Uluwatu is located all the way in the south of Bali, where you’ll find the island’s most beautiful beaches. The waves attract surfers from all over the world, but even if you don’t surf, Uluwatu is a lovely place to relax. It maintains a laid-back atmosphere and is less crowded than many other beach destinations in Bali. Explore the high cliffs, white beaches, and the best eateries that Uluwatu has to offer. Below, you’ll find plenty of tips on what to do in Uluwatu, along with our favorite restaurants and accommodations.
Tip: Directly from the Airport to Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a great destination to unwind after your flight to Bali. After a long journey, it’s not enjoyable to have to negotiate the price for a taxi ride, so it’s advisable to book a pick-up to your hotel in advance. Someone will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, and you can step right in for a ride to your hotel in Uluwatu. This is also much cheaper, as taxi drivers at Bali’s airport often charge exorbitant prices.
What to Do in Uluwatu?
In Uluwatu, you’ll find countless beautiful beaches, but there are even more fun places to discover. Here are 15 tips for Uluwatu!
Tip: Many places in Uluwatu are spread out, so it’s recommended to rent a scooter. Island Motorcycles is a good rental company that offers quality scooters at a reasonable price. If you can’t or don’t want to ride a scooter, you can also get around by (motor) taxi.
Chill at Beach Clubs in Uluwatu
Are you in the mood for an afternoon of relaxation while enjoying delicious snacks and drinks by the beach? Then settle down at one of Uluwatu’s beach clubs. Ulu Cliffhouse is a popular beach club with a stylish and relaxed vibe overlooking the ocean. There’s a large pool, and in the mornings, they offer yoga and pilates classes. At Mana Restaurant and Bar, you can also enjoy the pool and the fantastic food. El Kabron is a bit more upscale, has a Mediterranean atmosphere, and serves tapas. They are known for their Sunset Sessions, where you can enjoy the sunset every day with live DJs and artists.
At Melasti Beach, you’ll also find several luxurious beach clubs. This large beach is a bit more commercial but is beautifully situated among the cliffs. At Tropical Temptation, you can indulge in pure luxury that will remind you of the style of Tulum in Mexico, complete with a lovely pool that even has sun loungers in the water.
Looking to party? Then Savaya Bali is the place to be. During the week, you can chill here from the afternoon, and on weekends, they host large parties with DJs from all over the world. Keep an eye on their website and buy a ticket in advance to ensure entry.
Good to Know: Note that at most beach clubs, you need to spend a minimum amount to lounge on a comfy bed. However, you can order food and drinks, so you’ll likely make that up over the course of the day. If you just want to grab lunch or a drink, there are often tables available where you can sit for a small fee or even without a minimum spending requirement.
(Learn to) Surf in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a popular surfing destination in Bali. You can easily walk into the water with your surfboard at many beaches and paddle toward the waves. However, be careful as not every beach is suitable for every level of surfer. For example, Blue Point at Uluwatu Beach is only for experienced surfers, as there can be strong currents. Beginners and intermediate surfers should head to Dreamland Beach and Padang Padang Beach, where the waves are smaller and more suitable for practice. Further along in this article, you can read more about these beaches.
Visit Suluban Beach & Uluwatu Beach
Uluwatu Beach and Suluban Beach (also known as Blue Point Beach) are adjacent to each other, and you can walk from one beach to the other through a passage in the rocks. However, for Suluban Beach, it must be low tide; otherwise, there’s not much beach to be found. The beaches are surrounded by high cliffs and hidden sea caves. They’re not really places for sunbathing but more for exploration and surfing. The water offshore is known for its powerful surf breaks, which are ideal for experienced surfers seeking a challenge. It often gets lively with locals spreading out blankets under the cliffs to picnic with the whole family.
Watch the Sunset and Enjoy Cocktails at Single Fin
Single Fin is located at Uluwatu Beach and is one of the most popular hotspots in Uluwatu. In this restaurant, you can enjoy the sun, good vibes, delicious food, and drinks across three levels. All this comes with first-class views of the ocean. Especially in the late afternoon, it’s wonderful to have a drink at the bar, ready for the sunset. Sunday evenings are particularly lively here as they host parties that continue late into the night. During the Sunday Sessions, you can dance to live music or international DJs. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Uluwatu on a Sunday.
Visit Dreamland Beach, the Most Beautiful Beach in Uluwatu
Dreamland Beach is a favorite among many travelers and locals. On the wide sandy area, you can relax under an umbrella on a beach bed. The sea offers excellent surfing conditions, with waves ranging from those suitable for beginners to challenging breaks for advanced surfers. There are restaurants on Dreamland Beach where you can grab a bite to eat or order a drink. Kelly’s Warung is highly recommended.
