11 Best Beaches Bear Uluwatu for Swimming, Sunbathing & Sunsets

I lived in Bali for over three years, and some of my happiest days were spent barefoot around Uluwatu. There’s something special about this part of the island: it’s wilder, more dramatic, and feels a world away from the busier areas like Canggu or Seminyak. 

The cliffs here are enormous, the surf culture is strong, and tucked between those cliffs are some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Whether you want to surf, swim, or just find a quiet stretch of sand to watch the sun melt into the ocean, Uluwatu’s beaches deliver. Here are my favourites:

This is probably the most famous of the bunch—partly because Julia Roberts filmed Eat Pray Love here, but mostly because it’s ridiculously pretty. To get down, you squeeze through a narrow rock passage and suddenly find yourself on a tiny cove of golden sand and turquoise water. 

It does get busy (especially in the middle of the day), but I still think it’s worth a visit. I’ve been in the early mornings when the beach is almost empty, and it feels like your own little secret. For surfers, Padang Padang is legendary. The wave here is powerful and attracts pros from all over the world.

Bingin is where I always end up spending “just an afternoon” and somehow staying until the sun goes down. It’s got that kind of energy: laidback, welcoming, and addictive. The beach itself is framed by cliffs, with little warungs (local cafés) and homestays built right into the rock. 

Surfers love it for the consistent break, but even if you’re not surfing, it’s a great place to hang out. I’ve spent lazy days here reading on the sand, swimming in the shallows, and eating grilled fish straight from the barbecue. When the tide is low, you can walk along the rocks to neighbouring beaches, which makes it feel like you’re exploring a hidden coastline

Dreamland feels like the slightly wilder cousin of Balangan—a wide stretch of golden sand framed by cliffs, with waves that crash dramatically along the shore. It used to be more of a hidden gem, but over the years it’s grown into a busier spot, with umbrellas lined up and families setting up camp for the day. 

I like Dreamland for its energy: there’s space to spread out, waves that are fun for confident swimmers (though they can get rough), and a scattering of beach bars where you can grab a cold coconut. It’s not the most serene beach near Uluwatu, but if you want that classic Bali holiday atmosphere with lots going on—from bodyboarders in the water to kids building sandcastles—this is the one. Sunsets here are especially stunning, with the whole beach glowing pink as the day winds down.

Suluban is pure drama. You reach it by winding down a staircase carved into the cliff, past surf shops and little cafés, before ducking through a rocky cave that suddenly opens out to the ocean. The beach itself is small and rocky, but the real magic here is the surf. This is one of Bali’s most famous breaks, drawing pros from around the world. 

Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth coming just to watch them ride impossibly long barrels while you sip a drink from a clifftop bar. I love heading here in the late afternoon: the tide pools shimmer gold, the cliffs throw long shadows, and the whole place has this raw, untamed energy. Just check tide times before you go—at high tide, there’s often not much beach left.

Thomas Beach is one of those places that still feels a little under the radar, even though it’s so close to the main Uluwatu strip. To get there, you walk down a long set of stairs, and when you finally reach the bottom you’re greeted with a long, sandy bay that feels way quieter than Padang Padang or Bingin. 

There are a few small warungs dotted along the shore where you can rent a lounger or grab a nasi goreng, but it never feels crowded. I love coming here when I want a simple beach day—swimming, sunbathing, maybe a paddleboard rental—without too many distractions. The water is usually calmer than some of the bigger surf beaches, which makes it great for swimming.

If you’re after a true escape, Nyang Nyang is where you go. It takes some effort—a long, steep walk or drive down (and an even longer one back up)—but once you reach the bottom, you’re rewarded with one of the most unspoiled beaches in Uluwatu. 

The sand stretches for what feels like forever, and there’s often barely anyone else around. It’s not a swimming beach (the currents can be strong), but it’s incredible for long, meditative walks, beach picnics, or just lying under a parasol in total peace. There are a couple of little bamboo warungs now, but it still feels raw and remote, like your own private Bali.

Green Bowl is one of those “secret” spots that feels like a reward for those who make the effort. To get here, you’ll climb down over 300 steps, and trust me, your legs will feel it on the way back up. But at the bottom, you’re greeted with a small, hidden cove of powdery sand and bright turquoise water. 

It’s named after the green mossy rocks that appear at low tide, and when the sun hits them, the whole beach glows. It’s not a big beach, and it disappears almost completely at high tide, so timing is everything. I love coming here for the sense of adventure. The caves at either end are perfect for shade, and the sea is stunning to swim in when it’s calm. It still feels like a secret, even though more people are starting to discover it.

Karma Beach sits at the bottom of a luxury resort, and it shows. You can either stay at Karma Kandara or pay for a day pass, which includes access via their private inclinator that whisks you down the cliff. 

Once you’re there, it feels like a slice of paradise: soft white sand, clear water, loungers under shady umbrellas, and attentive staff ready to bring you cocktails. It’s definitely more of a “beach club” experience than a rugged adventure, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want. The food is excellent too, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu that goes far beyond your average beach warung. If you’re up for splurging a little, Karma is one of the most polished beach days you can have in Uluwatu.

I spend SO much time at Melasti because it’s home to my favorite beach club: Palmilla. It’s is one of those beaches that looks unreal even before you reach the sand. The road down carves through giant limestone cliffs, and as you zigzag your way to the bottom, the view of turquoise water opening up ahead is incredible. It’s one of the wider beaches in the Bukit, so even though it’s become more popular over the last few years, it never feels packed. 

I love coming here for sunset. The tide pools light up gold and the cliffs behind you glow in the evening sun. It’s also one of the more developed beaches now, with beach clubs, sunbeds, and restaurants right on the sand, so you can easily spend a full day here without needing to bring much. If you only have time for one Uluwatu beach and want easy access plus serious wow factor, Melasti is a great pick.

Pandawa is a big contrast to the smaller coves in Uluwatu. It’s huge, with a long stretch of golden sand lined with warungs and sunbeds. It’s not as trendy or hidden as Bingin or Nyang Nyang, but that’s part of the charm—it feels more local, more laid-back. The cliffs here are dramatic too, carved with giant statues of Hindu figures, which makes the drive down almost as memorable as the beach itself. It’s also one of the safest for swimming, thanks to calmer waters, so if you’re not into battling waves, this is a good option. I’d say come for a few hours, grab some nasi goreng at a beachside café, and enjoy a more relaxed side of Uluwatu.

Closer to Nusa Dua, Gunung Payung is one of South Bali’s quieter gems. To reach it, you hike down a long staircase through jungle, and at the bottom you’re rewarded with a wide stretch of sand and barely any people. I’ve come here on afternoons when it felt like I had the place to myself. There’s a reef offshore so the waves are calmer, making it good for swimming or just floating around. Sometimes you’ll spot locals playing music in the shade or fishing off the rocks. It’s a bit more effort to get to, but that’s exactly why it stays peaceful.