The Bukit Peninsula is very close to becoming an island in its own right and it’s joined to Bali by a thin stretch of land in the south.
It’s an incredible area of dramatic limestone cliffs, roaring Indian Ocean waves, amazing and top-quality surf spots, charming rustic bamboo bungalows and ultra-luxury villas with their own outdoor infinity pool, in short, there’s something for everyone.
Our guide to the peninsula will help you make the most out of a visit to the area and understand why this area is growing in popularity with visitors to the island.
Where Is The Bukit Peninsula?
It’s the Southernmost tip of the island and consists of Uluwatu, South Kuta, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Petjatu, Banjar Keold, Cengiling, Banjar Werdhi Kosala, Banjar Mumbul, Bualu and several other smaller areas too numerous to list.
However, when most people mention the Bukit here, they’re really talking about the area around Uluwatu and the beaches that run around the edge before you reach Nusa Dua, which tends to get treated entirely separately from the rest of the peninsula.
Jimbaran also tends to get lumped in with Kuta even though it too is on the peninsula.
How To Get To The Bukit Peninsula
Given that the peninsula is a short drive from the airport, there are two preferred methods of getting from Denpasar Airport to the Bukit.
The first is to have your hotel provide a hotel transfer service, this is often included in the room rate if you book a more luxurious resort or hotel, and thus it’s “free”.
Hotel transfers are great as they have a driver come and meet you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. They help you get past all the taxi touts and into a vehicle that gets you directly to your hotel with no muss and no fuss.
However, if you don’t get a free hotel transfer, a hotel transfer can be quite an expensive service and you might be better off using a ride-share app (the local equivalents of Uber are Grab and Gojek).
You can download these apps in the arrival hall (use the free Wi-Fi service in the airport) and book a fixed-price ride to your accommodation.
This saves you from arguing with the airport touts (though you will have to walk past a few and politely say “no thank you” as you head to the pick-up point) and prevents you from being ripped off by those same touts.
Both companies, Grab and Gojek, maintain lounges at the airport where you can wait for your ride without being annoyed by touts, though, the lounges are closed after about 11 p.m.
You can even connect a card to the app so that you can pay without cash. If you opt to pay in cash make sure to have the right amount on you, or you may have to tip a bit more than you’d like.
Grab and Gojek can also come in super handy for ordering takeaway food and other things as well as ride-shares.
How To Get Around Bukit Peninsula
The one disadvantage to staying on the Bukit is that it’s very spread out and you will need some form of transport to get from A to B.
However, ride shares aren’t always easy to come by because of the spread-out nature of the area.
So, you’re left with a few choices:
Hire a private car and driver. While building a private beach club might cost a fortune, retaining the services of a private car and driver is very affordable here and you can expect to pay $35-$40 including gas for a full day’s driving. This is probably the safest way to get around in Bali and it’s 100% legal too. It might mean you need to plan your days to get the maximum value out of your ride, though.
Rent a car and drive yourself. To do this, you will need a current driver’s license and a current international driving permit from your home country. If you don’t have those documents, you’re not legal to drive in Bali and car rental companies won’t rent you a car. If you do have them, you should be aware that driving here is much more dangerous than at home and you should always drive defensively. You should also check your insurance carefully to find out what is and isn’t covered before you have an accident. You also won’t save much money when compared to hiring a car with a driver. Wages here aren’t huge and thus, the driver isn’t expecting to get rich from the work.
Rent a scooter and drive yourself. We never recommend renting a scooter in Bali but it is an option. The trouble with driving a scooter is the roads are poorly maintained and local driving standards are abysmal. You also need to ensure you have a current driver’s license with a motorbike endorsement and a current international driver’s permit to drive. You must wear also a helmet (and would be better off wearing other safety gear too) and be sober in order to be road-legal. If you’re not road-legal, your insurance is not valid, and if you have an accident, your bill could come to tens of thousands of dollars and accidents are very common on Balinese roads. We’d urge you to stay somewhere that’s easier to navigate on foot rather than opt for the Bukit and drive a scooter. However, we do have to acknowledge that this is the cheapest way of getting around the area.
