Padang Padang Beach, on Bali’s rugged Bukit Peninsula, is one of the Island’s most famous beaches. While the name of this beach in the region of Pecatu might not seem familiar, the pictures surely will. Made famous by Julia Roberts in the 2010 Hollywood blockbuster, Eat, Pray, Love, Padang Padang beach is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque beaches in Bali.
Whether you are wanting to lounge on the white sand beach drinking fresh coconut, swim in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, or surf on the world-famous break just off-shore from the beach, Padang Padang is definitely worth a visit.
Padang Padang Beach
After purchasing your ticket, you will walk through a small courtyard and down through a small set of stairs. A sign to your right directs you to the beach. Here the steps down take you through an unexpectedly narrow ravine-like gap between two adjacent cliff faces. If you struggle with narrow areas, please advise staff. They can assist you to enter the beach through the exit steps, which are wide and much easier to access.
Proceeding past here you will soon catch your first glimpse of the beach through gaps in the canopies of the Acacia trees found throughout the area.
The beach itself is not huge. Encased by rugged vertical cliffs, the beach stretches for 150 meters across two small bays. The soft, white sand leads into sheltered turquoise waters, ideal for cooling off from the tropical weather. The surf breaks are further out beyond the coral reef that shelters the beach from the ocean swells. Large boulders are scattered throughout the water here and a small temple, reached by steps built into the rocks, has been built atop a large rocky outcrop at the far end of the adjacent bay. This second bay can only be accessed on certain tides. A high tide can cut off access here unless you are prepared to get wet so please be aware of this if you visit the temple.
Who Is Padang Padang Beach Best Suited For?
Padang Padang beach is suitable for families as well as for surfers and others. Children love to play on the beach, digging holes and building sandcastles, while parents relax with a refreshing coconut. The sheltered waters close to shore are family-friendly. The beach gently slopes away into the water, and once in the water, there are no large waves or ocean currents to contend with.
For the surfers, a five-minute paddle on your board will take you out to the breakers on the far side of the reef. This surf break is definitely for more experienced board riders due to the shallow reef. The surfing here can be fantastic. So much so that RipCurl regularly schedule tournaments on the World Surfing Calendar at Padang Padang beach. These unfortunately have been cancelled recently due to the Covid 19 pandemic. For those who prefer to watch the surfers rather than actually surfing, this beach can provide unique opportunities for you to view one of the world’s most famous surf breaks.
What Facilities Are At Padang Padang Beach?
If you find yourself getting hungry, or maybe you feel like sipping on a freshly opened young coconut, you’re in luck. The beach is lined with a number of warungs where drinks and snacks are available. There are plenty of tables and umbrellas, making it a great spot to enjoy your refreshments while sitting and watching the water. Otherwise, the stallholders will bring your drinks and food to you on the beach. There are basic amenities available which are reached via a set of old steps. But be careful if you go up here as the steps are not in the best condition and there are a few trip hazards around this area.
You can rent a surfboard if you want to try your luck at surfing. Though it is only really recommended for experienced surfers. The main surf break, breaks on a shallow reef several hundred meters offshore from the beach itself.
Monkey Madness
Bali’s Bukit Peninsula is home to a large population of Long-tailed Macaques. Living in the surrounding acacia trees, the monkeys, which live in large family groups, will often start heading down towards the beach in the late morning. They are not shy, in fact, they can be very cheeky. These monkeys will try to steal any unsecured belongings they can find, be it wallets, drink bottles or sunglasses. The only way you can get your belongings back is to exchange them for food! You will need to get assistance from one of the stallholders to do the trade. So our advice is to make sure all of your belongings are secure within a backpack or something similar and don’t leave things unattended.
How To Get To Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach, also known as Pantai Padang Padang is on the western side of the Bukit Peninsula on Bali’s southern coastline. It is located in the relatively unspoilt region of Pecatu, an area filled with fresh ocean breezes and hilly, winding country lanes. The street location is Jalan Labuansait. If you are coming from the resort areas of Kuta, it will take you around 35-40 minutes to get to Padang Padang Beach. From Sanur, allow about 50 minutes. And from Nusa Dua, on the east coast of the Bukit Peninsula, you should also allow about 35 minutes travel time. Parking is in a well-signed area opposite the beach access. While visiting the Bukit Peninsula, you might also be interested in visiting Pandawa Beach.
What Else Is In The Area?
The surrounding area has developed over the last few years with a number of (mainly surfing oriented) shops, cafes and restaurants. These blend well with the area and don’t detract from the feel of the village. There are plenty of food options available that cover most dietary choices including vegan food. Accommodation is also available, mainly in smaller homestays and villas, but there are also some luxurious options available that overlook this magnificent coastline.
The world-famous Uluwatu Temple is less than ten minutes drive from here and there are many other brilliant beaches worthy of exploration in the area. The GWK cultural theme park with the huge Garuda statue is not far from here and is also worth a visit, particularly if you are interested in learning more about Balinese culture.
What Do I Need To Know
As is common in Bali, there are costs to park and enter Padang Padang Beach. Parking for a motorbike or scooter is 2k Rupiah(approx $0.15 USD or $0.20 Aud). Adult entry will cost is 15k (approx $1.05 USD or $1.50 Aud) Rupiah per person
Remember that you are holidaying in the tropics so please keep in mind these useful tips. Make sure you have your sunscreen and apply it regularly, particularly after swimming. It doesn’t take long to burn in the tropical sun, and a bad case of sunburn could soon ruin your Bali holiday. Make sure you wear a hat and drink plenty of drinking water. Bring a camera or use your phone to record your visit; this beach is very photogenic. And most importantly, bring a backpack to secure all your belongings to keep them safe from the marauding monkeys
