Dreamland Beach Bali: Our Honest Review & Travel Guide

We think Dreamland Beach really lives up to its name — it was one of those places that instantly felt like a postcard come to life.

It’s a wide, open stretch of sand — about 400 meters long — backed by cliffs and turquoise water. Easily one of the best beaches in Uluwatu, and no surprise it’s getting more popular every year.

That said, we never felt like it was too crowded. Even on busy days, it’s easy to walk a little further down and find your own spot. There were moments we felt like we had the beach almost to ourselves.

In this guide, we’ll share everything we learned after spending a few days here — what to expect, how to avoid the crowds, and why you should go there too.

At a Glance

The first time we walked down to Dreamland Beach, we were genuinely surprised by how big and open it felt. Soft sand, turquoise waves, and cliffs on both sides — it’s that kind of “wow” moment you don’t always get, even in Bali.

Despite being one of the best places to visit in Uluwatu, it still feels chill. There’s space to spread out, surf if you’re into it, or just watch the waves roll in. And yes — the waves here can be huge.

We were  excited to surf here, but during our visits, the waves weren’t working — inconsistent and breaking close to shore, which made the rides super short.

It didn’t seem worth paddling out, so we skipped it. That said, on different days and under better conditions, it might be good for beginners.

During our visits, the beach was always clean, but we’ve seen reviews mentioning trash after storms, especially during the rainy season — something to keep in mind.

Why we think it’s worth it

So — is Dreamland Beach worth it? We think so, yeah.

It’s not the most hidden or untouched spot in Bali, but it just feels good to be here. The beach is huge, the view is amazing, and it’s one of the few places around Uluwatu where you can actually find easily free space — no need to fight for a towel spot.

We ended up not surfing here at all — Padang Padang was way better for that — but Dreamland quickly became our go-to for lazy afternoons. You can grab a drink, watch the waves, swim when it’s calm, or hang out under an umbrella and do absolutely nothing.

And from above? This was one of the most photogenic beaches we’ve flown the drone over. The cliffs, the wide open sand, the color of the water — it all just looks incredible.

The only downside? We didn’t pay any entrance fee ourselves — no one asked — but we’ve heard from other travelers that sometimes they’ll ask for an extra IDR 10,000 or 15,000 ‘entrance fee’, even though the beach is public.

Just a heads-up: you should only need to pay for parking. If anyone tries to charge you more, it’s okay to decline politely, but they might force you to pay anyway.

If you’re after a laid-back beach with a bit of a wild vibe — and you don’t mind the occasional wave crashing right up to your feet — you’ll probably love it here too.

Where is Dreamland Beach

Dreamland Beach is located on the west coast of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, just south of Bingin and north of Balangan — right in the heart of the Uluwatu beach zone.

It’s about:

• 15 minutes from Uluwatu Temple
• 20–30 minutes from Padang Padang or Bingin
• 45 minutes to 1 hour from Seminyak or Kuta
• Around 1.5 hours from Canggu, depending on traffic

You can find the beach entrance just off the main road that leads through the Pecatu Indah Resort area. Just follow Google Maps — it’s marked as “Dreamland Beach Parking.”

How to get there

By scooter

Our favorite way to get around Bali — it gave us the flexibility and freedom to come and go whenever we wanted, especially for quick surf checks or early morning beach trips.

Scooters are easy to rent across Uluwatu, with a standard 125cc rental costing around IDR 100,000 per day. Just make sure you wear a helmet and have an international driving permit (technically required, though not always checked).

By Car or Private Driver

If you’re not comfortable on a scooter, hiring a private driver is a great option — especially if you’re combining Dreamland with other Uluwatu beaches or want to stay for sunset.

It’s common to hire a driver for a half or full day, and prices are generally fair, especially if you’re splitting with a group.

Gojek

App-based transport like Gojek works well in this area, though you might run into some local restrictions. In certain spots, locals try to block these services, and you’ll sometimes see signs saying you can’t order them — we saw this at Serangan Port, for example.

