Looking For a Place to Unwind and Have Fun? Pandawa Beach is the Answer!

When people are looking for beaches in Bali, most of them would usually end up checking out Kuta, Jimbaran, Canggu, or Nusa Dua. However, there is a lesser-known beach in the most southern part of Bali, hidden among the mountainous area of Badung, South Kuta. Named after the five brothers in the Mahabaratha epoch, which consisted of Yudistira, Bima, Arjuna, Sahadewa, and Nakula, Pandawa Beach (sometimes called Kutuh Beach by the locals) offers you a view of the vast Indian Ocean. 

Located about 4 km away from the mighty Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Kutuh Village, South Kuta, Badung, Pandawa Beach is situated behind large steep limestone cliffs. A long time ago, it would take a long and tiresome journey for an outsider to reach Pandawa Beach because of the deep valley and the stretching cliffs surrounding the place back then. Only the locals were able to access Pandawa Beach pretty easily since most of them were fishermen or seaweed farmers. Thanks to the locals' effort to expand their village by building a road through the cliffs, Pandawa Beach became easily accessible today. Now the beach is favored by many domestic and foreign tourists as a perfect space to relax or play.

Sunbathe and Soak Up the Sun

Other than offering a vast view of the pristine Indian Ocean, Pandawa Beach also features milky-colored sands accompanied by clear blue waters going on an ebb and flow, suitable for those who crave a calming atmosphere while basking in the warmth of the radiant sun. Those who love a little bit of adventure can also partake in some recreational activities such as canoeing, snorkeling, surfing, or paragliding. If you feel hungry on Pandawa Beach, you can also give yourself a chance to try delicious local foods and beverages from various restaurants around the beach. There are a lot of things you can do around the hidden gem of South Kuta.

Things to do Nearby:

Right outside the entrance of Pandawa Beach, you can witness five pearly statues of Panca Pandawa, decorated with Balinese ornaments and encaved into the limestone walls beside the road.

Image by amandanihara

Panca Pandawa can be a decent spot for you to take a photo. If you feel a bit adventurous, you can try paragliding from the hills at the Timbis Flying Site located not far from the beach. The sight of the landscape around Pandawa Beach from above is something to be admired cherished.

Image by jonny.melon

If you are afraid of heights and love aquatic marine life, you can try to snorkel at the Pandawa Marine Park to see the gorgeous underwater creatures around Pandawa Beach instead. Moreover, you can also learn about how to plant coral reefs while you snorkel at Pandawa Marine Park. Once you are done sunbathing at Pandawa Beach, paragliding at the Timbis Flying Site, or snorkeling at Pandawa Marine Park, you can also take a trip to Gunung Payung Cultural Park. There, you can end your days by seeing another view of the dazzling Indian Ocean accompanied at sunset. If you are lucky you might also catch a live art and cultural performance such as Kecak dance or any other traditional performances there. Gunung Payung Cultural Park also offers yoga as well as nature tourism.

How to Get There:

Located around 18 km from the Ngurah Rai Airport in the most southern part of Bali, it would take about 1 hour to reach Pandawa Beach from there, even longer if you stayed in Denpasar city. If you never went to Pandawa Beach before, it would be best for you to rent an official transport as well as a trusted guide to make your journey feel more pleasant.

As one of the most underrated beaches in Bali, Pandawa Beach can offer you a total package where you are able to catch some fun in the sun, experience various tasty local dishes, soaring above the mesmerizing view of the beach, exploring the delightful seabeds around the beach, and enjoying an impressive Indonesian art and cultural performance if you are fortunate enough. When you have reached Pandawa Beach, never forget to be as responsible as you can by complying with the health protocols, which include wearing your mask in public spaces, keeping your distance, washing your hands, avoiding crowded places, minimizing your mobility, as well as avoiding eating in collective. Finally, remember to always be respectful towards the locals and their beliefs.