Melasti Beach is one of the best beaches in Uluwatu if you want bragging rights—it’s the southernmost point of Bali and a great place to spend the day with your toes in the sand.
If you’ve been to other beaches in Uluwatu, you know that sand suitable for toe-sticking can be few and far between.
I visited Melasti Beach, Bali, as part of my 2-day beach hopping trip around the Bukit Peninsula. I’ll share my biggest takeaways to help your visit go as smoothly as the inside of a piece of snake fruit (do yourself a favor and try snake fruit while in Bali).
Accessibility Note: Melasti Beach has a wheelchair accessible viewing area above the beach. Scroll toward the bottom of this post for more details.
What Is Melasti Beach Known For?
Melasti Beach is known for being home to the southernmost point in Bali. It also has several upscale beach clubs, the most well-known being Palmilla.
Of all the beaches in the Uluwatu region, Melasti is one of the most popular.
And thus, it’s also one of the most populated.
As a heads-up, you might hear people call Melasti Beach “Pantai Melasti.” That’s its Indonesian name, as pantai means beach in English.
Location of Melasti Beach
You guessed it—as the southernmost beach in Bali, Melasti Beach sits in the country’s southern region. Specifically, in the Uluwatu area of the Bukit Peninsula.
Uluwatu is notorious for high limestone cliffs that plunge dramatically into the ocean. So, much of the coast in that region has a cliff-meets-ocean situation, offering no space for a beach.
But Melasti boasts a long sandy area with limestone cliffs, providing an eye-candy backdrop. Below is a map to give you a visual of this beach’s location.
Should you use Google Maps to figure out how to get to Melasti Beach, Bali, keep in mind that it might show you Pantai Melasti, Bali instead. Gojek and Grab also commonly use the word pantai instead of beach.
So, go ahead and accept that version, and put pantai on the list of Indonesian words that you’ve learned.
How to Get to Melasti Beach
Getting to Melasti Beach, Bali, is easy, thanks to a well-maintained (and not at all scary) switchback road winding down the cliff to the base of the beach.
That’s right—unlike many Uluwatu beaches, there’s no hiking required to arrive at Melasti.
Below are the approximate travel times to get to Melasti from several popular destinations in Bali.
| Route | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Ubud to Melasti Beach | 1 hour, 25 minutes |
| Kuta to Melasti Beach | 40 minutes |
| Seminyak to Melasti Beach | 50 minutes |
| Canggu to Melasti Beach | 1 hour, 10 minutes |
As with everywhere in Bali, these travel times can vary drastically depending on whether you go by scooter or car. Scooters will get you to Melasti faster.
Does Gojek/Grab Operate at Melasti Beach?
Gojek and Grab can drop you off at Melasti Beach. However, they’re not allowed to pick you up.
I took a Grab to Melasti and was thrilled that we could breeze past the ticket booth after I paid my way, my driver dropping me off at the base of the beach.
But at that point, I already knew the Bali drill—many locals detest rideshare companies like Grab and Gojek. It’s a complex issue, but a part of it has to do with rideshare companies standardizing the prices, ensuring the rider receives a fair rate.
So, the locals protest Gojek and Grab by allowing drop-offs but banning pickups with the hope of forcing people to use their service.
When I was ready to go back up the hill, the taxis wanted to charge me 100,000 IDR for what would be a 2-minute ride to the entrance gate.
Um. No, thank you.
Being the stubborn person I am, I walked from the base of the beach to the exit area of the Melasti entrance. It took me less than 15 minutes to do so—way faster than I expected.
But it was hot, there wasn’t shade, and a portion of the way didn’t have sidewalks. So, plan accordingly if you take a Grab or Gojek to Melasti.
Entrance Fees
The Melasti entrance fee is 10,000 IDR per person.
You’ll pay this fee upon your arrival at the top of the cliff while you stay in your vehicle. Melasti’s entrance has a makeshift appearance with a tent and someone collecting the fee.
Don’t let this entrance fool you, though—it becomes beautiful really quickly as you make your way down the cliff.
If you arrive at Melasti Beach by Gojek or Grab, your driver can enter free of charge to drop you off by the water.
Parking At Melasti Beach
The parking fee for Melasti Beach is 2,000 IDR for scooters and 5,000 IDR for cars.
There are a couple of parking lots at the base of the beach and a special parking lot for massive buses (keep your fingers crossed that it’s empty on the day of your visit).
Upon getting off your scooter/out of your vehicle, you’ll be a stone’s throw away from the beach.
Beach Amenities
Melasti is the epitome of a beach that offers many amenities. Drinks, food, beach chairs, and more will be a wave of your hand away.
The amenities at Melasti Beach include:
- Cafes
- Restrooms
- Restaurants
- Lifeguard
- Beach chair/umbrella rentals
- Surfboard/standup paddle board rentals
- Surfing lessons
You can also pay to use the facilities at a beach club, a popular choice among Melasti beachgoers.
4 Things to Do at Melasti Beach
If you’re ready to pack your beach bag for Melasti, below are some of the top activities to do during your time there.
1. Kick It at a Beach Club
Palmilla Bali Beach Club is one of the most popular beach clubs at Melasti. It’s open every day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and they offer top-of-the-line services like:
- A pool
- Comfy beach beds
- Beach bar with swings
- Outstanding ocean and cliff views
But Palmilla isn’t the only Melasti beach resort you can choose from. Mïnoo Beach Club is another great option, and it sits right by the southernmost point.
