Suluban Beach Bali Indonesia : Discover Bali’s Hidden Beach Cove
If you’re looking for a place that feels like an adventure but without the risk, this is it! Suluban Beach, also called Uluwatu Beach or Blue Point, is a magical beach cove at Uluwatu’s famous surf break in South Bali. From the energy of the ocean splashing through the caves, the winding paths through the cliffs with hidden Warungs and cafes, and the sunset views, you won’t find any other place like this in Bali and it’s a must-see.
Finding and navigating Suluban Beach can be tricky, so be sure to read this guide before you go!
Quick Summary & Review
Suluban Beach = Uluwatu Beach = Blue Point Beach
Suluban Beach is a hidden gem and one of the best places to see in Uluwatu, Bali that shouldn’t be missed for anyone that loves the ocean and adventure. This beach cove is the entry point to the famous Uluwatu surf break, producing massive waves and attracting surfers from around the world, which can be safely viewed from the cliffs above.
The magic of Suluban Beach are the limestone rock formations, caves and cliffs, making it a true beach cove. There are winding paths through the cliffs above the beach itself, where you’ll find Warungs and cafes that offer a view of the horizon, surfers and the beautiful sunset. Although Suluban beach isn’t safe for swimming, it is for sure one of the most beautiful Uluwatu beaches, where you can lay out during low tide and explore the caves and coves. I love swimming in the ocean, but the things that make this beach so great still make me want to go back again and again!
Suluban Beach Bali Indonesia Full Guide
- When to Go?
- Getting There & Parking
- Find Your Way to Suluban Beach
- Warung with a View
- Head Down to the Beach Cove
- Explore the Caves
- Delpi Cafe
- Stay for Sunset
- Things to Do Nearby
Suluban Beach vs. Blue Point Beach vs. Uluwatu Beach
Sulubean Beach, Uluwatu Beach and Blue Point Uluwatu are all essentially the same place. Thomas Beach is also basically the same beach, although technically a little farther up the coast toward Padang-Padang. This tripped me up for a while when I was trying to plan my excursion but I’ll clarify for you. There’s no reason to differentiate between the three – they all point to the same cliffside cove and spot to enter the ocean and legendary Uluwatu surf break.
When to Go?
Bali’s dry season is between April and October, and this is also the best time of year to visit Suluban Beach.
In terms of time of day, Suluban Beach is beautiful from sunrise to sunset. I went multiple times – one time during early morning and low tide, and then again during high tide and for sunset. Both were unique and magical experiences! If you time it right, you could try to go for both high and low tides in one visit.
Surf & Tide Schedule: Important!
If you’re planning on either surfing or watching the big wave surfers, make sure to check the Suluban / Uluwatu Beach surf forecast & webcam ahead of time. Waves can range from a few feet to 20+ feet tall!
Suluban Beach isn’t safe for swimming as there are very very strong riptides, which is what creates such great waves for the surfers! Make sure you’re okay with not getting in the ocean, and if you’d like to swim book one of the cliffside resorts instead. I love swimming in the ocean, and that’s usually the draw to the beach for me, but the beauty of Suluban Beach completely made up for not being able to swim!
You’ll also want to check the tide schedule as it will affect the parts of the cove you can access. Low tide is the best time to go for a conflict-free trip, which is when it’s easy to walk down to the beach and all parts of the cove and caves. As the tide rises, you can stand on the steps and watch the ocean come crashing through which I thought was so fun.
That being said, since the water comes up and sweeps through the caves and beach during high tide, you shouldn’t be on the beach or on the rocks when the tide is rising or during high tide. Thankfully, the view of the waves crashing through the caves is cool enough that you will have a great time either way!
Getting There & Parking at Suluban Beach
The best way to get to Suluban Beach is to rent a scooter and ride there, if you’re experienced with scooters. There is a parking lot right at the entrance that leads you to the surf break and beach, which will cost a small amount of money (it changes often).
