Uluwatu

Located on the southwest coast of Bali, Uluwatu is known for its beautiful cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, surf beaches and the famous Uluwatu temple. Its surf beaches make it popular with surfers because of the amazing waves you can find there. Even if you don't necessarily want to go surfing, there is more than enough to see and do, you can read more about that in this article!

What to do in Uluwatu?

Beaches, viewpoints, a unique dance show and more.

Visiting beaches!

Uluwatu has perhaps some of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. Vast white sand beaches with beautiful turquoise blue waters: the beaches of Uluwatu are perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun. Some beaches require a bit more effort to get there than others, but I can guarantee it's absolutely worth that short workout.

The beaches I visited:
For most beaches you pay a small entrance fee (€1.00 - €2.00) and possibly a small amount (maximum around €0.50) to park the scooter. Beach beds are also available on almost every beach. At most beaches you will also find vendors who are only too happy to offer you a drink (such as a fresh coconut).

• Bingin Beach

A beautiful beach known for its clear turquoise waters and white sand. The beach is surrounded by impressive cliffs and has a relaxing atmosphere. Pretty odd to see tree growth on the rocks, but it definitely adds a nice green touch to the environment.

• Padang Padang Beach

Padang Padang Beach is a small and picturesque beach surrounded by high rock formations. It is one of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu and is known for its white sand and crystal clear waters, but most importantly as a surfing beach. The path with steps down is quite short.

• Thomas Beach
  

A hidden gem in Uluwatu, Thomas Beach is a quiet and secluded beach perfect for relaxation. The beach has white sand and picturesque ocean views. Because the way down is a bit more challenging (15 minutes) than other beaches, you won't meet many fellow tourists here. I myself was there around 11:00 and there were only a handful of other tourists.

• Suluban (Bluepoint) Beach

Suluban Beach is perhaps the most famous beach in Uluwatu, known for its beautiful turquoise waters and spectacular cliffs. The beach is accessed by a steep staircase that runs through the cliffs, after which you can enter the beach through a small gap between the rocks. On the way down you pass several stores and cafes, but when I was there in February 2023 I also found that there were many empty buildings along the route down.

The surf point, called Blue Point, is incredibly popular with surfers because of its high waves and can be accessed through the inlet between the rocks. At low tide, you can still sit in the sand; at high tide, the inlet fills with water and there is no beach left for a while.

• Nyang Nyang Beach

Nyang Nyang Beach is a secluded beach known for its pristine beauty and is a great place to escape the crowds. A 1.5-kilometer-long pristine white sand beach along the coastline of limestone cliffs. The cliffs are bright green in the rainy season and more brownish in the summer season as the foliage grows less.

Few tourists can be found at Nyang-Nyang Beach because, like Thomas Beach, the beach is a bit more difficult to get to. When I was there in February 2023, I did not see a single opened beach bar and shared the beach with only a few fellow tourists. To get down, you will have to walk down for about 15 to 20 minutes. Be careful because if it has been raining it can be a bit slippery in some parts.

• Nunggalan Beach

Nunggalan Beach is next to Nyang Nyang Beach, thus giving you 2 beaches for the price of 1 walk down. It is located east of Nyang Nyang Beach and is easily identified by the shipwreck covered in graffiti. A great place to take some photos, both in the clear blue sky and at sunrise. Its location to the east makes it a great place to see the sunrise anyway.

When I was there myself around 12:00, the tide was slowly rising and at times the waves even passed the shipwreck. Bit of good timing in taking the picture, but it worked!

Surfing!

Surfing world-class waves: Uluwatu is a surfer's paradise because of its world-famous waves. There are several surf spots in the area, such as the aforementioned Suluban Beach, Padang Padang Beach and Bingin Beach, which are suitable for both experienced surfers and beginners. Whether you are a seasoned surfer or new to the sport, Uluwatu is the perfect place in Bali to get on the board.

Discover Uluwatu's viewpoints

Due to its location on the southwest coast of Bali, there are countless beautiful viewpoints of the Indian Ocean in Uluwatu. The jagged coastline looks breathtaking, and with the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs, you will find yourself completely at peace.