Tropical Temptation is also an excellent beach club, and people rave about its food, which you can eat between your swim sessions in its uniquely designed pools.
2. Visit the Southernmost Point
It may seem odd to see the southernmost point as anything but number one on this list. But the reality is that although it’s a cool thing that Melasti Beach can claim, there’s nothing special about the point itself.
Somehow, it managed to be the only vegetation-free slice of ground that I saw during my trip to Bali during monsoon season.
The good news is that you won’t have to push through crowds to get a photo of you standing on the southernmost point in Bali—oftentimes, there’s no one there during the day.
Sunset is a different story, though.
The bottom line is that walking onto the southernmost point is one of those things you’ll feel obligated to do because you’re at Melasti. But don’t expect it to “wow” you.
3. Take Photos Along the Road
If you drive to Melasti Beach, you’re in for a treat, for there are many touristy viewpoints along the way.
I assure you that this is nothing along the lines of what you’ll find with the swings at the Tegallalang terraces or other popular photography spots in Bali.
Most people don’t get out and enjoy the views from these areas. But there’s plenty of room to pull off on the side of the road, even if you drive a car.
4. Go For a Swim
The waves at Melasti Beach are relatively safer than in other parts of Uluwatu. That doesn’t mean they’re always 100% swimmer-friendly (although they were the day of my visit).
So, use your best judgment before going into the water, combined with checking the flag on the beach—a red flag means to stay onshore.
But if you take a dip, you’ll get to enjoy clear, warm water. As is the case with many areas in Bali, much of Melasti Beach has a coral bottom.
The coral is sharp and can cut up your feet if you’re not careful.
Does Melasti Have a Trash Problem?
If you’ve been to other beaches in Bali, you might be familiar with the trash issue that the country has. Sadly, Indonesia is one of the biggest contributors to marine pollution, and much of the trash rolls onto Bali’s shores from nearby Java island.
The beach trash problem is especially evident during monsoon season.
Luckily for those visiting Melasti Beach, Bali, you can expect cleaner shores. That includes during monsoon season, given that the locals work hard to keep the beach trash-free.
What to Bring
Because Melasti Beach is so well-equipped with amenities, you don’t need to bring anything but yourself and some rupiahs. But if you understandably don’t want to buy everything at the beach, below is a packing list to help you prepare:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses/hat
- Beach towel
- Small change
- Umbrella (it’s Bali, after all)
- Water shoes to protect your feet if you swim
Places to Stay at Melasti Beach
If you’re interested in staying at Melasti, there are several nearby hotels you can choose from.
The Ungasan Clifftop Resort sits atop the limestone cliff overlooking Melasti Beach. It is high-end accommodation at its finest, and you’ll get to enjoy some of the best sunsets in Bali from there.
The Jumana Bali Ungasan Resort is another excellent choice for ocean views from atop the Melasti cliff.
That said, more budget-friendly options are available. You’ll just need to head inland a bit from Melasti to find them.
A Note on Wheelchair Accessibility
Melasti Beach is partially wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users can drive to the base of the beach, where it’s possible to get out in the parking lot.
I didn’t see accessible parking spaces, but the parking fee attendant can help you find a suitable space to park.
From there, you’ll be able to head to a nearby sandy viewing area, which has a flat entrance. The sand is compact there, so you won’t need a beach chair.
Unfortunately, there’s a series of short but steep steps to get onto Melasti Beach itself. I also didn’t encounter an accessible restroom.
FAQs About Melasti Beach
If you still have questions about Melasti Beach, read on to see if I answer them here. If I don’t, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help.
Can you surf at Melasti Beach, Bali?
Melasti Beach isn’t a good surfing spot. The waves rarely offer the continuous barrels that Uluwatu is known for, and they usually have a choppy nature.
You’re better off visiting other known surfing spots in Uluwatu, such as Green Bowl and Balangan beaches.
Can you swim at Melasti Beach?
Yes, you can swim at Melasti Beach, but you must be cautious. The waves are sometimes strong at Melasti and rip currents can happen. There’s a lifeguard on duty during the day, so heed their warnings. Also, don’t swim if the flag is red.
Is Melasti Beach safe?
As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe at Melasti Beach. There are lots of people around, and I never experienced catcalls or anything that made me feel uncomfortable.
The most dangerous thing about Melasti Beach is the sharp coral and rip tides, depending on the current.
Psst! Check out my guide on safety in Bali for statistics and insights from my experience as a solo female traveler.
Can you see monkeys at Melasti Beach?
It’s unlikely that you’ll see monkeys at Melasti Beach. Although monkeys are common in Uluwatu and monkey sightings are possible on the road to Melasti before entering the paid area, it’s rare for wild monkeys to venture down to the sand.
When is the best time to visit Melasti Beach?
The best time to visit Melasti Beach is on a weekday, given that the weekends become more crowded with locals. Furthermore, although Melasti Beach has a decent amount of sand space at high tide, you’ll have even more beach to enjoy if you go there at low tide.
Visiting Uluwatu’s Beaches
So, does Melasti Beach, Bali, sound like the right fit for you? Let me know in the comments section, along with any questions you may have.
If you’re hoping to visit a beach that’s more off the beaten path than Melasti, you’re in luck—that’s the norm for beaches in the Uluwatu region. You can check out my guide on 11 Uluwatu beaches for details on secluded beach options.
