Uluwatu Beaches: 14 Unbelievable Beaches In Bali’s Surfing Town
The Bukit Peninsula is home to Uluwatu, Bali’s surfer’s paradise. These 14 Uluwatu beaches on the Indian Ocean, all have something different to offer and during the dry season you’ll find crystal clear water, soft golden sand, dramatic cliffs and stunning views. Explore them all or pick the one that’s best for you!
Summary
The western Uluwatu beaches feature the most stunning views of all the beaches in Uluwatu with dramatic limestone cliffs and caves, along with the best surfing in Bali. The southern beaches are home to the most hidden & secluded Bali beaches, offering calmer waters and an adventure. Nusa Dua & the eastern beaches are known for luxury accommodations & convenience, with a more commercial feel but boasting very calm waters that are perfect for families.
A few important tips when it comes to the Uluwatu beaches: visit during Bali’s dry season and pay attention to the tide schedule, bring cash for entrance fees, food, drinks & umbrella rentals, don’t assume there will be food & drinks for purchase, try not to interact with the monkeys if possible 🐒 and be mindful of the journey to and from the beach from the parking area.
- When to visit the Uluwatu Beaches
- The 6 Western Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Surfing & Sunsets
- The 6 Southern Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Secret Beaches
- The 3 Eastern Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Swimming & Sunrises
When to visit the Uluwatu Beaches
Bali’s Dry Season
The best time to visit Uluwatu is during the dry season from May to October, when the weather is generally more mild and sunny. If you have to visit outside that time, try to avoid December through February completely which are the rainiest months, as often the frequent rainy weather will lead to tons of trash and debris in the ocean and on the beaches. You can assume the photos I’m using for this blog are taken during the dry season.
Important: To assist with the initiative to improve the waste in Bali, visit the R.O.L.E. Foundation Facebook page or their Beach Cleanup page.
High Tide vs Low Tide
The tide schedule matters more than you would think when visiting the Uluwatu beaches. Generally you can assume that mid to high tide is best for swimming and a more stunning view, as the water usually will come up over the reef, while low tide will lead to more space on the beach for lounging and exploring. This will differ somewhat per beach, which you can read about in the section for each beach below!
The 6 Western Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Surfing & Sunsets
The most dramatic and unique beaches of Bali are located on the Bukit Peninsula in Uluwatu Bali, on its Western facing coast. This coast is home to Bali’s five largest surf breaks, making it a surfer’s paradise. The result is a very cool and fun vibe at these beaches and these were my favorite of the Uluwatu beaches for sure! Suluban Beach, Padang Padang and Dreamland are the more crowded and unique beaches, while Thomas Beach, Bingin and Balangan are less crowded, smaller and more quaint.
One thing to note – the Western beaches aren’t the best for swimming, since the waters are rough most of the time and a lot of the beaches have rocks and reefs along the shore. Visiting during mid to high tide will always be best for swimming as opposed to low tide. That being said, swimming is definitely possible and it will just depend on the surf conditions. If swimming isn’t possible at these beaches, you can typically head ot one of the eastern facing beaches for a better chance of nice swimming day.
Lastly, each of these beaches boast a beautiful sunset over the Indian ocean, especially from the cliffs above the beaches themselves. Don’t leave Bali without experiencing one!
Important Note: The western beaches, along with most of the south Uluwatu beaches are fairly hard to get to and will be too challenging for those with mobility issues, as a lot of them require you to climb down flghts of steps or steep paths down the cliffs to reach the beach itself.
Suluban Beach Bali (Otherwise Known As Uluwatu Beach, or Blue Point Beach)
Suluban Beach is also known as Uluwatu Beach or Blue Point Beach, and its one of the most unique beaches in the world and certainly one of the best Uluwatu beaches. Suluban Beach is sometimes also called Thomas Beach, although technically Thomas is a small beach up the coast (we will get to it later!). It’s known as one of the best places to surf in Bali, and the #1 best place for advanced surfers.
Concealed by natural limestone cliffs and caves, you have to take a series of steps within the seaside cliffs to access it, during which you’ll pass local warungs and shops like a little village. Once you get down to the beach you can lay out, watch the water splash up against the rocks and explore the beach caves and rock formations. Make sure to come during low tide because otherwise the water will be crashing through the cave and you won’t have any beach to hangout at. You can check the Suluban Beach tide schedule ahead of time to plan your visit.
