MELASTI BEACH
- Warsyaan
- November 8th, 2024
- Watch Our Review
MELASTI BEACH
Melasti Beach (Pantai Melasti) sits on the tip of the Bukit Peninsula, marking the southernmost point of Bali. The beautiful white sand beach is over 1km long and backed by enormous limestone cliffs.
Once a hidden gem, Melasti has undergone significant development to become one of the most accessible and tourist-friendly beaches in Uluwatu, without compromising on natural beauty and appeal. It’s one of our favourite beaches in Bali, and in this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting.
| Melasti Beach | |
|---|---|
| Ease of Access | Very easy – parking is a few metres from the sand |
| Sand Type | White sand |
| Beach Admission Cost | Adults: 15,000 IDR ⓘ |
| Parking Charge | Scooter: 3,000 IDR Car: 5,000 IDR |
| Grab/Gojek | Can drop off, but no pick-up |
| Crowding | Moderate |
| Facilities at Beach | Free toilets (squat style), free showers, warungs, lots of beach clubs, sun loungers |
| Good for Swimming? | Yes – one of the best |
| Good for Surfing? | No |
| Good for Snorkelling? | Possible, but not much to see |
| Good for Watersports? | Only SUP and kayaking |
Is Melasti Beach Worth Visiting?
Melasti Beach is worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a beach in South Bali that’s easy to access, has lots of amenities, and is safe for swimming.
While most beaches in Uluwatu can only be reached by walking down steep steps, Melasti Beach is an exception. You can drive right down to the beachfront, with the sand just a few metres from the parking area.
Great accessibility does mean that Melasti is extremely popular among both foreign and Indonesian tourists. However, we’ve visited multiple times, and its huge size means it has never felt overcrowded. There’s plenty of room for everyone along the 1 km-long stretch of sand.
There are plenty of amenities, including toilets, showers, cafes, and sun loungers to rent. A dozen or so beach clubs line the back of the beach, with our favourites being Sundays, Klive, Tropical Temptation, and White Rock (more on these later).
The waves at Melasti are gentle and the seabed is sandy, which makes it a great family-friendly spot for swimming and paddling in the ocean.
How To Get There ?
There are two ways to reach Melasti Beach. The main entrance can be found by heading toward the Umana Resort and turning left before you reach it. This is a wide, well-maintained road that’s suitable for scooters, cars, and buses.
The second entrance is near The Surga Villa Estate. This is much steeper and not in great shape as it’s still under construction.
Both entrances lead to the same parking area and have the same entrance fee. From the parking area, it’s just a few metres walk to the beach.
Can You Use Grab or Gojek?
If you plan to use an online taxi app, such as Grab or Gojek, they are permitted to drop you off at Melasti Beach, but they aren’t allowed to pick you up from the main parking area.
Some people were able to order a car on Gojek to collect them from the car park (as it was unmarked). However, people ordering bike taxis have struggled. If your driver is stopped from entering, you will need to walk up the hill to meet them outside the ticket barrier – a long and steep walk.
It’s better if you arrange rent private car for halfday or fullday with private driver to pick you up. Alternatively, go to the reception at White Rock Beach Club, where they have fixed-price taxis to many destinations so you won’t get ripped off. But the price is more expensive than if you order a car for half a day or a car for a full day.
Fun Fact! Melasti Beach is named after the Melasti ceremony which is a Balinese purification ritual held once a year, 3 days before Nyepi. During the ceremony, the Balinese carry statues of gods to this beach (and many others across the island) for purification in the sea. This helps cleanse the body and the Earth from bad spirits.
What Are the Crowds Like?
Melasti is one of the most popular beaches on the Bukit Peninsula. It can get pretty busy, but with 1km of sand and numerous large beach clubs to hang out in, it has never felt too overcrowded to us. There’s enough room for everyone to enjoy.
This beach is also particularly popular among big Indonesian tour groups – likely because it’s one of the only ones in the area that’s easily reachable by car and coach.
