Best Beaches In Uluwatu In 2026 + Where To Stay Near Each One
Uluwatu has some of the best beaches in Bali. Each one offers something different. Some are perfect for swimming, others are ideal if you want to surf or just grab a coconut and relax for a while.
I visited all of these beaches on my own and felt completely safe at every single one. It was easy to enjoy them without stress, and I could take my time without feeling rushed or uncomfortable.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the beaches I recommend and help you find the ones that fit the kind of day you want to have. I will also recommend the best place to stay if you want to spend the night in the area!
Ready?
Let’s jump in!
Before we get into the beaches, let me give you one quick tip. Wi Fi around the Uluwatu cliffs is almost non-existent. I rely on Ubigi eSIM to check the tides before surfing, order a Gojek after the beach, and use maps to find the stairs back up. ➡️ Grab yours here and use OBSERVER10 for 10% off
Beaches Overview:
| Beach | Best For | Best Hotel Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Padang Padang | Swimming & Surf | 👉 Suarga Padang Padang |
| Bingin | Surf, Food, Sunsets | 👉 Sal Secret Spot |
| Nyang Nyang | Reading & Sunbathing | 👉 Bubble Hotel Nyang Nyang |
| Impossible Beach | Surf & Exploring | 👉 The Korowai |
| Thomas Beach | Swimming & Tanning | 👉 Sannyas Boutique Hotel |
Best Ways To Get Around The Beaches in Uluwatu
- Rent a scooter: This is the easiest way to explore multiple beaches per day. There isn’t much traffic in Uluwatu and it’s relatively easy to park!
➡️Get your scooter via BikAgo.com! You can get it delivered to your accommodation and they will pick it up for you after!
- Book a private driver: It might sound like an expensive option, but it’s actually very affordable. You can book your driver for as long as you want; you select the hours and day when reserving the service.
➡️ Find out drivers’ availability on Klook.com!
- Go on a “Beaches Tour”: If all you have is one day and you really want to squeeze as much as possible, go for a tour! It would be led by a local guide and you don’t have to think about parking or decide on where to go!
➡️ Book this tour through GetYourGuide.com! The pick-up would be included and you get to see all the beaches in one day!
#1 Padang Padang Beach
![A golden sandy beach under a vibrant blue sky scattered with fluffy clouds, with footprints trailing along the shore. A few people swim and lounge near the water while a surfer with a board walks past a red warning flag near a rocky cliff and lush greenery. [From blog post: Best beaches in Uluwatu]](https://thegoodobserverblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PXL_20230110_013729891-530x530.jpg)
Best for: Swimming and surfing
Difficulty to get to: very easy
Padang Padang Beach is one of the best beaches in Uluwatu for swimming. I also often go there alone and it’s super safe for solo travellers.
You will have to pay a small fee to enter and go down a few steps to reach the beach, which will probably take 5 minutes max!
The water is very clean and the sand soft; there are no rocks at all. Overall the beach is not that big so I recommend going early in the morning to secure a good spot!
Sometimes the monkeys would come to visit the beach, so make sure you have no valuable things or food when going for a swim.
If you want to be more safe, get a drink from one of the stands on the beach and ask them to look after your bag. Another tip would be to choose a spot on the beach that is not close to the rocks because that’s where they mostly hang out!
Padang Padang is also a fantastic spot for surf classes which normally take place within a good distance from the swimming area.
➡️ Book your surf class on GetYourGuide! You can read other travellers’ reviews and get the best customer service if you have any questions.
Where to stay near Padang Padang Beach:
Here are a few options a step away from the beach. I have to say this is a great area to stay in Uluwatu because you can literally walk to cafes, shops and restaurants!
There are also quite a few places for live music in the evening and SPAs!
➡️ The Room Padang-Padang. They have pretty rooms here and a nice pool!