24 Things To Do In The Bukit Peninsula
Perhaps, the key draw of the area is its incredibly good white sand beaches. They look awesome from a cliff edge above and live up to their promise when you arrive on the sand to stroll along in the sunshine.
However, that doesn’t mean that beaches are the only things worth seeing in the area and we’ve got a good list of things to do on the peninsula following a fairly substantial list of beaches.
The Best 16 Beaches On The Bukit Peninsula
Balangan Beach
This is a lovely beach for swimming as well as surfing. The wave here is amazing if you want to impress your friends back home with some derring-do on the board.
Blue Point Beach
Blue Point Beach is one of the most photogenic beaches in Bali and a very popular spot with surfers. The rocks here look incredible in the light of a sunset.
This beach is also known as “secluded Suluban Beach” or just Suluban Beach.
Dreamland Beach (New Kuta Beach)
This white sand beach, north of the majority of beaches around Uluwatu, is super popular with surfers. It’s very close to the Uluwatu Temple and the golf course.
Green Bowl Beach
This is a small and serene beach that has some amazing cliffs surrounding it. However, be warned it’s not the easiest beach to get to.
Gunung Payang Beach
This is a pleasant secluded beach that has an excellent reef for those who love to snorkel. The temple overlooking the beach from the cliffs makes for some dramatic photographs too.
Labuan Sait Beach
This exotic beach has wonderful turquoise waters and the waves crashing against the shoreline are soft and pleasant.
Nyang Nyang Beach
This beach is really hard to get to, which makes it one of the best places to visit if you want an almost private beach. However, there are some great value accommodations nearby on the clifftops.
Pandawa Beach
This beach is often considered to be a secret beach and it’s a lovely stretch of over a kilometre of golden sand. It’s the kind of beach we all dream of when we hear “Bali”.
Tegalwangi Beach
This is a very popular beach which is near Jimbaran and you will find tourists rubbing shoulders with locals on its soft sand.
Padang Padang Beach
This beach is part of the chain of Uluwatu beaches that are renowned for amazing surf breaks along the West Coast of the peninsula.
Impossible Beach
This lovely surfing spot is just next to the Anantara Resort in Bali, so you can always head there or to the Radisson Blu for some post-surf cocktails.
Nusa Dua Beach
This stretch of white sand is one of the most popular destinations in Bali and it’s full of family-friendly resorts and water sports enthusiasts.
Thomas Beach
This sandy beach has a nice forest backdrop and it’s famous for its amazing sunsets. It’s only a short walk from the car park to the sand too.
Melasti Beach
Sawangan Beach (formerly Nikko Beach)
It’s a bit hard to get to but this beach in Nusa Dua is absolutely worth your effort. It’s very beautiful and looks amazing in pictures.
8 Other Things To Do
Uluwatu Temple
Batik is the local Uluwatu Temple is a famous cliff-hanging temple and it’s one of the most dramatic sights in Bali, particularly at sunset when the light breaks over the Indian Ocean to illuminate it in spectacular style.
However, Uluwatu Temple is also home to some of the most annoying monkeys on the planet and not only will they steal from their human visitors, they will ransom things back to them.
They have learned the approximate value of things too, so expect to have to buy a lot of food if one of the little rascals makes off with your iPhone or camera.
It’s best to leave anything that you don’t need in the hotel before you visit Uluwatu Temple.
We have a complete guide to Uluwatu Temple.
Jimbaran Fish Market
Sure, you can buy cheaper fish in Bali, though not much cheaper, but the freshest and biggest catch on the island is landed in Jimbaran.
That means if you hit the fish market in the early morning, you can stock up on tasty treats for your villa’s kitchen.
If you go down in the early evening, you can get the local warungs to cook up the catch of the day for you. It’s a win-win and there’s no doubt that if you love seafood, you will leave this area very happy, indeed.
Check out our guide to Jimbaran for more ideas on what to do when you visit the fish market.