This is one of Uluwatu’s most popular beaches because its home to Bali’s biggest wave. I was lucky enough to come here while there was a swell and it was amazing getting to watch the big wave surfers. One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had! Make sure to stay for a beautiful beachfront sunset if the sky is clear. Two closeby alternatives for sunset are to visit the famous Single Fin Bali for dinner and dancing, or to watch the Uluwatu Temple’s Kecak Fire Dance.
Swimming? No not typically, unfortunately the ocean at Suluban Beach typically has a really intense pull and isn’t safe for swimming, especially with all the cliffs and rock caves. Some days it may be swimmable but don’t count on it here.
Other Activities: Suluban Beach is home to Bali’s biggest wave! Sometimes the waves are as big as 20+ feet, so along with surfing you can hangout at one of the local warungs and watch the surfers. You can shop on the cliffs above Suluban Beach and support the locals. Lastly you can stay and hangout at one of the cliffside cafes to watch the sunset!
Facilities: You’ll find bathrooms, warungs that sell traditional Balinese food and Bintag (the Balinese beer), plus potentially other types of food at multiple cafes and bars along the cliffs.
When to Visit: Low tide for exploring the limestone caves and for lounging. Mid tide for the stunning scenic views of the ocean coming up on the cliffs.
Getting There: There is moderately sized scooter parking area which requires a small fee to park. If this is full, you will be able to park at the Single Fin lot. There is no entrance fee as of the time of writing this, although that could change! Once you park you’ll have to follow a long winding path up and down some steps to get to the beach itself.
Read my full guide to Suluban Beach for everything you should know to have the ultimate beach day and adventure at Uluwatu’s most beautiful and unique beach.
Padang Padang Beach
Another one of Uluwatu’s most popular beaches is Padang Padang. It was even featured in Eat Pray Love! This is another surfer’s beach, which you get to by heading down a long set of steps through a cave. I loved these steps on the way down and thought it was very fun, but on the way back up not so much lol! Also, watch out for monkeys during your walk down to the beach. 🐒
Along with Suluban Beach, Padang Padang surfing is for advanced surfers only and is typically good for swimming, although that really depends on the surf conditions. Padang Padang is a little less affected by tides as compared to the other nearby beaches, but mid to high tide is still best for swimming.
This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Bali. Personally I would go early in the morning to have the best chance at a less crowded, more beautiful time on the beach!
Swimming? Yes, swimming is at Padang Padang is possible and it’s actually one of the better swimming beaches on this coast of Uluwatu during mid to high tide. There are some rocks where you enter the ocean in spots, and sometimes the surf is too rough or there could be seaweed or depris, but you have a good chance of being able to swim here!
Other Activities: Advanced surfing! They usually have surfboard rentals and lessons if the water isn’t too rough. Snorkeling is also possible here some of the time. Stay to watch the beautiful sunset to finish off a perfect Bali beach day.
Facilities: They do have a bathroom at Padang Padang. There usually isn’t food and drinks for sale, although sometimes there will be vendors set up to sell refreshments and small food items. They also have umbrella and chair rentals a lot of the time, so make sure to bring cash with you!
When to Visit: Anytime is fine but low tide preferably for a good beach day.
Getting There: There is large parking area here, which requires a small fee to park. You will also need to pay a small entrance fee to gain access to the beach. Once you park, walk down the steps through the rock cave to get to the beach.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is the smallest and most hidden beaches on the western coast of Uluwatu, Bali, in a spot in between Suluban Beach and Padang Padang Beach. This is the original Padang Padang beach, to diffuse any confusion, and it’s known for having calmer water and being peaceful.
The ocean is more shallow at Thomas Beach so the tide schedule matters a lot, because during low tide rocks will prevent you from getting into the ocean and the beach doesn’t look as nice. The best time to visit is during a mid or high tide.
Swimming? Yes, Thomas Beach is good for swimming during high tide because the waves break farther off the shore. The ocean is typically more calm here as well compared to the nearby Suluban and Padang Padang beaches.
Other Activities: Lounging out and taking in the beautiful beach – no activities needed! This is the best chance for *some* peace and quiet on the western coast of Uluwatu.
Facilities: You’ll find umbrellas and lounge chairs available to rent via cash most of the time. There are also a few local warungs which sell a limited selection of food and drinks most days, likely alongside a few vendors selling souvenir items.