➡️ Suarga Padang Padang. Stunning pool with sea view
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#2 Bingin Beach
![A peaceful beach with soft beige sand and calm turquoise water, framed by rocky cliffs and lush greenery. A lone rocky outcrop topped with a small tree stands in the shallows, set against a sunny, cloud-speckled sky. [From blog post: Best beaches in Uluwatu]](https://thegoodobserverblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PXL_20221209_022334064-1-530x530.jpg)
Best for: Surfing, people watching, sunsets, food, good vibes
Difficulty to get to: Medium. Lots of steps!
Bingin Beach is probably my favourite in Uluwatu! There are quite a few steps to reach this beach for about 10-15 minutes but it’s very safe and easy and most importantly – it’s definitely worth it!
It’s hard to tell if it’s a rocky or sandy beach because it depends on the high/low tide but you need to go regardless because this is the place to be in Uluwatu!
You can totally spend all day here, there are lots of good facilities and food. Make sure to bring some cash because some places are cash-only.
There is a mixture of locals and tourists, especially in the evening. They are all sitting together with their eyes glued to the sunset.
2026 UPDATE:
The beach is going through a tremendous change, where 48 local businesses have been completely destroyed by the government.
This is not the best place to explain what is happening, but if you are going this year, you might experience a lot of movement and building sites. There is a plan to bring the beach back to life but there hasn’t been any official timeline.
Where to stay near Bingin Beach
➡️ Check Out Sal Secret Spot. It’s a few minutes walk from the beach and the rooms are super cute! I’ve been here before and it’s still up and running! This place is also not far from the main street where you can find cafes and restaurants.
#3 Nyang Nyang Beach
![A coastal tide pool scene with patches of seaweed and shallow clear water, where several people are wading and exploring the reef during low tide. Gentle waves crash in the background under a bright blue sky. [From blog post: Best beaches in Uluwatu]](https://thegoodobserverblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PXL_20240721_065832034-530x530.jpg)
Best for: Relaxing with your book, tanning and swimming
Difficulty to get to: A bit of a hike
Nyang Nyang Beach is really big and wild. One of the best beaches in Uluwatu for female solo travellers who don’t want to get disturbed at all whilst reading or sunbathing.
There is only one cafe that I’m aware of. Nothing else! It’s beautiful and quiet. Especially during low tide hours, you can go there with your book thinking you probably own the beach as none is there.
It’s also incredibly easy to get some shade as there are many beautiful bushes by the beach.
The way down from the main road to the beach is paved and easy to walk, however, it’s really steep so if you are riding a motorbike, don’t go all the way down to the beach unless you are an experienced driver!
The walk is between 10 and 15 minutes, very easy but just quite steep at times.
From Padang Padang to Nyang Nyang Beach, Ubigi eSIM kept me connected even when local coverage failed. 👉 See Indonesia data plans
Where to stay near Nyang Nyang Beach
If you are planning on staying on near this beach overnight, just know that a scooter is required to get around. This area is beautiful but not walkable at all!
➡️ Bubble Hotel Nyang Nyang. If you like unique stays, this is for you! Most of the options would also include a private pool and seaviews!
#4 Impossible Beach
Best for: Surfing, reading, sunbathing, exploring around during low tide
Difficulty to get to: Really hard
Guys let me tell you why this beach is called “impossible beach”, it’s because getting there is no joke!
The way down is not totally paved and it’s not easy. It took me about 25 minutes to get down. But was it worth it? YES!
Impossible Beach is stunning and not busy at all. The busiest I’ve seen was with 5 people (including me). It’s small but amazing.
During low tide, you can walk to Padang Padang! There might not be many people on the beach but there are quite a few surfers coming in and out of the water. You must check this beach at least once!
When I’m exploring beaches around Uluwatu, having travel insurance gives me extra peace of mind, especially when I’m surfing, swimming or getting around by scooter.
I use SafetyWing Insurance and I’ve actually had to use it several times in Indonesia for food poisoning, bacterial infections and small accidents.
