Pandawa Beach in Bali – Local Guide to One of Bali’s Most Underrated Beaches
- THE SPIRITUAL PUNK
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Do you want to know everything about Pandawa Beach, then you’re in the right place.
I live in Uluwatu, Bali and spend a lot of time visiting beaches across Uluwatu and the wider south of the island. In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about Pandawa Beach in Bali, along with some local tips that will help you work out whether this is the right beach for you.
This post is part of our Travel section, where we look at Bali, The beaches like Dreamland beach and the Best things to do in Uluwatu.
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Pandawa Beach is a huge, open stretch of sand on the south coast of Bali. While it’s not technically an Uluwatu beach, it’s very often mentioned alongside places like Dreamland Beach and Balangan Beach because of its dramatic limestone cliffs and its position right at the bottom of the Bukit Peninsula.
Compared to some of the more famous Uluwatu beaches, Pandawa feels a bit more relaxed, a bit more local, and far less hectic, which is exactly why we like it.
Pandawa Beach is also known locally as Pantai Pandawa.
Pandawa Beach – Quick Guide |
Pandawa Beach in Bali – Full Video Guide
If you prefer to see what Pandawa Beach in Bali is really like, I’ve put together a full video guide walking you through the beach, how to get there, what it’s actually like on the ground, and a couple of nearby spots that most people miss.
I live in Uluwatu and visit these beaches regularly, so this isn’t a highlight reel, it’s a proper look at Pandawa Beach, including the busy bits, the quieter areas, the swimming conditions, the surf, and whether it’s actually worth adding to your Bali itinerary.
In the video, I also show:
The main Pandawa Beach entrance road through the cliffs
What the beach feels like when it’s busy vs quiet
Where to walk if you want more space
How Pandawa compares to nearby beaches like Timbis
👉 Watch the full Pandawa Beach video below:
If you’re planning a visit, I’d really recommend watching the video alongside this guide — the two work together and should give you a much clearer idea of whether Pandawa Beach is right for you.
Pandawa Beach Location (How to Get There)
Pandawa Beach is still one of those beaches that feels a bit like a hidden gem. It’s well known by locals, people who live in the area, and travellers who like to dig a little deeper.... But it’s often missed by people visiting Bali for the first time.
Pandawa Beach is often mentioned alongside other famous beaches on Bali’s southern coast, and the Bukit Peninsula regularly features in guides from Indonesia’s official tourism site, Wonderful Indonesia, which highlights the area as one of Bali’s standout coastal regions.
Pandawa Beach in Bali is located right at the bottom of the Bukit Peninsula, the section of land that sticks out at the very southern tip of the island and almost feels like a separate place altogether.
Pandawa Beach used to be quite hard to get to, but that’s changed a lot in recent years. Two access roads have now been carved directly through the limestone cliffs that line this part of the coast, making it surprisingly easy to reach.
Once you’re in the southern Bukit area, you’ll be driving along the main road that runs inland but parallel to the coast toward Nusa Dua. This road is mostly dual carriageway and is actually pretty calm to drive or ride on, especially compared to some of the chaos you get elsewhere in Uluwatu.
Tanah Barak Entrance
There’s a turn-off for the Tanah Barak entrance, which takes you down some winding back roads before dropping through a dramatic cliff cutting. This road has become one of the most photographed spots in Bali and has gone pretty viral online.
Unfortunately, it does occasionally close due to landslides or safety checks and, of course, it was closed on the day we went. Typical.
Access here can change quickly depending on conditions, so it’s worth checking locally before you go. As soon as it reopens, I’ll be back down with more footage.
Main Pandawa Beach Entrance
The main entrance is far more reliable. You turn off the main road at an actual roundabout (which feels oddly luxurious for south Bali), then follow a wide, well-maintained road down through the cliffs to the ticket office and main parking area.
The road itself is carved through the limestone and gives you some great views out toward the sea as you descend.
Interesting Bali Fact
Pandawa Beach gets its name from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. As you enter through the main entrance, you’ll pass six large statues carved into the cliff face.
These represent the five Pandava brothers and their mother, Kunti. In order, you’ll see: Kunti, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva.
They add a lot of drama to the approach and are a pretty cool introduction to the beach.
Costs at Pandawa Beach (Parking, Sunbeds & Food)
There is an entrance fee for Pandawa Beach, but the ticket also gives you access to two nearby beaches; Timbis Beach to the east and Tanah Barak Beach to the west and includes parking.
