Uluwatu is one of Bali’s most popular destinations. It’s one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world and it has a very different vibe from some of the other beach towns in Bali.
If you’re interested in laid-back, chilled-out Uluwatu, then you might want to take a minute to get familiar with the area using our guide.
Where Is Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is on the Southern Tip of Bali, the Bukit Peninsula. That means it’s on the same peninsula as two other popular areas here in Bali – Ungasan and Nusa Dua.
How Do I Get To Uluwatu?
To get to Uluwatu is pretty easy, there’s only one airport here in Bali, Denpasar Airport (as it’s known internationally) also called Ngurah Rai International Airport (the local name).
From the airport, it’s super easy to get a ride-share (Grab and Gojek are the two local Uber equivalents) and relatively cheap too.
You could also get a taxi from the taxi rank, but this will cost more money for essentially the same service.
Or if your hotel provides an airport pickup service, you could avail yourself of that – though we only recommend taking a pickup if it’s included in your room rate, otherwise, it’s much more expensive than Grab or Gojek, again for roughly the same service.
Uluwatu is only about an hour’s drive from the airport, even in the Bali traffic which is kind of handy.
Which Other Areas In Bali Is Uluwatu Close To?
Uluwatu is on the Bukit Peninsula and it’s right next to Jimbaran and on the opposite side of the peninsula from Nusa Dua and Ungasan.
You’re also not that far from the capital city, Denpasar, or the popular beach towns of Kuta Beach, Seminyak Beach and Canggu Beach.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Uluwatu?
There’s never a bad time of year to come to Bali and this is as true of Uluwatu as it is of the rest of the island.
However, if you’re going because this area is a surfer’s paradise then we’d recommend hitting the surf spots in April through to October.
That’s because you get onshore winds at this time of year and it provides better formed waves as a result. April to October is the “Dry Season” in Bali.
However, if you just want to spend some time in Uluwatu, Bali for the beaches, restaurants and resorts, you might opt to come during the rainy season.
It doesn’t rain that much at that time of the year and it is, generally, cheaper except for the Christmas to New Year Period.
What Should I Do Before I Visit Uluwatu?
If you want to get the most out of Uluwatu, we’d recommend you have the following in hand before you travel:
Book your return flights – this is a condition of your visa
Have an e-visa, customs declaration and health declaration before you land – this will save a lot of time at the airport
Book your accommodation – you don’t want to arrive in Uluwatu and have nowhere to stay
Bring some Indonesian Rupiah (or get some at the airport) – you can pay with card in most places here, but when you can’t, you really will need cash
What’s The Best Plan When I Arrive In Uluwatu?
There’s not much to do after you arrive (though we do recommend buying a SIM card at the airport for data and local use phone calls) excet get a car to your hotel.
Then, you can kick back and enjoy the area of Uluwatu.
What’s The Overall Vibe Of Uluwatu?
Uluwatu, Bali is all about surfing and beaches. It’s a very laidback area and even the traffic hasn’t quite reached the intensity of the other beach towns.
However, it’s also much more spread out than the other beach towns and if you were planning on walking everywhere, Uluwatu doesn’t really lend itself to foot traffic.
We’d also note that for some reason, things on the Bukit tend to be more expensive than in the rest of Bali.
Is Uluwatu A Family-Friendly Destination?
Yes! All of Bali is a family-friendly destination, in fact, and you’ll find that children are welcome all over the island.
There are a few adults-only resorts and attractions in Uluwatu but not very many and, by and large, you’ll be free to enjoy most activities together.
Is Uluwatu Safe?
Yes, Uluwatu is a generally safe destination as is Bali as a whole. In fact, Bali is normally safer than most Western towns and cities.
However, you should be aware that in a developing nation, there are health risks that you might not face at home. Bali Belly and dengue fever are, perhaps, the most common.
You may also encounter snakes, monkeys and rabid dogs. In fact, if you visit Uluwatu Temple then you’re guaranteed to encounter a few monkeys.
Crime, however, is minimal and when it does occur it tends to be petty in nature. Take care of your possessions and everything should be fine. Violent crime is very rare on this island and if it does occur, it’s most likely to be between drunken tourists rather than being instigated by local people.
How To Get Around Uluwatu?
Uluwatu is a spread-out area and unless you intend to spend your whole holiday at a resort and using the resort’s facilities, you’re going to bnneed some kind of transport.
Your options are:
Taxis – taxis are few and far between in some parts of Uluwatu and the taxi mafia is prevalent in other parts of the area. Overall, we don’t recommend using taxis in Bali because it’s hard to spot the honest drivers from the fake drivers pulling scams on tourists.
