Uluwatu is the Bali of travel posters: white cliffs, turquoise water, hidden beaches at the bottom of wooden staircases, and serious surf breaks like Padang Padang, Impossibles and Uluwatu itself. The trade-off is that you need a scooter or driver for everything, and nightlife is mellow compared to Canggu or Seminyak.
The best beaches
Padang Padang - the famous Eat Pray Love beach, white sand, small bay, entry through a narrow cave. Go early.
Bingin - low-tide only beach with tidepools, beach warungs, cliff cafes. Our favourite for sunset drinks.
Dreamland/New Kuta Beach - wider sand, good for sunbathing, decent beginner waves at the edges.
Nyang Nyang - long, wide, empty. A 15-minute walk down to the sand deters most crowds.
Suluban (Blue Point) - dramatic swim-through cave beach, great for photos.
The Kecak fire dance
Held daily at Uluwatu Temple at sunset. Arrive by 17:00 for the 18:00 show. Rp 150.000 entry to the temple plus Rp 150.000 for the show. Wear long trousers or the provided sarong. Watch out for the monkeys - they steal sunglasses and phones, not joking.
Alternative: the smaller, equally good Kecak at Melasti Beach (less touristy, fewer cameras, same fire).
Surfing in Uluwatu
For beginners: Padang Padang Right (the inside wave, not the famous one) and Dreamland on smaller days.
For intermediates: Bingin on 3-5 foot, Impossibles on bigger days.
For advanced: Uluwatu itself (Outside Corner, Racetracks, The Peak), Padang Padang proper (reef, heavy).
Surf season in Bali peaks April-October on the west coast (Uluwatu, Bingin etc.). Wet season shifts swell to the east coast.
Where to stay
Budget: surf camps and homestays in Ungasan and Pecatu from $20-40/night. Drifter Surf Camp for a group vibe.
Mid-range: boutique cliff villas in Bingin or Pecatu, $80-180/night.
Luxury: Bulgari Resort, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Renaissance, Six Senses. Uluwatu is where Bali’s best luxury properties are concentrated.
Food and bars
Sunset cocktails at Single Fin (epic view over Uluwatu wave), The Cashew Tree, Ulu Cliffhouse, El Kabron. Great dinner: Om Uluwatu, Cuca, Jiwa Bakery for breakfast, Bukit Cafe for coffee. Cheaper: local warungs on Jl. Labuansait.
How to combine with other areas
Uluwatu pairs well with a few nights in Canggu or Ubud before. Airport is only 25-40 minutes from Uluwatu, making it a good last stop before flying out. Canggu to Uluwatu is 1h-1h15. Ubud to Uluwatu is 1h45-2h.
