12 Beautiful Beaches in Uluwatu You Need To Visit

Sitting at the southern tip of Bali on the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is famous for its unparalleled natural beauty. Dramatic cliffs plunge into vibrant turquoise waters, while world-class waves crash against the shore and a selection of hidden coves and pristine white sand beaches dot the coastline.

Uluwatu's beaches are undoubtedly some of the best in Bali. Whether you want to lounge around at a high-end beach club, hike to a secluded bay, or spend a day conquering the waves, it's the ultimate destination for every style of beachgoer.

After two years in Bali, we've spent our fair share of time soaking up the sun on Uluwatu's many beaches. And after finally making our way around them all, we've narrowed down our top picks. These are the 12 best beaches in Uluwatu to add to your Bali bucket list!

Best Beaches in Uluwatu: Overview

1. Melasti Beach

Melasti is a well-developed stretch of soft white sand beach that spans over 2km along the southernmost point of Bali.

The large beach is one of the most accessible in the region. It's easy to reach by car via a well-maintained road and has plenty of parking right next to the sand.

Melasti Beach has some of the calmest water on the Bukit Peninsula, making it a safe option for families. There's plenty of room to paddle and swim in the shallow blue waters between the sand and the breaking waves at high tide.

Toilets, showers, and changing rooms are available for a small donation. There’s a mix of small beachside warungs and large beach clubs spanning along the coast.

The ease of access and great facilities mean that Melasti is one of the most popular beaches in Uluwatu. It can get super busy during peak periods. However, there’s more than enough room along the spacious beach for everyone to spread out and not feel overly crowded.

2. Nunggalan Beach

Nunggalan Beach offers a stark contrast to nearby Melasti, with its untouched natural beauty, limited facilities, and just a handful of beachgoers sharing the long stretch of pristine white sand.

Sounds idyllic right... so what's the catch?

Nunggalan Beach is only accessible by a long steep trek down the surrounding cliffs, making it one of Uluwatu's hardest-to-reach beaches.

From the small parking area at the top, you'll need to make your way down a winding dirt path through the foliage-filled cliffside for 20-30 minutes to reach the beach.

It's definitely not for the fainthearted.

But once you've made the journey, Nunggalan offers a serene natural paradise, with soft white sand and turquoise waters backed by towering limestone cliffs.

A few tiny shacks offer cold drinks along the beach, while a handful of well-spaced sunbeds and umbrellas are also available to rent.

With hardly another person around, Nunggalan offers a sense of seclusion and tranquility that's hard to find on most beaches in Bali. It's the perfect spot for spending the day lounging in the sun in peace.

Plus don't miss the beach's most famous landmark - the vibrant graffiti-covered shipwreck that you can climb into for some fun photos at low tide!

3. Nyang Nyang Beach

Right next door to Nunggalan, Nyang Nyang is another beautiful beach that remains largely untouched, other than a small shack or two. The two beaches lead on from one another, but it's quite a walk and you can only pass between them at low tide.

Much like its neighbour, the dreamy natural oasis is hidden below the towering cliffs and can only be reached via a steep winding path. But unlike Nunggalan, the cliffside path to Nyang Nyang is accessible by motorbikes (not cars).

However, the small road is steep and dangerous, with sudden winding turns. It's only suitable for experienced riders.

For most people, it's best to park on top of the cliff and make the 15 minute walk down. During busier periods, you'll sometimes find locals offering bike transfers up and down the cliff for a small fee.

The beach has a long stretch of golden sand with just a couple of small warungs selling cold drinks. There's plenty of room to spread out and feel like you have an entire private beach to yourselves.

At high tide, the waves are strong so it is best to avoid the water. At low tide, the reef is largely exposed and you can just about soak in the shallow pools.

At the far end of Nyang Nyang, you'll find the Bubble Hotel, a unique beachfront glamping site and one of the coolest places we've stayed in Bali!

4. Uluwatu Beach/Suluban Beach

Uluwatu Beach is a small sandy beach sheltered by tall limestone rocks in the heart of Uluwatu. While the beach may seem secluded, it actually sits just below several popular bars and restaurants, including Single Fins and the unusual Delphi's Warung and pool club.

You'll need to climb down a short but steep staircase into the small sheltered bay to reach the beach. At low tide, another secret beach can be accessed by wading through a sea cave, also known as Suluban Beach.

While certainly picturesque, these two small beaches have become increasingly popular in recent years.

During peak times, you'll often need to fight your way past tour groups and Instagram photoshoots to enter Uluwatu Beach. Suluban is usually slightly quieter, but still not particularly peaceful.

