Looking for information on visiting Pandawa Beach in Uluwatu? Look no further because I’ve created this detailed guide for you.
If you’re looking for stunning beaches, then Uluwatu, Bali is the place to be!
Though Uluwatu is a small place, it’s one of the most popular beach destinations among travelers. We spent months living in Uluwatu and instantly fell in love with its many beaches.
Between its gorgeous beaches, delicious food, interesting tourist attractions, and low cost of living, this place is nothing short of paradise everywhere you go.
The only problem you’ll have is wondering which beach you should head to. Among all the beaches around Uluwatu, one of them stands out – Pandawa Beach.
This spectacular white sand beach is located on the south of the island, known for its aqua-blue water and cliff-top views.
If you plan to visit Pandawa Beach Bali, read on for our ultimate travel guide where I share the best time to go, what to expect, things to do, and more.
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Where is Pandawa Beach?
Pandawa Beach, also known as Pantai Pandawa, is one of the best beaches in Uluwatu. It is located in southern Bali or the Bukit Peninsula. It is one of the most best beaches in the area and is a place we highly recommend you visit!
Hidden behind large limestone cliffs, it was once a secret beach, but you’ll find more and more tourists heading to the area, and once you visit Pandawa Beach, you’ll see why.
The beach is filled with soft white sands, frothy surf, clear waters, and blue skies you’ll want to stare at forever. As you drive down the road leading to Pandawa Beach, you’ll pass by huge statues and breathtaking views over the Indian Ocean!
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How to Get to Pantai Pandawa
You can easily reach Pandawa Beach via a scooter or car. Rent a scooter to have more control over your day, which costs about 50,000 IDR a day (less than $4!).
That said, it’s important to read up on how to rent a scooter in Bali as I only really recommend doing so if you’re an experienced driver. Although the traffic in Uluwatu is nowhere near as hectic as busy places like Canggu or Seminyak, there are still a lot of curvy roads and steep hills.
Once you rent a scooter or a car (for more comfortable driving), you can navigate the roads via Google Maps.
Another suitable option is to hire a private car with a driver. This is a good choice if you’re a group or want a full-day tour. Rates begin at 500,000 IDR (around $35) for eight hours.
If Pandawa Beach is your only destination, you can always book a scooter or car to head to the area, using transportation apps like Grab, Blue Bird, or Gojek.
If you’re planning to visit Pantai Pandawa from Canggu, Kuta, or Seminyak, it’s approximately an 1.5-hour journey, depending on traffic.
If you have no time to plan your trip, consider booking a private driver to take you to Pandawa Beach as well as to other beaches in the area.
Best Time to Visit Pandawa Beach
The best time to visit Pandawa Beach is during the middle of the year, particularly the dry season, as you can get the perfect balance of white sand, lots of sun, and good waves for surfing.
To be more specific, the best months of the year should be between April to October. While the weather is hot all year round in Bali, you can expect more sun and clear days compared to November to March.
When visiting between April to October, you can expect clear skies and sunny weather, with the average temperature being around 30°C degrees.
Besides that, it’s best to visit Pandawa Beach during the weekday mornings, when there are fewer people.
You can even meet a few locals trying to beat the crowds as well. Alternatively, you can also try visiting during the late afternoon to hike and view the sunset from the cliffside.
Check out our Indonesia Travel Guide for full tips on best time to go!
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Pandawa Beach Facilities
Pandawa Beach is now well-developed, with showers, toilets, and changing rooms on-site. There are also parking spaces for scooters and cars. Note that there is a fee for the parking lot, which is 2,000 IDR ($0.13) per scooter and 5,000 IDR ($0.33) per car.
You won’t even need to pack or bring food, because you’ll find a convenience store, food stalls, and restaurants serving delicious dishes. If you’re looking for a place to completely relax, there are spas to get that well-deserved traditional Balinese massage.
Make sure you bring cash with you, as some establishments (like food stalls) do not accept card or digital payments.
You’ll also find many sun loungers which you can rent situated around the beach so you’ll always have a place to sit comfortably.
Things to Do in Pandawa Beach
While there are tons of things to do in Uluwatu, spending a day in Pandawa Beach is definitely high on that list.
The thing is, Pandawa Beach isn’t only a place to watch the sunset, it’s also somewhere you can spend a full day in! Here are just some of the things you can do:
Swim
You didn’t visit the beach just to sunbathe, did you? It’s almost criminal to head to Pandawa Beach and not dip your feet in its clear waters!
It’s safe to swim around in both the shallow and deep parts of the beach since the currents aren’t strong.
That said, it’s still important to prioritize your safety and be careful, as Pandawa Beach also has sharp reefs and strong, large waves during the rainy season.
I recommend wearing water shoes or to assess the current situation before swimming into the deep parts.
Kayak
You’ll find more kayakers in Pandawa Beach than surfers thanks to its calmer currents and aqua-blue waters. There are many kayaks and canoes to rent, including a double canoe for couples.
We recommend kayaking from morning until noon when there aren’t many people, and the sun isn’t too hot!
Walk the Boardwalk
Pandawa Beach has an extensive boardwalk with a ton of shops and food stalls. Whether you’re hungry to try local food or want to buy trinkets and souvenirs to bring home, you’ll find something to buy here.
Besides that, you’ll also get to see lovely views of the limestone cliffs and rest your feet from walking on the hot sand!
