Padang Padang is a small cove on the Bukit peninsula that packs a great deal into a short stretch of sand, reached by a memorable descent through a cleft in the cliff. From the roadside you pass under a gateway, squeeze between towering rock walls and down a stone staircase, and only then does the beach open below: a curve of white coral sand enclosed by cliffs. The setting, the clear water and a world-class surf break offshore have made it one of the most visited beaches in the south, helped along by its turn in the film Eat Pray Love.
The entrance
Part of the appeal is simply getting in. A narrow passage cuts through the rock from the clifftop, so tight in places that you turn sideways, then opens onto steps down to the sand. The approach is half the fun, and adds to the sense of arriving somewhere enclosed and separate. A small fee is collected at the top. Watch your footing on the worn steps, which turn slippery when wet.
Surf and swimming
Offshore, the Padang Padang reef break is one of Bali’s finest waves, a fast and hollow left-hander that peels over shallow coral and hosts international contests when the swell is big. It is strictly for experienced surfers, but it is a fine spectacle from the sand. For everyone else the cove offers swimming and paddling, best at low tide when the water is calmer and rock pools form over the reef. Reef shoes help on the coral, and swimmers should keep clear of the surfers.
The cove
The beach itself is compact, hemmed in by cliffs and shaded in parts by overhanging rock, which keeps it cooler than the open beaches. It fills quickly given its size, so mornings and late afternoons give the most room. Monkeys sometimes move along the cliffs above, so loose food and bags are best kept closed. Simple vendors sell drinks and snacks near the steps.
How to visit
Padang Padang is about 15 minutes by scooter from Uluwatu Temple, with roadside parking and the stepped entrance down to the cove. Aim for morning or low tide to find the most space and the calmest water. Combine it with the cave beach at Suluban Beach and the clifftop temple nearby. For more of the peninsula, see our guide to Uluwatu and the full list of things to do in Uluwatu.
