gojek when they’re not. If you’ve booked in the app, head straight to the official Grab/Gojek pickup area (turn left as you exit the airport).
This area is calmer, shaded, and free from the chaos.The arrivals area used to be absolute madness — it’s much better now, but this still makes things easier.
What Are the Best Beaches in Uluwatu?
For this guide to the best beaches in Uluwatu, I’m keeping it simple.
I’ll start in the northern part of the Bukit Peninsula — the area most people associate with Uluwatu — and then work anti-clockwise around the coast.
This makes it easier to understand how the Uluwatu beaches connect geographically.
To make this easier, I’ve created a custom Google Map showing all of the Uluwatu beaches I talk about in this post. This is exactly how I navigate the area myself, and it’ll help you visualise where each beach is, how close they are to each other, and how to plan your days around them.
You can also open the full Uluwatu beaches map in Google Maps here.
Balangan Beach (Uluwatu)
Balangan Beach was the very first beach I ever visited in Uluwatu and honestly, I nearly never came back.
The first time I visited was years ago, arriving from Ubud during rainy season, it can be much worse for trash durning these months, so read my full post on rainy season in Bali. I’d left a cold, wet UK winter, spent two weeks in rainy-season Ubud, and was desperate for sun and sand.
When I arrived at Balangan that afternoon… it was a mess.The beach was full of trash — something that can happen during rainy season — and it was genuinely upsetting to see such a beautiful natural beach in that state.
Thankfully, I returned and I’m really glad I did.
Balangan is now one of my favourite beaches in Uluwatu.
It’s a big, wide, open beach with soft golden sand and loads of space. There are two main entrances on either side of the cliffs, both involving steps. Parking is cheap (just a few thousand IDR), and entrance is otherwise free.
I usually use the north entrance parking is easier and I prefer the sand at that end. The south side is more surf-focused.
At low tide, flat rocky platforms appear, creating rock pools that are great to sit in and explore. At high tide, waves can be powerful, so it’s something to be mindful of.
The beach is lined with local warungs and beach bars, many of which also offer surf lessons. My go-to is the Coconut Shack — rustic, relaxed, cold Bintangs, great milkshakes for the kids.
Balangan is north-facing, which means it gets an excellent sunset. Fires on the beach, good vibes, and a great end-of-day atmosphere.
Just remember: there’s no lighting on the steps back up, so keep some battery on your phone. Mobile signal is also patchy so head into a warung for signal if you need it.
The surf vibes are hight at Balangan and although I'm not a surfer, I love to chill and watch the amazing surfers out at sea.
If you’re keen to try surfing in Uluwatu but don’t want to jump straight into the deep end on your own, there are some solid beginner-friendly options nearby. You can book Uluwatu surf lessons here, which include local instructors who understand the conditions around Balangan and the wider Bukit Peninsula.
Dreamland Beach (Uluwatu)
Dreamland Beach is another of my favourite Uluwatu beaches and one of the easiest to access. Read my full post on Dreamland Beach.
Thanks to nearby golf courses and resorts, the road down is one of the widest and smoothest in Uluwatu.
It even has pavements and grassy verges, which makes it popular with walkers and joggers in the cooler parts of the day.
You’ll likely turn off the busy Jimbaran–Uluwatu road at the giant golf ball, then follow the winding road down. On clear days, you can see volcanoes in the distance — which never gets old.
There are two entrances. I prefer parking near the Wyndham Hotel — it’s easier. If you’re arriving by Grab or Gojek, get dropped at the Wyndham and walk down to avoid parking fees.
Parking here is cheap at 5,000 IDR per bike
5,000 IDR ≈ £0.22 GBP / $0.30 USD / €0.25 EUR / $0.43 AUD
The sand here is soft, pale, and sandy all the way into the sea, though waves can be strong. Getting “totalled” by the waves here is almost a rite of passage and we've spent hours watching people get caught out by the waves. But, They've got me too.......
I’ve lost sunglasses. Expensive ones. Karma is real.
Sunsets at Dreamland are incredible, and the crowd shifts as the day goes on, some leave, others arrive just for sunset. Influencers, surfers, families, locals — it’s always an eclectic mix.
Bingin Beach
I’m not going into full detail on Bingin Beach here, because there’s been a huge amount happening recently.
Large sections of the beachfront — including homestays, warungs and businesses — have been demolished due to permit and land issues. It’s incredibly sad, and a lot of people have lost homes and livelihoods.
