It’s no secret Bali is known for its dramatic coastline with wild surf, sheer cliffs and picturesque beaches. One of the most stunning of these is Green Bowl Beach in Uluwatu, or technically Ungasan. Sometimes (incorrectly) referred to as Greenball Beach, it’s a popular spot for dedicated surfers who don’t mind carrying their board down and up a 75-metre cliff.
Whilst no longer a “secret” spot, Green Bowl Beach is still far less crowded than most other beaches in Uluwatu. It’s small, with only around 30 metres of exposed white sand, but it’s ultimately paradise.
Best time to visit Pantai Green Bowl Beach
The best time to visit Pantai Green Bowl Beach really depends on what you’re there to do. If you’re there to surf, you can check the forecast here, but if you just want to explore this stunning beach then it’s best to visit between high and low tide.
If the tide is too low, the reef and rocks will be exposed and its nowhere near as picturesque, but if you visit during high tide, there won’t be much of a beach at all. In fact, the waves will be lapping at the staircase.
How to get to Green Bowl Beach Bali
Green Bowl Beach is in Ungasan, on the southern tip of Bali about 20 minutes from the main town of Uluwatu. Google Maps will lead you to the parking lot and from there it’s a short hike down a steep staircase to the beach. Getting there isn’t the problem, but getting back up did leave us a little breathless. Big ups to those who do it with a surfboard in tow.
If you’re not comfortable driving in Bali, you can always hire a private driver online.
What to bring to Green Bowl Beach Uluwatu
Prepare for your trip to Green Bowl Beach Bali with our must-have travel essentials. (click for prices)
- Snorkel, mask & fins
- Quick-dry microfiber travel towel
- Insulated water bottle
- Hiking Sandals
- Waterproof backpack & phone case
If you’re interested in photography and/or videography this is the gear we can’t live without:
Professional camera: Sony a7iv (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO10 Black (click for price)
Drone: DJI Air 2s (click for price)
Related post: What's in our camera bag
Click here to see our complete camera gear
Green Bowl Bali Entrance Fee
There isn’t technically an entrance fee, however there is a parking fee of 2000 IDR. There’s also a number of vendors selling coconuts and other snacks so you might want to bring a little change for an icy cold coconut after your surf – and the hike back up.
Travel Hack
If you buy a coconut at the bottom of the beach, it’ll cost you upwards of 30,000 IDR. If you wait until you’re in the parking lot, you can get it down to 15,000 IDR.
What to expect at Green Bowl Beach In Uluwatu
Green Bowl Beach in Uluwatu may be small, but it’s one of the most picturesque beaches in all of Bali. Turquoise blue water laps at the golden sand, tucked away from the hustle and bustle by a dramatic cliff face covered in dense tropical jungle.
The coolest thing about Green Bowl Beach is the shallow cave where you can take respite from the blistering Bali heat. If you go early enough in the day, you might even be able to get it to yourself.
Just beyond the first cave is another cave which has been marked as a sacred place for the Balinese. There are several statues of different Gods as well as offerings left each day. If you venture into this cave, be sure to treat it with respect.
We stayed at Pantai Green Bowl Beach for a couple hours, admiring the surfers and relaxing at the mouth of the cave. The tide eventually ran us away, so make sure you leave before the tide traps you in!
There you have it, our ultimate travel guide to one of the best beaches and in all of Bali!
We hope you will enjoy this beach as much as we did. Make sure to check out the rest of the beaches in the area as we have created an entire blog post of the 12 best beaches in Uluwatu.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we will definitely message back as soon as we can!
More Beaches In Uluwatu
Uluwatu has been blessed with some of the best beaches in Bali. Check out more of the stunning beaches in the area: