A day trip to Uluwatu should be on your must-do list when visiting Bali. The southern part of the island is often overlooked or just visited briefly by tourists. While Uluwatu is steadily gaining popularity, it’s still very underrated and more authentic and nature-oriented than areas like Kuta and Seminyak.

A day trip is certainly nowhere near enough time to see everything, however, it is a great way for you to gain an impression of how beautiful and different from the rest of Bali it is here.

So why is Uluwatu so special?

You can find some of the island’s best surf beaches here, and the steep cliffs are a stark contrast to the mostly flat areas around the coast.

While hotspots like the famous Uluwatu Temple will, of course, be crowded with tourists, you can still find plenty of quiet areas and beaches. Especially on a scooter, you will have a great time driving around and enjoying the little villages around Bali.

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Why you can trust this Uluwatu day trip itinerary

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.

I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.

I’ve been living in Canggu for several years now, but since it’s very crowded up here, I try to spend at least one long weekend a month in Uluwatu, where the beaches are so much more beautiful. That means I’ve been to Uluwatu dozens of times and can make sure this day trip itinerary stays up-to-date and relevant. I constantly add more of my current favourite restaurants and make sure to keep an eye on new attractions to try.

About this day trip itinerary to Uluwatu

This post generalises Bali’s southern peninsula as “Uluwatu”, although (like the map below shows) this is actually just the name of a small part of the area. The itinerary also includes some parts of Jimbaran, Ungasan and many other neighbourhoods of Bali’s south.

It is certainly possible to extend your day trip from Uluwatu to Nusa Dua and add more sights if you like. I have included a few alternative suggestions at the last stop of this itinerary in case you want to alter it slightly. Just be aware of time constraints and leave some time for spontaneous exploring.

If you feel like you need more time, you can always consider staying somewhere around Jimbaran, Nusa Dua or Uluwatu for a few days. There is plenty to see and do.

How to get around on your day trip to Uluwatu

In most cases, public transport is, unfortunately, simply not an option in Bali. Buses like the popular Perama Bus usually only exist for longer distances and do not go to specific places such as beaches or most of the tourist attractions.

If you want to follow this itinerary, you basically have four options: hiring a driver, using grab and gojek, renting a car or renting a scooter. Which one you choose depends entirely on you.

Renting a scooter

Scooters are Bali’s most popular and probably the cheapest form of transport. A scooter comes with a lot of freedom and independence. It’s the only way you’ll be completely in control of where you are going and when.

However, if you do not have experience in riding a scooter or motorcycle you should be very careful, especially if you’re planning to drive long distances.

Many tourists suffer serious injuries from scooter accidents in Bali every year. You should never ride without a helmet and not go too fast, as tempting as it might seem.

The best insurance for riding a scooter in Bali

Every traveller should have insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies, hospital visits and unforeseen accidents. SafetyWing is not only the best choice for shorter trips but also offers long-term plans for digital nomads or those travelling for extended periods of time.

They have a great selection of plans, including trip insurance, which supports you in case of cancelled flights or lost baggage.

My favourite part is that they offer adventure sports coverage ad-ons, so you can do all the exciting activities without having to worry about taking unnecessary risks.

No matter where you’re travelling, you cannot put a price on peace of mind.

Find out more about SafetyWing here.

Bali’s roads are decent for the most part but you can still encounter parts with loose gravel or dirt roads. This can be especially dangerous.

You can rent a scooter nearly everywhere on the island. Many hotels offer rentals as well, although these might be slightly more expensive. You should pay between IDR 50,000 and IDR 100,000 (~ €3 and €6) for one day. Many places will offer a discount if you rent for longer.

Although it is not required for rental, make sure you have a valid international driver’s license if you plan to rent a scooter. In case of an accident or an encounter with the police, this will make things a lot easier.

You have to request an international license in your home country before your departure. It is usually issued on the same day.