The next best option is to take a scooter taxi using one of the apps, GoJek or Grab, which are like Uber but with scooters instead of cars. This will be a cheaper option than taking a scooter taxi through the city. When deciding on a ride, keep in mind that you’ll only be able to get a ride TO Suluban Beach using them, because the city taxis have a monopoly on the area. To save some money, arrange a ride back with whoever takes you there. I would do this almost every time, and would text back and forth with the drivers who would pick me up whenever I needed.
So to get back to your accommodation after your experience, just walk outside to the parking lot before too late and there you can get a scooter taxi instead which should be no trouble at all. Worst case, walk over to Single Fin and you’ll be able to find one there.
Keep in mind you won’t be able to use the apps to get back, because of the local taxis who monopolize the area, so your return trip may be more expensive if you use them. You can also arrange a return trip at a certain time with your driver that takes you there.
Tours
Taking a tour is one of the more expensive options for getting to Suluban Beach, but great for anyone who don’t have the time or energy to navigate themselves. Get Your Guide is the best place to find one, and you can either opt for a drop off and pick up through a private driver, or a full guided tour. Personally I like to explore and figure it out for myself without time constraints, which satisfies the adventurer in me, but I know plenty of people who would prefer to do a tour.
For a fully guided tour, this Highlights Uluwatu Temple & Southern Beaches Day Trip on GetYourGuide is a a great option.
This Private Car or Van Charter through GetYourGuide is the best option for a ride there and back only, unless you can get transportation through your accommodation.
Accommodations near Suluban Beach
It’s very possible to stay within walking distance if that’s something you’re interested in, thanks to the Blue Point Resort and Spa. This spa hotel is perched right on the cliff and surprisingly affordable! Stay for a few nights so you can watch the surfers and explore the caves at your own pace without having to deal with transportation.
The Uluwatu Cottages is another amazing accommodation option within walking distance, but they are often booked up. If you’re interested in staying here make sure to book at least six months in advance.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay within easy distance of Suluban Beach, here are two great accommodation options at different price points.
The AYANA Resort is where you’ll find the best luxury, upscale experience in Uluwatu. The property is huge and includes a spa, stunning jungle pool overlooking the ocean, activities for kids and so much more. From here your accommodation will be able to help you book a tour or driver to Suluban Beach which is about 35 minutes away.
For budget travelers and solo travelers hoping to meet some new friends, the KARMA Backpackers hostel is the place to go. I stayed here before it as renovated and it was my favorite hostel in all of Bali. The free dinner offered nightly at the hostel really brings everyone together, and they offer a daily beach shuttle + other activities both daily and nightly. The hostel is about 15 minutes away, and their free beach shuttle should be able to take you!
It’s Time to Find Your Way to Suluban Beach / Uluwatu Beach!
Part of the magic of Suluban Beach is how it feels like an adventure, and much different than your average beach. From the parking lot, you have a bit of a journey to get to the beach itself, but don’t worry the walk is easy enough and fun.
From the parking lot you’ll see a sign that says “Uluwatu / Suluban Beach ->” pointing you down a winding staircase that takes you down and up toward the cliffs and beach. This would be tough for anyone with mobility issues, so make sure everyone in your party is comfortable climbing a few flights of steep steps!
Do Some Shopping?
Along the way you’ll start to find cliffside shops, cafes and Warungs. Shop if you’re okay with carrying your new things around. I recommend waiting until you get to a view of the beach before stopping into any cafes or Warungs, but you’ll find water and any essentials here that you need.
Eat & Drink at a Warung with a View
Keep walking down the winding path through the cliffs and trees and you’ll find a few Warungs with cliffside ocean views, cold drinks including Bintang (the local beer) and mostly balinese food options. These hidden Warungs on the cliffs made me feel like I was walking through a little cliffside town.
Salin Cafe is where I first sat down to have some food and a drink, and get a little bit of work done with my hotspot before heading down to the beach.
Watch Surfers Ride the Waves at Suluban Beach / Blue Point Uluwatu
The very wide Uluwatu reef break includes five different peaks including The Temples, Bombi, Peak, Racetrack, and Outside Corner, which makes it the best area to surf in all of Bali. People come from all around the world to surf here!
