One Day in Uluwatu: A Sun-Soaked Day Trip Around Bali’s Most Stunning Ocean Views

Last Updated on December 12, 2025

Are you planning to spend one day in Uluwatu and want to experience the best that the southernmost corner of Bali has to offer?

Ever since I first visited Uluwatu, I’ve completely fallen in love with its energy. It’s wild, tropical, light, fun, a little less spiritual and more “open” than Ubud, where I live, and deeply shaped by the presence of the ocean surrounding the peninsula.

The Bukit Peninsula is famous for its white-sand beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and some of the best surf breaks in Bali. And that’s exactly what a day trip to Uluwatu is all about.

In this article, I’ll share my tips on how to spend your day: how to get there (especially considering how far it is from other parts of the island), how to get around, and the best things to do on a one-day Uluwatu itinerary. Plus, everything else you need to make the most of one of my favorite places in Bali.

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How to Plan Your Day Trip to Uluwatu

1. How to Get to Uluwatu

Getting to Uluwatu is no joke. Located on the southernmost peninsula of Bali, it still feels surprisingly far, even from other areas in South Bali. Plus, the traffic around Denpasar gets wild from 9 am onwards, due to all the cars heading to the airport.

For example, if you’re planning a day trip to Uluwatu from Seminyak or Canggu, you should factor in at least 2–2.5 hours of driving, depending on traffic.

I personally wouldn’t recommend planning a day trip to Uluwatu from Ubud or other central areas of Bali. It’s definitely possible, but you’d end up spending most of your day in the car instead of on the sand or actually exploring Uluwatu. To get there, you have a couple of options:

• Rent a scooter: Renting a scooter is the most flexible way to get to Uluwatu. You’ll already have your own transport once you arrive, and it’s much easier to avoid traffic. That said, it is a long drive, and not everyone feels comfortable riding a scooter for that distance (myself included). Depending on the season, you also need to factor in the weather and the possibility of rain.
• Book a Grab car: This is how I handle all my longer journeys in Bali. I usually book a Grab car in advance, ideally very early in the morning, to avoid traffic. Once I reach my destination, I either rely on Gojek/Grab if they’re available or I rent a scooter locally for more flexibility.

2. How to Get Around in Uluwatu

Uluwatu isn’t really walkable; the area has plenty of steep ups and downs, and the roads are narrow with almost no sidewalks. The best way to get around is, without a doubt, by scooter. Either by renting one yourself or by booking rides through Grab or Gojek.

Renting a scooter is usually the cheapest option, depending on how much you plan to explore in one day. Scooter rentals typically start from IDR 70,000 and can go up to IDR 200,000, depending on the model.

If you’re planning to rely on Grab or Gojek, here’s a little heads-up.

Something strange happened a couple of times during my trip: when trying to book a ride from some popular beaches, the app found a driver, and the driver appeared to be already there (among the groups of drivers waiting for clients). But they wouldn’t actually pick up the ride.

It turns out some drivers intentionally avoid accepting rides through the app so they can offer the trip off-app at a much higher price. One driver even tried to charge me IDR 200,000 for a 15-minute ride.

If you ever take a ride without booking through the app, always agree on the price beforehand, or move to a different pickup location where you’re more likely to get a driver who will actually accept the ride in-app.

Is One Day Enough in Uluwatu?

I’ll be honest: one day in Uluwatu isn’t really enough, especially if you’re not planning to stay overnight and you want to see it all while still enjoying some beach time.

The beaches are quite spread out along the eastern and southern sides of the Bukit Peninsula, so in just one day, you’ll likely want to focus on one area rather than trying to visit everything.

That said, one day in Uluwatu can be enough if you leave early from Canggu or Seminyak and you’re simply planning to relax on the beach without trying to check every spot off your list. It’s also a great option if you just want to escape the traffic and busyness of these hubs for a few hours.

