While most visitors to Bali spend a majority of their time in the popular beach towns or up in the cultural center of Ubud, there’s a whole other world worth exploring just south of the airport. The Bukit Peninsula is a rocky, dry, and rugged mass that would be its own island if not for a small sliver of land connecting it to the rest of Bali. Here you’ll find stunning beaches, epic waves, and one of the island’s most famous temples. Let’s see what it’s like bouncing around Bukit and check out some of the peninsula’s highlights.

An Intro to Bukit

Welcome to Bukit

Although it’s only about 20 minutes away, Bukit feels worlds apart from the over-developed beach towns of Kuta and Legian. A major reason for that is the fact that it’s just not that easy to access a majority of the beaches here. Having to walk down 200 or more steps (and then back up) to get to the beach deters many tourists from even visiting. You also won’t find any Starbucks or McDonald’s down here, either. Bukit tends to attract surfers seeking those amazing waves that Bali is famous for, and backpackers looking for a bit of adventure. There are also a handful of really fancy hotels here for those who prefer a luxury escape. Staying on the Bukit allows you easy access to some of the island’s best beaches, such as…

Padang-Padang

Padang-Padang

As with most of the beaches in Bukit, you’ll need to access Padang-Padang via a steep staircase. This white sand beach has a pretty good surf break offshore. Just be warned that it’s a bit rocky out there, so if you’re a beginner and you fall off the board often this might not be the best place. If you’re not into surfing, you can just kick back and relax with a fresh young coconut in hand. There’s not much down here but a few surf boards for rent and a few vendors selling drinks.

Uluwatu

Uluwatu

This is one of the most famous surf spots on the island. You’ll need to walk down a long staircase with your board to get into the water, but it’s worth it. The waves here are definitely better suited for more advanced surfers. If you’re like me and can’t even stand on a board, you can just find a spot at one of the cliffside warung, order up a Bintang, and watch the pros carve up some waves. Nearby, you’ll also find Uluwatu Temple, which is a great spot to go for sunset so you can see the incredible kecak performance.

Balangan

Balangan

Getting to Balangan is half the fun, as there are incredible views from the access point. There’s not much development on this beach – just a couple of warungs, a surf school, and a yoga studio. Those looking to get their feet wet with surfing can check out the Wave Surf School here and sign up for a few days of lessons. Balangan is also a great spot to just come and chill for an afternoon.

Bingin

Bingin

You need to walk down a long, steep path to get to Bingin beach, but it’s worth it. There are plenty of places to eat and drink here, including the great Kelly’s Warung. You can easily rent a surf board here or even get yours repaired if it has some dings in it. Bingin also has plenty of cliffside accommodation that have great views. Sunsets here are pretty epic, so be sure to stick around to check it out.

Green Bowl

Green Bowl

When it comes to remote, hidden beaches, it’s hard to beat Green Bowl. This beach is at the very southern end of the Bukit peninsula and is accessed by yet another long, steep path. It’s not a spot for surfing – just chilling out and enjoying a Bali beach free of hordes of tourists and vendors. There’s even a little shrine here in a cave. There are no shops or warungs down here, so bring your own drinks and snacks if you want to stay a while. You may spot some cheeky monkeys hanging out around the temple atop the cliff on your way in or out.

Tegal Wangi

Tegal Wangi

If you’re looking for that perfect Instagram shot to make all your friends even more jealous, you’ll want to come check out Tegal Wangi. I like to call it the jacuzzi beach, because the rock formations here create a natural jacuzzi when the tide is in. Just be warned that the waves can be a bit rough. You can access the beach via a path near a temple. There are excellent views from atop the cliff as well.

These are just a few of the many beaches located on the Bukit peninsula. If you’re one of those people who wants to go to Bali but doesn’t want to be surrounded by tourists and pushy vendors, this is the place for you. With a motorbike you can easily explore all of these and several other beaches with just 5-7 days. It’s not hard to bounce up to the Kuta area, either, if you’re looking for more choices for wining and dining. The Bukit is definitely one of my favorite areas of Bali and I’m planning on finally staying down there for a while rather than just visiting on a day trip next time I’m on the island!