Experiencing the Best of the Bukit Peninsula

Uluwatu Temple

A guide to the best of the Bukit Peninsula would be incomplete without mentioning the beautiful Uluwatu Temple. Perched on the iconic cliffs, the ancient Hindu temple surveys the Indian Ocean and is a true cultural treasure. Whilst exceptionally beautiful during the day, it is recommended to visit as the sun goes down. This is also the time of day when the Kecak fire dance is performed, an epic retelling of the Ramayana Saga. It is good to be aware of the monkeys that call the Uluwatu Temple home—perhaps cute, but also prone to taking small belongings from visitors, so it’s advisable to keep everything in your pockets whilst visiting the temple.

Utterly captivating both day and night, Uluwatu Temple on the Bukit Peninsula in Bali is one not to be missed.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue

A feat of magnificent proportions, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is an impressive 75 metre tall construction that lies in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. Designed in 1990, the statue is inspired by a story from Hindu mythology about the search for Amrita (the elixir of life). As the story goes, Garuda agreed to be ridden by Vishnu in return for using the elixir to liberate his enslaved mother. Completed in 2018, it is the tallest statue in Indonesia. Today, you can take an elevator ride up nine stories to visit the viewing platform—the result is a truly magnetising scene that unfolds before your eyes.

Jimbaran Market and Kedonganan Fish Market

The Jimbaran Market is a morning market located on the Jalan Uluwatu main road—a great place to pick up tropical fruits and other fresh produce. A walk through the market offers a local experience amid a colourful interplay of fresh vibrancy that plays out in front of you as sellers offer and bargain their wares. At this time of day, the market is a hive of activity and a real kaleidoscope for the senses.

In the northern part of Jimbaran, you can discover Kedonganan, home to one of the main fish markets, where local fishermen sell their variety of freshly caught fishes, clams, squids and crabs. If you want to experience seafood the local way, you don’t get much fresher than the live catches of the day, that you’ll likely see being hauled in as you wander around the fish market. The beauty of buying fish here is that you can take it to the local warungs nearby who will cook it for you, so you can enjoy it in the most authentic way possible.

Surfing

First and foremost, the beaches in the Bukit Peninsula provide a surfing haven. Whichever one you visit, you’re sure to see beach babes riding the waves or wandering along the shoreline with their surfboards. For both beginners and advanced surfers, this part of Bali offers some of the best surf breaks around. The reason for the fantastic surfing water is due to the deep-water channels on either side of Bali, causing this to be the place where the swells are most concentrated. As the swell gets bigger, Impossibles, Bingin and Balangan become advanced surfer spots, whilst Padang Padang remains popular for beginners all year round, with the advantage of surf schools and equipment hire readily available.

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club

Whilst Bali isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to world-class golfing, the Bukit Peninsula is actually home to an array of fantastic courses. As the first golf course of its kind, the Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club offers 18 championship calibre par-3 golf holes, boosted by views overlooking the vast Indian Ocean. Since it is located in Bali, it features a unique landscape of rugged coastline, rice paddy field and course which is a truly spectacular setting to practise your swing and enjoy unforgettable moments in a harmonious location.