We’d seen a million photos of Padang Padang Beach in Bali before we actually visited — turquoise water, rocky cliffs, the perfect little cove. It looked like one of those “must-see” Uluwatu beaches, and honestly, we were curious if it really lived up to the hype.
Turns out… it kind of does. But it wasn’t exactly what we expected — and somehow, it still became our favorite surf spot, where we ended up spending a few days.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know before you go — from entrance fees and access tips to what the vibe is actually like (and whether it’s worth braving the crowds).
If you’re planning to beach-hop around Uluwatu or just want a quick afternoon swim with a killer view, here’s what to know.
Key Highlights
⭐️ Best time to visit: mornings are less crowded
🏖️ Beach type: sand with rocky cliffs
💰 Entrance fee: IDR 15,000
🅿️ Parking: IDR 2,000 at this location
🚿 Facilities: toilets, warungs, surf rental, umbrellas
👍🏼 Good for: swimming, surfing
👥 Crowd levels: very high
At a Glance
Our first impression? Total paradise — turquoise water, soft sand, and cliffs rising on either side. It’s exactly the kind of beach that shows up in Bali daydreams… but also the kind that draws a lot of people (more on that below).
Padang Padang Beach in Bali looks exactly like the photos, but the vibe really depends on when you go. It’s amazing for swimming and beginner surfing — if you time it right.
Getting there is easy — just off the main road — but keep an eye on your stuff… the monkeys here don’t play.
Why we think it’s worth it
So — is Padang Padang Beach in Bali worth your time? Honestly, we think it is… if you know what to expect and plan it right.
What we loved most about this beach wasn’t just the setting — it’s the fact that it’s one of the beginner-friendly surf spots in Uluwatu. Most here are way too advanced, but at Padang Padang, we could have fun without getting completely wrecked.
We haven’t stayed for sunset and wouldn’t recommend it. The beach faces north, and the cliffs on the right obscure the view. A much better view is at Boma Cliffs or the cliffs at Suluban Beach.
But let’s be real: the crowds can be a lot, even at the surf lineup. If you’re coming for a peaceful beach day or want to swim comfortably, we’d recommend Dreamland Beach — that one felt way more spacious and relaxed.
Where is Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach (sometimes called Pantai Padang Padang) is located on the west coast of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, in the Uluwatu area.
It’s only about 15 minutes from Uluwatu Temple, making it easy to pair with a sunset visit or other stops along the coast.
From the main tourist areas:
- Kuta or Seminyak: around 30–60 minutes
- Canggu: roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic
We experienced a lot of traffic jams in Bali, and a few kilometers can take ages so that the times may vary.
How to get there
The entrance to the beach is located right along the main road. There’s a large paid parking right across the road, suitable for both cars and scooters.
By a scooter
Our favorite way of getting around Bali. We love how much freedom it gives us with our plans. Scooter rentals are available from around IDR 60,000.
Getting to the beach is pretty straightforward: just follow Google Maps and you’ll be fine. Avoid late afternoon if possible — traffic tends to get heavy.
Gojek / Grab
Both Gojek and Grab are available for pick-up and drop-off in this area. We preferred Gojek since it was often cheaper.
Private Driver
The most suitable option for those who prefer more freedom and want to avoid large group trips is hiring a private driver. It’s a very popular way of discovering the island!
We recommend this GetYourGuide option:
🚗 Bali: Private Car or Van Charter with Driver
Enjoy full-day transport with hotel pickup and an English-speaking local driver, and free cancellation. Rated 4.8★ by thousands.
Join a tour
If you want to relax while someone else handles the logistics, we recommend Klook’s Bali’s Top Southern Beaches Day Tour.
It consistently earns high ratings and includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and stops at several of the must-visit spots in the area — all in one day.
Entrance and parking fees
Entrance Fee: IDR 15,000 adults and IDR 10,000 children (foreigner)
Parking Fee: IDR 2,000 for scooters and IDR 3,000 for cars
The parking fee is paid to a local guard, usually sitting in the small booth right at the entrance. We definitely don’t recommend leaving anything on your scooter — the monkeys here are bold and won’t hesitate to snatch whatever they can grab.
Once you cross the main road, you’ll immediately see the main entrance and the ticket booth for Padang Padang. Expect longer lines during busy hours, but in our experience, the wait was never too bad.
Accessing the beach
After paying the entrance fee, we were pleasantly surprised to find clean, well-maintained toilets and even showers at the top — nice to have after the beach.