When to Visit: Mid to high tide for swimming and a beautiful beach.
Getting There: Head to Suka Espresso. Once you’re there, take the path opposite of the cafe through the brush and you should get to the top of the beach. From there follow the coastal trail and steps down to the beach.
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland is definitely one of Uluwatu’s most popular beaches, if not the most popular! Dreamland beach is a longer coastline, with dramatic views from both the beach and the limestone cliffs above nicknamed “Dreamland Cliff”. The beach is typically not great for swimming, but definitely good for surfing and hanging out. It’s more commercial feeling and upbeat than a lot of the other Uluwatu beaches, with lots of people and vendors set up.
The biggest highlights of Dreamland beach is the surfing, which is usually good for all levels, and the sunsets. Each night a crowd gathers to watch a magical sunset on Dreamland Cliff, which is one of the best places for sunset in all of Bali.
Keep in mind the beach can get dirty at times depending on the way the winds are coming in, the tide and luck. Check with others, possibly your accommodation staff or travel forums, for the condition of the beach before going to avoid disappointment!
Swimming? While it’s possible to swim here, there are tons of rocks and it’s usually pretty rough for the average swimmer and it wouldn’t be very enjoyable or safe.
Other Activities: The surfing is great at Dreamland beach, usually for all levels! You can take a surf lesson here. Outside of surfing, this beach is more wide open compared to others so you can play sports on the beach. Stay for a beautiful and dramatic sunset.
Facilities: There are bathrooms at Dreamland beach and paid showers. You’ll also find a few local warungs here where you can buy food and drinks, along with umbrellas and lounge chairs to rent as well (via cash).
When to Visit: Both low tide and high tide are great times to visit, as the beach is big and wide. Like the other west facing beaches, the rocky shore will emerge during low tide.
Getting There: There is lots of parking nearby with a donation based fee. From there take the short staircase to the beach. There is no entrance fee!
Bingin Beach
Paintai Bingin beach is a local favorite and known as one of the best Uluwatu beaches, for the fact that it features amazing and consistent barrel waves, is less crowded than other beaches in the area and offers a unique fish barbecue experience during sunset at Lucky Fish Lounge. If you want to watch the action virtually you can view the live Bingin Beach surf cam.
During high tide the beach often becomes very small or disappears, so make sure to visit during low tide if you’re wanting lots of lounge time – although high tide is better for swimming, as you can see in the photos below. Because of this Bingin might not be the best choice for laying out on the beach, and instead maybe head to Balangan, Dreamland or Padang Padang.
Swimming? Yes, swimming is possible at Bingin as long as the surf isn’t too rough and you visit during mid or high tide. In order to get in the water you have to walk over rocks and reef, but once you’re in the water is great. If you’re definitely wanting to swim, bring some swim shoes to be safe.
Other Activities: Bingin is a surfer’s destination and can be a great place to learn depending on the surf forecast because the wave is very consistent here with tons of barrels. If you aren’t wanting to surf yourself, surfing at Bingin Beach means lots of barrel waves, which makes it very entertaining to watch the surfers here. Best of all, participate in the nightly fish barbecue at Lucky Fish Lounge where you can pick your own fish which they will cook for you while you watch the sunset.
Facilities: There are no public bathrooms at Bingin Beach, but the local cafes and warungs do have them along with food and drinks for purchase. Just make sure to buy something from them if using their restrooms as a thank you. They usually don’t have umbrellas and loungers for rent at this beach but that could change at any point.
When to Visit: High tide for swimming, although the beach gets very small during this time. If lounging out is important to you, low tide is probably better.
Getting There: Navigate to the parking area and then you’ll have to pay a small fee for parking. You’ll then navigate on a path through buildings and villas, and then walk down some narrow steps to get to the beach itself. There is no entrance fee!
Balangan Beach
Balangan Beach is very similar to Bingin Beach and another local favorite, although slightly less crowded. What sets Balangan apart is its stunning Balangan Beach Cliff named “Tebing Pantai Balangan” which is also a place to hold small wedding ceremonies. Look out at the panoramic views of the Uluwatu coast, surfers and sunset from this spot, which is right near the parking area. Like the nearby beaches, Balangan is a surfer’s paradise!
