One of the good things about holidays in Uluwatu, other than the fabulous beaches, great cafes and loads of amazing Uluwatu holiday villas to rent, is Pandawa Beach or Pantai Pandawa.
It’s only a 15-20-minute drive, but it’s well worth the experience alone. It’s not so much a beach as a world unto itself.
You drive down this winding, moonscape-like road, and carved out on the side of the cliff face are all these Hindu statues. The statues tower above you, making for a great photo opportunity.
But even better is what’s at the bottom waiting for you: a magical beach with clear blueish-green waters where farmers still grow seaweed. There are also loads of family-run warnings, commonly known as local restaurants, where you can fill up with fresh coconut juice or a mouthwatering homemade nasi goreng. They also sell the usual Balinese touristy stuff like t-shirts and souvenirs, but if you want to have a proper meal, there are seafood restaurants here, which are great for dinner on the beach.
The beach itself is protected by an outer reef, which makes it perfect for swimming. If you’re coming with the kids, this is great as the water is really calm and currently free. For some fun, you can also rent some kayaks and have a paddle around. There are also many beachside chairs which you can rent with an umbrella for a few hours.
If you’re staying in a villa and want to make a day trip, it’s best to get your villa manager to organise transport for you to get down there, as you will need a car. If you are the adventurous type, you can rent a scooter and make your way down here, but it may be a bit hard to find without someone showing you the way. There is ample parking down here, and your driver will wait while you spend the day relaxing in the gorgeous blue waters.
Because it’s on the Bukit, it’s great to visit Pandawa Beach all year round.
If you are keen on surfing, all you need to do is venture further down the beach. there are some great waves at Pandawa, so make sure you bring your surfboard! Although it’s not on the tourist map for most Aussie or European travellers, it’s definitely one of the most exotic beaches to explore during your Bali holiday.
Steven is a die-hard Bali island addict and committed surfie. When he's not writing or taking videos of the latest restaurants or cool places, he's at Echo Beach surfing or riding his scooter around Seminyak, Berawa or Canggu. Steve is part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team and has been living in and out of Bali for the last 15 years.