From there, it takes just a few minutes to walk down. The entrance itself is one of the coolest parts. You descend through a narrow staircase tucked between the cliffs. I’d say it’s around 100 steps.
We often saw local women cleaning the stairway, which made it feel cared for and safe — but just know: this spot isn’t stroller- or wheelchair-friendly.
Getting back up after a few hours of surfing wasn’t exactly fun either… but hey, you can rinse off all the sweat in the showers at the top.
TIP: Want a break from the beach? A day trip to explore the waterfalls around Ubud is a great change of pace — and totally worth it if you’ve got time in your Bali itinerary.
What to expect at Padang Padang
Vibe and Crowd Levels
We came a few times right after sunrise to surf, and honestly, those mornings were perfect — almost no one on the beach, mellow energy, and amazing light on the cliffs.
But later in the day, especially during high season, it can get seriously packed. We’re talking nowhere to put your towel kind of packed. The beach is small, so even a few tour groups make it feel crowded fast.
TIP: There are monkeys on the beach. We’ve seen them snatch sunglasses, flip-flops, and snacks. Avoid leaving anything unattended, and definitely don’t try to feed them.
Swimming and Safety
Absolutely safe to swim. The water is clear and calm enough most of the time, and while there’s a gentle current near the surf zone, we never found it dangerous.
The tide doesn’t really affect swimming here — it’s great pretty much all the time, which is rare for this part of Bali.
If you’re wondering about snorkeling, you won’t find much underwater life here. We recommend exploring Amed beaches for the best snorkeling in Bali!
Surfing
Break type: reef
Best conditions: rising mid to high tide
Padang Padang is a great surf spot with two different breaks:
Padang Padang (the main break) – Often called Bali’s Pipeline, this is for experienced surfers only. Heavy, fast barrels over shallow reef. Great to watch, but not one to casually paddle into.
Baby Padang – This one’s perfect for beginners. The wave is mellow, fun, and super consistent. It’s a reef break, so mid to high tide is safest and best — the water’s deeper, and the waves break cleanly.
At low tide, it’s still surfable but gets really shallow, which isn’t great if you’re falling often. I did get scratched a few times, nothing too bad, luckily.
High tide sometimes brings long waits between sets, but it’s still a good time to get in the water if you’re learning.
Surf rental is available right on the beach for IDR 100,000 per hour. They also provide surf lessons if you’re interested.
Facilities
- Showers and toilets – Usually clean, free, and well-maintained. Bring some toilet paper, just in case.
- Warungs – Located directly on the beach. Great for a quick snack, drink, fresh coconut, or even lunch.
- Surfboard rentals & instructors – One of the best spots for a first surf lesson. Expect to pay around 100K IDR per hour, and there’s not much room for haggling.
- Umbrellas – Available for rent right on the sand, typically 100K IDR per day.
Where to stay near Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang / Bingin – Closest to the beach, walkable to surf, warungs, and cliff cafés. Great for surf-focused stays with a social vibe.
Suluban / Uluwatu Beach – A bit further south, known for cliffside bars, sunsets, and Uluwatu Temple. Good if you want a mix of surf and nightlife.
Balangan / Nyang Nyang – Quieter and more spacious, about 15–20 minutes away by scooter. Ideal for peaceful stays away from the crowds.
Best hotels in Uluwatu
Check availability
Other places to visit nearby
If you’re spending time in this part of Bali, there are a few other things to do in Uluwatu that are definitely worth checking out. These spots are all easy to reach from Padang Padang and make great additions to a beach day or short Uluwatu day-trip itinerary:
- Uluwatu Temple – One of Bali’s most iconic temples, perched on a cliff. Stick around for sunset and the Kecak fire dance performance, but book ahead!
- Green Bowl Beach – A “hidden” beach at the bottom of a long staircase. Clear water, calm vibe, and usually way less crowded.
- Pantai Batu Barak – A dramatic cliff road with white limestone walls on both sides. Great photo spot and a fun scooter ride.
Final thoughts
Padang Padang Beach in Bali is one of those places that looks exactly like the postcards — but the experience really depends on when you go.
For us, it became a favorite beginner surf spot, especially early in the morning when the beach was almost empty and the waves were just right.
If you’re after calm swimming and space to stretch out, this probably isn’t the beach for a lazy afternoon — we’d send you to Dreamland instead.
But for scenic vibes, a bit of surf, and a classic Uluwatu stop, it’s absolutely worth a visit. Just get there early, and don’t forget to watch your stuff (especially around the monkeys).