Swimming? Yes, Balangan is usually a great spot for swimming during high tide. You’ll just have to step through a rocky area along the shore before getting to the part with a sandy bottom, but it will be worth it! Bring swim shoes to protect your feet.
Other Activities: The surfing is of course good here (am I getting repetitive yet?) and there are usually surf lessons available on the beaches. You can also get some cute photos in this popular photo spot on a cliff above Balangan. Stay for a dramatic sunset on the cliff to bookend the day!
Facilities: Here you’ll find bathrooms and umbrella + lounger rentals, making it a great lounge beach. There are also cafes here which sell Balinese and American food, plus convenience stores.
When to Visit: High tide for swimming, like the other beaches in the area.
Getting There: There’s a parking lot here which requires a small fee which is different for cars versus scooters. The beach itself is free to enter, and you can get there via the steps or through one of the warungs.
The 6 Southern Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Secret Beaches
The beaches on the South coast of the Bukit Peninsula are some of the least visited beaches in Bali, making them hidden paradises. You’ll find calm, turquoise water that is generally good for swimming, plus light sand beaches and plenty of space to spread out. These beaches are best for those that value natural beauty over a social scene and convenience.
Nyang Nyang Beach & Pantai Nunggalan Beach
Nyang Nyang Beach / Nunggalan Beach is one of the best Uluwatu beaches and a Bali hidden gem. Visiting Nyang Nyang beach is a unique experience and you’ll feel like you’re on an adventure, as long as it continues being one of the least visited beaches! Other than being less crowded, these beaches are known for being the home of two shipwrecks that have washed up on the beach. They are listed as separate on Google maps, but really they share the same coast line, although there are different parking spots. The Nyang Nyang beach entrance is the best to use because it’s easier to access.
Nyang Nyang and Nunggalan Beach aren’t great beaches for swimming but it is possible at high tide, especially toward the Eastern side of the beach. If you’re looking for an something to do, paragliding is a popular activity here. You can also enjoy having the beach mostly to yourself and explore the shipwrecks. Look out for the unique and new Bubble Hotel Bali while you’re strolling along the beach.
Swimming? Since the reef extends to the beach, Nyang Nyang isn’t the best for swimming. During low tide the reef is exposed and during high tide the waves can be rough. With the reef is just a few feet below, that could lead to disaster you don’t want on vacation. That being said it is still possible to swim during high tide, especially if the waves are calm and toward the Eastern end of the beach where there is less reef.
Other Activities: Nyang Nyang is a popular place in Bali to go paragliding. You can also explore the shipwrecks and look at the latest grafitti/art on them. The surfing is good here sometimes depending on the surf conditions. Nyang Nyang is also amazing for shell hunting!
Facilities: There are a few local warungs near the Nyang Nyang parking lot which are cash only. You can also rent umbrellas or sun loungers typically, along with surf boards.
When to Visit: High tide is best if you want any chance for swimming, and the beach looks prettier during this time as well.
Getting There: The easiest way to reach this coast is to use the West entrance, because there’s a new road you can take down to the beach via scooter. This spot is labelled as Nyang Nyang beach via Google Maps. There is a small donation based fee required for this entrance, and no parking fee here.
If you have a little more time and are up for a mini hike, head to the beach labelled as Nunggalan Beach via Google Maps. Here you’ll find a parking lot which is typically free to park at. To get to the beach itself you’ll need to walk along the path for 20-30 minutes, where you may see monkeys and beautiful natural Balinese wildlife plants. There is no entrance fee for the beach. *Keep in mind if you use this way that you will need to hike back up after your visit, which could take double the time!
Green Bowl Beach
Green Bowl is one of Bali’s secret beaches and I had such a great time when I visited. I was surprised to find a bunch of monkeys on the long set of steps on the way to and from the beach, which was funny and entertaining. I did see one snatch a woman’s bag of food haha so be careful to hold onto your things. And never get into a fight with one of these monkeys if they do take something of yours – some have been known to carry rabies!
Getting to Green Bowl Beach requires you to walk down a lot of steep steps. This is fairly easy on the way down but make sure to save enough energy and time for the walk back up after your beach day! Because this is more of a hidden beach, you’ll need to bring any food, drinks and sun protection you need with you.
In my opinion the most unique thing about Green Bowl Beach are the small caves along the beach, where you can put your stuff down and hide from the sun while still being able to see the beach. Paradise!
