Green Bowl Beach, located on the southern coast of Bali, is one of my favorite beaches on the island. I know, because I’ve visited more than 30 beaches in Bali, and I keep coming back here.
Known for its unique shape, turquoise water, caves and reef break, Green Bowl Beach is the perfect place for a day of exploration and relaxation. While it has grown in popularity recently, Green Bowl still feels like a hidden gem.
Access to the beach involves a descent down steep steps, which adds to the allure and draws only the most daring weekenders and advanced surfers who prefer the uncrowded waves.
Does it sound like something up your alley? Then let’s take a look at how to get to Green Bowl Beach, what to expect, the best time for surfing Green Bowl and what to bring with you.
Article overview
How to get to Green Bowl Beach
Green Bowl Beach is located on the south side of the Bukit Peninsula in Ungasan, South Bali. The area, along with Pecatu, where you find Uluwatu, is known for its stunning beaches, towering cliffs and world-class reef breaks, making it a surfer’s paradise. You’ll find most of the best white sand beaches in Bali here.
Uluwatu is also home to the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a popular temple known for its stunning views, Kecak fire dance and monkey population.
The whole area has been developing rapidly over the past few years, with many new hotels, beach clubs, restaurants and attractions popping up. Still, after 14 years of exploring, it is my favorite place to stay in Bali.
There are not many options for getting around in Bali with public transportation, instead, we use scooters (motorbikes). You can also use ridesharing apps, join a guided tour or hire an affordable private driver.
Rent a scooter
If you’re staying on the Bukit I highly recommend you rent a scooter. It is one of my favorite places in Bali to drive by myself. I love driving around feeling the sun on my skin and the wind in my hair. Traffic down here is not as crazy as some of the other tourist hubs on the island.
You can easily ask your accommodation to arrange a scooter for you, or motorbike as the locals call them. It usually costs around 75.000 IDR a day, if you rent for longer periods you can bargain the price down a bit.
Just make sure your travel insurance covers you and look out for scams run by both the police and renters. Read more about it in my article about common scams in Bali and what NOT to do in Bali.
Scooter delivery
You also have the option to get a scooter delivered to your hotel or homestay. That way you don’t run the risk of being told that there are no more scooters available. It doesn’t get more convenient. All of this is included in the rental:
- Helmet for 2 people
- full tank of gas (petrol) upon delivery
- 24/7 road-side assistance
- Mobile phone holder
- First-aid kit and rain poncho for 2 people
With a private driver
If you’re not comfortable driving by yourself, I recommend booking this affordable driver. It is a super affordable full-day customizable tour, which means you have the driver for 10 hours and you can go wherever you want.
So why not make a beach hopping day out of it? It’s the perfect option if it’s your first time in Bali and there are a lot of places on your Bali bucket list.
Are Grab/Gojek allowed at Green Bowl?
Grab and Gojek are Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber. And while these rideshare apps are a great way to get around if you don’t feel like driving, they are not allowed in several places in Uluwatu. The local taxi mafia runs a tight ship.
I have yet to see any rideshare not allowed signs at Green Bowl, as you see at Nyang Nyang Beach and the Uluwatu Cliff. So you should be fine to be dropped off and picked up, even if you have to walk a few minutes up the street.
But Green Bowl is so off the beaten path from the main Uluwatu hub, that I recommend driving by yourself so you can have more freedom.
Best times to visit
The best time to visit Bali in general is during the dry season, from May to September. During these months, you can revel in the sunshine and clear skies. Lower humidity levels also contribute to more comfortable exploration.
My personal favorite time to visit Bali is from February to April when it’s still lushly green after the rainy season with mostly sunny weather.
Surfing: If you’re aiming to catch the best waves, the dry season, especially June to August, is generally the best time to visit. During this period, the winds are offshore, and the swell is more consistent, making for excellent surfing conditions, especially for experienced surfers.
Tides: For both swimming and surfing, tides play a significant role at Green Bowl Beach. Mid-tide is best for hanging out on the beach and swimming, whereas high tide can restrict beach access and cover most of the beach. Low to mid-tide usually offers the best surfing conditions.
What to expect at Green Bowl Beach
Once you have paid the entrance fee at the gate, continue closer to the cliff and park under a tree or in the shade from one of the warungs. From there, you’ll find the stairs at the end of the temple wall—300 steps to be exact. Take your time going down; it can be slippery if it’s wet or you’re wearing flip-flops.
Down on the beach, you’ll see two limestone caves that provide shelter and shade, perfect for relaxation after a swim or surf session. The caves also house two unique attractions – a population of bats that inhabit the roof and a small Balinese Hindu temple/altar.
The beach boasts clear turquoise waters and at low tide, the beach reveals hidden caves and rock formations, providing a unique exploratory experience.
Some days you can buy cold drinks from a man with a red cooler often hanging out inside the cave. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas for rent, so bring a hat and don’t forget that sunscreen people.
You will also most likely be approached by ladies selling bracelets. If you’re not interested, just smile and say no thank you. However, I find it fun to look through their stuff and chat about life in Bali.
I recommend leaving before it gets dark, due to the limited lighting on the beach, stairs and roads. At the top of the cliff, there are several makeshift warungs where you can sit down for some Mie Goreng and a cold drink.
Even if you’re in great shape, it can be a good idea to have a rest after hiking up those stairs in the heat. I always get dizzy haha.