It’s one of the few places in Bali where intrigued Indonesian tourists have asked us for photos. Unfortunately, not because they recognised us from Bali Untold, but because we’re foreigners. This has only happened around the parking area, not along the beach itself.
Can You Swim at Melasti Beach?
Yes, Melasti Beach is an excellent beach for swimming. Or at least for a paddle and a splash around in the shallow, crystal-clear waters.
There are shallow corals around 100m offshore, which causes the tide to break early. This means the waves are very gentle once they reach the beach. The seabed is sandy and soft on your feet, so it’s very family-friendly too.
Make sure to pay attention to the flags on the beach as swimming is only permitted in certain areas.
Is Melasti Good for Sunset?
Melasti Beach faces south, so you can’t see the sun fully disappear beyond the horizon. However, we’ve visited at sunset on a couple of occasions, and you still get a beautiful display of colours on a clear day.
There are smaller crowds on the beach by sunset, with most people now enjoying cocktails in the beach clubs. Plus, you can stay on the beach until dark with the knowledge that the parking area is just a short walk away.
Is it Good for Surfing or Water Sports?
No, we have never seen anyone surfing at Melasti Beach. The waves here aren’t of great quality, and the strong currents can make it difficult. Advanced surfers might have some luck to the west of the helipad, but there are far better surf spots in Uluwatu.
You also can’t do extreme watersports such as jet skiing or paragliding at Melasti. However, the gentle waves are suitable for paddle sports. Several beach clubs offer complimentary use of kayaks and paddleboards for guests (we’ve done this at Klive and Sundays).
The shallow coral shelf prevents you from going far out, so expect to paddle laps near the shore rather than taking long-distance kayak trips.
Beach Clubs at Melasti
There are around a dozen beach clubs along Melasti Beach. Some have a more casual vibe, while others have full-blown parties with DJs and immersive lighting. Here are our favourites:
Sundays Beach Club* – One of our favourite beach clubs in Bali, with a chilled vibe and great food. It sits directly on the beach, so you can relax with the sand in your toes and the ocean a few steps away. Entrance is 800,000 IDR ⓘ , which includes 500,000 IDR food and drink credits.
White Rock Beach Club – The biggest beach club on Melasti, with a huge infinity pool and a more lively, upbeat vibe. It has free entrance, but there is a minimum spend for day beds, cabanas, and party suites, starting at 1,000,000 IDR ⓘ for two people.
Both Sunday’s and Klive sit at the far end of Melasti Beach. Rather than walking along the sand, you can park on the cliff above and take their private funicular down to the club.
Melasti Beach Amenities
Melasti Beach is well catered for tourists, with several warungs (local restaurants) and convenience stores offering drinks and snacks.
In the parking area, you’ll find free showers, toilets (Asian squat toilets), changing rooms, and lots of places to wash your sandy feet before getting into your car or taxi. It’s nice to leave a small donation for the people looking after the facilities.
There are loads of sun loungers and umbrellas available to rent along the beach at Melasti, offering some much-needed shade from the intense Bali sun.
Sunbeds Price 150,000 IDR ⓘ for two loungers, which can easily be shared between four people if you’re going to be in and out of the ocean.
You can order soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and fresh coconuts directly to your sun lounger from the connecting cafes.
What Else To Know
Melasti Beach sits at the most southerly point in all of Bali. Make sure to walk out onto the small rocky outcrop extending from the beach into the ocean to say you’ve reached the island’s southernmost tip. It’s not super exciting, but it’s a fun claim to have!
You’ll also spot a mysterious wooden ship permanently docked near the parking area. Honestly, we’re still not sure what it is, but it’s a cool feature nonetheless!
Melasti is a very scenic beach and is a popular spot for photos, with dedicated areas for local couples to have pre-wedding photoshoots. You will have to pay at least 500,000 IDR if you plan to take professional photos here.
