Nunggalan Beach: Discover Bali's Secret Shipwreck Paradise

Nunggalan is undoubtedly one of our favourite beaches in Bali—several kilometers of soft white sand and turquoise waters backed by foliage-covered limestone cliffs, a picturesque shipwreck, and hardly another person in sight.

However, with its remote location, a visit to Nunggalan Beach isn’t for the faint-hearted. The beach’s untouched natural beauty comes at a steep price. And by this, we mean a long steep trek down the cliff edge via a winding dirt path.

But if you are willing to make the journey, what awaits you is a serene tropical oasis that's perfect for a peaceful beach day in Uluwatu. Once you arrive at Nunggalan, you'll never want to leave - and not just because of the climb back up!

How To Get To Nunggalan Beach

Nunggalan Beach, or Pantai Nunggalan, is located on the southern coastline of Bali's Bukit Peninsula, close to Nyang Nyang Beach.

Despite spanning several kilometers along the coast, the beach's remote location at the bottom of the steep limestone cliffs means there is limited access.

To reach the beach, you'll need to park on the cliff top and walk down. There's a small parking area for bikes and cars at the top of the trekking path, opposite Villa Plenilunio. Parking costs 5,000 IDR for scooters and bikes or 10,000 IDR for cars.

Watch out for the monkeys who hang around the clifftop here. Don't leave anything loose in your bike such as water bottles - the monkeys are little thieves!

Hiking to Nunggalan Beach

From the parking area, walk past Villa Plenilunio and Villa Sol y Mar to join the path down to the beach.

The hike to Nunggalan Beach takes around 20 minutes on the way down and 30 minutes on the way back up.

The path to the beach is largely unpaved, with a mix of dirt track and uneven stone steps that wind their way down the cliff. Nunggalan is the most challenging beach to reach in Uluwatu, so we'd only recommend it for those with a moderate fitness and mobility level.

The route is mostly covered by rich jungle foliage, which helps shelter you from the sun and makes the journey a little more bearable. Although, this is prime mosquito territory, so make sure to wear plenty of bug repellant.

You can do the hike wearing flip-flops or sandals (we did!). Just be careful of loose rocks and slippery gravel surfaces.

The route is fairly obvious the entire way down, with a few signs along the way making sure you don't get lost.

Close to the end, you'll encounter a fork in the road with signs pointing in both directions. If you want to reach the part of the beach with the famous Nunggalan shipwreck, take the route to the right.

Climbing back up is pretty exhausting - I don't think we've ever sweated quite like that before!

Fortunately, there's a tiny shack halfway up selling coconuts and cold drinks, as well as a warung towards the top of the climb, giving you the chance to take a much-needed breather.

Nunggalan Beach Shipwreck

As you arrive on Nunggalan Beach, the first thing you'll notice is the colourful shipwreck in the sand close to the entrance. The wreck is so iconic that Nunggalan has even gained the nickname "shipwreck beach."

The wooden wreck, now a canvas for vibrant graffiti, stands in stark contrast to the golden sands behind, making a fantastic backdrop for photos.

Unsurprisingly, it's become a popular spot among photographers and Instagrammers in recent years.

At low tide, you can climb into the boat for some great photos - this looks especially cool from a drone! While at high tide, the waves crash right up against the shipwreck.

We couldn't find much information about the Nunggalan shipwreck itself or how long it's been around. Some older reviews say there used to be another section of the same boat on the beach, but this has since been washed out to sea.

Visitor Information

How Much Does it Cost?

What Are the Crowds Like?

Due to its remote location and the challenging trek down, Nunggalan is one of the quietest beaches in Uluwatu. You'll rarely find more than a handful of people enjoying the wide expanse of sand and sea.

The area closest to the beach entrance and the famous shipwreck is where most visitors stick to. This portion of the beach is where you'll find a few small shacks and sunbeds for rent.

But if you walk a little further east or west, you'll find yourself completely alone on the pristine sand, with nothing but the sound of waves crashing and the gentle ocean breeze. Perfect for those seeking a little solitude in the sun.

Can You Swim at Nunggalan Beach?

Yes, you can swim at Nunggalan Beach. But that doesn't mean that you should.

The waves and currents at Nunggalan vary greatly depending on the tide.

At low tide, you can paddle and soak in the water close to the shore. There are lots of rocks and reefs under the water here so we'd recommend using water shoes if you have them.

However, the waves and current can get particularly strong at high tide. Use common sense when deciding whether it's safe to go in the water or not.

Is It Good for Sunset?

Nunggalan isn't the best beach in Uluwatu to watch the sunset for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the beach is south-facing, while the sun sets in the west. You won't be able to watch the sun disappear over the horizon, but you will still see the sky filled with beautiful colours.

But the main reason Nunggalan isn't the best place for sunset is that you'll need to hike back up the cliff in the dark. Not the easiest experience.

Is it Good for Surfing or Water Sports?

The western side of Nunggalan Beach is a good place for surfing thanks to its large waves and right-hand reef break. The surf here is best suited for intermediate and advanced surfers and there are no surf schools in the area.

The main downside of surfing at Nunggalan Beach is that you'll need to carry your board up and down the cliff. There's nowhere to rent boards on the beach itself.

Nunggalan Beach Amenities

Cafes, Restaurants & Shops

We were pleasantly surprised to find that Nunggalan did have a few basic amenities along the beach.

You'll find a couple of beach shacks selling coconuts and cold drinks, as well as a small warung close to the beach entrance (here) serving a few local dishes.

However, these shacks don't have set times and aren't always guaranteed to be open. It's best to bring plenty of water and some snacks with you down to the beach in case they are shut during your visit.

Toilets & Showers

There are no toilet or shower facilities on Nunggalan Beach.

Although, there are more than enough hidden spots in the forest along the back of the beach if Mother Nature does call.

Sunbeds

There is not much natural shade along Nunggalan Beach itself. But there are a few sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent from local vendors.

These sunbeds are well spread out from each other along the beach, so you can still enjoy the peaceful and remote atmosphere.

We paid 100,000 IDR for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella for the full day (early 2024). The sunbeds were surprisingly some of the comfiest we've used in Uluwatu - so much so that Kieren napped his way through most of the afternoon!

During peak seasons, you'll want to arrive at the beach in the morning to guarantee a sunbed as they are very limited.

Beach Clubs

There are no beach clubs on Nunggalan Beach.

If you are looking for a luxurious beach club nearby, Oneeighty Dayclub sits on the clifftop around a 10-minute drive east from the Nunggalan's main parking area.