Kecak Dance (Fire Dance)
The best place to witness the Kecak Dance in Bali is at the theatre in Uluwatu Temple. It’s on the cliff edge and you take your seats about half an hour before sunset.
Then, you get to enjoy the first half of the dance to the spectacular sunset backdrop before the sun finally drops fully behind the horizon and the fire dancing starts.
It’s a great way to get in touch with the Hindu culture of the island and have a great night out and gives you just one more reason to visit Uluwatu Temple.
We’ve got everything you need to know about the exciting tradition of Kecak Dance here.
New Kuta Golf Course
This is a lovely course that’s perfectly suited to links players. You can get lessons here or use the driving range too.
Where else can you play golf and enjoy amazing views over the ocean and Dreamland Beach?
Our guide to golf Bali also has a list of all the courses on the island.
Surf Spots (Hit The West Coast Surf Breaks)
This area is famous for surfing but we do need to stress it’s for intermediate surfers and better, ideally advanced or even pro surfers.
If you want to get started with surfing head to Canggu or Kuta to get some lessons before you try your hand at surfing on the Bukit.
This guide to the Bali surf can help you find other awesome surf spots on the island.
Pasifika Museum
Hosting the largest collection of Asia-Pacific art anywhere in Southeast Asia this is a great place to learn about the artistic culture of not just Bali but the whole region.
We’ve got a great rundown of the best museums in Bali if you enjoy the Pasifika Museum.
Paragliding
You can see the garuda (the large bird that was ridden by Lord Vishnu in the Hindu epics) from the air as you land at Denpasar Airport, it’s the largest statue in Indonesia.
That’s not all there as the cultural park, however, which was designed to give people an introduction to the local culture in an easy-to-digest format.
You can learn more about GWK Cultural Park here.
Spa Visits
The area is packed with hotels with high-end spas and one thing everyone who comes to Bali surely deserves is some pampering.
Spring Spa is considered to be one of the best in the area and Spa Alila at the Alila Villas is great too, but there are a wealth of options and they’re all good.
Where To Eat On The Bukit Peninsula
You won’t go hungry in this part of Bali and there are some amazing places to eat including:
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The Warung at Alila Villas Uluwatu – this may be the best Indonesian restaurant on the island it’s a hugely sophisticated fine dining experience. If you want Balinese food that sings on your tongue, you will find it here.
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DUGONG at Suarga Padang Padang – this is another swanky Indonesian restaurant with a stunning location on a clifftop. They do an excellent international buffet breakfast here but the best time to visit is at sunset.
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The Bar (BVLGARI Resort) – the BVLGARI resort is one of the most stylish and exclusive venues on the island and you will find this to be a lovely but expensive place to hang out.
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160 Above – this rooftop bar in Pecatu offers amazing views of the ocean through your feet as the bar has a glass floor! They have live music of an evening and it’s a super destination for cold cocktails.
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Warung Beten Ampel – this simple local warung is great for cheap eats and vegan dishes. They also have some screens installed for watching sports. Be warned though, they only take cash, not cards.
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HQ Uluwatu – this sports bar also has a great beer garden right outside. Again, it’s a cash-only venue and it can get very busy at certain times of day.
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Ohana Restaurant, Bar & Kids Paradise – as the name sounds, this is a very family-friendly place and they have a varied menu and an outdoor and indoor playground for the kids. For adults, they have cold cocktails and a vegan menu if required.
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Akasa Jumeirah Bali – this formal, fine dining spot is all about flame-grilled food with an Asian twist and it offers amazing views over the coast as you dine. Dress to impress and the food will do the rest of the impressing for you.
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Ulu Garden – this popular place with the surfing community is “an oasis of togetherness” and it’s a very pleasant spot to enjoy drinks and make new friends. They have some vegan options. They are also well known for their live reggae band on Friday nights.
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Sugar Rock – this international restaurant in Pecatu is super popular and has a great outdoor dining area. Dogs are welcome at this place too.
This is a great guide to restaurants in Uluwatu that can offer even more options to fill your belly on the peninsula.