People-Watch at Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach has always been a beloved spot for surfers, but since Julia Roberts shot a scene here for the film Eat, Pray, Love, it has gained popularity with the general public. Padang Padang Beach is centrally located in Uluwatu, close to all the restaurants and shops. To reach the beach, you have to walk through a narrow gap between the rocks before a staircase leads you down to the sand. Because the beach isn’t very large, it can get crowded quickly. Many people look for a spot in the shade of the cliff and enjoy watching the surfers in the water.
Tip: Every Saturday night, they hold fun reggae parties on the beach with live music.
Watch the Kecak Performance at Uluwatu Temple
With all those beautiful beaches and fun parties, you might almost forget that there’s cultural activity to enjoy in Uluwatu as well. A visit to Uluwatu Temple is a must when you’re in Uluwatu. Okay, it’s quite touristy, but that has its reasons. Go to the Uluwatu Temple in the late afternoon and stroll along the various stunning viewpoints. When the sun is nearly down, the Kecak performance begins. This is a unique traditional Balinese dance combined with theater. It’s a spectacular event that you must see. The performance lasts just under an hour. It’s a good idea to reserve your tickets in advance, as it’s common for the performance to be fully booked. Reserve tickets here for the Kecak performance at Uluwatu Temple.
Tip: Watch out for monkeys when you walk to the temple, as they love to steal your sunglasses or hat. So, be sure to stash your belongings safely in a zipped bag.
Hike to the 1.5 Kilometer (0.9 mi) Long White Sand Beach, Nyang Nyang Beach
Nyang Nyang Beach is one of the most unspoiled and least visited beaches in Uluwatu. It’s a pristine white beach that stretches 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mi) long. From the cliff, you can enjoy beautiful views of the beach and the ocean. There’s a good chance you’ll have this beach almost entirely to yourself. To get down, however, you must make an adventurous climb before you can take a refreshing dip in the blue water.
Visit Green Bowl Beach During Low Tide
Hidden beneath a cliff, you’ll find the secluded Green Bowl Beach. The best time to visit is during low tide, as most of the beach gets submerged during high tide, sometimes even up to the foot of the cliff and into the caves. During low tide, you can snorkel here in the crystal-clear water. You’ll see the green algae appearing on the rocks during low tide, which is how this spot got its name Green Bowl Beach. Be sure to bring your own snorkel set, as there are no rentals available on the beach. You can check Surfline to find out the low and high tide times.
Green Bowl Beach isn’t a place you just pop by; you first have to descend a few hundred steps. Fortunately, the path is shaded by trees, and you’ll probably encounter a few curious monkeys along the way. Experienced surfers walk here with their boards towards the bay with azure water to tackle the challenging waves.
Swim in the Shallow Waters of Thomas Beach
If you want to relax on a beach bed at a quiet beach, Thomas Beach is the best choice. It’s a small beach with shallow, clear water. You’ll have to descend quite a few stairs again, but then you can relax beautifully. At the small warungs, you can order simple yet delicious dishes and refreshing drinks, making it easy to spend the whole day here.
Spread Your Towel at Bingin Beach
Via a few steps along small houses and cafés, you’ll reach the beautiful sandy beach of Bingin Beach. Here, too, you can enjoy a white beach with clear blue water. There are no sunbeds, but there are a few umbrellas. So bring your own towel and lay it out under an umbrella or another shaded spot along the cliff. When you get hungry or thirsty, you can order something at one of the elevated restaurants with a view of the sea, like The Sun & Surf Stay.
Tip: Close to Bingin Beach is the restaurant Abracadabra by Mu. Here, you can enjoy delicious food while taking in a stunning view of the sea. Sometimes, you can even spot turtles!
Find Ultimate Zen at The Istana
Do you need some ultimate peace and relaxation? Or could you use a yoga class? Then take a look at The Istana. This is a super calming place where you can take yoga and meditation classes. You can also enjoy various saunas and cryotherapy. They have a digital detox policy here, meaning every guest must surrender their phone at reception. Unfortunately, that’s why there’s no photo with this tip. But we can assure you, this is the place in Uluwatu to become completely zen.
Drive Through the Gorge to Pantai Batu Barak
Pantai Batu Barak has only recently been opened to the public compared to the other beaches in Uluwatu. This is because there wasn’t really a good road leading there, but that has now changed. To be honest, this road is more impressive than the beach itself! Carved through the limestone mountains, it’s 300 meters (985 ft) long and 8 meters (26 ft) wide. It’s quite impressive to drive through here, considering that these cliffs are up to 40 meters (131 ft) high in certain spots. As you can imagine, this attracts a lot of people who come to take pictures and often stop along this narrow road.