Grab or Gojek – the two ride-sharing applications here are excellent but be warned, Uluwatu is not as popular as some of the other beach towns and that means fewer drivers. You may have to wait a long while at busy times of the day to get a ride
Scooter – we never recommend using a scooter in Bali. It’s a dangerous way to get around and it’s hard to keep road-legal. If you’re not road-legal, then your insurance is worthless in the event of an accident. Medical bills can be sky-high.
Private Driver – this is, in our opinion, the best way to get around when you need to. Hire a car and driver for the day (it’s cheap at around 500,000 IDR/$35 USD/$50 AUD for a whole day including driver, car and gas).
What Are Some Hotels And Resorts In Uluwatu?
There are many different places to stay in Uluwatu and there’s something for every budget including:
Alila Villas – this ultra-luxury hotel complex is pricey but offers amazing views of the beautiful sunset from the cliffs above the ocean.
Six Senses Uluwatu – an amazing resort which specialises in wellness activities. They also have a really cool outdoor cinema.
Gravity Hotel – a very chic eco-resort with lovely sea views. Their onsite restaurant is wonderful.
White Palm Hotel – this hidden gem near Balangan Beach is full of colonial-era charm.
Mahi Mahi Beach Shack – a lovely boutique hotel by Bingin Beach where you can enjoy seafood barbecues on the beach every night.
Can You Rent A Private Villa In Uluwatu?
Yes, you can rent a villa and there are some great options in Uluwatu including:
The Ungasan Clifftop Resort – if you’re in the mood for elegant luxury on a cliff edge, this place should be ideal with a nice range of 3,4 and 5 bedroom villas.
Uluwatu Surf Villas – right next to Uluwatu Beach and a firm favourite with surfers and mid-range travellers. This villa complex is excellent.
Melali Bingin – if you want a home-away-from-home this villa complex is excellent and you’re guaranteed bespoke and world-class service.
About Uluwatu Beaches
There are so many beaches in this area that it could take a long time to run through them all (and we already have in this complete list of Uluwatu beaches) but some of the highlights include:
Bingin Beach
Balangan Beach
Thomas Beach
Beaches in Uluwatu tend to be white sand or yellow sand beaches and the majority are very pleasant underfoot.
World Class Surf Breaks
The biggest draw to Uluwatu is the world-class surf breaks and many professional tournaments are held in the region each year.
You don’t need to stay in Uluwatu Surf Villas to take advantage of these breaks, but we would strongly recommend that you are an experienced surfer if you want to tackle the waves in Uluwatu.
If you’re not a strong surfer already, why not visit Canggu and master the art, first? Then when you stride out onto Bingin Beach, Thomas Beach, Balangan Beach, etc. you’ll be confident of tackling any challenge.
Other Things To Do In Uluwatu
Uluwatu, Bali has a few other attractions and it’s worth noting that the area has a lot of attractive natural beauty to explore too.
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) And Kecak Dance
Perhaps the most famous temple in Bali is Uluwatu Temple. It’s a fairly compact place on the cliff edge above Uluwatu Beach and it has an amazing sunset view.
It’s also the home of the famous kecak dance (fire dancing) performance and the clifftop setting adds an extra slice of drama to this exhilarating art form.
The temple is also home to the world’s most larcenous monkeys. The little blighters don’t just steal from tourists, they also know (in their own terms) what items are worth and expect you to buy them back in food. If you don’t they may throw them off the cliff! So, make sure to keep you things carefully guarded.
Cliff Top Views
There’s nothing quite like gazing out over the Indian Ocean from a cliff in Uluwatu, Bali. Uluwatu is home to some of the most incredible limestone cliffs in the world and the beaches are dramatic and beautiful for them.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park
This park is home to the largest statue in Indonesia, the giant Garuda that you can see when your plane lands at Denpasar Airport.
It also has traditional dance performances, some exhibits and a decent selection of Indonesian food.
Where To Eat In Uluwatu?
There are plenty of restaurants in this area and many of them are great but we have to warn you, you may need transport to get to them:
The Station Uluwatu – an excellent place for international food without spending a fortune. The burgers are first-rate.
Ulu Garden – a nice semi-outdoor set up where you can enjoy a god mix of Asian and Western favourites.
Watu Steakhouse – this resort based steakhouse is very good but it’s also very pricey.
The Cave by Chef Ryan Clift – one of the most unique dining experiences on the island, ideal for a romantic night out.
Mira’s Warung – an inexpensive Balinese restaurant near Balangan Beach with excellent food.
Where To Shop In Uluwatu?