Hiring a driver or renting a car

If you do not feel comfortable on a scooter or are travelling in a larger group, hiring a driver might be a better option for you. It is very common for tourists to hire a driver for a day, and you’ll have no trouble finding one even last minute.

Prices vary greatly, depending on how good you are at bargaining. You should not pay more than IDR 800,000 (~ €47) for one day, although you can certainly find something cheaper if you invest some time. This price should include petrol as well as any parking costs.

It is customary to pay for the driver’s lunch and give them a tip at the end of the day.

You can find contact numbers for drivers online, especially in large Facebook groups. Most hotels or homestays will also be happy to help, although their prices are usually more expensive.

You can also ask regular Bluebird Taxi, Grab or Gojek drivers if they offer all-day services.

Another option is to rent a car for the day and drive yourself if you’re confident in the busy traffic.

What about a Grab, Gojek or a Bluebird Taxi?

In theory, you could take a Grab, Gojek or taxi to some of the destinations on this itinerary. However, you would most likely end up spending more during the day than you would for a driver.

In addition to that, Grabs and Gojeks are hard to find in some areas of Uluwatu as they are no longer tolerated in many places. You might have trouble finding one to pick you up again, especially close to the beaches. Sometimes, you might have to walk for a few minutes to get to an area where drivers are allowed to pick you up.

Grabs, Gojeks and Taxis are good ways to go longer distances one way in Bali but are not practical or cheap for a longer day trip. Don’t make the mistake of using Gojek or Grab to be picked up from the airport in Bali, though, and research the no-gojek zones in Canggu, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Tanah Lot Temple, Sanur, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Kintamani, Ubud, Amed, Lovina and Padang Bai.

Travelling on a budget? Here are 21 Tips to save money in Indonesia.

Getting to Uluwatu via GoBoat

You can now get to Uluwatu from Canggu by boat using GoBoat. This service takes around 35 minutes and costs around IDR 250,000 per person. You’ll depart at Nelayan Beach in Canggu, which is located right next to Batu Bolong Beach and will arrive at Padang Padang Beach in Uluwatu.

The first boats depart at around 9 in the morning, and the last one tends to be at 4 or 5. Just note that the schedule will be very dependent on the weather and tides. The sea is often very rough on this route, so you’ll most likely get wet, and it can be pretty bumpy.

The boats are pretty small and open, so it’s not the most comfortable ride. But it’s by far the fastest way to get from Canggu to Uluwatu.

What to bring on a day trip to Uluwatu?

This itinerary includes two beaches, which means you should definitely bring a swimsuit. Dress in light clothing since it will get very hot during the day.

You need to cover your legs at Uluwatu Temple, however, they provide sarongs free of charge. It’s still useful to bring your own sarong if you have one that doubles as a beach towel.

It’s fine to wear flip-flops or sandals on this day trip. It doesn’t include too much walking.

Do not forget to take plenty of water and sunscreen. You will need it in Bali’s heat, especially if you’re on a scooter all day.

Definitely take your camera or GoPro along to capture all the scenic spots.

Drones

You can fly your drone at both beaches as well as the lookout point. Drones are prohibited at Uluwatu Temple and the Garuda Wisnu Statue, although you can probably get away with it at the statue if you take off slightly further away.

Surfing

Both beaches on this itinerary are popular surf spots. If you do not have your own board, you can rent one for a few hours. Be aware that these might not be the best beaches to surf as a complete beginner and is more recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers.

A surfboard usually costs IDR 50,000 (~ €3.35) to rent, and lessons cost around IDR 250,000 to IDR 400,000 per hour.

Day trip to Uluwatu itinerary

Here is the best day trip itinerary for Uluwatu, with our favourite things to do in the south in just one day.

7:00 AM – Start your day trip and head south

This itinerary is constructed so that you leave from somewhere close to Kuta or Canggu in the morning and make your way to the first stop. You can adjust it depending on where exactly you are staying in Bali.