Until things settle and it’s clearer what Bingin will look like going forward, I’ll update this section later.
Padang Padang Beach (Uluwatu)
Padang Padang Beach is a little more difficult to access, but I don’t mind a challenge. It’s one of the most famous Uluwatu beaches and is accessed directly from the main road that runs through Pecatu Village.
There’s a car park at the top of the cliffs, just near Bali Blue Espresso & Gelato, which is actually a really handy stop if you want a coffee or an ice cream before or after the beach. Parking here is cheap at 2,000 IDR per bike, which is pretty standard for this part of Bali.
2,000 IDR ≈ £0.09 GBP / $0.12 USD / €0.10 EUR / $0.17 AUD
There’s also a small entrance fee to access Padang Padang Beach. The last time I visited it was 15,000 IDR per adult and 10,000 IDR for children, so not expensive at all.
15,000 IDR ≈ £0.68 GBP / $0.90 USD / €0.77 EUR / $1.28 AUD
10,000 IDR ≈ £0.46 GBP / $0.60 USD / €0.51 EUR / $0.85 AUD
Once you’ve paid, you head down a series of steps carved directly into the cliff face. This entrance is part of what makes Padang Padang so iconic, but it’s also worth knowing that this is full-on monkey territory.
And when I say monkeys, I don’t mean cute background wildlife. These monkeys are professional thieves. I’ve personally seen them swipe sunglasses, and there are plenty of videos online of them stealing phones. So please, don’t take this lightly — keep your belongings close and your awareness switched on.
The beach itself is quite small and, because of its fame, it gets very, very busy. Even if you arrive early, you’ll still be sitting pretty close to other people. If you’re someone who loves space, peace, and stretching out on the sand, then Padang Padang probably isn’t going to be your favourite beach in Uluwatu.
I always liken Padang Padang to a busy Mediterranean beach. If you’ve ever been to Ibiza or similar places in Europe during peak season, you’ll know exactly what I mean — towels close together, lots of people, lots going on. Some people love that vibe, others really don’t.
Around the back and sides of Padang Padang Beach there are small local sellers, so you can grab simple snacks, cold drinks, and ice creams. Nothing fancy, but handy if you’re there for a while and don’t want to trek back up the steps.
The sand itself is nice enough, but it does have quite a lot of small rocks and stones mixed in, and when you get into the sea, it’s much the same. I’m going to be honest here — I don’t find the water particularly nice at Padang Padang. Swimming isn’t great, and because it’s a small cove, it tends to catch trash, especially at certain times of year. Like rainy season in Bali, which I covered in a detailed post.
For that reason, if you’re looking for a beach where you can really relax, swim comfortably, or you’re travelling with kids (like I often am), then I don’t think Padang Padang is the best choice — especially when there are so many other beaches in Uluwatu that offer a much better experience.
There is a slightly smaller cove further around the coastline that you can reach at lower tide, either by walking around or carefully clambering over some rocks. It’s a bit quieter, but still very much part of the same environment.
One tip I always give is to visit Padang Padang either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The beach does quieten down a lot as the day ends. There’s no real sunset here, as the sun drops behind the cliffs, but the vibe becomes more chilled and relaxed as the light fades.
As the beach empties, the monkeys also start getting braver and will sometimes wander right down onto the sand, so again — keep an eye on your stuff.
And finally, don’t forget: you have to climb all those steps back up. Save a bit of energy for the exit. When you’re standing on the beach and look back, you can see the bridge crossing the top of the cove — that’s the road you’ll be driving on as you continue along the coast to the next Uluwatu beach.
Thomas Beach (Uluwatu)
Carrying on further along the coastline, you’ll come to Thomas Beach, which is one of the more lesser-known beaches in Uluwatu. Because of that, it’s generally much quieter — and for a lot of people, that’s the main appeal.
To access Thomas Beach, you’ll turn off the main road at Suka Espresso — which, by the way, is a great coffee stop and well worth a visit. From there, you’ll follow a track-style road. This part is accessible by walking or moped, but if you’re driving a car or arriving by taxi, you’ll need to walk this section.
The walk takes you through a bit of woodland and jungle, so it’s worth bearing in mind that it can be hot and buggy, especially during the middle of the day. You’ll also need to walk down a set of steps to reach the beach. None of this route is lit, so remember that whatever you walk down, you’ll need to walk back up — and it can get very dark at night.
