“A VERY SPECIAL BEACH”
Enjoy my video impression of Uluwatu beach below.
The location
Uuluwatu beach is a very special beach I would say. Because of the way you will need to access it. Due to the way it is located largely underneath the cliffs. And how dependent it is on the tide whether or not the beach is properly accessible.
You can find Uluwatu beach in Uluwatu. At the most western tip of the Peninsula.
Getting to Uluwatu beach
When you are driving on the sort of “ring” road that gets you around all the spots in the western tip of the Peninsula, you will need to take the exit to the Jl. Mamo road.
You will have to pay a 5k IDR entrance fee for a motor bike at the entrance booth. Continuing on this road will lead you straight to the general parking area.
All around the parking area you can find all kinds of accommodations. Like homestays, restaurants and bars. But to get to the beach, you will need to walk in the direction of the Single Fin Bar.
Just before the entrance of the bar, there is a fork in the road. It is tempting to walk towards the right, in the direction of the bar, but you will need to take the left path. This will take you in the direction of the beach.
You are also already able to have a good look over the ocean from the entrance path.
So, go down the stairs of the left path. Till you reach a small intersection in the middle of all kinds of little bars.
Here you go left again. This will take you down a few steps through a narrow concrete corridor.
Head that way for about 30 meters or so, and take the little steps down on your right. Like the lady in the picture below.
Keep on walking till the end. And you will find a semi floating concrete stairs on your right.
These stairs will take you down to Uluwatu beach.
The beachfront itself
As mentioned before, this beach has a somewhat special location. Because a large part of the beach is below the overhanging cliffs. And most of the beach area that lies outside of the cliffs, is inaccessible when it is high tide. When I was there filming, it was high tide. So I wasn’t able to get to the beach outside of the cliffs.
But I have been to this beach before. And when it is low tide, parts on both sides around the corners of the entrance become accessible for regular beachgoers.
With parts like these…
and these…
being accessible.
But when it is flooded, it gives you a good excuse to enjoy a drink and a snack at one of the many bars and restaurants on the cliffside.
This beach is also not really a regular beachgoers destination. It is more know as a surfers paradise. So when you are sitting at one of the bars on the cliff, you can look out over the ocean. And enjoy what Uluwatu is know for. Its rolling waves.
What to do
There are plenty of things to do at Uluwatu beach:
- Chill at the beach: You can chill at the beach. But this is best to be done when it is low tide. Because most of the beach gets flooded when it is high tide. You can sit at the main entrance of the beach. But you can also go outside and around the cliffs. There you can find some larger stretches of beach when it is low tide.
- Surf: Of course. The main thing Uluwatu beach is know for. Its amazing waves. So if you are a surfer, it is a no brainer to go out on the waves at Uluwatu beach.
- Visit a cliffside bar: One of the other things Uluwatu beach is know for, are the many cliffside bars with life music and DJ’s in the evening. The most famous one is by no doubt Single Fin Bar. With it’s famous Sunday Sessions. Where there are live sets being played the whole evening.
- Enjoy the view of the waves: Just look out onto the ocean, and enjoy the relaxing view of the continuous waves. All of the bars on the cliffside provide an amazing view over the waves down below. Which can be admired the whole day long.
- Enjoy a sunset: You will be able to admired one of the most amazing sunsets form Uluwatu beach when you have some clear skies in the evening. As it faces exactly in the setting sun’s direction.
And that is Uluwatu beach.