Uluwatu doesn’t have a huge amount of shops when compared to Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta but there are still a few places around and much of the merchandise is hand made locally:
Uluwatu Handmade Balinese Lace – if you love lace, you’re going to love this place.
Poema Bali – a great spot for Brazilian beachwear! Yes, it’s not what we expected either.
Zen Bali Arts Studio and Gallery – buy something from a local artist or even have a piece commissioned.
Does Uluwatu Have Much Nightlife?
Uluwatu isn’t the best area in Bali for nightlife and if you want to party, we’d strongly recommend Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta over Uluwatu. IN fact, even Ubud has more to do.
But it’s not entirely devoid of nightlife spots either and you might want to visit:
-
Hatch Bali – a relatively inexpensive, for Uluwatu, pub/club
-
The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort – it’s very expensive but the dramatic views might make it worth your time.
-
Unique Rooftop Bar at Rimba Jimbaran Bali – another pricey but pleasant hotel bar with a really good view.
-
Sundara at Four Seasons Jimbaran – this is a very stylish bar, but once again, it’s not cheap.
-
The Bench Brewery – our favourite pub in the area with great deals on happy hour beers
FAQs
Is Uluwatu, Bali Worth Visiting?
Yes! While Uluwatu does offer some challenges for visitors because of the way that it’s very spaced out, it’s a big deal for experienced surfers (check out the surfers at Uluwatu Surf Villas to see that).
It’s also the home of beautiful beaches, Uluwatu Temple, some of the best restaurants, boutique hotels, and dramatic limestone cliffs on the island.
You will find that this surfer’s paradise doesn’t offer as much to do as places like Canggu or Seminyak, but if you’re in search of massive waves and awesome surf spots, you can’t go wrong with Uluwatu.
What Is Uluwatu Best Known For?
Uluwatu attracts surfers from around the world. While beginner and intermediate surfers might want to get a few lessons before they visit this area, advanced surfers and professionals are going to love the Uluwatu area. The whole of the Bukit Peninsula is perfect for beach hopping from surf session to surf session.
This part of the Indian Ocean offers some incredible challenges for surfers and the white sand beaches are perfect for lazing about on after a day’s surfing with a cold beer in hand.
Is Uluwatu A Party Place?
No, while there are a few party spots in Uluwatu, the area is very much geared up around serious surfing and that means that the best beaches tend to see a lot of hardcore athletes who come for the excellent surf and stunning scenery but aren’t really into partying.
They will enjoy the delicious food, yoga lessons, and amazing places around the area too.
Is Uluwatu Or Canggu Better?
It depends on the kind of holiday you want. We’d say that given that Canggu is more walkable, is ideal for beginner surfers, and has a much better number of resorts and attractions than Uluwatu that Canggu is going to be better for most visitors to the island.
You can always take a day trip to Uluwatu if visiting Uluwatu Temple is really high on your list of things to do.
However, for the super serious surfers, the beginners’ surf of Canggu and Seminyak simply won’t cut it. They’ll want to challenge the biggest breaks on the island and that means visiting Uluwatu.
How Long Do I Need In Uluwatu? How Many Days Should I Spend In Uluwatu Bali?
As with nearly every area in Bali, Uluwatu can be the place where you spend an entire holiday. Spending time working out what your favourite beach is and seeking hidden gems can be very rewarding to some people.
However, we think that most people will only want to spend 2 or 3 days in this area before they want more than a stunning beach or a private beach and opt to head into the other parts of Bali.
Can You Swim At Uluwatu Beaches?
You can swim at some of the beaches in Uluwatu. Some of the beaches are not safe for swimming and it’s very important to read up on a beach before you swim and to follow any signs and flags on the beach.
There are no lifeguards on the beaches in Bali, so if you swim and get into trouble, you may find yourself in serious trouble, indeed.
Final Thoughts On Uluwatu
Uluwatu, Bali is a very popular destination for surfers and it’s becoming more visited by other groups of tourists too, often attracted by the draw of Uluwatu Temple.
It’s a great place for a few days of chilling by the sea before you set off to explore more of Bali.
Related blogs:
The Best Things To Do In Uluwatu: Beyond the Beaches
Is Uluwatu Worth Visiting? Is This Part Of Bali Still A Surfer’s Paradise?
The Best Uluwatu Beaches: Find The Finest Beaches On The Bukit Peninsula
The Best Uluwatu Hotels: Your Guide On Where To Stay In Bali’s Surfer’s Paradise
The Best Spas Uluwatu: Where To Treat Yourself With The Best Spa Package
The Best Restaurants Uluwatu: The Ultimate Guide To Eating In Uluwatu