During high tide the beach sometimes completely disappears, and during low tide the reef is exposed so the beach isn’t as pretty. Because of this I recommend you go sometime between high and low tide.
Swimming? The surf can be really strong here, but during high tide it is possible to swim. My advice is to see if others are swimming and gauge the water that way!
Other Activities: Surfing is another popular activity at Green Bowl Beach depending on the surf conditions. Other than that, relax and enjoy one of the most secret beaches in Bali.
Facilities: There aren’t any bathrooms here, and there aren’t typically any umbrella rentals or food or drink options either. There ARE usually a few vendors set up offering drinks and snacks at the top of the steps where the parking is.
When to Visit: During mid tide, leaning more toward high tide, which will result in a much more beautiful beach and possibly allowing you to swim.
Getting There: Head to the parking lot which is marked on Google Maps, where you’ll have to pay a small fee. Then head down the long set of stairs that will take you down to the each. Watch out for the monkeys here, and keep your things secure because they are known to snatch things from unsuspecting tourists! There is a small entrance fee to access Green Bowl Beach.
Melasti Beach
Known as Pantai Melasti to the locals, Melasti Beach is a fast developing beach with a reef that protects the beach from the waves. The waves break far off the shore making it a great swimming spot during high tide for all ages! There is now the White Rock Beach Club here which offers free entry and a bunch of great amenities, along with a Melasti Beach Kecak dance show like the one at the Uluwatu Temple.
Swimming? Yes, assuming you don’t visit on a day with a really intense surf, Melasti is great for swimming because there’s a reef far off the shore where the waves break. Come during high tide for some of the best swimming in the area!
Other Activities: The best thing to do at Melasti Beach other than of course enjoying the beach is to watch the new Kecak fire dance show. It’s the same performance as at the Uluwatu Temple. You can also visit the brand new & massive White Rock Beach Club, which has a beautiful infinity pool with a swim up bar, spa, restaurant, activities and live music along with sweeping views of the coast! During certain times of the year the sunset is great from Melasti, especially if you’re hanging out at the White Rock Beach Club. Lastly, surfing is possible here although not as popular as some of the other Uluwatu beaches.
Facilities: There are both toilets and showers at Melasti Beach, along with umbrellas and loungers to rent. There are also a number of places to get food and drinks, including the White Rock Beach Club which offers free entry.
When to Visit: High tide for swimming and a beautiful beach.
Getting There: The parking lot at Melasti is easy to find, as the area has been built up. The beach is also much easier to access as compared to the other Uluwatu beaches. Once you park you’ll only have to walk a short distance to get to the beach! There is both an entrance fee and a parking fee for this beach.
Karma Beach Club & Sundays Beach Club
Close to Melasti Beach you’ll find the Karma Beach, also known as the Karma Kandara private beach, which you can access by staying at the Karma Kandara resort or via the Sundays Beach Club. Because this blog is mainly focused on beaches to visit as a day trip, I’m going to focus on the Sundays Beach Club here.
Access to the Sundays Beach Club is a good deal because your entrance fee includes beach club access and a food and drinks credit. If you value service on the beach and have a little extra to spend, visiting this beach is 100% worth it! Kids are allowed here as well, and it seems like a great place for families since you’ll have all the conveniences you need. The beach itself is one of the nicest in all of Uluwatu, like the other hidden beaches in the area.
Swimming? Yes! The private beach at Sundays beach club is great spot for swimming during high tide.
Other Activities: Sundays Beach Club has kayak, SUP and snorkeling gear that are included in your entrance fee. They also have a daily sunset bonfire with DJs and live music, and then nightly movies on the beach. At Karma Beach Club you can pay for access to their infinity pool.
Facilities: Since the only way to access this beach is through the resort or beach clubs, you’ll have access to bathrooms and showers, along with food and drinks, and of course sun loungers and umbrellas. At Sundays they even have pillow loungers you can take into the sea.
When to Visit: High tide is best for swimming, while low tide is generally better for kayaking and SUP.
Getting There: Follow Google Maps to Sundays Beach Club, where there is ample parking. You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to the beach club, which includes a credit toward food and drinks there.