Surf
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s always a facility catered to your needs. The waves may not be as large as experienced surfers want, but it’s still worth having a surf session at Pandawa Beach.
Beginners will love the area because many instructors can provide private lessons and surfboard rentals at affordable prices.
Get a Massage
You CAN’T head to Bali without getting a relaxing massage!
What’s great about Pantai Pandawa is that you have locals that can give you a back massage, foot massage, or even a mani-pedi right on the beach!
Where to Eat in Pandawa Beach
As mentioned, there are a lot of places to eat while in Pandawa Beach!
In this section, I will recommend a few local warungs or restaurants as well as a few beach clubs in the area.
Rooster Fish Beach Club
Rooster Fish Beach Club isn’t hard to find when in Pandawa Beach. It is also one of the most famous restaurants among tourists. It is one of the more upscale restaurants in Pandawa Beach if you’re looking for Western comforts.
You’ll love the fusion cocktails and juices, along with the international cuisine the resto offers, such as the Uluwatu Burger, Spicy Pepperoni Pizza, and chili fries.
The ambiance is top-notch, as you will be right by the beach. Keep an eye out for fun events and DJs in this beach club!
Oka Warung Pandawa
If you want to try local Balinese food, you’ll love Oka Warung Pandawa. This is to your left side as you enter Pandawa Beach. Not only are they famous for their delicious local dishes, but their affordable prices as well.
Their nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles), among other local dishes, cost around 30,000 IDR. That’s more or less $2, so you can have a feast by the beach!
Pandawa Seaview
As the name suggests, you get a good view of the waters while munching on their local dishes and refreshing drinks that come at affordable prices.
Many locals and tourists come to Pandawa Seaview for their delicious taste, the relaxed ambiance, and great customer service.
Janjirasa Seafood & Resto
Janjirasa Seafood & Resto is a relatively new restaurant located right by the beach, known for serving local cuisine and delicious grilled seafood dishes!
You can opt to sit inside the open-air restaurant or outside to have a better view of the waters and lounge by the pool.
You also get a view of the beach, either from their tables in the restaurant or the little bar outside with colorful beanbags, sun loungers, and a beach umbrella per table (to shade you from the sun!).
Other Beaches in Uluwatu
Pandawa Beach is only half an hour away from Uluwatu, so it’s a great choice if you’re thinking of what beaches to visit. But you shouldn’t only stick to one beach!
While I adore Pandawa Beach, there are also a ton of other amazing beaches in Uluwatu you can explore. Here are some of my recommendations:
- Nyang Nyang Beach – Nyang Nyang Beach is a great place for exploring rock pools and walking on soft white sands without crowds.
- Green Bowl Beach – Green Bowl Beach is an underrated and secluded beach among all Uluwatu beaches, with white sands, surf breaks for experienced surfers, and caves to check out!
- Balangan Beach – Balangan Beach is a picturesque beach in Bali with a ton to offer, especially with its fantastic sunset views. It’s also a surfer’s haven, with waves perfect for beginner to advanced surfers alike.
- Thomas Beach – White sands and clear turquoise waves, these two are the only reasons you need to head to Thomas Beach. It’s dubbed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Uluwatu but is often overlooked, so you can expect fewer crowds.
- Dreamland Beach- Pantai Dreamland is between Balangan and Bingin beach and is a popular spot for surfing and swimming.
- Padang Padang Beach – This is a famous surfing spot and one of the most popular beaches in Uluwatu thanks to its soft golden sand and fun surf breaks.
- Melasti Beach – This is located below limestone cliffs, with white sands and stunning scenery.
- Pantai Bingin– Pantai Bingin or Bingin Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu. It has a few restaurants and is a popular surf destination.
I hope this travel guide to Pandawa Beach helped you in planning an unforgettable beach experience while in Bali.
Uluwatu Tours
If you want to explore the best of Uluwatu, I recommend you check out this full day tour which takes you to a few of the best Uluwatu beaches plus a kecak dance in Uluwatu temple.
The Kecak fire dance is one of the best cultural experiences in Bali and is something I highly recommend doing!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pandawa Beach
There are many activities you can do at Pandawa Beach, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and beach lovers.
You’ll want to stay an entire day here because of its plethora of things to do, including swimming, surfing, visiting the five statues of Pandawa Knights, paragliding, hiking, getting a massage, eating delicious food, or just sunbathing while waiting for the sunset.
Pandawa Beach is in Badung, South Kuta district. It’s about an hour and a half away from Canggu, or just a short drive from Uluwatu Temple. Pantai Pandawa is also near other beaches, such as Kutuh Beach.
The entrance fee to Pandawa Beach is 15,000 IDR ($1). Pay the fee at the toll gate, several hundred meters before the beach. You’ll be given a ticket to show at the entrance gate.
You can definitely swim in Pandawa Beach, with its crystal-clear waters allowing you to see the ocean floor! There are no strong waves or currents, making it safe and enjoyable to swim in.
While there aren’t any strong waves, they are still waves good enough to surf in, especially for beginners. Intermediate to advanced surfers may find the waves too small on Pandawa Beach, though.
Pantai Pandawa was once one of Bali’s secret beaches because of its location. It is behind a mountainous area, which made the location secluded and difficult to access. However, it’s now become more popular, so it isn’t a secret beach anymore!
You can visit Pandawa Beach via scooter or car. Either rent a scooter, hire a private driver, or use transportation apps like Grab and Gojek. You may even join a day tour to have everything taken care of.
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