Are you in the mood for a real Bali adventure? Why not visit the beautiful Kubu Beach? The swanky Ayana Resort would like you to believe that it’s for their guests only, but, in fact, anyone can enjoy this lovely white sand beach in one of the most lovely parts of the island.
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy Kubu Beach with your friends and family.
Where Is Kubu Beach?
How To Get To Kubu Beach?
You have two options to get to Kubu Beach:
Club together with some friends and walk down the limestone cliffs to reach the beach. This is a bit of a hike but it’s not dangerous or particularly challenging and it means you get the sweet satisfaction of knowing that your fun isn’t costing any money.
Stay at the Ayana Resort, this is a great option, to be fair. Ayana is one of the nicest resorts in Bali (as is RIMBA the sub-resort in the Ayana Resort Complex) and they will let you use their priority access to the beach which takes much less time to do.
Hang On Isn’t Kubu Beach Part Of Ayana Resort, Jimbaran?
No. You’re not allowed to own a beach in Bali or to restrict access to a beach for the general public. So, while it is easiest to get to this beach through the hotel – you can walk around and this is completely legal and anyone can spend some time on Kubu Beach.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Kubu Beach?
No. Unless you count the cost of staying at the Ayana Resort if you want a shortcut to the beach, there’s no entrance fee to Kubu Beach.
This is because the Ayana Resort keeps the beach clean and thus, there’s no need for the local community to do so – which is what most beach entrance fees are for in Bali, cleaning and maintenance.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Kubu Beach?
There’s no bad time of year to spend a day on a beach in Bali. Even in the “wet season” we get about 8 hours of uninterrupted sunshine each day. However, it’s more humid and hotter in the rainy season and there is an increased chance of rain.
We should note that this means it’s off-peak season and you can get cheaper flights and accommodation at that time of year (except in the Xmas-New Year period).
In the dry season, however, there’s a pleasant onshore breeze, humidity falls and it’s a bit cooler.
What Is There To Do At Kubu Beach?
Not much, really. You can join the guests at Ayana Resort in one of their restaurants and bars on the sands. Otherwise, this is a great beach for sunbathing on or taking a walk. The sand is white, fine and soft and it’s lovely to feel it underfoot.
Swimming isn’t great at this beach, however, as the water can be downright dangerous and the nearby reef is sharp and likely to cut your feet.
We like to go before sunset and then relax with the waves lapping at our feet as the sun dips below the horizon and illuminates the rocks in the area with stunning light that looks great in photos.
What To Do Near Kubu Beach?
There are a few things to do in the area that are worth your time and the closest include:
Balangan Beach
This beach is a surfer’s favourite and it’s much busier than Kubu Beach. You will find that it’s most busy later in the day and you might want to visit in the mornings before the crowds arrive.
Pura Goa Peteng – Tunjung Mekar
“Goa” means cave and “pura” means “temple”. So, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that this is a temple in a cave and if you want to explore it properly, you should bring a headlight. It’s one of the less visited temples in Bali, so you should have it to yourself when you go.
New Kuta Golf Club Bali
It’s one of the best golf clubs on the island, a links course where you can play golf with an amazing view of the ocean.
Cemongkak Beach
Another relatively unknown beach right next to Bingin Beach and an amazing place to enjoy a quiet sunset drink.
Laguna Kubu
Just inland from the beach is this pleasant laguna where you can spend a few minutes soaking up the relaxed vibes.
Where To Stay Near Kubu Beach?
There are several great resorts in the area including:
AYANA Resort Jimbaran Bay – an exclusive resort with beautiful suites and villas and some of the finest dining in the area.
RIMBA Jimbaran Bali – this resort is even more exclusive and is a resort within a resort at AYANA!
La Joya Biu Biu Resort – with direct beach access and some very comfy beds, this 3-star is great value for money for this area.
Villa Aum – a great location for a family holiday with small children.
Where To Eat Near Kubu Beach?
There are many places to eat near this beach but they can be quite pricey and they include:
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Bagus Warung Balangan – a very affordable local warung specializing in seafood.
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DAVA Steak & Seafood Restaurant – one of the finest spots for a steak in Bali but expensive.
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Kisik Seafood Bar & Grill – eat on the beach in style at this upscale resort restaurant.
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Rock Bar – a lovely bar in front of an attractive rock formation. Cocktails are spendy though.
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Forest Bar – a chic upscale bar in the RIMBA resort.
FAQs
How To Access Kubu Beach?
The first way is to go to the Ayana Resort (address: 647Q+GP, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia) and either stay in the hotel or pay to use one of their bars and restaurants and negotiate the use of their entrance way to the beach.
The other way is to opt to trek down the limestone cliffs and visit this hidden gem while bypassing the resort. The trail is pretty easy to find but it does take a little while to walk down to the beach this way.
Can You Swim At Kubu Beach?
You can, but the swell is very powerful and you risk being dragged out to sea if you’re not a strong swimmer and there are sharp reefs very near the shore, so make sure to wear suitable foot protection if you do opt to go into the water – we’d stick to sunbathing on the soft, white sand instead.
Does Ayana Resort Have A Beach?
No, but Ayana Resort would definitely like its guests to think it owns Kubu Beach. The truth is that all beaches in Bali are accessible to the public, by law and while the local community is free to set a small entrance fee to beaches to help pay for keeping them clean for swimming and ensuring that any trash that floats up out of the ocean is removed – this beach is free to access for everyone.
However, if you want to get to the beach easily, it’s most accessible from the resort and you do need permission from the resort staff to use this access if you’re not staying in the hotel (and normally they will ask you to walk down the long way, instead).
Is Kubu Beach In Bali Worth Visiting?
Yes! In fact, it’s the kind of beach that Bali is famous for. White sands, turquoise waters and endless sun. However, sadly, most people will never spend any time relaxing in its beauty because of its challenging to reach location.
How To Book A Holiday In Bali Near Kuba Beach?
We always recommend that you book your holiday in Bali through the lovely people at the Bali Res Centre. That’s a specialist local travel agent who can ensure you get the best deals on rooms at Ayana Resort or wherever else you choose to stay in the area.
Final Thoughts On Whether To Visit Kubu Beach?
In conclusion, Kubu Beach is a great place to go and it’s not a private beach even if most tourists visiting the coral reefs and white sands here will be fooled into thinking it’s part of the Ayana Resort or Rimba Jimbaran Bali Resort.
If you want to visit Kubu Beach, club together with some friends and go for one weekend, they’ll keep you company on the walk to the beach or at the swanky restaurants at the Ayana Resort before you descend to the beach in style.