Where To Stay On The Bukit Peninsula (Find Your Infinity Edge Swimming Pool)
This part of Bali has some lovely places to stay but there is plenty of budget accommodation too if you know where to look. Some of our favourite places on the Bukit include:
Pinkcoco Uluwatu – this is an adults-only resort, so don’t try and book for a family holiday. However, if you want a beach location, gorgeous rooms offering lovely ocean views and a wonderful and Gram-worthy layout, this is the place to be. The staff are always on hand to ensure that your visit to Bali goes without a hitch.
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa – this upmarket resort offers a pottery class that is completely unique to the hotel. Their breakfast spread is one of the finest on the island and the accommodations are contemporary with just a hint of local influences. They have some lovely ocean views from the pool areas.
Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort – if you want a private pool, a private walled garden, or even a private cliff escalator, then you’re in the right place at Anantara. This very high-end resort has a Bose sound system in every room to remind you exactly why it’s worth the high price tag. Their onsite teppanyaki restaurant is fabulous.
Radisson Blu Resort, Bali Uluwatu – this resort is quite isolated from other parts of the area and it’s the ideal place to get away from it all, but if you’re one of those people that likes to walk to their destinations, this is not the right choice for you. Their breakfast buffet is super tasty and one of the best things about staying here is just how quiet it is.
Prasana by Arjani Resorts -If you want a private villa then the private villas at Prasana are all very spacious and this small cliff-edge resort has some of the best views of the island. They also help their guests get the best out of the peninsula by offering free shuttle transport to all major local attractions.
Alila Villas Uluwatu – this overlooks the sea and landscaped gardens below from the cliff top. The dramatic infinity pool here is a truly beautiful swimming pool and the view over the Indian Ocean is first-rate. The complex is also home to some of the best restaurants in Bali and you will find their Indonesian and Italian offerings are just amazing.
The Ungasan Clifftop Resort – this luxurious resort on the Southern Cliff edge of the beach is absolutely stunning. It offers 1-5 bedroom villas and some of the finest food, views and service on the island. The large infinity edge pool at this resort is famed throughout the area and it’s only accessible by resort guests, no day passes.
Cross Bali Breakers – this awesome resort overlooks a wide sand beach below and has 57 private pool villas for you to choose from. There’s a certain old-fashioned Bali charm to the place and it attracts a very different audience the the young surfing crowd at most of the other hotels in the area. It also has an amazing glass-framed chapel for an incredible destination wedding. (We’ve got the lowdown on all the best Bali wedding venues too).
Origin Uluwatu – these tented villas are unique to the South Coast of Bali and are just a stone’s throw from the Padang Padang beach area. This is very much glamping (check out all the best Bali glamping sites) and it’s popular with surfers and those seeking a different kind of break from the cities. Each “villa” has its own private terrace and the staff are famously friendly and caring.
Jumeirah Bali – this amazing hotel on Dreamland Beach is wonderfully laid out and offers direct beach access from its villas. The outdoor pool here is beautiful and the fitness centre is state of the art. There’s free private parking on site and a good in-house spa too. It’s the sort of place that you don’t want to leave after you get settled in.
We have a complete guide on where to stay in Uluwatu and also a guide on where to stay in Nusa Dua if you want more ideas on where to rest your head on the peninsula.
Great Days Out From The Bukit Peninsula
Once you’ve explored everything that the peninsula has to offer, there are plenty of great day trips to be had from the Bukit including:Â
FINNS Beach Club – the best day out that you can have on a beach anywhere in the world is at FINNS Beach Club. This private beach club is in Canggu and it offers incredible restaurants, perfectly cold drinks including amazing cocktails, infinity pools, decadent loungers, live DJs and much more with a view of the Indian Ocean. The best moment of the day comes at sunset when the natural light show over the waves makes you feel truly alive. If you come to Bali and don’t visit FINNS, have you really been to Bali at all? Last year, 1 in 8 visitors to the island were visitors to FINNS. Why not join them?