That's not to say they're not worth visiting. If you're an avid surfer, Uluwatu and Suluban are where you'll find one of the best surf breaks in Uluwatu. And even if you don't surf, you can sit on the small patch of sandy beach and watch the many talented surfers out at sea.

5. Dreamland Beach

Dreamland is another of the most popular beaches in Uluwatu, sitting on the peninsula's west coast. It's easily accessible, with scooter parking just a few metres from the sand and car parking a short walk away.

The sandy beach is well-equipped for tourists, with toilets, showers, shops, sunbeds, and a large local eatery with beach seating.

Just above the beach, you'll also find Klapa Beach Club, one of the region's more laid-back beach clubs with a large infinity pool overlooking the bay.

With its gentle waves and sandy bottom, Dreamland is one of the best beaches for beginner surfers. A couple of surf schools along the beach offer lessons and rental.

Far from a hidden gem, Dreamland has a lively atmosphere throughout the day. Most visitors tend to congregate near the entrance where the beach is wider and most facilities are. But if you walk further along the beach, there is space for a more peaceful experience.

Being entirely west-facing, Dreamland is one of the best Uluwatu beaches for watching the sunset over the ocean each evening. Many people climb up the neighbouring cliff (known as Dreamland Cliff) for sunset. But we prefer to grab a drink from the restaurant at the back of the beach.

6. Balangan Beach

Balangan is one of the most northerly beaches on the Bukit Peninsula, straddling the border between Uluwatu and Jimbaran. If you're visiting from the popular resort towns of Kuta or Seminyak, it's one of the quickest beaches to reach.

Remaining somewhat of a hidden gem, Balangan tends to be much quieter than other spots nearby, making it one of our favorite beaches in Uluwatu for a chilled day out with friends.

The stunning soft sand beach is yet to see the same rise in development as much of the Uluwatu region, with only a few small rustic cafes and surf schools lining the back of the beach.

At the far end is a large cliff that's popular for photoshoots and a great vantage point for sunset.

Balangan isn't ideal for swimming due to the exposed reef close to the shore. But at high tide, it is a fantastic surf spot, with waves suitable for beginners and more advanced surfers.

Multiple surf schools along the beach offer affordable beginner lessons.

The beach is easy to access, with two parking areas just a short distance from the sand. It doesn't matter which one you park in.

7. Bingin Beach

Bingin Beach is a laid-back sandy beach sitting below a towering cliff in west Uluwatu. To access the beach, you'll need to walk down almost 200 steep and uneven concrete steps, meaning it's unsuitable for those with mobility issues.

At low tide, there's a lovely stretch of soft white sand to enjoy. There are no sun loungers on the beach, so most people just lay down a towel on the sand. A few local women rent out parasols for protection from the intense midday sun. You can grab a beer or a coconut from one of the small warungs.

At high tide, Bingin becomes one of the narrowest beaches in Uluwatu, with only a small slither of sand left. At this point, it's best to jump into one of the many cafes and restaurants lining the back of the small beach.

Bingin is a popular hangout spot among Uluwatu's surf crowd, with waves suitable for both beginner and more experienced surfers. Board rental and surf lessons are available on the beach.

Our favouite time to visit Bingin is in the late afternoon or evening to grab dinner or a drink on the beach.

Several beachfront restaurants set up tables and chairs right on the sand. You can enjoy a seafood BBQ with the sea washing beneath your feet and the colours of the sunset in the sky. But don't wait until it's too dark to tackle the steep walk back up the cliff!

8. Pandawa Beach

Sitting along the south coast between Uluwatu to the west and Nusa Dua to the east, Pandawa is another of the most accessible and well-equipt beaches on the Bukit Peninsula. It's the perfect spot for a hassle-free beach day with kids or those with mobility issues.

The sandy beach has plenty of fantastic facilities, including numerous restaurants, shops, and showers lining the back of the beach and a seemingly never-ending row of sun loungers on the sand.

The beach is popular among Indonesians, so you can expect many smaller local warungs and cafes. But if you are looking for something more modern and luxurious, Roosterfish and Timbis Beach Club are good choices.

Pandawa is a fantastic spot for swimming in the calm turquoise waters. It's also one of the only beaches in the region where you can rent kayaks to head out onto the ocean.

Despite its popularity with families and larger groups, the 800m long beach is big enough to accommodate everyone, so it rarely feels overcrowded.

The western side of the beach is where most of the facilities are. Or for a slightly quieter experience, head to the eastern side near Oka Warung.

In the parking area, you'll find a local vendor renting bicycles and children's ride-ons. Pandawa is connected to nearby Timbis Beach and Batu Barak Beach by a modern coastal road, so there's plenty of space to explore.

