Padang Padang
Padang Padang beach is my personal favourite, though it can get busy so it’s important to time your visit.
This beach stretches about one hundred and fifty metres, with the sand weaving in and out of rocky outcrops. There are plenty of little coves to explore, and a couple of small beach bars in the main part of the beach, if you fancy a drink.
You do need to pay to enter the beach; it’s 10,000 IDR ($0.65 USD) for locals and 20,000 ($1.30) for tourists. This fee helps keep the beach in pristine condition and protects the surrounding forest. You might even see some monkeys as you walk down to the beach!
Padang Padang is in Pecuta Village and there is plenty of parking nearby.
It’s also one of the best surf beaches in Uluwatu for beginners, with a super pleasant break that forms about one hundred metres off the sand, thanks to a long reef and underwater rocks. If you want to try your hand, there is a stall on the beach where you can rent beginner boards and even get a lesson.
If you’ve ever googled ‘Uluwatu beach’, the first result is probably a picture of Padang Padang. And when you’re standing on the sand, you’ll see why. It’s arguably the best beach in Uluwatu.