The good news is that entrance and parking are both free at Thomas Beach.
The beach itself is a narrow strip of sand, and it’s not as built up as many other Uluwatu beaches. There are a few simple shacks at one end, plus sunbeds available to hire, but overall it feels much more low-key and relaxed.
The sand here is nice, though not the best you’ll find in Uluwatu. The water is generally calm and clear, but in my experience it can be a bit seaweedy and does sometimes collect small bits of plastic. I’ve had more than one swim where I’ve ended up pulling seaweed and bits of plastic off myself, which isn’t exactly ideal.
The beach is lined with trees, which provide some shade, but it’s also where the bugs tend to hang out. I find it can get a bit buggy the closer you are to the trees, so that’s just something to be aware of.
Overall, though, the vibe at Thomas Beach is good. It’s much more chilled than the more famous Uluwatu beaches, and if you’re looking for somewhere quieter, slower, and less intense, it’s a solid option.
Uluwatu Beach / Suluban Beach
This is one of the most iconic views in Uluwatu, and probably even in all of Bali. Suluban Beach, often referred to as Uluwatu Beach, is instantly recognisable and sits right beneath the famous Uluwatu cliffs.
From Thomas Beach, it’s a short drive on, passing through an area packed with shops, bars, and restaurants. This is one of the main nightlife areas in Uluwatu, so it can get very busy, especially in the evenings.
You’ll turn off the main road and head down to the parking area. Parking here is charged — usually around 5,000 IDR, although I’ve also been charged 2,000 IDR, so it’s not always consistent. (see earlier conversions for amounts in yor local currency).
The parking area itself gets extremely busy, and if you’re on a moped, be prepared to squeeze into tight spaces and possibly lift your bike to get it back out again.
Once parked, you’ll need to walk down around 100 steps to reach the beach area. These steps wind through bars, restaurants, and shops, which can be confusing and crowded, especially later in the day. As you get closer to the beach, the steps can also become quite slippery.
At the bottom, you’re greeted with the famous cliff-lined cove. At high tide, this is pretty much as far as you can go — the waves crash straight into the rocks, and it’s incredibly dramatic and powerful to watch. At low tide, you can walk around and through the cave to reach sandy sections, but timing here is everything.
For me, Suluban isn’t really a beach where you go to hang out for hours. It’s more of a place you visit to experience the raw power of the ocean and take in the natural beauty of Uluwatu’s coastline.
The space here is limited, so it can feel crowded very quickly, with people trying to get that iconic shot for Instagram. Because of this, I always recommend visiting very early in the day if you want to enjoy it without the chaos.
It’s intense, dramatic, and absolutely stunning — but it’s not somewhere I’d choose for a long, relaxing beach day.
Final Thoughts on the Beaches in Uluwatu
Uluwatu really is a special place, and for me, the beaches in Uluwatu are a huge part of what makes it so unique. From wide, open stretches of sand like Balangan, to dramatic cliff-backed coves like Suluban, every beach here has its own personality, its own vibe, and its own pros and cons.
That’s the thing I always try to be honest about when talking about Uluwatu beaches — there isn’t one “best” beach. It completely depends on what you’re looking for. Some beaches are perfect for sunsets, some are better for surfing, some are great for swimming, and others are more about the experience, the views, and just feeling the power of the ocean.
Living here has given me the chance to explore these beaches properly, not just turning up once for a photo, but coming back at different times of day, in different seasons, with kids, on my own, or just to sit and watch the world go by. And that’s why I wanted this post to be a proper, honest overview of the best beaches in Uluwatu, not just a highlight reel.
This post is the main hub, but I’ll also be going much deeper into each individual beach in separate posts and videos, so if one of these beaches really caught your attention, make sure you check those out as well. And if you want to see these Uluwatu beaches for real, the accompanying YouTube video walks you through them visually, which always helps bring them to life.
Whether you’re planning a short visit or thinking about spending longer in Bali, I hope this guide helps you choose the right beaches for your version of Uluwatu and maybe even encourages you to explore a few that you might have otherwise skipped.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up finding your own favourite spot… and then keep going back to it again and again.
I hoped this post helped you.
Let me know in the comments below if you liked this post or if it helped you in your own journey. I hope it's inspired you to find out everything you need to know about the Uluwatu beaches — from access and vibes, to swimming, surfing, sand quality and sunsets.
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