American World Traveler Winter 2021-22 Issue

Bali is filled with remote beaches
and paradises alike that all offer
something unique in their own
right. Southern Bali is particularly blessed
with these wonders, however, due to their
exclusive nature they can become hard to
find without intimate knowledge of the
island. Here are five of these hidden wonders.
Balangan Beach
Balangan beach is one of many surfer
delights near Uluwatu and is only a kilometre
away from Finns Beach Club.
Located west from Garuda Wisnu Kencan
Natural Park, this beach is among the few
in southern Bali that boasts golden sand
and clear water. Balangan is a rustic natural
beach with many limestone cliffs and a
long reef, to boot. Take note of the tide
schedule before heading there as it
becomes difficult to swim during high tide
while during low tide the water is extremely
shallow. In any case, swimmers must be
wary of the rocks as they are slippery.
Due to its hidden nature, Balangan doesn’t
see too much action making it a perfect
spot for couples to get away. Visitors
can also take in the immense view from
atop the cliff, a spot which offers unique
photo opportunities.
Suluban Beach
Suluban beach, also known as Blue Point,
is an ideal spot to spend a day exploring
with family and friends. To get to the
beach itself, visitors must navigate their
way through limestone caves. The caves
alone make the drive to Pecatu worthwhile,
however, the steps to go down are
rather steep so be careful. After exiting the
caves, you have two options. Turn right
and keep navigating your way through
caves and log ramps or turn right and
relax under the cliff on one of Bali’s most
exclusive beaches. While the water isn’t
that clear, taking in the sunset at Suluban
is a must. Suluban, like Balangan, mostly
gets surf lovers and not much else, making
it a truly intimate spot. Affordable
drink and food options are available on
sight.
Padang Padang
Padang Padang, the beach made famous
by Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, is another
must visit in southern Bali. However,
over the years, Padang Padang has
gained more notoriety and has even
begun hosting international surf events
making it the most crowded of the five
options. Located on the north western
coast of Bukit Peninsula near Bingin, this
beach is a common favourite for people
staying in Uluwatu. Its hundred meter
stretch of white sands and clear blue
waters make it all the more desirable for
prospective visitors. Padang Padang is also
one of the few beaches in Uluwatu which
has a temple overlooking it, offering the
possibility to take in exotic views. There
are also shops, Western-style restaurants
and surf lodges around for those in need
of a momentary respite from the water.
Single Fin Beach
Single Fin beach is yet another one of
Bali’s hidden spots and is located on the
cliffs of Uluwatu below Blue Point hotel.
This beach is arguably the easiest to find
out of these remote paradises due to the
fact that Made Kasim, Bali’s first professional
surfer, paired with Tai Graham to
create Single Fin Beach Club to go along
with it. Boasting the biggest balcony in the
archipelago, visitors can take in the view
of the surrounding spiritual homes and the
Indian Ocean, making it an ideal spot to
chill around sunset. The beach itself is relatively
calm while the beach club is an
ideal place to grab a drink and a bite to
eat. There is also a Single Fin surf shop,
cafe and bar.
Dreamland
Dreamland is the fifth and final hidden
beach in south Bali, located southwest of
Bulkit. Its limestone cliffs, white sand and
rugged coastline make for a wonderful
combination and an overall breathtaking
beach. Recently, they have also developed
a golf course and resort nearby as part of
the New Kuta project. While these exploits
have made the beach more accessible, it
still remains hidden. Dreamland’s reef
breaks are arguably the nicest on the
island and are well worth a few minutes of
your time to take in. Chairs and a parasol
on the deck will run you around 100,000
IDR or about $10. Negotiable, of course.
The beach’s food options are rather limited
but, there are many nearby spots that
offer fresh fruit juice. Outside of surfing,
the number one thing to do at Dreamland
is take in the sunset.
https://bali.com
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American World Traveler Winter 2021-22