Tegal Wangi beach is one of the last Uluwatu beaches to remain undiscovered by the public. It is a beautiful small beach near the top of Uluwatu on the west coast. The beach has white rocky sand which forms tide pools and amazing sunsets since it faces west. The beach is visited by those travelers that want to explore off the beaten path beaches and it tends to be pretty magical. Tegal Wangi is known only to the locals and they like to keep it a secret so as not to attract too much crowd. If you go in 2024 you might end up seeing a few adventurous souls and some local wedding photographers at sunsets.
How to Get to Tegal Wangi Beach
Scooter rental
Scooter rental costs around IDR 50,000 to IDR 80,000 per day, depending on the type of bike and the rental duration. However, if you’re not comfortable riding a scooter, then you can use Gojek or a taxi. Gojek is a popular ride-hailing app in Bali, offering motorbike and car rides at affordable rates.
Gojek & Grab
You can get a Gojek from Canggu, Pererenan and Kuta from the touristy places. If you are already in Uluwatu near Bingin it is a very small 15 minute ride to get to Pantai Tegal Wangi beach.
Private car charter
If you prefer a more luxurious and convenient option, renting a car with a private driver is a fantastic choice. This is a great choice for people who are traveling in bigger groups. Prices for a full day rental range from IDR 800,000 to IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 55 – USD 85).
What is Around Tegal Wangi Beach?
Tegal Wangi Beach is located on the west coast of Uluwatu. It’s very close to the bridge that connects Uluwatu to mainland Bali. It has a lot of cool restaurants and bars around like Rock Bar, Orchid Tea Lounge, and Forest Bar. There are lots of other shops and restaurants around Tegal Wangi if you go a little south towards Bingin beach. You will have no difficulty in finding a great place to shop and eat near Pantai Tegal Wangi.
Directions to Tegal Wangi Beach
The directions to Pantai Tegal Wangi are very simple. You can enter the Google Maps location into your phone and it will take you to the parking lot at the top of the cliff at Tegal Wangi beach. If the gate to the parking lot is open at the time you are visiting then pay IDR 2000 and park inside the lot. Otherwise you can park outside on the gravel. After this make your way to the dirt path that is going towards the cliff. When you get to the cliff you will see a paved path that leads down to the beach. Follow this path all the way down to the beach and you will get to Tegal Wangi beach.
Tours to Uluwatu Beaches
Uluwatu has some of the best beaches in Bali. You can do a full day tour of the beaches in Uluwatu and visit some of the highlights along the way as well.
Entry Fees and Parking Lot
There are no entry fees to Tegal Wangi Beach as of January 2024. You can park your scooter at the parking lot at the top of the cliff for IDR 2000. If the parking lot is closed then you can also park the scooter at the dirt patch in front of the parking lot. It is safe to park at both the places here. The entry fees and parking fees might change as the beach becomes more popular.
Timings and Best Time to Visit
The beach is open all the time but as with any Uluwatu Beach or any beach in Bali, it would be dangerous to go at night because there is no light and you have no idea how the currents work in the ocean. The best time to visit Tegal Wangi Beach would be during low tide when the reef forms rock pools that you can walk in. Since the beach faces west, the sunsets here are also pretty spectacular. You can come here at low tide at sunset and have an amazing time.
Experience at Tegal Wangi Beach
Tegal Wangi beach is very secluded and there are very few tourists that go here. Most tourists prefer to go to the famous Uluwatu Beach or Bingin Beach further south. This means that when you get to Pantai Tegal Wangi you will find it only full of adventurous and kind souls. The beach has soft white sand in places and other places you will find gorgeous tide pools filled with all kinds of creatures.
These tide pools are really fun to sit in and relax during mornings and evenings. In the evening especially the water in the pools tends to get warm from the sunlight during the day and it feels like you are sitting in your own personal jacuzzi. This is very relaxing. You can bring your own Bintang and sandwiches and soak in the pools while having a picnic.
