What You Need To Know About Padang Padang Bali - The One with the steps and the Monkeys
Join us as we explore our way around Bali. Raising our vibration, decalcifying our pineal glands, opening our third eye... oh and discovering all the best beaches with our small family that decided to leave our old lives behind in search of a more fulfilled life. All the deep hard hitting subjects for another today. Today we're on the lookout for Bali's best beach.
We're a family of beach bums that loves a good beach. But we've been underwhelmed with some of the beaches in Bali. Fear not, we're finding THE Best that Bali has to offer (and she has plenty!). It's definitely not doom and gloom in that department!
We're currently living in the South of the island of Bali in the Uluwatu area, known for having some of the best beaches in Bali. Also known as The Bukit (the bottom bit of Bali), this area has some of the most rugged and beautiful beaches in Bali, with soft white sands and turquoise blue waters, amazing waves and stunning rugged cliffs. This part of Bali definitely has island vibes and we're sussing all the beaches as a family to give you the low down to hit that save button for your next trip to Bali.
Today we're at Padang Padang Bali Beach, Uluwatu area of Bali - specifically Pecatu. Known as Labuan Sait Beach by locals. Join us over on our YouTube channel to see the beauty of this beach.
Come with us as we head down the 120 steps to the amazing beach, Pantai Padang Padang. As we head down through the skinny dark cliff rocks to come out onto Padang Padang. A sheltered cove awaits. With beautiful soft white sand and gentle lapping waves along the shore line. Read on to find out everything that you must know about Padang Padang Beach Bali to make you next trip an unforgettable one.
Must Knows about Padang Padang (click to go to that section):
But before you do... check out our video to see just how beautiful Padang Padang really is.
Best Time To Visit Padang Padang Beach?
There is no “best time” to visit Padang Padang in terms of the time of year you visit. As Bali has year round sunshine. While the dry season will be a little cooler, it doesn’t rain all day in the wet season, and you can expect around 9 hours of sunshine a day. However, you do want to visit this beach at low tide as the tide is going out and then leave before high tide. This is because the unique hollow rock entrance of the cave here can be hard to access when the water levels are high. Every time we've visited we've been just fine and dandy.
Padang Padang Bali Opening Times
The beach opens at 7am and closes at 7pm. The beach is quite small so during busy times be prepared for someone to sit on your head. We're a family so need a family sized spot and struggled to get a spot at one time. Single towel people you're fine. We just need to get our big picnic blanket sized sheet out.
Is there an Entry Fee to get into Padang Padang Beach?
Yes. Padang Padang Bali is a pay in Beach. Entry costs Adults: 15,000 IDR Children: 10,000 IDR - and it's well worth it as the Beach is kept well. Bring cash as they don't accept card. Once you’ve paid, you can climb down the narrow staircase and make your way through the cave and onto the beach, which is exciting in itself.
There are Cliffside Steps to get down to Padang Padang
Getting to the beach is beautiful as you go down through rocks to open up to a beautiful island paradise beach. There are 120 steps to get down to Padang Padang Beach, but don't worry, even though this sounds a lot, it's a moderate and do-able descent (the ascent is harder of course - see my fat red face on the video when I thought the camera wasn't recording!!!) There are plenty of places to stop along the way up. Expect to get a little out of breath but nothing a few short sharp breaths in at the top won't sort. We've got an 8 year old and he was absolutely fine. You definitely wouldn't want to attempt this beach with a pram though. Unless you want to give Dad a pumping heart attack. Although this is something Si would do as he's never been out off from lugging a pram everywhere, determined that having kids won't stop us from doing anything. I don't recommend the pram though - this goes for all of Bali tbf.
What's the Sand Like at Pedang Pedang?
The sand is beautiful white soft sand. I'm not talking fine powdery white like Mexico or the Caribbean, Maldives, which is insane. But we are talking beautiful white soft sand that you come to expect in the Tropical island paradise south of Bali. Free of litter as this beach is a pay in beach and is kept clean and tidy.
Although because the bay is sheltered and the water calm, the water can bring in a fair bit of seaweed and debris. During Rainy Season, this can be quite dirty. We visited a few times in February and March 2024 and the water quality was poor. So much so we didn't go in. It was very disappointing and sad to see. Lot's of litter floating around, and because it was so calm, it was a little bit like a swamp where you brushed the litter to move past it. There was too much to pick out (which we always do as we LOVE our oceans). But when we visted Padang Padang in July and September 2024 (the other 2 times we visited, the water was clean and cold) completely different experience and a big thumbs up. I believe that the rainy season brings litter in from the ocean and the calmer bays bear the brunt. See more about this at the Water Quality section.
