Uluwatu is nestled on the Southernmost tip of Bali in the Bukit Peninsula, and it’s a photographer’s dream destination. There are rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, ancient temples, vibrant sunsets, and so much more that can offer stunning backdrops to your photoshoots.
Whether you’re a tourist capturing memories for your Instagram feed on your phone or a travel influencer, or a hobbyist photographer seeking to grab some incredible shots, Uluwatu delivers inspiration and breathtaking and versatile scenery.
Our guide is tailored to visitors seeking to find the best photography locations in the area, with tips on timing, what to expect and how to make your photoshoot unforgettable. Let’s take a deeper look at the glory of Uluwatu and where you can make your picture-perfect memories.
Why Uluwatu Is A Must For A Bali Photoshoot
Uluwatu offers a nice change of pace from the busier twins in Bali, like Ubud, Canggu and Seminyak. It has a quieter but more rugged coastline that blends natural beauty as well as true cultural depth.
The elevated cliffs in this area offer sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, hidden beaches, temples and coves and much more besides. There’s endless variety for photography, and whether you’re chasing the golden-hour glow or a dramatic silhouette, Uluwatu’s photogenic landscapes will deliver what you need.
Because the area is relatively serene, it’s one of the easiest places in Bali to find a spot to shoot without being surrounded by crowds of other photographers and would-be photographers. So, let’s begin by talking about some of the best places to hold a photoshoot in Uluwatu.
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)
Uluwatu Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bali and it’s a great place to grab some photos.
Why It’s A Great Choice
This temple is perched on a cliff towering 70 meters above the ocean, and it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Bali.
This dramatic setting is perfect for the photographer who wants that mix between the island’s amazing cultural heritage and its jaw-dropping scenery.
The most classic Bali shot of them all, perhaps, is a silhouette of this temple against the sky at sunset. It’s perfect for couples, solo travellers and anyone seeking to capture a touch of the spiritual nature of this paradise island.
The Best Time To Shoot
Sunset is the ultimate golden hour in this location (it falls around 6-6.30 p.m., depending on the time of year) and it bathes the temple in a warm light while adding gorgeous multi-coloured hues to the sky above it.
If you want this shot, we advise you to rock up early and secure your spot. Get there about 4.30 p.m. before the multitudes of wedding photographers, tourists, etc. start to pack out the cliff edges, leaving you with little room to shoot.
The early mornings are easier to work with, but sadly, they lack the dramatic light of sunset.
Tips For Photographers
- Don’t forget your wide-angle lens: the best shot of the temple’s architecture with the incredible backdrop of the ocean behind it is going to require something wider than your standard portrait lens
- Do respect the temple’s rules: that means rent and wear a sarong at the entrance of this complex and be mindful of the temple’s sacred statues and architecture. Don’t stray into restricted areas.
- Kecak Dancing Bonus: if you can, time your visit to allow you to get to the nightly fire dancing performance, which is a great place to get some vibrant shots of the performers in traditional Balinese attire.
- Watch out for monkeys: Uluwatu Temple is home to the world’s most larcenous monkeys; they steal from everyone, and somehow, they have learned the value of things, too. So, they love to rob cameras, phones and passports, which they sell back to tourists or occasionally, throw off the cliff top.
- Framing: if you put yourself on the cliffside path, you can get some great shots of the temple’s structures with the waves crashing against the cliff beneath them.
What To Expect
This temple does get busy, but it’s usually manageable as long as you are courteous and willing to give a little. The cliffside paths offer great vantage points, but they are also a little on the narrow side, so pay attention to your footing and shoot when you’re at rest. Entry to this temple is reasonably cheap (around 50,000 IDR, which is about $3 USD or $5 AUD), and there is also parking available for a fee.
Karang Boma Cliff
This place is a little bit of a hidden gem, and it’s one of our favourite places to shoot in Uluwatu.
Why It’s A Great Choice
Karang Boma Cliff offers a genuinely raw and untamed backdrop for your images, and it’s not very far from Uluwatu Temple. Because it’s less well-known than some of our other picks on this list, it’s ideal for portraits, couple shots and even for some moody landscape work.
