The Bukit Peninsula in Bali is renowned for its stunning and dramatic beaches, making it the true gem of the island.
Among the notable resorts like Uluwatu and Nusa Dua that grace this peninsula, the southernmost beaches in the Kutuh area have been gaining immense popularity, and the reasons behind their allure are quite evident. For many first-time visitors to Bali, the Uluwatu resort seems to encompass nearly the entire Bukit Peninsula, stretching from just south of Jimbaran Beach to the beginning of Nusa Dua.
The villages of Uluwatu, Pecatu, Ungasan, and Kutuh have often been grouped together under the Uluwatu umbrella by most international tourists. Nevertheless, Kutuh Village, in particular, is making a name for itself in its own right as an increasingly popular Bukit Peninsula
Among the bustling beaches in the region, Gunung Payung Beach stands out as the preferred destination for both domestic and international visitors. I Putu Gede Surya Diarta, the Acting Temporary Manager of Gunung Payung Beach, shared with reporters that this coastal retreat has witnessed a remarkable 20% surge in daily visitors throughout the year. Diarta further elaborated that in August alone, the beach played host to over 15,000 tourists. Given this escalating popularity and the impending Christmas and New Year holiday season, Diarta and his team are determined to maintain the beach’s appeal for visitors.
Their plans involve providing more shuttle services to the beach and ensuring the availability of ample sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. Gunung Payung Beach offers tourists a perfect blend of the Bukit Peninsula‘s best features: a soft, expansive white sandy shore against the backdrop of rugged cliffs and waves that are less ferocious than those found further west. In essence, it combines the charms of both Uluwatu and Nusa Dua, making it a top-priority destination for tourists exploring the Bukit Peninsula.
Much like other emerging destinations in Bali, Gunung Payung Beach was once a hidden gem cherished by locals and domestic tourists. However, it has now come into the spotlight, attracting more international visitors seeking respite from crowded locales. The concealed cave at Gunung Payung Beach is a true hidden treasure, rivaling the popularity of the cave at Green Bowl Beach to the west and the small cave at Pantai Selatan Gau Banjar near Sundays Beach Club.
To access this hidden cave, beach enthusiasts must embark on a westward stroll along the beach, eventually circumventing the cliff to uncover this untouched patch of beach and its secret cave. Yet, it’s not just Gunung Payung Beach in Kutuh that is currently in the spotlight.
Pandawa Beach is slated to receive a substantial infusion of government funding to ensure that it remains well-maintained and capable of accommodating the growing influx of visitors. I Nyoman Giri Prasta, the Regent of Badung, has allocated IDR 50 billion from the 2024 annual budget for enhancing tourist facilities at Pandawa Beach.
As tourists increasingly turn to up-and-coming destinations across the Bukit Peninsula instead of the more traditional resorts like Kuta, the government is actively working to ensure that these small coastal villages can keep up with the surging demand. The allocated funds will be utilized to improve parking and entrance areas at the beach, establish a children’s play area, and implement a new zoning management system to ensure that beachgoers make the most of their time on the coast.
