Padang Padang Beach is probably one of the most famous beaches in Bali as it’s where the Rip Curl surf competition is held every year.

It’s actually really fun the first time you drive down that way as suddenly you’ll see loads of people stopped on what looks like this random bridge for no reason but it’s because you can see the waves from over the side that everyone stops.

Padang Padang Beach is not the same place as Padangbai where people get the ferries to the Gilli Islands. If that’s what you’re looking for you are in the wrong place at the moment, sorry (google better 😜!)

Padang Padang Beach Bali

Beach | Surfing | Beach Party | Watchouts | Accommodation | Getting There | Where Next

Padang Padang Beach 

The beach itself at Padang Padang, also known as Pantai Labuan Sait (that’s what you’ll see on the map if searching for it), is down a reasonably large amount of steps (no way near as bad as Thomas beach or Green bowl beach though).

If you’re coming to Padang Padang from the direction of Dreamland it will be on your right with parking on your left as you arrive. The beach entrance to go down the stairs is just before the bridge.

If you want some motivation for your walk down, take a peek at the view over the bridge first to spur you on.

Padang Padang beach itself is very small but there are a couple of Warungs there where you can get food, although only one that’s really a beach restaurant., You can buy sarongs and trinkets down on the beach too. You aren’t going to be getting any free WiFi, and the phone reception is likely to be sketchy down there too, so make sure all plans with friends are clear before heading down the stairs.

You’re not going to want to just pop back up to get anything you’ve forgotten once you’re down there so make sure you have everything you might need on you too.

The beach is usually a lot quieter than this but this was a few hours before the yearly Rip Curl Surf competition started. It was packed later.

This is an entrance fee to enter the beach too of 10,000 IDR and if you’ve driven down by scooter you’ll have to pay 2,000 IDR for parking (that’s standard across almost all beaches in Bali).

Padang Padang Beach Surf

As I mentioned above Padang Padang is one of the most famous surf spots in Bali (although it also gained fame for Julia Roberts having been there while filming Eat, Pray, Love).

Every year in August there is a Rip Curl surf competition there. If you happen to be in Bali around that time it’s well worth checking out. Which day it will take place on depends on swell so you’d need to keep checking their website for when it will happen that year.

The reason Padang Padang is used for the surf competition is because when it’s working there the ocean throws out barrel after smooth barrel.

If you don’t know much about surfing, I’ll just say that means that if you’re a beginner you shouldn’t be surfing it. That’s not me being mean, it’s for the benefit of your own continued existence on this earth. 

Padang Padang is an advanced surf spot.

Although there is baby Padang over to the side which on a smaller day would be fine to attempt. If it’s your first time there, best to take a teacher though.

Padang Padang Beach Party

You’d never guess it when going there during the day but Padang Padang has beach parties on Saturdays at 9pm.

Every weekend people head down to Padang’s Sait beach. It’s a big deal. Equipment is even lowered down the 70 meters from the bridge above.

Careful with all the steps on the way back though if you’ve had a few drinks.

Watchouts for Padang Padang Beach

Monkeys – There are a lot of monkeys around Padang Padang (and the whole of the Bukit area actually) and they will steal your belongings given the change. Make sure any sunglasses, food, etc. are safely put away in your bag when walking down to the beach and that they can’t take your bag off you easily.

Tide – Haha this one’s actually really funny (I can laugh at it because it’s gotten me too). The tide comes up very quickly in Padang Padang which means if you’re sunbathing on the beach you and your belongings might suddenly get soaked. It’s happened to me and I’ve watched it happen to countless others. Best to sit a little back away from the edge of the water for safety. You can also even sit on the roof of the building on the right as you come down the stairs if you want to be super safe from the tide.

All looks fine but two people have spotted what’s about to happen….RUN FOREST RUUUUUUUUUUUUN

Hahaha too late, they drenched 🌊

Surfing – The tide can be very strong at Padang Padang and the size of the waves can change very quickly so just make sure you’re very comfortable with how conditions look before going out to avoid any potentially dangerous situations.

Padang Padang Accommodation

Budget Accommodation / Hostels

Kenanga Inn has simple fan rooms for as little as 225,000 IDR per night and has a good communal dining area and a pool. Plus you can walk down to the beach from the hotel.

A bit further away from the beach, Casamar Bali has air-conditioned rooms from 350,000 IDR a night. They do even have dorm rooms too but I’ve never seen a date where they’ve appeared to be available. There isn’t a lot of hostel-style accommodation in the area. The closest you’ll get to that are surf camps and they can come with quite a price.

Mid-Range Accommodation

Kutu Manak Homestay is also close to the beach but not one of the hotels that’s walkable to Padang Padang beach. The rooms do have aircon though and there’s a nice large pool area with rooms starting from 600,000 a night.

PinkCoco Bali, is at the higher end of mid-range (at least for Bali) may be a bit pink for some but it has a really cute bohemian feeling to it and it’s so popular it’s hard to ever manage to book there. Plus it’s perfectly located for Padang Padang beach. Rooms start from about 1,000,000 IDR a night.

Luxury Accommodation

If there are a few of you why not hire a Villa? There are plenty of options around, both on AirBnB and Booking.com. For example, Kama Villas Uluwatu is only 2,200,000 IDR for a villa that sleeps 4 people.

If you’re on your own but want to make use of a bit of Bali resort luxury (at a fraction of the price it would cost you elsewhere) check out Surga Padang Padang. The decoration is similar to Mandala Village in Balangan. The place is stunning and starts from about 4,000,000 IDR a night.

Getting There

To get to Padang Padang the easiest way is to drive a scooter if you’re coming from one of the beaches next door or even down from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu or Medewi. Some people don’t feel comfortable renting a scooter in Bali though in which case you’re better off hiring a car to travel around for the day for 600,000 IDR or you’ll find yourself a little stuck when you want to leave Padang Padang and subject to extortionate prices from taxi drivers that know you have no other choice.

Where Next

The next beach down south from Padang Padang is Thomas beach and then Uluwatu beach. You could head over to the Uluwatu area even if you’re done with beaches for the day to see the sunset at Uluwatu Temple. Just before it is Bingin, Dreamland Beach and Balangan.

You’re close to most of the main spots in the Bukit Peninsula (the bubble-shaped bit at the bottom of Bali) once you’ve made it that far down south and all of these spots are a quick scooter drive away or you can get a taxi.

If you fancy heading down to a really quiet beach afterwards you could always head over to Melasti which hardly ever has anyone on it or go all the way across the island to Nusa Dua to see Waterblow.