The Best Time To Shoot
As always in this part of Bali, sunrise and sunset are your top times of day. However, we’d note that this place is awesome at sunrise (6 a.m.), and the light is really soft and pleasant at that time, and as most people are still in bed, there are no crowds at all. Don’t come at midday, though, the harsh light will really flatten out the scene.
Tips For Photographers
- Drone shots: Indonesia’s drone laws became complicated at the end of 2024, but assuming you’re in compliance and you have permission to use the drone in this area, it’s a brilliant place for using a drone. The aerial views really help to showcase the scale of the cliff and the expanse of the ocean before it.
- Safety first: this is a developing country, and the cliff edges here have not been visited by a health and safety officer and are, thus, unfenced. Be careful and stay away from the edges, particularly on windy days.
- Minimalist compositions: this is a great place to harness the horizon and cliff edges for striking, clean compositions. You can isolate a long figure against the ocean and create really powerful shots.
- Bring your tripod: the best way to approach many of the shots here is to go with long exposures to make the waves look creamy and inviting rather than harsh and violent. A tripod makes this much easier.
What To Expect
This is a relatively undeveloped spot with no entrance fees and no facilities of any kind. It’s a pretty short walk from the nearby parking areas, but watch out for rough and uneven terrain. Take water with you and wear sturdy shoes. The absence of crowds makes this a great spot for intimate shoots.
Padang Padang Beach
This beach is only a short drive from Uluwatu Temple, and it has a lot to offer photographers.
Why It’s A Great Choice
This beach is in a small and secluded cove, and it famously played a starring role in Eat, Pray, Love, which makes it super popular with ladies of a certain age, particularly those in a post-divorce situation.
The golden sands, turquoise waters, and rocky cliffs make it a very versatile place for beachy, romantic and/or adventurous images. It’s really good for candids and also for surfer vibes.
The Best Time To Shoot
We’d go in the early morning between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. when you get some nice soft light on this beach and there aren’t very many people around (this is nearly always true in Bali, most people here are allergic to early mornings, whether they are tourists, expats or locals).
By midday, this beach can be very busy with surfers and sunbathers taking up much of the shore. Low tides are best for access to the full beach and, particularly, for capturing the rock formations here.
Tips For Photographers
- Use the rocks: the cliffs and rocks here are perfect for adding some texture to your images. Use them as layers or pose your subjects on or around them to add some dynamism to your shots.
- Capture motion: shoot some surfers riding the waves to get those awesome action shots, then switch it up and use a slower shutter speed to make the water blurry and dreamy
- Natural light: the beach is oriented in such a way that the early morning light refracts beautifully through the water and gives it a positively glowing backdrop for your photographs
- Angles: When you climb the stairs to get to or from the beach, stop and get some elevated shots that incorporate the curve of the cove and the ocean running beyond it
What To Expect
You access this beach using a narrow staircase that slips through a rocky crevice; it’s almost like being in an Indiana Jones movie.
There is a small entrance fee (but it’s only 10,000 IDR, which is less than $1 USD and about $1 AUD). This ensures that there are toilets and food stalls here, among other things. However, this is a very small beach, and by the peak hours, it can be overwhelmed with crowds.
Tegal Wangi Cliff And Beach
This beach area is a short drive from Uluwatu in Jimbaran, and it’s an awesome place for photographers.
Why It’s A Great Choice
This is one of the best viewpoints on the island for ocean vistas. Below this cliff lies Tegal Wangi Beach which is a nearly-hidden spot with tide pools and caves that are super for intimate and/or creative shoots. The combination of cliff-top panorama and beach-level textures makes this a must-visit spot for a shoot.
The Best Time To Shoot
There’s no doubt in our minds that sunset is the magical time of day at this spot, and watching the sky turn pink, orange, red and purple is thrilling.
Get there around 5.30 p.m. to set up and grab a great vantage point. We’d also note that you want low tide to get access to the caves and pools on this beach, so make sure you check the tide forecast before you go.
Tips For Photographers
- Cliff shots: shoot from the cliff edge to get those sweeping ocean views that really pull your viewer into the scene. A wide-angle lens helps to get the scale of the scene in shot, whereas a telephoto can help you grab a distant wave or an individual boat on the water.
