Uluwatu beaches are known for their white sand, blue waves, impressive sea cliffs, perfect sunsets, and top quality surfing. This area of Bali has some of the best beaches on the whole island.
The only place in Bali where you might find nicer beaches is in Nusa Penida, but Uluwatu has the advantage of being easier to reach and having more clubs and hotels, and better infrastructure.
Without further ado, here’s our complete list of the best beaches in Uluwatu, Bali!
Here’s a map of Uluwatu beaches you can use to plan your Bali trip.
You can click the icons to get more info and directions for each point of interest, but keep in mind some of the locations on this map may be approximate.
1. Bingin Beach
Bingin Beach is great for sunsets, surfing, and seafood barbecues in the evenings.
The coast here is super photogenic thanks to the big tropical boulders and algae covered rocks. There are surf camps and rentals right on the beach if you want to do surf lessons, and it’s generally known as one of the best surf spots in Bali.
Hotels and restaurants are starting to spring up as well, so you can stay and enjoy the beach longer. Villas like Kerang Bingin and Inn Possible Cliff House give you beautiful ocean views and direct access to the beach.
At low tide, you can even walk to several other nearby beaches like Dreamland, Pemutih, and Padang Padang.
From the parking area you have to go down some steep stairs to reach Bingin Beach, but it’s only a 5 minute walk. Overall, it’s one of my favorites!
2. Pemutih Beach
Pantai Pemutih is a popular surfing spot with some cliffside hotels and a small (but nice) white sand beach.
Not too many people seem to know about this beach, which makes it that much better. If you want to stay directly on the beach, check out Rock N Reef Hotel Uluwatu!
A drone picture of the Rock N Reef Hotel Uluwatu, which is located at Pemutih Beach.
3. Padang Padang Beach
This is a neat little beach hidden in the cliffs. To get to it, you have to squeeze through a narrow passage in the rocks and then walk down some steps.
Padang Padang is a popular spot for surfing, or you can just sip a fresh coconut and hang out on the white sand with the monkeys.
Padang Padang Beach
Unlike some other ‘hidden’ beaches in Bali, to reach this one you have to squeeze through a narrow path in the rocks and then walk down some steps to get to the beach, which is tucked away at the bottom and enclosed by cliffs.
Padang Padang is a bit small compared to some other beaches in Bali, but it’s known for being one of the best surfing spots on the island year round. You can rent surf boards or bring your own. It’s not exactly a secret beach anymore, but it’s still a pretty cool spot.
Just watch out for monkeys, especially near the entrance, because they might try to steal your hat or sunglasses! I’ve seen them steal food from people here, especially if it’s in a telltale plastic bag.
4. Balangan Beach
This is a nice free beach with white sand and blue waves. Like many beaches in Uluwatu, it’s a great spot for sunset.
Balangan Beach is also popular for prewedding photoshoots because of the cliff above the beach, where you can get amazing views of the ocean scenery and the whole coastline.
It’s still fairly quiet here and not too commercial. You can access the beach by going down some stairs, and there are two parking areas — one for the beach, and one on the cliff above it.
Balangan Beach — one of our favorite views in Uluwatu Bali.
5. Thomas Beach
This is one of Bali’s nicest beaches, and it’s one of our favorite spots in Uluwatu. It has a long strip of white sand scattered with boulders, and not too many people.
6. Suluban Beach
Suluban is a secluded beach with some caves and huge rocks to explore, plus surfable waves, but my favorite thing is the restaurant view. This little warung on top of the cliffs has amazing views of the coastline.
We pulled up a chair here and enjoyed some drinks with the scenery, and even got visited by a monitor lizard sneaking around on the cliffs! It’s an epic place to grab breakfast while exploring Uluwatu Bali.
Suluban Beach restaurant
7. Nunggalan Beach
Nunggalan Beach (also called Nyang Nyang) is one of the bigger white sand beaches in southern Bali, with clean blue water and lots of wide open space.
The walk down and back up is a bit of a killer, but you’re rewarded with a huge private beach and a cool wooden shipwreck for pictures! This beach sits at the bottom of a big cliff, and to reach it you have to hike for about 20 minutes going down and 30 minutes going back up.
There are a few sections with loose rocks you could slip on, but it’s never anything dangerous at all. We wore sandals and that was fine all the way.
Climbing back up is pretty exhausting though, and there aren’t always drinks for sale here, so I’d recommend bringing some water!
The photogenic shipwreck at Nunggalan Beach
Sitting in the shipwreck
8. Melasti Beach
Melasti is a highly developed beach with a road carved into the tall limestone cliffs, giving it a stunning background.
Normally I’m not a big fan of seeing once-empty beaches get so developed like this, but I think Melasti was actually done pretty well. There’s sometimes a little bit of trash, but overall it’s surprisingly clean and nice.
Melasti is becoming one of the most popular beaches in south Bali. People come here to do prewedding photos, watch the Balinese traditional Kecak dance, and enjoy the beach clubs.
The full length of the beach is almost two kilometers if you include Karma Beach, which is connected to it on the west end. At the entrance to Melasti, there’s even a photogenic little Balinese style gate where you can take pictures.
Melasti Beach
9. Karma Beach
Karma Beach is very nice, with a few photogenic boulders but mostly white sand and blue waves. It’s also home to the Karma Beach Club.
Of course, if you plan to use the facilities at Karma Beach Club then you would need to pay.
In any case, Karma is definitely one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Uluwatu area!
Karma Beach is another nice spot in Ungasan that’s connected to Melasti Beach
10. Green Bowl Beach
Green Bowl is one of my favorite hidden beaches in Uluwatu.
It may not be a very big beach, and the steep walk down is tiring, but it’s a nice white sand beach with good sunset views.
Surfers come to Green Bowl for the waves, and there are two caves to explore on the beach as well. This can be a nice place to hide if the sun gets too strong.
Remember to watch out for the monkeys in the parking lot and on the trail! They may try to steal your stuff if you get too close to them.
If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be Get Your Guide.
Their prices start at 700k Rupiah (~$48 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That’s the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It’s a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.
If you’d rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.
We’ve used Get Your Guide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.
