ULUWATU
Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Beach guide
Does it ever stop feel like a vacation here?
Cliffs, sound of the crushing waves, warm wind. Long rides along the shore in the pursuit of finding the best today’s spot. Chasing the high tide. Uluwatu is the quintessential Bali spot for surfing. But its not only for surfers, it is great just for discovering beaches too.
Thomas beach - sign leading to this beach actually said "Padang Padang" (Google maps said it's Thomas, therefore I hope we got it right). It should be the second turn to the right after "real" Padang Padang beach. When entering the beach you need to pay parking fee 5000 IDR, then take the stairs down to the beach. I know - stairs - but most beaches look best from above anyway, so take your time and see the views. Beach itself is long enough, but when tide is high, it's not wide enough and most of the sand is occupied by sun beds for rent. We got ours for 50.000 IDR - but prices vary, so try your luck and haggle a bit. (First picture and below)
Dreamland beach
Not so dreamy as the name would like to insinuate, but still offers much more sand compared to the other beaches. Pretty long as well. Good for sunbathing and swimming as well as for the surfing. Head a bit to the right, where its always less crowded. Good at low tide as well, so come anytime.
Padang Padang
Rather small beach, easy reachable by the stairs. A bit too many people for its size. You also need to pay a small fee to get there. Still its a nice stop while driving along the shore.
Balang beach
We actually never made it there. Only to the top, because once we arrived we found out its a low tide. No people, no sand, only bare reef and at least four couples taking breathtaking (said with a little bit of irony) wedding pictures. If you wanna swim come in the morning when the tide is high. (pictures below).
Nyang Nyang
Supposedly the "paradise" beach. Empty, long strech of white sand. With a shipwreck and long long way down. (No pictures. Unfortunately we didnt have enough time to go there)
Bingin beach
A long stairway will guide you down, in between all the huts and home stays (probably best place to stay in if you want to fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves). Great for surfers, not so much for others as you wont find much sand here - mostly rocks and reef, so maybe to come here in the afternoon for early bbq fish dinner and drink, while watching the surfers. (both pictures above)
Taidekappeli is located on the island of Hirvensalo, far outside the city. Surrounded by spruces and pines, where the wooded hills rise from the flat fields.