• Balangal Viewpoint

The Balangan Viewpoint is a popular viewpoint located on the cliffs at Balangan Beach. From here, you have a panoramic view of the ocean, the surrounding cliffs and the magnificent over 200-meter-wide Balangan Beach, with its distinctive waves. It is a great place to enjoy a spectacular sunset and enjoy the view of surfers riding the waves.

• Karang Boma Cliff

Karang Boma Cliff, better known as Uluwatu Cliff, is a 70-meter-high limestone cliff that lies straight down into the ocean. It is located near the Uluwatu temple and is a great place to visit before sunset.

A fence has since been installed at Uluwatu Cliff, thus they lead you towards a new (adjacent) viewpoint. Once I arrived at this viewpoint, I immediately noticed how many monkeys were running around here, so I quickly turned around. Fortunately, the drone was able to get to the viewpoint!

Visit the Pura Uluwatu

The temple is known for its beautiful location, overlooking the vast ocean and the impressive cliffs surrounding it. The temple is dedicated to the gods of the sea and is considered one of the six most important temples of the Sad Kahyangan, Bali's six holiest temples. The architecture of Pura Uluwatu is remarkable, with its stone walls, towers and statues overlooking the ocean.

By the way, be careful of the cheeky monkeys at the temple, as they are prone to pulling things out of your hands. So be careful with your backpack, jewelry, sunglasses and with food or drinks in your hand.

Before you buy a ticket, plenty of salesmen will come up to you that you need to buy a sarong before you can enter the temple. It is indeed true that you can only enter the temple with a sarong, but its rental is included in the entrance fee.

Kecak Fire Dance Show

The Kecak dance is a traditional Balinese dance performance performed at sunset at the Uluwatu Temple. The dance is performed by a large chorus of men who combine song and movement to create a mesmerizing experience. Personally, I found it quite an unusual experience, as after 15 minutes I felt I had heard the word "Cak" (derivation of Kecak) 100,000 times. Pretty trained vocal chords the singers must have.

By the way, be on time to buy a ticket (you can do this when you are in the temple), so you can be sure to attend the 6:00 pm sunset show. A ticket costs IDR 150,000 (€9.50).

Beachclub

Where there are beaches, there are of course beach clubs. Uluwatu's most famous beach club is Single Fin's, located near Bluepoint Beach. At Single Fin's you're in for a drink, a snack, relaxing vibes, and a great sunset. The best day of the week to be there is on Sunday night, because that's when the beach club is transformed into a party venue with live DJ sets; turning the four outdoor floors into one big dance party that many Balinese as well as tourists love to come to Uluwatu for.

Another beach club you could visit, though a bit out of the direction, is Finns Beachclub in Canggu. It is about 1.5 hours from Uluwatu and is a premium beach club where you can spend an afternoon. By the way, be prepared to pay Western prices for your food and drinks.

Discover the Mandala Airlines PK-RII hotel

Near the starting point for the walk down towards Nyang Nyang Beach you will find the (yet to be remodeled) Mandala Airlines PK-RII Hotel. The Boeing 737 aircraft was part of the fleet of Mandala Airlines, which has been declared bankrupt since 2014. The plane is placed right on the edge of the cliff next to Nyang Nyang Beach for a spectacular view. The Russian investor bought it and is currently renovating it, with the goal of creating a popular photo spot as well as a unique place to stay overnight.

Where to stay in Uluwatu?

The luxurious Airplane hotel is not yet open (04-2023), so you will still have to look for an alternative. I myself stayed at the Home Bience Hostel in Uluwatu. My bed in the 6-bed room was nice and spacious and comfortable, with a curtain and a very large locker for both my backpack and daypack. The owner is very friendly and helpful and there is a great vibe in the hostel. There are two sitting areas where you can socialize with your fellow travelers.

How many nights in Uluwatu?

If you want to go surfing you may need more time, but 3-4 nights are fine to explore the Uluwatu area.

From Uluwatu you can go to:

• Ubud: 1,5 hours
• Nusa Lembongan: 45 minutes to Sanur harbor and +/- 35 minutes on the ferry
• Nusa Penida: 45 minutes to Sanur harbor and +/- 35 minutes on the ferry