Bingin Beach, Uluwatu: Surf, Stairs and Life After the Demolition

Not really. The bottom is coral and rock, waves break close to the sand, and there is no lifeguard, so Bingin is a beach for surfing and wading rather than swimming. At low tide on a small swell you can sit in the rock pools on the reef shelf; wear reef shoes for the sharp coral and urchins. For a real swim, drive 5 to 10 minutes south to Padang Padang.

On 21 July 2025, Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa oversaw the start of the demolition of 48 cliffside buildings, including villas, restaurants and homestays. The government said they stood without permits on government land in a protected coastal setback, and had ignored three written warnings. The beach and the surf stayed open; the cliff is now a cleared, partly rubble-covered site awaiting redevelopment.

Yes. The beach never closed, and people still surf and sunbathe there (checked Oct 2026). You reach it by a rough path and broken steps through the demolition site, and facilities are minimal: in mid-2026 there were a couple of drink vendors, umbrella rental and one surf school, but no toilets, showers or restaurants on the sand.

The old staircase through the warungs, roughly 150 to 190 steps by different counts, was demolished with the buildings. Today a steep, winding path and broken steps lead down through the rubble in about 8 minutes. Badung plans a new staircase three meters wide in the first phase of works, so the route may change during 2026 and 2027.

No. The main wave is a fast, hollow left over shallow coral with a steep takeoff, a heavy crowd and a local pecking order, and surf guides rate it for advanced surfers and competent intermediates on small days. Beginners should take a lesson at softer spots such as Baby Padang at Padang Padang, or Balangan and Dreamland when the swell is small.

Mid tide, ideally falling, with a southwest swell of head high to head and a half and the southeast trades blowing offshore. Low tide makes the wave short, fast and dangerous over very shallow reef. High tide can work on a bigger swell, but the current along the reef gets stronger as the tide rises.

No. Bingin has no gate and no ticket. You pay only for parking at the top: IDR 5,000 for a scooter and IDR 10,000 for a car, in cash (checked Oct 2026). Umbrellas on the sand rent for about IDR 100,000 a day, so bring small notes.

Barely. In mid-2026 the sand had a couple of vendors selling cold drinks, coconuts and snacks, but no toilets, showers, sunbeds or restaurants. Badung’s first phase of works includes public toilets, showers and a clean water network. Until they open, eat and use the bathroom at the cafes on the plateau, such as Salty Coffee by the car park.

For surfers, yes: the wave is unchanged and the lineup is thinner than before 2025. For everyone else it is worth an hour at low tide for the rock pools and the view, especially if you are staying nearby. For a full beach day with swimming, shade and lunch on the sand, Padang Padang, Dreamland or Thomas Beach are better choices for now.

Padang Padang is about 3 km south, 5 to 10 minutes by scooter along Jalan Labuansait. Dreamland is just north, inside the Pecatu Indah estate, 5 to 15 minutes by road depending on the lanes you take. Uluwatu Temple is about 7 km away, 15 to 20 minutes by car, and the airport 40 to 90 minutes.

In May 2026 Badung Regency’s public works agency presented a staged plan: a safe way down with a cliff staircase three meters wide, clean water, showers and public toilets, plus space for wooden stalls and a performance stage. A second phase is scheduled for 2027, and officials said the project would not be finished in 2026. No completion date has been given.