But if you’re the type of traveler who wants to explore, wander, and see more than just one beach, I’d definitely recommend staying at least one night. You’ll have more time and a less rushed experience.

One Day in Uluwatu: Day Trip Itinerary

This one-day Uluwatu itinerary is inspired by my most recent trip there. I honestly enjoyed it so much; it felt like the perfect escape from the jungle of Ubud. I really needed to reconnect with the ocean, even if just for a couple of hours, and to see whether Ulu (as they call it here) could be my next home base in Bali.

Morning: Breakfast & Beaches

I left Ubud at around 7 am, and after the longest car ride (this is exactly why I wouldn’t plan a trip from Central Bali), I finally arrived in Uluwatu around 10. It’s crazy, you reach the peninsula, and then it still takes at least another hour to get to the Bingin area.

I had planned to have breakfast at Suka Espresso. I’d heard wonderful things about their coffee, but as expected, it was completely packed when I arrived. So I stopped at a small café nearby called Tiny Social Club and had a fantastic cappuccino there instead.

1. Thomas Beach

I’m not a big planner, I must admit (which sometimes works against me), but in this case, it actually played in my favor.

I noticed that Thomas Beach was just a four-minute walk away, so that became my first stop. It ended up being my absolute favorite beach of the day. No crowds, complete silence, and just a couple of girls like me enjoying the soft morning sun.

As you’ll quickly learn, most beaches in Uluwatu aren’t very accessible. There’s usually a steep staircase leading down to the sand, especially for the more secluded ones, and Thomas Beach is no exception.

The first stretch of sand is occupied by a beach club with sun loungers and umbrellas (sun loungers cost around 100k IDR per day), but if you walk toward the end of the beach, you can lay your towel directly on the sand for free. Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of stalls selling coconut water under colorful surfboards.

Thomas Beach is perfect for swimming. Even though the sea isn’t completely flat, the seabed is sandy, making it surprisingly safe and comfortable. From the water, all you see is the lush, green vegetation wrapping around the beach like a hug, almost hiding it from the street.

After months without seeing the ocean, that first dip in such a quiet, secluded, and incredibly wild beach felt like a healing ritual, the exact experience I needed after spending so long in the jungle.

2. Padang Padang Beach

After spending about an hour sunbathing at Thomas Beach, I decided it was time to check out another nearby spot. Padang Padang Beach is only about a four-minute scooter ride from Thomas Beach.

I had already visited during my very first trip to Bali, and since then, they’ve added a 15K IDR entrance fee and regulated the entrance and exit through two separate staircases.

Padang Padang has a completely different atmosphere compared to Thomas Beach. It’s more touristy, more crowded, with a picture-perfect, flat, and calm sea, plus lots of little corners to explore around the main (tiny) stretch of sand.

To access Padang Padang, you go down a short staircase that passes right between two huge rocky formations hanging above your head, before finally stepping onto the soft white sand (beware of the monkeys here!). The main beach area is small and usually quite busy.

I didn’t spend much time sunbathing here; instead, I explored. If you head to the right side of the beach, you’ll find a little paradise of rock formations, hidden caves, and quieter corners where you can enjoy a calmer side of the beach. This is also the best area if you want to take some photos, much more scenic and far less crowded.

If you’re a beginner surfer and want to take a surf lesson, Padang Padang Beach is actually a great place to start. The waves are small, ideal if it’s your first time. During my first visit, I just approached one of the instructors directly on the beach and paid around IDR 500K for a one-hour lesson.

Afternoon: Lunch, More Beaches & Sunset Time

3. Lunch at Le Cliff

From Padang Padang Beach, it’s just a 5-minute walk to Le Cliff, one of the most scenic lunch spots in Uluwatu, and honestly, the most stunning view of my entire day trip.

Le Cliff is a boutique hotel perched on the cliffside (you can actually spot it from Padang Padang Beach). The property hosts retreats, pilates trainings, and a small restaurant that’s open to outside guests as well.