At the end of the beach there are two very interesting caves. You can actually go into the bigger cave and put down your blanket when it is too sunny outside. The bigger cave is the furthest one from the beach while the smaller cave is closer to the beach. You will probably find a few locals trying to escape the sun in the caves too.
When you are done at the beach there is a great warung at the top of the cliff. I went there on the recommendation of another blog and had corn there which was really great. The view from the top of the cliff is also really spectacular because you can see the entire coastline on both sides from here.
Surfing at Tegal Wangi Beach
There is no surfing at Tegal Wangi Beach. There are no surfable waves here and trying would be futile. There are no facilities like surf rentals either.
Swimming at Pantai Tegal Wangi
Tegal Wangi Beach is not suitable for swimming because of how rough the waves get at high tide. The shore break is very strong and it becomes dangerous if you don’t know how to get out from it. At low tide you can go and explore the small tide pools and the waves are a little more gentle.
Amenities at Tegal Wangi Beach
There are no amenities here and it is a pretty wild beach. You will have to find another beach or a restaurant closeby to use their facilities.
What to Pack
You should pack water, food, a blanket for the sand, maybe an umbrella and lots of sunscreen and a hat for the insane Bali sun. It is an easy walk up and down the cliff and there are lots of cafes nearby so you don’t have to really worry a lot about other stuff here. There is also shade inside the cave so you could come here early and bag a spot for yourself away from the sun.
Nearby Bars and Cafes
Since the beach is so close to the hub of west Uluwatu there are lots of amazing cafes, restaurants and bars near the beach. Some of the best restaurants nearby where you can have breakfast or lunch before going to the beach are Clay Craft, Scusa, Sundara, and Sami Sami. There are lots of bars like Rock Bar, Orchid Tea Lounge, and Forest Bar.
Beach Clubs Near Pantai Tegal Wangi
Rock Bar at Ayana
This is a really famous bar at the Ayana resort. The bar was built on top of rocks jutting out into the ocean facing the sunset every night. There is live music and a long wait list if you don’t make reservations in advance. The bar has been named one of the top 50 bars in the world because of its wonderful location and ambience. This is definitely a place you should visit atleast once while you are in Uluwatu.
Kubu Beach Club at Ayana
This is a beautiful beach club made of wood and bamboo next to Kubu Beach. Kubu Beach has a very hard trek from the road unless you are staying at Ayana or visiting the beach club. The beach at Kubu is also very pretty and worth visiting because of how calm and quiet it is. Ayana Resort is also a wonderful place to stay and have dinner.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
Luxury Hotel: Ayana Resort
Ayana Resort in Uluwatu is the epitome of luxury. If you are going to Bali for a relaxing and peaceful vacation spending hours poolside then this is the perfect hotel for you. They have 11 beautiful pools, a spa with hoards of treatment options and the most famous bar in Asia called the Rock Bar.
- Price: From $360.
- Booking.com link
Mid-Level Hotel: Le Yanandra
Le Yanandra is a beautiful resort with pretty rooms that have all the modern amenities. They have an onside restaurant with both international and local cuisine. Their spa and wellness center, pool area and sitting lounge are all designed keeping luxury and relaxation in mind.
- Price: From $120.
- Booking.com link
Budget Hotel: Flower Bud Bungalow
Flower Bud Bungalow offers cozy and clean rooms that provide comfort while being mindful of your budget. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the bungalows, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Although simple, the accommodation ensures that you have all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.
- Price: From $25.
- Booking.com link
Conclusion
Pantai Tegal Wangi is one of the last hidden gems of Uluwatu. It is a beautiful beach with soft powdery sand and lots of rock pools that become warm for soaking in the evening. It is a great place for a sunset picnic while sitting in one of the hot pools. The beach has a beautiful cave where you can set up camp for the day and escape the harsh Bali sun. The water is calm and nice which means you can enjoy swimming here without worrying about any strong currents.
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