Can you get food and drinks on Padang Padang?
Yes. There are many sellers dotted around the edge of the beach selling Dingin Bintang (cold Beer), Klappa Dingin (cold coconut) and BBQ's corn, Satay which is really cheap. And there are Warungs set further back to take some shade.
Are there shops and Hire items at Padang Padang Beach?
Yes. Surf hire and water sports hire equipment.
Monkeys - Hati Hati
Yes. And they can be quite grabby. I've seen tourists stopping on the steps on the way down to the beach to take a photo only to get their sunglasses swiped from their head and then look shocked. These monkeys will steal to get a reward from you (food) to give you your stuff back. Not always - not like Monkey Forest in Ubud, but these guys are chancers. We stay well back and just get down the bloody steps. Monkeys are wild animals. We look. Dont touch. Top Tip: as the sun get's cooler later on, the monkeys come down from the cliff side. If you are sunbathing near the side. Move! The monkeys come onto the beach and pinch things from peoples bags or things just laying around on towels. The usual Bali dog will come to mans aid, and bark to scare the monkey's away, but the monkeys are wise to the dogs and just wait til the dogs are knackered and then commit their crimes in groups. Outsmarting mans best friend.
My advice, be away from the rocks so you can chill and watch others fall prey to these criminals. LOL. The kids find all this hilarious however. But as Mum, nurse, watcher, keeper of little humans I prefer to stay on the cautious side with these little crims. This is their beach and we are guests so let's remember that. They're still little turds though.
Water Quality + The waves are gentle but watch out.
Padang Padang bay is sheltered and the waves are calm, the coral-fringed beach is ideal for swimming as it forms a natural lagoon, meaning it's ideal for kids. There are a few rocks under foot but not so that you would need water shoes. The water is beautiful and cold and unlike many beaches in Bali you can fully get into the water and swim as the waves are gentle and break a way back. Which is beautifully refreshing. But be aware the odd wave can take you off guard for the very little ones. My 8 year old loves Padang Padang.
The water can bring in a fair bit of seaweed and debris even in dry season. Nothing terrible, but a bit of seaweed slapping around the legs and sea greenery stuck to the arm. During Rainy Season, however, we found the water to be quite dirty. We visited a few times in February and March 2024 and the water quality was poor. So much so we didn't go in. It was very disappointing and sad to see. Lot's of litter floating around, and because it was so calm, it was a little bit like a swamp where you brushed the litter to move past it. There was too much to pick out (which we always do as we LOVE our oceans). But when we visited Padang Padang in July and September 2024 (the other 2 times we visited, the water was clean and cold and very beautiful) a completely different experience and a big thumbs up.
I believe that the rainy season brings litter in from the ocean and the calmer bays bear the brunt.
Other Things You Should know about Padang Padang Beach Bali
It's not accessible for wheelchair users.
There are toilets and showers up the steps before the exit.
There is a sand wash off area at the exit of the beach before the steps for the feet. And sinks at the top to wash hands etc.
There are the usual sun umbrella's to hire. I don't think I saw sun loungers though. We don't ever get them as we like to earth and ground on the sand.
There is plenty of parking outside the beach.
There are lifeguards at Padang Padang Beach.
There are beach sellers selling the usual Bali made beach stuff. They are very nice and do not pester each time we've been we've noticed how much less pressured they are compared to other beaches (which is nice). They are locally made stuff thought and not imported China stuff, so it is good to support the local community by buying something whilst there.
The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang surf event is held at this beach, with world renowned surfers displaying their talents. It’s an amazing time to visit, although obviously very busy.
Final Tip with visiting Padang Padang with Kids: As well as the usual ice cream sellers on the beach, there is a Bali Blue ice cream and coffee bar opposite the beach entrance. So you can bribe the kids to leave the beach and walk the steps with an ice cream, if bribery is your thing, to get yourself an easy life. Bali Blue Ice Cream is up there with one of the best ice cream places in the whole of Bali so you won't be disappointed.
Final Final Tip with visiting Padang Padang for the adults: Turn left as you leave the beach and walk up the hill to discover Pecatu Village. Lot's of shops, bars and restaurants with a very cool decor and aesthetics. This is a tourist area so be prepared to pay tourist prices, although there are also some local warungs. We often visit Disco Pizza when we're with the kids for a good sour dough pizza with a disco vibe. And without kids, the world is your oyster. Lot's of beautiful people, doing beautiful things. We visited Ours - which is a visually beautiful restaurant perfect for couples and date nights when you just want a bit of kid free sophistication.
I hope you found this guide helpful. Save for your next visit. Don't forget to watch the video and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Bali life videos.
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