Entry fees:
Adults: 15,000 IDR
Children: 10,000 IDR
IDR Amount | USD (≈) | GBP (≈) | EUR (≈) | AUD (≈) |
IDR 15,000 | ~$1.00 | ~£0.78 | ~€0.93 | ~A$1.45 |
IDR 10,000 | ~$0.67 | ~£0.52 | ~€0.62 | ~A$0.97 |
There’s plenty of parking near the beach, and finding a space is usually easy, although it can feel busy with families and tour groups moving around the car park.
As you walk down toward the beach, you’ll pass a row of souvenir shops and small stores selling drinks and snacks. Prices are a bit higher than the supermarket, but still reasonable.
Once on the beach, you’ll find sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, plus kayaks and bicycles if you want to do something more active.
Food-wise, Pandawa Beach has loads of choice. The beachfront is lined with small local warungs serving Indonesian food at very reasonable prices. There are also a couple of larger places and Roosterfish Beach Club if you want something a bit more polished.
Local tip:If you arrive by Grab or Gojek, you can get dropped off at the beach — but you can’t get picked up there. You’ll need to walk back up to the ticket office for your return ride, which can be a bit of a pain after a long day.
What to Expect When You Arrive at Pandawa Beach
When you first arrive at Pandawa Beach, especially around the car park, it can feel quite busy.
This is because Pandawa is very popular with local families and Indonesian tour groups, so there are often coaches and big groups around.
But that feeling disappears pretty quickly.
As soon as you step onto the beach, you realise just how much space there is. Pandawa Beach is long, wide, and open, so even on busy days it never really feels overcrowded. If the central area feels lively, you can just walk a little further along the beach and find somewhere much quieter.
You might also get asked for a photo by locals. I always do. I’m blaming the hair and tattoos. It’s usually friendly, and more often than not it turns into a chat about football or music once they find out I’m from Manchester.
Pandawa Beach Sand, Sea & Swimming
Pandawa Beach is a really nice-looking beach. The sand is pale, soft, and comfortable to walk on, while still firm enough underfoot.
There isn’t much natural shade here, so if you’re planning to stay for a while, you’ll want to rent an umbrella, sit at a warung, or take breaks near the cliffs.
The sea at Pandawa Beach in Bali is generally clear and much calmer than beaches like Dreamland or Balangan. That makes it popular for swimming, although the water does get deep fairly quickly and there can be some current.
The seabed is mostly sandy with a few smooth rocky patches. There are usually flags marking no-swim areas, they’re there for a reason, even if they don’t always seem strictly enforced.
Pandawa Beach Surf – What You Need to Know
Pandawa Beach isn’t one of Uluwatu’s heavy surf spots, and that’s exactly why it works for a lot of people.
The waves here are generally smaller and more forgiving, making Pandawa Beach surf a good option for beginners and early-intermediate surfers. On calmer days, the waves are soft and easy to read, which is why you’ll often see surf lessons running along the beach.
There is reef beneath the surface in places and the odd current, so it’s not completely risk-free, but compared to most of the Bukit coastline, Pandawa feels friendly rather than intimidating.
Timbis Beach & Nearby Beaches
If Pandawa Beach feels a little developed for your taste, I really recommend heading east along the coast to Timbis Beach.
It’s about a 10–15 minute walk or a very short drive along a cliff-cut road. You can walk most of the way on the paved path, then continue along the sand at low tide around small inlets and rock pools.
Timbis Beach is smaller, quieter, and far more laid back. There’s loads more space, fewer people, and a much more natural feel. There is Timbis Beach Club, but it’s nothing like the big commercial beach clubs you find elsewhere in Bali.
We usually end up at Timbis, just because we like more natural rustic kind of a vibe to the beach.
Final Thoughts – Is Pandawa Beach Worth Visiting?
Pandawa Beach might not be the wildest or most dramatic beach in Bali, but it’s easy to get to, spacious, good for swimming, and beginner-friendly for surf.
If you’re staying in the south of the island or exploring the Bukit Peninsula, Pandawa Beach is definitely worth visiting, especially if you want a beach that still feels relatively local and gives you room to breathe.
And if you’re willing to explore a little beyond the main area, Pandawa and Timbis together make for one of the most underrated beach spots in Bali.
Want to know more aboit Bali and Uluwatu ? Checkout our post on another favourite beach Dreamland Beach, prefer to spend your day shopping, read all about the local artisan market in Uluwatu at Hatch
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 head out and Tray Pandawa beach, or to head off the beaten track a little in your time in Bali.
Have you been to Pandawa, I'd love to hear what you think ? Let me know what your favorite beach in Bali is in the comments.
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