Splash Waterpark – one of the nice family days out on the island is spending some time at a waterpark. You can enjoy the thrill of water slides, splash about in the pool and enjoy some quality sunbathing time too. Splash is also quite unique in that it provides lounger facilities for adults to enjoy a cocktail while their little ones play within their line of sight. It’s just what the doctor ordered for playing together as a family and still doing your own thing.
Ubud Art Market – Ubud in central Bali is the spiritual heartland of the island and it’s famous for its rice terraces, temples, palaces and sacred monkey forest. However, it’s also home to Ubud Art Market which is one of the best market experiences the island has to offer and a great place to pick up some truly authentic souvenirs of your time in Bali. You also can’t get chased by monkeys at the art market.
Exploring Denpasar – Bali’s capital city is often ignored by tourists, yet, it has some of the best local restaurants, excellent shopping, great museums and even a sea turtle sanctuary! It’s also, generally speaking, cheaper than much of the rest of the island and you can have a day out in Denpasar which is great value for money. You’ll also find that you’re never bothered by crowds of tourists.
Visit Mengwi Village – Mengwi Village is the ancient capital of Bali. Mengwi is also a district in Bali. You can stop in at the awe-inspiring Taman Ayun Temple, visit the Ogoh-Ogoh Museum and learn why, once a year, Bali invites monsters and demons to the island, and you can enjoy Taman Anyar, a charming agrotourism community with a very traditional Balinese vibe.
Shop At Seminyak Square – Seminyak is one of the island’s most popular shopping destinations, particularly for fashionistas who love boutique shopping with authentic local brands rather than mall shopping in international chains. Seminyak Square is one of the best places to shop in Seminyak and you’ll have a great time wandering there and finding the perfect new item for your wardrobe.
FAQs
How Do You Get Around Bukit Peninsula?
We maintain that the ride-sharing apps of Grab and Gojek are the best way to get to the peninsula, however, once you’re there, the best way to get around is a private car with a private driver.
What Does Bukit Mean In Bali?
The word “Bukit” means “hill” in Indonesian. However, it also sort of means “big rock” and that’s why it’s the Bukit Peninsula. It’s a big lump of rock sticking off the edge of Bali.
It is worth noting that from a geological perspective, the peninsula is made up of a very different form of rock than the rest of the island. It’s a large limestone peninsula, in fact.
The good news is that while the peninsula may, one day, break off and form its own island, it’s not likely to happen in our lifetimes or, indeed, in the lifetimes of our great, great, great, great, great-grandchildren, either.
What Are The Areas Of Bali?
This is a big question but we’ve got a breakdown of all the areas in Bali here.
Is The Bukit Peninsula Worth It?
Yes! The Bukit Peninsula is one of the nicest parts of Bali and everything from the famous surf break to the Uluwatu temple on its majestic cliff setting makes the area a big draw for visitors.
Imagine swimming in a dramatic cliff-edge pool at one of the luxury villas or traditional-style bamboo bungalows or following the cliff edge down to a truly lovely beach below. There are many reasons people come back to the area again and again.
How Do You Book A Holiday In Bali Including A Trip To The Bukit Peninsula?
We always recommend that people book their holidays in Bali through our local travel agent, the Bali Res Centre.
As a locally owned and operated business, they can help you find exactly what you’re looking for in terms of accommodation and flights and always at competitive prices.
The best thing about dealing with the Bali Res Center is that you can be certain that your holiday spending is staying in the local economy and not being sent overseas to enrich a multinational corporation.
Final Thoughts On The Bukit Peninsula
If you’re thinking of visiting the Bukit, we would recommend that you do. The area is almost a separate island from Bali and it has its own distinct feel.
Surfers, in particular, won’t want to miss out on the world-class surf breaks and the chance to catch a big surf break offshore, but there’s more to the Bukit than surfing.
If you’re seeking a spectacular wedding venue or a hotel with a very scenic cave underneath, you will find it on the Bukit.
Just make sure that you take, at least, one day trip from the peninsula to come and join us at FINNS in Canggu, the world’s best beach club.Â