- Beach details: at low tide, make sure to explore the tidal pools and caves for some unique close-ups. Never forget how much atmosphere you can add with some reflections in your shots.
- Silhouettes: make sure to spend some time positioning your subjects against the light to get some striking silhouettes. We like to use the jagged outline of the cliff to enhance the imagery, too.
- Bring some props: flowy dresses, hats, and scarves can give your images a sense of motion and colour against the backdrop here.
What To Expect
The cliff here is very easily accessible by both car and scooter, and there is free car parking very close to the path. However, the path itself is steep and somewhat rocky, so make sure to wear the right shoes for the job. This area isn’t as busy as Uuwatu Temple, but it’s still super popular, so getting there early is often key to getting the best images.
Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is rapidly developing, and what made it amazing a few years ago is not quite what makes it great now.
Why It’s A Great Choice
Melasti is not far from Uluwatu and it’s well known for the white sands, limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters. It’s now also lined with some of the Bukit Peninsula’s biggest tourist businesses, and you can get some interesting contrasting backdrops between the cliffs and these buzzing havens of activity. The shallow waters, however, are still good for those playful or romantic snaps you want.
The Best Time To Shoot
The early morning light is best at Melasti Beach; it’s soft, and the natural beauty of the sand and water is best highlighted at this time. It’s also when the beach is quietest, and means you won’t have to jostle for position to get your shots. Make sure to check the tide times, though, as high tide can restrict your access to this beach considerably.
Tips For Photographers
- Cliff backdrops: use the towering cliffs here as a frame for your subjects and the businesses along the shore as leading lines. Shoot up from the beach to get some drama in your images.
- Water play: The shallow waters here are ideal for wading shots, or reflections. A circular polariser can help to bring out the clarity of the water and balance the light in the sky, too.
- Minimal Crowds: If you get here early in the day, you can shoot without too much interruption, but if you rock up around lunchtime, it’s a whole lot busier.
- Experiment with your angles: get some low-angle shots near the water’s edge and emphasise the scale of the cliffs and the expanse of the skyline above it
What To Expect
This beach can be reached by car, though you need to park nearby and then either walk or pay for a lift down to the beach (in cash to a local moto driver) from there. The road to Melasti Beach is very nice, though, and it can be worth stopping along the way to grab some shots.
Suluban Beach (Blue Point Beach)
Suluban Beach, sometimes also known as Blue Point Beach, is a hidden gem of sorts beneath the towering cliffs of Uluwatu.
Why It’s A Great Choice
You reach this beach through a narrow cave and staircase, and its secluded nature offers a nice adventurous vibe for your photographs and, of course, it’s pretty good for surfer vibes too. The rocky outcrops, vibrant waves, and cave setting offer a unique and raw backdrop for your photos.
The Best Time To Shoot
Early morning at low tide is definitely the win on this beach, where you’ll find few crowds and soft light. Low tide allows you the opportunity to explore the beach fully. There’s no doubt this beach is lovely at sunset too, but it’s always packed with surfers and sunseekers by then.
Tips For Photographers
- Cave framing: use the cave entrance to frame your shots and to add depth and a sense of adventure
- Action shots: capture surfers and waves as they crash against the rocks for some dynamic images, use fast shutter speeds to freeze the action
- Reflections: at low tide, there are lots of little rock pools here where you can get some wonderful reflections for creative compositional work
- Wide-angle: a wide-angle lens will let you capture the narrow layout and the cliffs above effectively.
What To Expect
You reach this beach using a steep cliffside staircase and descending through a cave. The surfaces can be slippery, and grippy shoes are a must. You will need to pay a small parking fee if you have a vehicle (10,000 IDR, which is less than $1 USD and about $1 AUD). There are warungs at the cliff top which sell snacks and drinks. This is a small beach which feels really crowded at peak times of day, so get there early if you can.
Nyang Nyang Beach
If you want a secluded spot, then Uluwatu is getting less so each year, but Nyang Nyang is a good option for a bit more privacy if you need it.