Pantai Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach is the beach to go to in Uluwatu if you have anyone who is mobility impaired in your group or young children and you can’t stay in the area. This is because unlike the other beaches, you won’t have a long journey from the parking lot to the beach! Instead the parking lot is right off the beach and easy to navigate. Like the other south facing beaches nearby, you’ll find calm waters and a few unique activities you can opt into like kayaking or paragliding.
Swimming? Yes! Pandawa is good for swimming at high tide. Just watch out for the sharp reef in spots, like at the other area beaches.
Other Activities: Pandawa has two person kayaks available to rent, which is a great way to get out and explore if you aren’t up for swimming. You can also try hang gliding at Timbis Beach Paragliding if you’re feeling adventurous, or head over to Timbis Beach (which is the next beach over from Pandawa and walkable) to watch the paragliders.
Facilities: Bathrooms and showers are both available at Pandawa. There are also a few places where you can have a bite to eat or drink as well as umbrella and sun lounger rentals.
When to Visit: High tide for swimming and a beautiful beach! Keep in mind that high tide means a smaller beach, so if you’re hoping for more space over a great swimming experience, a mid or low tide might be better.
Getting There: Pandawa Beach is easy to find via Google Maps, where you’ll make your way to the parking lot. Finding the beach from there is simple, and there’s journey required unlike other beaches in the area. There is a small fee for parking and for entrance as well.
Pantai Gunung Payung Beach
Gunung Payung Beach is another one of Uluwatu’s secret beaches. This little beach remains uncrowded and beautiful. Keep in mind, like other beaches in the area this one will require you to either take the shuttle down or walk about 20 minutes down to the beach, passing an abandoned amphitheater and monkeys along the way.
Something unique about this particular beach is that there is a large secret cave that is amazing for photography and for hot days when you need some shade. Because of the cave and the monkeys, Gunung Payung reminds me a lot of Green Bowl.
Swimming? Yes, this beach is typically great for swimming during mid to high tide!
Other Activities: Explore the Gunung Payung cave and take some artsy photos there. Kayaks are available to rent for a relaxing boat ride on the sea. It’s also been reported that there are some fantastic shells that wash up on the shore here as well! Surfing is usually possible here depending on the surf conditions, but there are no surf board rentals.
Facilities: There are toilets as well as a small amount of drinks and snacks, plus sun beds, umbrellas, and kayak rentals.
When to Visit: Mid or high tide is best for swimming.
Getting There: Find your way to the parking lot which is right outside of the abandoned amphitheater. There are two options for how to get to the beach. You have the option of taking the shuttle bus for a small fee, or to take the walk down yourself which will take about 20 minutes. If you decide to walk, start through the amphitheater and follow the path down the steps, and watch out for monkeys! The monkeys in the area are known to take things from tourists, so don’t bother them and keep your things stowed away during your walk.
The 3 Eastern Facing Uluwatu Beaches : Swimming & Sunrises
Collectively the Eastern beaches are known as Nusa Dua, although there are a few other beaches you should know about if you’re planning on visiting the area. Nusa Dua is known for calm and shallow waters and luxury accommodations, which are great for families, those looking to relax on the beach or anyone with mobility issues as compared to the other Uluwatu Beaches.
Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua is essentially the Uluwatu beach that is considered a luxury family vacation area, with a bunch of world class hotels with tons of amenities and restaurants. This strip of coastline is known for shallow waters, a calm surf, plenty of amenities and relaxation. Most of the beaches belong to the many resorts, but you can still access the beach because private beaches in the area aren’t allowed, and there’s a public beach as well which is where the parking is.
You’ll find the most consistent swimming in this area as well, because the waves are rarely big and you’ll generally have shallow, calm waters, which is why I have it listed as the best beach in Bali for swimming. Personally I would prefer to swim in wavy, deeper water at the beach, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find these conditions on any given day in Bali so Nusa Dua is the best bet overall.
Swimming? Yes, swimming at Nusa Dua is great during high tide and since the waves are minimal, this one is good for small children.
Other Activities: Nusa Dua is a great spot for snorkeling and paddle boarding due to its reef off the shore which keep the water calm. There are also glass bottom boat tours here that you can join in on. Visit the Nusa Dua water blow for some great photos, or visit this beach for a beautiful sunrise. If you’d also like to visit one of the local resorts to use their pool, amenities, etc., you can ask if you’re allowed to use the facilities for a fee which may be possible depending on occupancy.
