Uluwatu · Uluwatu, clifftop temples and reef surf
Things to do in
Uluwatu
A dramatic limestone peninsula of clifftop temples, hidden coves and world-class waves.
- Ideal stay
- 3 to 4 nights covers the temple, the surf coves and a couple of clifftop sunsets.
- Best time
- The dry season from April to October delivers the cleanest surf and clearest cliff views.
- Getting around
- The area is spread out, so a scooter or driver is needed to link the temple and the beaches.
- Good to know
- Beaches sit at the foot of long, steep stairways, and the reef surf is best left to experienced surfers.
Uluwatu is Bali's surf and clifftop headland, where a famous sea temple meets some of the island's best reef breaks.
Uluwatu occupies the southern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, a raised plateau of limestone cliffs and white-sand coves. Its clifftop temple and nightly Kecak dance are among the island's signature sights, set high above the Indian Ocean. Below the cliffs, reef breaks such as Padang Padang, Bingin and Suluban draw serious surfers, reached by steep stairways and cave passages. It suits travellers after surf, sunsets and scenery rather than easy swimming beaches.
Before you go, read up on money and the rupiah, getting around by ferry, bus and car, the best time to visit and staying safe and healthy.
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01 Clifftop templeUluwatu Temple and Kecak dance
Pura Luhur Uluwatu stands on a cliff edge around 70 metres above the sea, one of Bali's most important directional temples. Paths run along the clifftop with wide views up and down the coast, patrolled by a troop of resident monkeys. At sunset the temple grounds host the Kecak fire dance, in which a large male chorus chants while a Ramayana story unfolds. The combination of cliff, sea and firelit performance makes it a fixture of any Uluwatu visit.
Entry around 50,000 rupiah (about 3 US dollars); Kecak tickets around 150,000 rupiah (about 10 US dollars) for the sunset show; at the peninsula's south west tip.
Tip. Hold tight to glasses and phones, as the temple monkeys are quick to grab loose items to trade for food.
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02 Surf covePadang Padang Beach
Padang Padang is a small, sheltered cove reached down a stairway that squeezes through a gap in the rock. The white sand and clear water make it one of the more swimmable beaches on the peninsula outside the biggest swells. Just offshore lies a fast, hollow reef wave that draws expert surfers and hosts competitions. It gets busy, so early morning is the calmest time to enjoy the sand.
Small entry around 15,000 rupiah (about 1 US dollar); down a stair from the coast road near Uluwatu.
Tip. Arrive early for space on the small beach, as it fills quickly once the day-trippers arrive.
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03 Cliff beachBingin Beach
Bingin is a cliff-backed cove reached by a warren of steep steps past warungs and simple guesthouses built into the rock. At low tide the reef flat opens up for rock pools and easy walking, while a punchy reef wave peels offshore. Loungers and cafes cling to the slope, making it a good place to spend a slow half-day. The climb back up is steep, so it is worth timing your exit before the midday heat.
Small parking and access fee; warung meals from around 50,000 rupiah (about 3 US dollars); down the cliff stairs near Pecatu.
Tip. Check the tide before you go, as the beach all but disappears at high tide and opens right up at low.
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04 Cave surfSuluban Beach
Suluban, often called Blue Point, is reached through a narrow slot in the cliffs that opens onto rock ledges above the surf. Cliff bars perched on the rocks give a grandstand view of the Uluwatu wave breaking below. There is little sand at high tide, so it is more a place to watch the surf and the sunset than to swim. The passage through the cave and the clifftop bars are the main draw.
Small access fee; drinks at the cliff bars from around 40,000 rupiah (about 3 US dollars); near Uluwatu Temple.
Tip. Time your visit for low tide and sunset, when the rock ledges are exposed and the light is at its best.
- 05 Surf lesson
Learn to surf on the Bukit
While the marquee waves at Uluwatu are for experts, the peninsula also has gentler options and plenty of schools. Beginner lessons often run at nearby beach breaks with softer waves and sandy bottoms. Instructors provide boards, rash vests and transfers, building up from the whitewater. It is a way to enjoy the coast's surf culture without taking on the heavier reef breaks.
Lessons from around 400,000 rupiah (about 26 US dollars) including board and transfer; schools operate across the peninsula.
Tip. Ask your school to run beginner lessons at a sand-bottom break rather than the sharp Uluwatu reef.
- 06 Sunset dining
Clifftop sunset bars and warungs
The Bukit's clifftops hold a run of bars and restaurants angled at the sunset over the ocean. Some are simple warungs above the surf, others are polished venues with pools set into the cliff edge. Seafood, cold drinks and long ocean views are the common thread. Sunset is the peak time, so a reservation helps at the busier spots in high season.
Drinks from around 60,000 rupiah (about 4 US dollars); venues line the cliffs around Uluwatu and Bingin.
Tip. Book a sunset table at the cliff venues in the dry season, when demand for the best views is highest.
Top-rated Uluwatu tours
The best-reviewed guided experiences right now, live from Viator, with free cancellation on most.
Free cancellation
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Private Uluwatu Sunset Tour with Kecak Dance and Dinner
Free cancellation
Private Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance Evening Tour in Jimbaran Bay
Free cancellation
Uluwatu Temple Entry and Kecak Fire Dance Ticket
Free cancellation
Uluwatu Sunset Tour: Kecak and Fire Dance with Jimbaran Dinner
A first-timer's three days
A relaxed way to fold the essentials into a long weekend, keeping the busiest sights for the cooler ends of the day.
Temple and dance
- Explore the Uluwatu clifftop paths in the afternoon
- Watch the sunset Kecak fire dance at the temple
- Dinner at a nearby cliff-edge warung
Surf coves
- Spend the morning at Padang Padang Beach
- Move to Bingin at low tide for the reef flats
- Finish at a Suluban cliff bar for sunset
Surf and relax
- Take a beginner surf lesson at a sand-bottom break
- Rest through the midday heat by the pool
- Enjoy a slow seafood dinner on the cliffs
Insider tips
A few things that make Uluwatu smoother, and keep the trip easy.
Watch the tides
The cliff beaches change completely with the tide, so check the timing to catch sand and rock pools rather than high water.
Guard your belongings
The temple monkeys snatch glasses, phones and hats, so keep valuables zipped away while you walk the clifftops.
Leave the reef to experts
The famous Uluwatu, Padang and Bingin waves break over sharp reef, so beginners should learn at gentler sand-bottom breaks.
Plan for the stairs
Most coves sit at the foot of long, steep stairways, so wear proper footwear and carry water for the climb back up.
Uluwatu things to do: FAQ
Can you swim at Uluwatu's beaches?
Some coves like Padang Padang are swimmable at the right tide, but many are surf breaks over reef, so check conditions first.
Is the Kecak dance worth seeing?
Yes, the sunset Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple is a memorable show, so buy tickets and arrive early for a good seat.
Is Uluwatu only for surfers?
No, the temple, sunsets, cliff bars and scenery appeal to non-surfers too, though the beaches suit experienced surfers best.
How do I get around Uluwatu?
The sights are spread across the peninsula, so a scooter or private driver is needed to link the temple and the coves.
When is the best time to visit Uluwatu?
The dry season from April to October gives the cleanest surf and clearest cliff views, and sunsets are the daily highlight.