Why It’s A Great Choice
This is a pristine and relatively untouched beach with a long stretch of white sand, grassy cliffs and even the remnants of a shipwreck on the shore. It’s nice for adventurous, off-the-beaten-path images where you want a wild and natural aesthetic.
The Best Time To Shoot
Get there in the early morning, and you will get soft light and some solitude. Sunset is absolutely stunning here, but if you do stay for sunset, be careful of the trek back up the cliff; it’s not as easy in the dark. Low tide offers more beach for shooting on than high tide.
Tips For Photographers
- Use the shipwreck: props don’t get much better than this, and it’s already there, so make sure to use it to add a hard edge to your storytelling
- Cliff perspectives: shoot from the cliff top and get the panoramic view, then descend to the beach to get some intimate and more grounded photos
- Natural elements: use the grassy cliffs and driftwood for textured, organic compositions
- Long lens: a good telephoto can help to flatten waves and capture distant surfers
What To Expect
This is one beach that takes some real effort to get to. It’s a 15-20 minute hike down a steep and not very well-made path. Take water, snacks and sturdy shoes. There are absolutely no facilities on this beach at all. However, the remote area does tend to preclude crowding, and you get a lot of space to shoot here on most days.
Practical Tips For An Uluwatu Photoshoot
We’ve also got some useful tips to help you make the most of your shoot in Uluwatu:
Timing And Weather
The weather here is tropical, so you get warm, pleasant weather all year round. However, there’s no doubt that the dry season can offer clearer skies and vibrant sunsets, and that the wet season can give you the best vegetation and waterfall volumes.
If you shoot on a beach, check the tide schedule and aim for low tide; high tide often severely limits your access to the beach. Make sure to have a backup plan just in case it rains.
Gear And Equipment
- Camera: You can get stunning photos in Bali with a decent smartphone camera, but if you want to push the boat out, a DSLR or mirrorless with a versatile fast zoom lens like a 24-70mm F2.8 is about perfect.
- Accessories: A tripod is very useful for low light and long exposure work, and a polarising filter and ND filter can really open up a bunch of options for beach scenes. Also, don’t forget extra batteries if you’re out all day long.
- Drones: make sure that you’re compliant with both Indonesia’s drone laws and have permission to shoot where you are, particularly if you bring a drone anywhere near a temple
Hiring A Photographer
If you’re not certain about taking photos here, or you’re in need of professional work. Please hire a local photographer. They’re not expensive, and they do great work. We’d note that this is the best way to stay legal and to ensure you get priceless local knowledge when working any given scene.
What To Wear
- Bright colours: vibrant outfits look awesome against Uluwatu’s natural backdrops, go with flowy dresses, linen shirts and then bright, bold accessories.
- Comfortable stuff: lightweight, breathable clothing is your best bet in the Bali heat and humidity. For temple visits, either take a sarong or rent one.
- Footwear: sturdy sandals and sneakers are ideal for beaches, cliffs and more. Heels are often the worst choice thanks to uneven terrain.
Respect the Environment
This area is beautiful but fragile; try to tread lightly. Stick to marked paths and avoid damaging cliffs, vegetation, etc. Never leave trash behind you. Always follow the dress codes at temples and respect the sacred areas. If you shoot with props, make sure to take them home and don’t let them adversely impact the environment.
Planning A Full-Day Photoshoot Itinerary
To make the most of your time, plan a photoshoot itinerary that lasts all day. Here’s a sample:
- Morning 7-9 a.m., Padang Padang Beach for soft light and minimal crowds
- Mid-morning 9-11 a.m., Melasti Beach for cliff and water shots
- Early-afternoon 1-3 p.m., Nyang Nyang beach for some secluded vibes
- Sunset 4.30 p.m. onwards – ending at Uluwatu Temple for some epic sunset shots and the Kecak Dance.
Make sure to leave some time for travel and give yourself regular hydration breaks and snack breaks. It’s easier to get around if you hire a private driver who can get you from A to B without any hassles.
Final Thoughts On Your Uluwatu Photoshoot
Uluwatu is a great place for photographers in Bali to capture some incredible shots using the island’s natural splendour and the cultural richness of its people.
So, plan your shoot around the light, pack wisely and go and let Uluwatu’s magic shine through with your lens, happy snapping!