Before reaching the restaurant, you’ll pass a tiny stretch of sand and rocks that’s usually peaceful and completely uncrowded, mostly surfers or curious visitors checking out the place.

The entrance to the restaurant is a bit hidden, so if you can’t find it, just ask one of the waitresses nearby. Once inside, it’s the cutest spot, with a view overlooking what seems to be endless turquoise water and a rocky seabed. It truly feels magical.

To get to the café, you’ll walk down a well-paved staircase, which may look intimidating when you think of climbing it back up later. But the peace and atmosphere waiting at the bottom make it absolutely worth it.

As for the menu, they have a bit of everything: Indonesian classics, salads, and tapas-style small plates.

4. Dreamland Beach

I feel like the peaceful atmosphere of Le Cliff didn’t help when it came to forming my opinion of Dreamland Beach.

Located around 15 minutes from Le Cliff by scooter, it’s probably the longest stretch of sand I visited during my time in Uluwatu, and it’s ideal if you want to swim or if you’re planning a long day at the beach and want to have all the facilities you might need.

The good thing is that it’s very accessible (likely the only beach that won’t require you to climb down a staircase).

As with many beaches in Uluwatu, the surrounding nature is incredible. The high rocky cliffs wrap around the sand as if they were protecting it. However, here the crowds really take away from the beauty of the location (I can actually tell from the very few photos I took).

The things I didn’t like about Dreamland Beach are that it felt very touristy and was extremely crowded. The first part of the beach is occupied by what looks like endless rows of packed sun loungers and parasols.

You can still find a spot to lay your towel and enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere by heading left, further away from the beach club. I still enjoyed lying there on the warm sand, taking a dip now and then to refresh myself (it was very sunny and I even got sunburned despite the SPF).

There’s also a very packed restaurant here, and you can tell that prices have increased because it’s mainly frequented by tourists. I paid IDR 50K for a coconut, the highest I’ve ever paid in Bali.

5. Balangan Beach or…

Right after spending about an hour at Dreamland Beach, I headed to my homestay, Teges Asri by Bukit Vista (I stayed overnight), to check in and enjoy the stunning pool.

After a couple of hours by the pool, I started looking for a beach where I could get the best sunset view, and I ended up at Balangan Beach, which is located a bit further away (around 30 minutes) from the Bingin area.

The beach is absolutely stunning, a long stretch of sand that, despite being popular, especially at sunset, doesn’t feel overcrowded. Tiny buildings and cafés line one side, and you can still plan on renting a lounger for a couple of hours if you want to be more comfortable.

It’s the kind of place where groups of friends sit in a circle sipping a beer, playing cards, and waiting for the sun to go down and paint the sky in shades of orange and pink.

If you want an even better view, you can head up to the Balangan Beach cliff and watch the sunset from there. As for me, I walked all the way to Jimmy Beach Café, right at the very end of the stretch of sand on the left, got myself a matcha, and waited for the sunset there.

6. Uluwatu Temple

For this trip, I decided to skip the Uluwatu Temple, but if you’re not staying overnight and don’t need to check in at your hotel, you can definitely do both: Balangan Beach first and then the Uluwatu Temple.

I visited it during my first day trip to Uluwatu back in January, and it’s still one of my favorite sunset spots in the area (it is definitely crowded at sunset, so if you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, the morning at opening time may be a better idea).

It’s located a bit further away from where all the previous beaches are, around 30 minutes from Balangan Beach. The temple entrance ticket is IDR 50,000, and you will be provided with a sarong to wear.

The temple is famous for both its location and its significance. It’s one of Bali’s sea temples, believed to protect the southwestern coast from negative spiritual forces coming from the ocean.

Perched right on the edge of a 70-meter cliff, its meru-style shrine, peeking over the edge, is probably the most iconic view.

Uluwatu Temple isn’t huge, but you’ll probably end up spending more time than you expected, just staring at the dramatic cliffs, the insane power of the waves crashing below, and the endless ocean right in front of you.

Another “attraction” here is the monkeys, and the ones at Uluwatu are nothing but mischievous. I once saw one steal a pair of sunglasses, so keep an eye on your things.

Finally, another popular thing to do here is attend the Kecak fire dance, a traditional Balinese performance where a circle of men chant in rhythm while reenacting Prince Rama’s quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

More Things to Do in Uluwatu

Here are a couple of more things to do in Uluwatu if you have more time. As said, I stayed overnight and woke up earlier to check out a couple of more beaches.

7. Bingin Beach

Bingin Beach used to be a visitor’s favorite not just for its water, sand, and natural beauty, but for its incredibly local, traditional atmosphere.

Unfortunately, in July 2025, all the lovely cliff-side buildings, villas, restaurants, and warungs were taken down, leaving Bingin Beach looking like a ghost of what it once was.

When I went back to Uluwatu in August, Bingin had already lost its soul. The stunning, cliff-backed white-sand beach remains, along with its crystal-clear waters and reef break, of course.

But the lively atmosphere you used to feel while climbing down the winding paths, passing noisy warungs, cute restaurants, and people hanging out everywhere, is gone.

Instead, what you’ll find now are demolished structures, lots of trash, dust, and debris from the construction work happening all around.

The beach is still beautiful, and you can definitely plan on lying there for a while. However, I have to admit, it did feel a bit sad.

8. Uluwatu Beach

Uluwatu Beach is probably the most scenic beach in all of Uluwatu, and I visited early in the morning on my second day. It’s a tiny, incredibly unique stretch of sand tucked between the rocks that form the surrounding cliff.

It’s also a very famous surf spot, so you’ll see plenty of surfers heading out into the water from here. Depending on the tide, you’ll have more or less room to actually lie down.

When I visited, the tide was super high, and the waves were wild; they were even creating a mist in the air, which made taking good photos basically impossible.

To get there, you can park at Single Fin and walk down. You’ll pass several cliffside restaurants and warungs and find plenty of little viewpoints along the way. Just be prepared: there are a lot of steps before you reach the beach.

Once you’re down there, don’t miss the passage on the left between the rocks that leads to Suluban Beach, a tiny hidden patch of sand. I completely missed it, probably because the tide was too high.

Where to Eat in Uluwatu

Besides Tiny Social Club and Le Cliff (which you should absolutely check out), here are a few more restaurants and cafés I loved during my time in Uluwatu. They all serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

1. Artisan Bingin

As said, I hadn’t planned much before my recent trip to Uluwatu, but if there’s one thing I had planned, it was dinner at Artisan, and it ended up being one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Bali.

It’s an elegant lounge-style restaurant with soft, dim lighting, a long bar counter, and a refined, cozy atmosphere.

What I remember most is the smell of freshly baked pizza coming out of the wood-fired oven. Here, whatever you pick from the menu, you absolutely can’t go wrong. Make sure to book in advance on their website.

2. Seed

If you’re looking for a peaceful restaurant where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by a lush green garden, you’ll love Seed. It’s a French–Asian fusion spot offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I had breakfast at Seed and was immediately drawn in by the garden. It’s not just for show; they actually grow their own vegetables, fruits, and herbs there, so you know you’re getting the freshest ingredients.

I can highly recommend their açaí bowl and cappuccino if you’re after a healthy breakfast.

3. Salty Coffee

Salty Coffee is the classic social, super aesthetic, and usually pretty busy Uluwatu café.

It has those washed-white and wooden interiors I adore, and it’s the perfect place to stop before heading to the beach.

It’s also a great spot to get some work done; the Wi-Fi is solid, and the coffee (especially their salty signature one) is really good.

If you’re looking for a quick bite, I highly recommend one of their bagels. That’s what I had… and absolutely devoured before taking the car back to Ubud.

Where to Stay in Uluwatu

If you’re planning to stay overnight, I highly recommend the homestay I booked. I stayed at Teges Asri By Bukit Vista, the loveliest homestay.

The location was absolutely perfect, right in the heart of the Bingin area and close to pretty much everything. They have scooters available to rent on site, so you don’t have to worry about finding a rental service.

The rooms were extremely spacious and spotless, and the highlight of the property is definitely the lush tropical garden (with plenty of beautiful frangipani trees) and the stunning (huge) swimming pool.

I had such a good time in the afternoon, just sunbathing on the comfy loungers by the pool.

The owners are incredibly helpful without being overly present. When I arrived, they weren’t there, but my room was already set up with the key waiting for me and a cute welcome message.

FAQs Section

1. How many days To Spend in Uluwatu?

Ideally, considering how long it takes to get to Uluwatu from almost any area of Bali, you’ll want to stay at least two nights and spend 2–3 full days there.

This gives you enough time to explore beaches in different areas (even on the southern side), maybe take a couple of surf, yoga, or pilates lessons, and enjoy multiple sunset spots, including the beautiful Uluwatu Temple.

Uluwatu is the kind of place where ocean, surf, sunsets, and that effortless tropical vibe blend perfectly. And if that’s your vibe, you could honestly stay here for weeks. But if you’re adding Uluwatu to a packed Bali itinerary, two nights and 2–3 full days are perfect.

2. What’s The Best Time to Visit Uluwatu?

The best time to visit Bali is the dry season, from April to September/October, which is also the best time for surfing in Uluwatu, especially early in the morning.

That said… after living here, I’ve realized Bali’s weather has a mind of its own. It’s unpredictable year-round, and you truly never know what you’re going to get.

Generally, the south gets less rain than central Bali, which is why you might have storms in Ubud but sunshine on the Bukit. Because of this, the rainy season tends to hit a little later, so you can usually still get great weather in September (but again… Bali does what Bali wants).

3. What to Pack for A Day Trip to Uluwatu?

Make sure you pack the basics for a beach day. Bring your sun-protection kit (SPF, sunglasses, and a hat if you use one), plus a change of clothes and your swimsuit. I’d also throw in an extra towel if you don’t like staying damp all day or for the ride back.

Flip-flops are totally fine, though water shoes can be useful depending on the beach. And don’t forget some cash, handy for things like the Padang Padang entrance fee or grabbing snacks at smaller Warungs. For restaurants and cafés, your card will work just fine.

I always bring some hair oil when planning a long, salty day by the beach, and a small brush.

4. Is Uluwatu Worth Visiting From Seminyak or Canggu?

Yes, Uluwatu is absolutely worth visiting on a day trip from Seminyak or Canggu. Just keep in mind that it takes about 2.5 hours each way with traffic, so leaving early is key if you want to avoid spending half the day in the car.

If you can, staying overnight is a great way to stretch your time and fit in more without rushing.

For a Uluwatu day trip, try not to cram too much into your itinerary. It’ll feel rushed, and you won’t actually enjoy the beaches. Choose spots that are close to one another and rent a scooter for maximum flexibility (and to save a bit of money).

…and there you go! Here’s how you can spend one day in Uluwatu. Hopefully, this small guide helped you plan your day trip and gave you a clear idea of what’s actually doable in just one day.

If you’re still planning your itinerary, make sure to check out my guide on the best places to stay for first-timers in Bali. It’s super useful and will save you a lot of disappointment, especially when it comes to what day trips are realistic from each area.

And if you’re looking for more ideas for day trips from central Bali, here are 12 one-day adventures you shouldn’t miss.

Other Articles You May Like About Traveling to Bali

• Bali Tips for First-Timers: 30 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip
• Bali Travel Guide: Plan Your Short Trips & Long-Term Adventures
• 21 Bali Must-Haves: What to Pack for Bali Rainy and Dry Season

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