That said, we were still able to book a scooter ride after walking just a few dozen meters away from the busy pickup zone. It’s usually enough to step out of sight of where the signs are posted.

Entrance and parking fees

There’s no official entrance fee — it’s a public beach, so access should be free. However, you’ll probably be asked to pay it. Honestly, we think it’s a scam, but since it’s less than 1€, it’s still worth it.

We parked our scooter at the parking lot and then headed to the beach, where we paid for the parking.

What to expect at Dreamland Beach

This beach is open, spacious, and full of energy, especially when the waves are pumping.

We loved it when the waves came crashing up the shore — we felt like kids again, jumping into them and running away.

Swimming here really depends on the conditions. Some days, the waves were rough and crashing close to shore — not the safest. On calmer days, it was fine for a quick dip. We wouldn’t recommend it for small kids or non-swimmers, though.

There’s no lifeguard on duty (at least not when we visited). Always good to check the tide and wave forecast before heading in.

One of our favorite things to do here was to sunbathe and chill. The sand is soft, and it’s easy to rent an umbrella or find some shade by the cliffs. It’s the kind of beach that’s perfect for doing nothing at all.

The whole place is super photogenic, especially from the cliffs. If you have a drone, we highly recommend flying here. It’s easily one of the best-looking beaches we’ve captured from above in Bali.

The beach faces west, and sunset quickly became our favorite time here. We’d sit on the sand with a drink, watch the waves glow orange, and just let the day wind down.

Snorkeling here isn’t worth it — the waves are too strong, and there’s not much to see underwater.

Surfing at Dreamland Beach

We’d heard that Dreamland was a decent surf spot, so we came ready to give it a try. But as soon as we got down to the beach, the waves were breaking way too close to shore, and honestly, it just didn’t feel safe, especially for beginners like us.

We ended up witnessing someone’s board snap in half right in front of us after a bad wipeout; he had to cover the cost. That was enough for us, so we skipped surfing here.

That said, wave conditions change a lot, and maybe with a different swell or tide it could work better for beginners. But during our visit, it just didn’t seem worth the risk.

If you’re more experienced and want to give it a go, there are rental stalls right on the beach, and Dreamland has both right and left-hand beach breaks. When it’s on, we’ve heard it can be fun, just not beginner-friendly in every condition.

Facilities

• Warungs – A few small local stalls just above the beach where you can grab snacks, drinks, or a fresh coconut.
• Toilets & showers – Located along the walkway between the parking and the beach. Toilets cost IDR 3,000, showers IDR 10,000. Bring cash — no cards here.
• Umbrellas & Loungers – Easy to rent right on the sand. Expect to pay around  100,000 IDR per day.
• Surfboard Rentals – Several rental stands along the beach offer boards and lessons, though surf conditions aren’t always beginner-friendly. We recommend surfing at Padang Padang Beach, despite the crowds.
• Parking Area – Right above the beach, with space for both cars and scooters.

Other places to visit nearby

If you’re spending the day around Dreamland, there are a few spots nearby that we’d recommend checking out.

• Karang Boma Cliff – For us, this was hands down the best sunset viewpoint in Uluwatu. Super dramatic cliffs and ocean views.
• Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance – A classic for a reason. The temple sits right on the cliff’s edge, and the Kecak fire dance at sunset is worth seeing at least once — make sure to book ahead.
• Three Steps Coffee – Our favorite stop for coffee and food. Good vibe, solid menu, and perfect for refueling after a few hours in the sun.

Final thoughts

Dreamland Beach might not be the best spot for beginner surfing (at least not during our visits), but it still ended up being one of our favorite beaches to just hang out.

It’s wide, beautiful, and somehow still feels a bit wild — even with a few crowds and warungs nearby. Sunset here was a highlight for us, and on calmer days, it’s a great place to swim, nap under an umbrella, or just watch the waves roll in.

If you’re building a beach-hopping day in Uluwatu, this is one we’d definitely include.