Bingin Beach Uluwatu – The Ultimate Guide
Bingin Beach is one of my favourite beaches in Bali. It is because, Bingin Beach offers more off the beaten track experience compared to other beaches in Uluwatu. Main tourism hasn’t got there yet nor the big hotel developments. And with small bars and warungs and a surfer base, Bingin Beach offers a great vibe and laidback atmosphere.
This post is a complete guide to visiting Bingin, happy reading!
How to get to Bingin Beach
Bingin beach is located on the western side of the Bukit Peninsula in Uluwatu. It only takes about 30 minutes’ drive to get here from the Bali Airport and 15 minutes from Uluwatu main area.
Bingin Beach is perched between Dreamland Beach and Padang Padang. The best way to get there is on a scooter or by car. Bingin is one of the best Uluwatu beaches for surfing.
By motorbike
Scooter rental can be found in various locations in Uluwatu and normally cost 50k IDR per day, and you’re expected to fill up the petrol yourself. If you prefer to book it in advance, you can pre-book your scooter here which includes delivery to your hotel. Alternatively, you can email your hotel, and they may be willing to arrange it for you or advise on the nearest motorbike rental.
Always check the scooter before you embark on your ride. Check breaks and light and make sure you are given a helmet.
Simply type ‘Bingin Beach’ and follow the Google directions. I recommend listening to the instructions through earphones instead of looking at your phone while riding a scooter.
By car
If you prefer not to use a motorbike, you can either book a driver for a whole day or download a Go Jek or Grab app on your smartphone (they are Asian equivalents to Uber Drive) and get a lift with them.
My personal experience using Go Jek and Grab is very good. They are reliable and efficient and so much cheaper than a Taxi which charges typically more if you’re a tourist!
Places to stay near Bingin beach
Luxury– Suarga Padang Padang
Suarga Padang Padang is a sustainable boutique hotel featuring 36 villas built with a minimal impact on the environment using recycled wood and solar panels. It’s located on a clifftop boasting some epic views over the ocean, an infinity pool, and it’s only a five-minute walk to Padang Padang beach and a seven-minute drive to Bingin beach.
Midrange– Dreamsea
This boho boutique hotel is located right on the cliff, where you can feel and hear the ferocious waves crashing against the shore. The location is also great for some of the best Uluwatu cafes as well as it is within walking distance to Padang Padang Beach.
Budget – Sal Secret Spot
Sal Secret Spot is situated within walking distance to Bingin Beach, a white sanded beach excellent for swimming with a calmer sea. Rooms are small but comfortable, and there is a beautiful boho-style pool area to enjoy.
What to expect on arrival
There is a Bingin car park where you need to pay 2K IDR for parking. Once you parked up, just follow the swirly path down the cliff, which takes about 5-10 min and involves climbing down nearly 200 steps. You’ll go through some narrow, dodgy alleys too.
Don’t worry. This is the right way down to the beach! I promise it will be worth the effort! There are a few exits and no matter which one you choose, you’ll end up in the right place – on the beach.
Pantai Bingin
Bingin Beach has a lovely powdery white sand, and there is plenty of space to put down your towel and relax. There are a few homestays right on the beach offering very basic rooms for really low prices. However, if you have large luggage with you, it’s not recommended to stay here due to the strenuous climb down.
A few local warungs operate on the beach where you can grab a nice lunch or stay over for a BBQ in the evening.
There are also a few surf rental shacks where you can get your board. It’s also possible to book a surfing lesson here if you’re a beginner.
Bingin Beach attracts professional surfers due to its high-quality waves. But even if you’re not a surfer, the place is cool to hang out and watch the action from the beach with a cold Bintang or coconut water in your hand.
If you keep walking left, there are smaller parts of the beach to explore more secluded and intimate than the central part with the warungs.
Things to do on Bingin beach
• Surf the Bingin barrelling wave! To the right of the beach is Bingin surf break, which is famous amongst experienced surfers. If you one of them go ahead and try it, if not get some coconut water and enjoy watching the surfers from the comfort of your beach towel. There are some surf shacks on the beach where you can rent out a surfboard. It cost around 50,000 IDR for two hours. There are also some surf lessons available on the beach.
• Walk to the neighbouring beaches. During the low tide, it is possible to walk to Dreamland beach which is situated to the right and Padang Padang beach to the left. Be careful; the tide may change quickly.
• Watch the sunset. The sunsets in Uluwatu are one of the most epic I have ever seen! Have a Bintang and enjoy this simple pleasure.
• Have a BBQ at sunset. There are plenty of warungs where you can have fresh food from a BBQ at sunset time. The beach is not as touristy as other Bali beaches so you can enjoy its serenity. My favourite was Kelly’s Warung where you can enjoy great smoothie bowls, wraps, juices and Indonesian cuisine. The best thing about this place is that it is right in front of where the wave breaks and all the surfing action happens!
Other restaurant options include:
Cashew Tree serving tasty smoothies and salads and Lucky Fish situated right on the beach serving fresh seafood from BBQ daily.
Best time to visit Pantai Bingin
Best time to visit the beach is during the low tide. At high tide, most of the beach is submerged under the water and not a lot of space to stretch your towel and chill out. The best time to visit will obviously be different if you’re planning to surf.
Things to take with you
Day Backpack – for this adventure and many other ones, you’ll need a day pack. My favourite one is the stylish and minimalistic Kanken. It is made of durable materials and it’s super simple and super comfortable.
Mirrorless camera – I love Sony cameras! If you’re looking for an entry-level, compact camera that takes awesome photos, go for Sony Alpha 6400, I’ve used it for years and took some excellent pictures with it. For a more advanced selection, I recommend Sony A7iii, I can’t be more happy with it, and I know lots of professional photographers and creators who use it too.
Power bank – power bank to charge my mobile phone saved my life a few times, no kidding. It is handy if you’re using Google maps which is a drain on the phone’s battery. I recommend choosing a lightweight one
Raincoat – I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, but trust me, the raincoat is essential, especially if you’re scootering your way through the island. When it’s rainy, it actually gets cold on the scooter, and during the rainy season, which is between November and April, it rains buckets!
Reusable water bottle – water flask, especially thermal ones, is so practical here in Bali. Many hotels and restaurants let their guests refill the bottles for free in an effort to reduce plastic use on the island.
Sun cream – this is another essential to carry with you and frequently reapply. Choose an eco-friendly and vegan one to do your part for the environment.
Adventure sandals – sports sandals with straps are the best type of footwear for any Bali adventure. They dry quickly and are sturdy enough to keep you safe on your hikes. I use North Face sandals, I’ve had them for years and they never let me down.
For more tips on what to pack, visit “Bali Packing List“.
Other points of interest nearby
To find out about more incredible beaches, go to “Uluwatu Beaches Guide”.
Just a short motorbike ride from Bingin Beach there is Uluwatu Temple. An incredible way to fully appreciate this temple is to watch Balinese traditional dance called Kecak that generally starts around sunset time in an amphitheatre within the temple grounds.
To explore Balinese culture in more depth head to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, which is also situated in Uluwatu area.
Finally, for an epic sunset view visit Single Fin Beach Club which is situated on the dramatic clifftop with breathtaking views and great vibes.
For more inspiration, what to see and do visit “10 Days in Bali Itinerary”.
Other Bali Beach Guides:
Summary
Bingin is an excellent beach slightly off the beaten track and way less touristy than Seminyak or Kuta beaches. I particularly enjoyed lazing in the more secluded part of the beach, which can be found by walking south of the entrance to the beach.
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