Pandawa Beach lies on the southern coast of the Bukit Peninsula in Kutuh, between Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. Once screened from view by high limestone hills, it is now reached by a road cut through the cliffs, and it has become one of the most popular beaches in southern Bali with domestic and international visitors alike.
The beach takes its name from the Pandavas, the five brothers of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Statues of Kunti and her five sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, stand in niches carved into the cliff face. The shallow, gently sloping shore is also used for seaweed farming, and calmer water inside the reef makes it popular for swimming and kayaking.
The drive down past the carved statues sets the tone, with the cliffs rising high on one side and the ocean opening up on the other. On the beach, colorful kayaks and umbrellas line the sand, seaweed farmers work in the shallows at low tide and the water is clear and calm. It can get busy on weekends and holidays.
Highlights
- Statues of the Pandavas in the cliff
- Road through limestone cliffs
- Kayaking on calm water
- Seaweed farming in the shallows
Good to know
- Visit on a weekday morning, as weekends draw large crowds.
- Stop at the cliff statues on the way down for photos.
- Check swell before swimming beyond the reef.
On the map
Bali 2027 Travel Guide
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