Entrance fee
Once you get close to Green Bowl Beach, you will see the walls of a temple and a gate where you have to stop and pay an entrance fee. I was told that the proceeds go toward the maintenance of the Pura Batu Pageh area.
Entrance fee: Adults: 5,000 IDR Children: Free
Parking fee: Scooter: 2,000 IDR Car: 5,000 IDR
Things to do at Green Bowl Beach
Green Bowl Beach offers fun activities, whether you like to stay active or just relax with a good book in hand.
Surfing
Green Bowl Beach boasts a powerful, fast, and hollow left-hander reef break. The challenging wave, known for quick drops and tight take-offs, is best at low to mid-tide when the reef is exposed, creating more defined waves.
However, strong currents and a sharp reef mean it’s not for the faint of heart; a broken leash could mean being swept out to sea. You’re a long way from medical help down here.
With fewer crowds, Green Bowl offers the chance for some barrel time, especially in the morning. If you’re a goofy footer, you may be tempted to paddle over the left on the far side of the reef, but be careful as you can quickly end up stranded with a few new dings in your board.
Despite not being Bali’s most epic wave, the less crowded line-up can make for a fun day out.
Beginner surfer?
Green Bowl Beach is not suitable for beginners. However, if you’re staying in the Uluwatu area and want to learn how to surf, there are many spots close by such as Padang Padang and Dreamland. Surfing is not as easy as it looks, trust me, so unless you are super athletic, a private lesson is definitely worth it.
As a beginner, the Bukit (tied with Nusa Lembongan) is my favorite place in Bali to learn to surf because the sand is white so you can actually see the bottom. Compared to Canggu where the water looks black.
The Bukit is also one of the best places in Bali to join a surf and yoga retreat. My absolute favorite is S Resorts Hidden Valley, who tailor your experience to your level and preferences.
This beautiful resort offers a range of activities and amenities that cater to both surfers and yogis, making it the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. You truly can’t go wrong with investing in yourself.
🌟 My top pick for surf & yoga in Uluwatu >> S Resorts personalized retreat
Swimming and snorkeling
If you’re not a surfer you can enjoy the beautiful white sands for sunbathing or have some fun in the shallows. Swimming is best during mid-tide when the water is calm but still covering the reef.
I like to walk past the stairs, into the little cove where there are some areas without reef in the water. But be careful, the current is stronger than it looks, so don’t go too far out.
With the crystal clear water, Green Bowl is also a great place to go snorkeling. Just remember to bring your own gear, there are no rental places here like at Pandawa or Melasti.
Explore
The beach is surrounded by a lush cliff with caves to inspect and rock pools to discover during low tide. It’s the perfect spot to hunt for seashells.
You’ll probably see Bali monkeys along the cliffs. Keep your valuables close when passing them, they are some quick cheeky creatures.
There’s also an abandoned property, Bali Cliff Resort, to the left of Green Bowl that people love to explore even though it’s not allowed. There are guards at the front gate, but I noticed someone asking at Ibu Made Warung and was pointed toward an entrance point.
Don’t forget to buy an eSIM! Gone are the days when you had to get a local SIM and hope you wouldn’t get scammed.
I always use Airalo. You can easily download a data pack without having to change SIM cards. Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 to take 15% off your first order.
What to bring to Green Bowl Beach
Since it takes some effort to get down to Green Bowl, bring everything you might need for a day in the sun. You don’t want to walk back up that hill if you forget your bikini or sunscreen.
- Sunscreen: Bali is located near the equator, so the sun can be intense. Bring a high-SPF sunscreen (preferably reef-safe) to protect your skin from sunburn and skin damage.
- Hat and sunglasses: The bright sun can be harsh on your eyes, so bring a pair of sunglasses to protect them And if you like me get very easily sunburned, make sure to bring a hat as the sun here is strong.
- Swimsuit and a lightweight towel: Bali is known for its beautiful beaches, so bring a swimsuit to enjoy the water. A towel is essential for drying off after a swim or laying down on the sand if you don’t want to rent a sun lounger.
- Water bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated in Bali’s hot climate, so bring a refillable water bottle to avoid buying plastic bottles. If you run out, there is usually someone selling cold coconuts and sodas in the cave.
- Cash: Bring some cash to pay for the entrance fee, and in case you want to buy something from vendors selling food or souvenirs. Bring cash in small denominations to make transactions easier.
- Rash guard or wetsuit: If you plan to go surfing or snorkeling, a rash guard or wetsuit can protect your skin from the sun and coral reefs.
- Reef/water shoes: As mentioned above there are a lot of reef, like there are at most beaches on the west side of the Bukit Peninsula. So if you plan to spend a lot of time in the water, consider bringing a pair of quick dry water shoes.
Plastic waste issue
Even though I am referring to these beaches as a paradise, there is a problem with plastic waste here as everywhere else on the island. Green Bowl is not as bad as say Nyang Nyang, I think the locals do a good job of cleaning up. However, it’s still important you do your part!
Don’t leave any trash on the beach, even though there are no trash cans. Bring it with you back to your accommodation.
And a couple of easy things we can do to reduce our plastic footprint is to bring or buy a filtered water bottle and a reusable straw for coconuts and juices. There are a lot of places in Bali now offering free refills when reusing a bottle, so take advantage of it.
🌟 LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
My favorite bottle for travel, backpacking and hiking.
You can fill it up anywhere, LifeStraw filters bacteria, parasites, chemicals and microplastics.
For every LifeStraw product purchased, a child in need receives safe water for an entire school year!
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