Watch the Sunset at Karang Boma Cliff
Karang Boma Cliff, also known as Uluwatu Cliff, is a beautiful place to watch the sunset in Uluwatu. After driving up, you’ll reach the end of the cliff. Here, you’ll find an open area with a grassy field where you can sit and enjoy a stunning view of the sea. Don’t forget to walk a little further left. You can choose a spot to enjoy the view and see the impressive cliffs from a whole different perspective.
Enjoy the Laid-Back Vibe at Balangan Beach
Balangan Beach is one of the few beaches in Uluwatu that has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. Here, you won’t find luxury beach clubs but rather simple wooden shacks and warungs. The large waves attract experienced surfers looking for a challenging surf session. Due to these waves, it’s not always safe to swim, but if you enjoy a relaxed vibe without frills, you can certainly have a good time on this beach. Balangan Beach is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset. When the tide is out, the rocks below the water surface become exposed, reflecting the colors of the sky in the shallow water. Enjoy from the beach or find another lovely spot on the cliff. Be sure to check out the Tebing Pantai Balangan viewpoint for a beautiful landscape.
Tips for Good Restaurants in Uluwatu
La Baracca – This Italian restaurant serves delicious pizzas and pastas. Their lunch menu features paninis and salads, with plenty of vegan options.
Suka Espresso – Whether you come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; every dish here is a celebration!
Sugar Rock – A cozy spot for lunch or dinner, offering pizzas, fresh fish, salads, and detox soups.
The Place With No Name – Known for its healthy, organic, and mostly vegan meals. The decor is bohemian, and they regularly host live music nights.
Hatch – A fun nightlife spot filled with plants and blacklight. They serve Asian and Mexican fusion dishes. In the early evening, you can play pool or games; later, the dance floor fills up.
The Bench Brewery – This is a craft brewery where you can enjoy burgers, pizzas, and fish & chips alongside their beers. Grab a seat on the terrace and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
Abracadabra by Mu – A beautiful and tranquil place with a lovely garden. They serve a mix of Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes. If you want to use the pool and a sunbed, there’s an extra charge.
Mana Uluwatu – From this restaurant, you have a beautiful view of the sea. The menu is filled with international and local delights. The stylish decor and pool make it an ideal place for a wonderful day.
Drifter Café & Restaurant – This is a bohemian surf shop and café that serves organic and healthy dishes such as quinoa bowls and fresh juices.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu?
When searching for hotels in Uluwatu, you’ll find them spread out over a large area with many winding roads. As a result, many hotels are about a 20-minute drive from the area where all the great restaurants, cafés, and beaches are located. Many hotel sites don’t realize where the actual center of Uluwatu is, so the displayed distance to the center may not always be accurate. Therefore, it’s good to know that the center of Uluwatu is located in the southwest along the coast. Hotels near the center tend to be a bit more expensive, but it’s not ideal to have to drive 20 minutes everywhere and sometimes get caught in traffic. We’ve looked for the best accommodations near the center of Uluwatu. Below are our three top recommendations across different price ranges. Early booking is necessary since these are small-scale accommodations that often get fully booked well in advance.
Our Favorite Spots in Uluwatu
Near the center, there are very few budget accommodations, but Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu is an exception. Although they offer surf lessons and have surf camp in their name, you certainly don’t have to surf to have a great time here. The location is excellent as it’s very central yet quiet. The rooms are fairly simple, hence the price, but you can enjoy a nice pool here. Looking for more luxury? Stay at Sal Secret Spot, and you’ll capture that ultimate vacation feeling. It’s just a stone’s throw from Bingin Beach, so you’ll be on a beautiful beach in no time. There’s a large garden with a lovely pool, sun loungers, and tropical plants. This hotel consists of two different buildings; one directly on the beach and another 500 meters (0.3 mi) from the beach. At the small-scale (only two rooms) OCEANNA, you can also enjoy a room with sea views, but it’s set a bit further back from the sea. Because this hotel is situated at a higher elevation, you’ll have fantastic sweeping views. The centerpiece of this hotel is undoubtedly the infinity pool. Especially during sunset, it’s a peaceful place to enjoy in all tranquility. The center of Uluwatu is just a few minutes’ drive away.
 Tregge Surf Camp Uluwatu |
 Sal Secret Spot |
 OCEANNA |