9. Green Bowl Beach

Green Bowl is a tiny hidden bay nestled under the cliffs between Melasti and Pandawa on the peninsula's southern coast.

At just 50 meters in length, the small crescent-shaped patch of white sand feels like a secluded island paradise. Espcially with only a handful of beachgoers ever there at one time.

To reach the beach, you must climb 320 steep steps for around 5-10 minutes. The concrete staircase is well-maintained and sheltered by trees, so the walk down isn't too challenging as long as you have a good level of fitness.

There are no facilities on the beach, so you'll need to come prepared with a beach towel and water at a minimum. If the heat starts to become too much, there are a couple of caves in the cliffside where you can shelter from the sun.

Two small warungs sit in the car park so you can grab some drinks and snacks and use the toilet before heading down to the beach.

Local ladies sometimes sell coconuts and drinks down on the beach, but their persistent and rude sales tactics put us off.

Green Bowl is a popular surf spot among more experienced surfers. The waves are strong, fast, reliable, and big. And you'll only have to share them with a couple of other people. Just keep in mind that you'll need to carry your board down.

10. Gunung Payung Beach

Gunung Payung Beach is another beautiful white sand beach along the peninsula's southern coast. It has the allure of a peaceful secluded beach like Green Bowl, but with enough modern amenities for a more comfortable visit.

The small bay is best known for the several caves that punctuate the cliffs at the rear of the beach, including the largest cave which makes a great photo spot! The sand is soft and white and the clear water is calm enough to swim.

Despite being a more natural and secluded beach, there are still some good amenities at Gunung Payung. A vendor offers a handful of sunbeds, parasols, and kayak rental in one area.

There's also a large warung just above the beach serving a basic menu of drinks and local dishes. A toilet is available here.

To get to Gunung Payung Beach, you'll need to park in the clifftop parking area then walk down 280 steps for around 10 minutes. The route leads through an unusual cliffside ampitheatre which appears to be abandoned.

Recently, the beach started running a shuttle service that takes you down a private road to the warung just above the bay. From here, there are only 50 steps down to the beach. The shuttle doesn't have a set schedule and costs 25,000 IDR for a return journey.

11. Padang Padang Beach

Once a filming location in Julia Roberts' iconic movie Eat Pray Love, Padang Padang is one of Uluwatu’s most popular and beloved beaches. However, we also think it's one of the most overrated, which is why we've left it towards the end.

The small golden sand beach is backed by lush greenery, while the shoreline leads out to some unique rock formations in the water. The sea has a sandy bottom and moderate waves which are good for swimming.

Plus a little further offshore you'll find one of the most famous surf breaks in Bali, known as the “Balinese Pipeline.”

The beach is easy to reach, with parking just off the main road and 120 steps that lead down through the cliffside. There are plenty of facilities, including toilets, showers, warungs, food and drink vendors, and even market stalls.

So what's the downside?

Unfortunately, Padang Padang has become a victim of its own popularity in recent years.

The beach is considerably smaller than others nearby and can get easily overcrowded. The last time we visited, there was hardly any room left to lay down a towel on the sand.

You'll also need to be careful of the resident monkey population who have gained a reputation for stealing bags and sunglasses.

If you surf or are a huge Eat Pray Love fan, Padang Padang is worth a brief visit. But if you're looking for a peaceful beach to spend the day relaxing in the sun, we'd suggest heading elsewhere.

12. Thomas Beach

Thomas Beach is often overlooked in favour of its two more famous neighbours, Padang Padang and Suluban/Uluwatu Beach. But if you'd rather avoid the crowds, it's a good alternative with more space and far fewer people.

The beach is long and narrow, with a line of sun loungers taking up most of the space on the sand at high tide.

If you don’t want to pay for a sunbed, you can always walk a little further down the beach where there’s more space and it feels more natural.

A number of cafes and small local vendors line the back of the beach, serving cold drinks and basic local dishes like nasi goreng. Just don't expect anything particularly extravagant.

The cliff leading down to the beach is fairly gradual, with a moderate 5 minute walk down 130 steps. There's no entry fee or parking charge to visit Thomas Beach, making it one of the cheapest options on the peninsula.

At high tide, it's possible to take a dip in the shallow waters. A little further out you can also surf, with a couple of surf schools on the beach offering board rental and classes for beginners. However, it's not a hugely popular surfing destination as it's sandwiched between two of southern Bali's most renowned surf spots.

Thomas Beach may not take the title for prettiest, most accessible, or best surf beach in Uluwatu, but it is a cheap and cheerful alternative for a quiet day enjoying the Bali sun.