I ended up coincidentally being in the Uluwatu area during one of the biggest waves of the year, so I made sure to go early to watch. This has been a dream of mine for a while and it was SO cool! Getting to see the surfers jet ski out to the break and then ride them, whether successfully or not, was a really unique experience. It felt completely different than on TV and I almost felt like I could feel the energy. I wasn’t able to capture it in any of the videos I took.
Even if the waves aren’t at big wave status, you’ll have a great time watching the surfers at Bali’s best surf break in the Indian ocean.
Head Down to the Beach Cove
Once you’re read to head down to the beach, find the steps that lead down to the beach and the giant sign which says “PANTAI SULUBAN ULUWATU PALI”. Pantai means “the sandy or stony shore of a sea”, which is fitting!
Watch out for the monkeys on your way down haha. They aren’t dangerous or anything, but they might try to take your things if you aren’t careful. 🙈
Once you get down the steps quickly do a check to make sure there are others on the beach and that the tide isn’t rising. If you just stand on the steps and watch for a bit you should be able to tell. This area is typically plenty crowded. The photo below is at low tide when it’s very safe to hangout on the beach and explore.
The beauty of these caves, limestone rocks and the ocean was breathtaking. Between the sounds echoing from the cave, the breeze and the ocean splashing up against the cliffs, I felt such intense energy at Suluban Beach. It felt really alive, hence why this is my favorite spots in all of Bali!
The beach is the entry point to the surf break, so you’ll see plenty of surfers passing by and you can watch them paddle out!
Explore the Caves
If you’re there during low tide, make sure to explore the caves and limestone rock formations. It truly feels like an adventure here with lots of corners and mini caves to explore with sun shining through and coastal plants. This is my favorite part about Suluban Beach and what makes it so unique.
I took a video when the tide was coming up of the waves splashing against the rocks which you can watch below. I probably shouldn’t have been on the beach at this time, which I realized shortly after and ran back up the steps lol.
Venture Up to the Delpi Cafe on the Cliff
And there’s more to explore! You’ll see steps going up the cliff, that are connected to the walkway you took to come down to Suluban Beach, and if you walk up those you’ll discover the Delpi Cafe.
On my way up I found a spot on the edge of the cliff, which isn’t as scary as it looks, and someone offered to take my photo. There are unlimited photo spots at Suluban Beach.
This cliffside cafe gives you a beautiful view of Suluban Beach, the surf break and sunset! They have a food menu, drinks and even a refreshing pool. The best part is definitely the scenic views.
Stay for a Suluban Beach Sunset
Suluban Beach is a magical place to be during the sunset. Find yourself a spot at one of the Warungs overlooking the ocean, grab a cocktail and enjoy.
I love photography and it was low tide at the time, so I decided to shoot some sunset photography. I got countless amazing shots here, and the rocks really added interest to the photos. I even got a boat sailing by and some surfers in a few!
These photos summed up a perfect two days exploring Suluban Beach.
Nearby Things to Do In Uluwatu
If you’re looking for things to do in Uluwatu after you visit Suluban Beach, there are two must-see spots right nearby that come to mind.
Single Fin Bar for Live Music & Dancing
Single Fin is Uluwatu’s largest beach club and nightlife spot. It draws huge crowds with its live music and DJ spun dancing nights, also offering food and great cocktails and of course, amazing ocean views of the Uluwatu surf break. The vibes are incredible, especially during sunset time.
Their big nights are Wednesdays and Sundays, so use that as you will depending on if you like or dislike crowds. I love a good nightlife spot because I really enjoy music and dancing, I would’ve liked this place to be a little less crowded but overall it was great people watching and a good time!
Visit the Historic Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Show
The Uluwatu temple is Uluwatu’s historic Balinese Hindu sea temple, which features a nightly Kecak Dance and Fire Show. This is yet another fantastic option for sunset in Uluwatu! This option is great for families.
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker Blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
No Comments