Padang Padang Beach: Why To Avoid This Perfect Spot
pADANG PADANG BEACH
Padang Padang Beach is a beautiful white sand beach on the west coast of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. Known as Labuan Sait Beach by locals, the main sandy section is less than 80m long, making it one of the smaller beaches in Uluwatu.
But what it’s lacking in size, it certainly makes up for in reputation. The beach was featured in Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts, has a famous surf break known as the Balinese Pipeline, and is home to a rather notorious troupe of monkeys.
| Padang Padang Beach | |
|---|---|
| Opening Times | 7am – 7pm |
| Ease of Access | Moderate (2-3 minute walk with 120 steps) |
| Sand Type | Warungs, food and drink vendors, surfboard hire, toilets, showers |
Adults (Foreigner) Children (Foreigner) Adult (Domestic) Children (Domestic) | 15,000 IDR 10,000 IDR 10,000 IDR 5,000 IDR |
| Parking Charge | Scooter: 2,000 IDR Car: 3,000 IDR |
| Grab/Gojek | Yes, drop-off and pick-up okay |
| Crowding | Very busy |
| Facilities at Beach | Warungs, food and drink vendors, surfboard hire, toilets, showers |
| Good for Swimming? | Yes – good |
| Good for Surfing? | Yes – excellent |
| Good for Snorkelling? | No |
| Good for Watersports? | No |
The Bottom Line
On paper, Padang Padang Beach ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a beautiful white sand beach surrounded by towering cliffs that create a sense of seclusion. The sea has a sandy bottom and moderate waves which are great for swimming and there’s a famous surf break just offshore.
However, Padang Padang has become a victim of its own popularity. The tiny Uluwatu beach is extremely popular and gets overcrowded easily.
Even when we last visited during wet season, there was hardly any space left on the sand to lay down a towel. It’s also one of Uluwatu’s most expensive beaches, and you risk having your belongings stolen by monkeys.
So, unless you’re specifically coming for the surf spot or are a huge Eat Pray Love movie fan, we don’t recommend Padang Padang. There are many other beautiful beaches nearby that are less crowded (and cheaper), such as Dreamland and Balangan.
Or if being in the water is more important to you, consider heading to Melasti Beach on the peninsula’s south coast where the ocean is calmer and better for swimming.
How To Get There
Padang Padang Beach is located on the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula in the popular tourist area of Uluwatu.
The entrance to Padang Padang Beach is right along the main road (called Jalan Labuan Sait). Parking is on the opposite side of the main road to the beach entrance.
Here is a Google Maps pin for the parking area.After you’ve paid for parking, cross the road to the beach entrance where you’ll need to purchase a ticket.
From the ticket counter, it takes just a few minutes to reach the beach, but you’ll have to descend around 120 steep steps and follow a pathway that leads between a fallen rock and the cliffside.
Getting down isn’t too strenuous, but you’ll work up a sweat getting back up.
The steps are properly paved and well maintained, although there is no handrail. Local ladies regularly sweep the sand away to prevent the steps from getting slippery.
Can You Get Online Taxis?
Yes, online taxis such as Grab and Gojek can drop off and pick up at the entrance to Padang Padang Beach as it’s located right next to the main road.
What Are the Crowds Like?
Despite being one of the smaller and more expensive beaches in Uluwatu, Padang Padang is still one of the busiest and most overcrowded spots in the region.
Both times we have visited it’s been hard to find a space to sit on the sand. Even on a cloudy day in late January, the beach was packed with people!
You’ll need to arrive at Padang Padang early to get a good spot, especially if you want to sit under one of the beach umbrellas.
For some other beaches nearby that are far less crowded, we’d suggest Dreamland or Balangan instead.
Or for another great swim spot, consider heading to Melasti Beach which is a much larger beach so gets less crowded. An offshore reef break means that the waves at Melasti are super calm, making it ideal for swimming.