It’s very affordable, and after having needed it more than once, it’s something I personally prefer travelling with.
I’ve partnered with SafetyWing to share Nomad Insurance, which I personally use when travelling.
Where to stay near Impossible Beach
If you want to stay super close to the beach, staying around the Impossible Beach area is a good alternative to Bingin Beach.
It’s not that walkable but there are many accommodations right on the Impossible Beach.
Here are the ones I enjoyed the most:
➡️ The Radisson Blu Resort luxurious stay with a back door leading to the Impossible Beach (check my review here for more info)
➡️ The Korowai stunning cabins right on the Impossible Beach! (full review here)
#5 Thomas Beach
Best for: swimming, tanning, relaxing
Difficulty to get to: fairly easy
Thomas Beach is one of the easiest beaches to reach (after Padang Padang). It’s the dreamiest place for swimming.
There is lovely bright sand, no crowds and the sea is quite shallow to begin with and deepens further ahead. There are a few stands by the beach if you need a snack or a cold drink.
Where to stay near Thomas Beach
I lived in this area for a while. It’s actually pretty walkable. There are cafes and restaurants pretty much all concentrated in front of the entrance to Thomas Beach.
However, I did get the scooter to go to the main road or the coworking space at least once a day!
➡️ Sannyas Boutique Hotel. This hotel has really pretty and spacious rooms. The swimming pool is lovely and I LOVED the rooftop!
FAQs On The Best Beaches In Uluwatu
Thomas Beach and Padang Padang are the best beaches for swimming. Both have calm areas, soft sand, and are easy to access, especially if you’re going alone.
Yes, Uluwatu is generally safe for solo travellers. The beaches listed here are popular during the day and feel very comfortable to visit on your own. Just avoid leaving valuables unattended and bring cash for small cafes.
Padang Padang Beach is the easiest one to reach with just a short walk down. If you want to avoid long staircases, this is the most convenient option.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, some cash, and sandals you don’t mind getting sandy. A sarong and small dry bag also come in handy.
Yes! Bingin, Padang Padang, and Impossible Beach are great for surfing. If you’re a beginner, look into surf lessons at Padang Padang, it’s popular and the waves are manageable.
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Last Tips For Beaches In Uluwatu
I hope this blog post was useful for you. Remember to bring your SPF because none sells it on the beach or nearby!
Also, most of the beaches would have cafes around, but it’s better for you to carry your water in a water bottle that keeps the water cool. The fewer plastic bottles you purchase in Bali. the better!
If you want to know where to watch the most amazing sunsets in Uluwatu now, check out this blog post 💛
Have fun in Uluwatu!
Ciao for now,
Silvia x
Related Blog Posts
Getting from Ubud to Uluwatu: A Guide for Female Solo Travelers
Best Hotels In Uluwatu For Solo Travellers
Day Trip to Uluwatu: What to Do in Uluwatu for a Day (Solo Travel Guide)
Is Uluwatu Worth Visiting? Best Things To See And Do
How to Get from Denpasar Airport to Uluwatu
Best Hostels in Uluwatu for Solo Travellers
Hotel Review: My Stay At The Radisson Blu Resort in Uluwatu As A Solo Traveller
✍️ Bali Travel Planning Guide 🌴
Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:
📱 Do I need an eSIM for Bali?
✅ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. 👉 Get your Indonesia plan now
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?
✅ 100% YES! — My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!
💧Can you drink the water in Bali?
🚱 No — It’s recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Bali accommodations?
My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets ❤️
🐒 What’s the best way to book my Bali activities?
Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!
🛒 Will I find tampons in Bali?
Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!
🚕 How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?
I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.
🏄🏽 Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?
Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.
✈️ What’s the best site to book my flight?
Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!
🎫 Do I need a visa for Bali?
👍 Yes — US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)
💰 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select “no” when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!
🚕 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!
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