It’s clear that you will have to get up early. The early morning is simply the best time to explore if you want to avoid the crowds and heat. Keep in mind that it takes at least 1.5 hours to drive from Canggu to Uluwatu by scooter and around 2 hours by car.

7:30 AM – A quick stop at an abandoned plane

Your first destination of the day is only a quick one. You might not have to stop at all if you’re not interested.

Right next to the main road in north Jimbaran, you’ll find an abandoned Boing 737. It used to be a cafe but has recently been turned into a virtual flight simulator. It opens at eight in the morning, and even if you don’t want to try flying yourself, you can also just stop by to take some photos and see the plane for yourself.

You can find it right next to a large Dunkin Donuts and it’s quite easy to spot even as you’re driving by.

Stop to take some photos if you like, but don’t expect to spend a lot of time here. Maybe get a coffee at Dunkin Donuts if you feel like it.

Address: Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.63, Kedonganan, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

8:00 AM – Breakfast at Balangan Beach

By around 8:00 AM (depending on traffic), you’ll reach Balangan Beach. At this time, there won’t be many people here except for the early-morning surfers. Start your day trip to Uluwatu right with great views and a good breakfast.

There are a handful of small restaurants and warungs at the beach, which are perfect for breakfast. I would recommend the first one on the left, which is called Coconut Cafe. It’s owned by a local family, and they offer traditional Indonesian breakfast dishes. It’s affordable and very delicious.

Afterwards, you can explore the beach, go for a swim, surf or simply relax. It’s up to you how much time you want to spend here, but I would recommend not staying for too long so you still have time to see all the other beautiful places.

Address: Jl. Pantai Balangan No.54, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

9:15 AM – Balangan Beach viewpoint

If you had breakfast at Balangan Paradise Restaurant you’ll have already spotted the viewpoint. It sits on top of a cliff overlooking the beach and is one of the best drone-flying spots in Bali.

You can either walk or take your scooter, it will take only a few minutes.

The viewpoint consists of two different spots. One is the popular photo location where you will find a good number of tourists during the day. Next to it is a circular platform which almost looks like a small helipad. While the first point is slightly better for taking photos, the second is perfect for drone flying.

You can also go down some makeshift steps to a small cave temple with an ocean view. Watch your step though, the cliffs are steep and it’s easy to trip and fall.

During this time of the day, you should not encounter many other people at the viewpoint. It gets a lot busier around noon and in the afternoon and is especially popular for wedding photoshoots.

Address: Jl. Pantai Balangan No.54, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

10:20 AM – Uluwatu Temple

On your way to Uluwatu Temple, you should drive through New Kuta Golf if you are on a scooter. The roads here new and very wide, and there is next to no traffic. It’s a great spot to practise riding a scooter if you’re a beginner as well as to take some photos.

Once you arrive at the temple, you’ll find yourself in a different world. This is one of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions, especially for organised tour groups. You’ll be surrounded by other tourists.

If the crowds bother you, consider going to the temple first thing in the morning, and you might have a slightly more peaceful experience. Unfortunately, this would mean having to start your day trip to Uluwatu very early, you might be more comfortable staying somewhere close by.

You need to cover your legs when you enter the temple grounds and keep them covered the entire time. You can pick up a sarong free of charge or use your own if you brought one.

The entrance fee to Uluwatu temple is IDR 50,000 (~ €3) per person. Parking costs an additional IDR 2,000 (~ €0.10). It is open every day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (longer for the Kecak Fire Dance show).

The temple itself is very small and cannot be entered by tourists. The most spectacular part of this spot are probably the steep cliffs that surround it. You can walk along them in either direction to get the best view of the tiny temple.

Be careful of the many monkeys that live close to the temple. They love to steal sunglasses, water bottles or food items and can be pretty aggressive towards tourists, so stay away as much as possible.

If you have time, you can come back in the evening for the famous Kecak Fire Dance performance. Tickets sell out fast and are quite expensive, but the experience is worth it in my opinion.

Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

11:45 AM – Suluban Beach

Close to 12:00 PM you’ll arrive at Suluban Beach, which is less than 2 km away from Uluwatu Temple. Both Uluwatu Temple and Suluban Beach are places where getting a grab or gojek can be tricky, so expect to walk up the road for a few minutes until a driver can pick you up.

Suluban Beach is famous for its cave-like cliffs, and there used to be a small shipwreck stranded at the beach (it’s been removed since then). The only way to get there is to actually go to the tiny Uluwatu or Blue Point Beach first and then walk through the open rock caves.

Both these beaches can be inaccessible during high tide, so double-check before you go. There are still nice viewpoints you can enjoy during those times though.

If you’re hungry, this is a great time for some lunch at one of the small warungs (local restaurant) above the beach. There are also some more expensive beach clubs like Single Fin if you’re okay with spending some money.

This beach is great for surfing if you’re not a beginner. You can rent a board for a few hours if you want to spend some more time here.

Make sure to explore both parts of the beach, one of which can be reached by walking through a little cave.

Parking costs IDR 2,000 (~ €0.10) if you’re coming by scooter.

Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia

2:45 PM – Sunset Lost abandoned villa

Right next to Suluban Beach is a secret spot that most people do not know exists. This abandoned villa has incredible views, especially during sunset. The place is quite big, and especially the rooftop is very impressive.

It’s easy to get past the gate, and no one lives on the property, but it’s still advisable to be discreet when entering. It is unclear who this house belongs to and whether it’s okay to enter.

This is a great spot to fly a drone or watch the sunset with a cold Bintang.

Address: No., Pantai Suluban St No.18, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia

4:45 PM – Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park or Melasti Beach

This last stop is entirely up to you and how much time you have left. You can either go to Melasti Beach, one of Uluwatu’s most popular beaches or to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. This park includes Bali’s famous Garuda Wisnu Statue that can be seen from much of southern Bali. There are also many other statues, ponds and restaurants. They also have regular Kecak Fire Dance performances.

The entrance fee to the park is IDR 120,000 (~ €7) per person, which is quite expensive compared to Melasti Beach, which is free.

Melasti Beach has quite a few large resorts and restaurants. It is definitely a more touristy beach but very beautiful and great for relaxing and swimming.

It also has a ton of beach clubs, which are perfect for sunset. Sunday’s Beach Club is my favourite by far.

Equally beautiful are Dreamland Beach, Bingin Beach, Padang Padang Beach or Nyang Nyang Beach.

In the end, it’s up to you which of the two you choose. There is not that much time left until the sun begins to set, so choose wisely.

Address Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park: Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Address Melasti Beach: Jl. Melasti Ungasan, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

6:00 PM – Dinner at the Jimbaran Seafood Market

One of the best places for fresh fish dishes in Bali is the Jimbaran Seafood Market. Located right by the beach, this place is a bit chaotic, but very authentic and a great place to visit if you’re looking for an unforgettable dinner. It’s basically on the way home, so you can break up the drive nicely.

You’ll walk through the wet market and choose your own fresh fish and seafood, which you’ll then take to one of the neighbouring small warungs to have it freshly cooked and prepared for you. They have limited vegetarian sides, but the main attraction is definitely fish and seafood, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to skip this one.

Alternatively, you can also have dinner at Melasti Beach, but expect to pay a bit more.

After dinner, start heading back home and enjoy the rest of your evening after such an exhausting day.

Address: Jl. Pantai Kedonganan, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Uluwatu day trip itinerary FAQ

Before you go…

Love abandoned places? Check out Bali’s deserted theme park – you’ll love it. You might also like our restaurant guides for Canggu, including the best romantic restaurants, vegan restaurants, healthy restaurants, brunch cafes and much more.

Check out this Ubud day trip itinerary if you want to explore further north, including the best boutique resort on the island.

Don’t forget to read about the best VPN for Bali and our one-week budget.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.