Swimming at Padang Padang Beach
Padang Padang Beach is a good spot for swimming. The inviting turquoise-coloured water is clean and has a sandy bottom which is gentle on your feet. The waves are moderate so you won’t be thrown around too much.
Is Padang Padang Good for Sunset?
No, Padang Padang Beach doesn’t make a good sunset spot. The beach is north-facing so the view of the sunset is obscured by the towering cliffs to the left of the beach.
Is it Good for Surfing or Water Sports?
Yes, Padang Padang is a great surf spot. It has two breaks depending on your ability
The most famous one is called Padang Padang Left, nicknamed the Balinese Pipeline.
It’s excellent for pros with long hollow waves that allow you to ride a deep barrel when the conditions are right. It’s considered one of the top surf spots in the world but the waves only break properly here on a handful of days during dry season (source).
With strong currents and shallow reefs, it’s not for beginners!
Beginners should head to the other surf spot more to the right, aptly named Padang Padang Right (nicknamed Baby Padang). This one has long but slow rolling waves, ideal for learning.
There are plenty of shacks on the beach offering surfboard rental (the going rate is 100,000 IDR for an hour) or surf lessons if you’re a newbie.
The Infamous Padang Padang Monkeys
It’s not only people who crowd Padang Padang. The area is also home to a troupe of wild monkeys who have become infamous for their thieving ways.
Most of the monkeys hang out around the beach entrance and the staircase.
The monkeys have gained somewhat of a reputation for stealing people’s belongings to swap for food. It’s not uncommon to see the cheeky little thieves grabbing sunglasses, hats, and bags from unsuspecting tourists.
Once they have your belongings, the only way to get them back is to barter with some food. The locals are accustomed to these scenarios and are well prepared with fruit and snacks to trade with the monkeys.
But if you’d rather avoid this happening altogether, keep all of your loose belongings in a secure bag and keep your eye out on the way down to the beach.
Once on the sand, you should be safe as the monkeys rarely venture among the crowds. Just don’t leave anything on the rocks along the back of the beach – we saw a monkey steal a water bottle left here.
Padang Padang Beach Amenities
Cafes, Restaurants & Shops
About a dozen vendors sell food, drinks, and tourist souvenirs along Padang Padang Beach.
Some vendors offer basic snacks such as crisps and pot noodles, while others have full menus with Indonesian cuisine and seating areas on the beach.
The prices are okay for a beach spot, with a cold coconut or a Nasi Goreng (fried rice) both costing around 40,000 IDR.
However, Padang Padang’s location in central Uluwatu means there are many excellent places to eat nearby. One of our favourite restaurants, The Loft, is just a 3 minute drive away. We’d recommend leaving the beach to eat elsewhere.
Toilets & Showers
There are free toilets at the back of the beach, along with indoor and outdoor showers.
There’s also a second toilet and shower block near the ticket counter at the entrance. But this only has outdoor showers.
Near the entrance, you can also find a foot wash station to get the sand off after your visit.
Sunbeds
Padang Padang Beach is very exposed to the sun throughout most of the day.
Although there are no sunbeds for hire, there are some umbrellas dug into the sand that you can sit under. However, you’ll need to arrive early to guarantee that they’ll be available.
More About Padang Padang Beach
Eat Pray Love
Padang Padang Beach is best known as one of the filming locations for Eat Pray Love, the iconic 2010 movie starring Julia Roberts that was largely filmed in Bali.
One of the scenes filmed at Padang Padang is when Liz (Julia Roberts) asks Felipe if he loves her but he avoids answering her question, causing an argument and upsetting Liz who ultimately walks off at the end.
You can watch the full scene here on YouTube.
GoBoat
GoBoat is a new boat service that runs between Uluwatu and Canggu. The journey takes just 35 minutes by boat, as opposed to 2 hours by car or 1hr 20 by scooter.
It runs between Padang Padang Beach and Nelayan Beach in Canggu. We have not tried this service so we cannot give our opinions.