Facilities: There are bathrooms and showers available here. You can also usually find umbrella and sun bed loungers for rent, along with massage services.
When to Visit: The beach is only swimmable during high tide. You can check the Nusa Dua tide schedule before you go!
Getting There: You’ll want to make sure to head to the public beach area, where there is parking for a small fee. There’s no entrance fee at Nusa Dua.
Geger Beach & Pura Geger Beach
Geger Beach is a small Uluwatu Beach which is actually walkable from Nusa Dua, but much cheaper in terms of water sport rentals and food + drinks. This is a great option for a beach day trip if you’re looking for calm waters that are great for children, which you can enjoy on a tighter budget.
Check the Nusa Dua tide schedule, which will be the same at Geger Beach, and try to come during either mid or high tide for a much more beautiful and swimmable beach as compared to low tide.
Close to Geger Beach is Pura Geger Beach, which is a very small beach that reveals itself during mid and low tide, surrounded by limestone cliffs and beautiful rock formations. As long as the surf is calm and not rapidly rising, this beach is great for kids.
Swimming? Yes, swimming is great at Geger Beach as you’ll find shallow waters that are typically calm and free of big waves. For Pura Geger Beach, if you’d like to swim you’ll have to come during a dropping mid tide, so that you get the sweet spot when the reef isn’t too exposed and the water is deep enough to swim, but not so deep that the beach disapears.
Other Activities: There are SUP and kayak rentals at Geger Beach, which are great for exploring the calm waters. There are snorkel rentals at Geger beach as well, but they can get quite dirty so if you’d like to snorkel you’re better off bringing your own. There are no rentals at Pura Geger Beach, since it is just a very small area with no vendors set up, but exploring the rock formations is a fun activity to look forward to.
Facilities: There are bathrooms and showers at Geger Beach, along with a warung for you to get something to eat and drink on the beach. There’s also sunbed and umbrella rentals at Geger beach as well. There are no facilities at Pura Geger Beach, but you can always make the short drive over to Geger Beach for anything you need.
When to Visit: For Geger Beach, high tide is best for swimming and a beautiful beach. For Pura Geger Beach, a mid dropping tide is best for exploring the rock formations and swimming.
Getting There: Geger Beach is another one of the Uluwatu Beaches that is good for people who are mobility impaired, because the parking area is right near the beach. Just navigate to Geger Beach on Google Maps and you’ll see where to park near a few shops. There is a small entrance fee here.
For Pura Geger Beach, do the same and navigate there via Google Maps. Once you get there you can park and walk down the short steps where you’ll find the beach.
Sawangan Beach
The last of the Nusa Dua beaches I’m going to highlight is Sawangan Beach, and it’s known for something you might not expect. At Sawangan Beach you have the opportunity to tour the beach via camel! Here is an example of a camel tour at Sawangan Beach on Viator.
Sawangan Beach is also called Nikko Beach sometimes. Like the other nearby beaches, this beach is beautiful and much less crowded due to it being mainly used by guests of the Hilton hotel or other nearby hotels. That also means there are less things to do for non-hotel guests, although you can typically as to use the facilities for a fee at these resorts. If you like hidden beaches, definitely stop by Sawangan!
Swimming? Yes, like the other beaches on the eastern side, Sawangan Beach offers great swimming in the shallow waters. There will be more waves here than at Nusa Dua, as its facing southeast, but the swimming is still great – especially during mid and high tide.
Other Activities: The most unique thing about Sawangan Beach is that there are camel rides offered here. 🐫 You can also ask to use the Hilton hotel pool for a fee.
Facilities: There are chair and umbrella rentals here. There are also bathrooms and showers and a few restaurants. If you’re in need of something specific, you should be able to ask the Hilton hotel to use their facilities for e fee.
When to Visit: High tide is when the ocean will look the most beautiful, without the reef exposed, and also the best time for swimming and water activities.
Getting There: Sawangan Beach is a little harder to get to as compared to the other beaches near Nusa Dua. Take the little road that passes by the Hilton Hotel, where you’ll find a small parking area. You can then take the rather steep path down to the beach itself. There’s a small entrance fee.
I’m someone who loves the beach, so I put together a guide to the 8 best beaches in Bali which cover all areas as opposed to just Uluwatu, to make planning your trip easier. Enjoy! ☀️
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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