The majority of Bali, an island in the Indonesian archipelago, is covered by lush rainforest and rice paddies, but the same cannot be said for Uluwatu. In fact, much of the Bukit Peninsula – the island's southernmost tip where the region is based – is dry and rocky, littered with limestone quarries and cliffs that plunge into the churning Indian Ocean below. Despite the arid landscape, luxury hotels continue to sprout along Bukit's coastline to take advantage of those jaw-dropping sea views, and a steady stream of tourists come to see one of the island's most sacred temples.
Uluwatu's fame centres around Pura Luhur Uluwatu. This temple balances at the edge of a bluff overlooking the ocean. The structure, one of six directional temples on the island, was built from black coral rock and guards the island from evil spirits. Today, it also provides a stage for one of Bali's most enchanting experiences – a sunset kecak dance, where dancers dress in colourful costumes and perform scenes from Hindu mythology.
The rugged shores of Uluwatu create large, frothy swells that lend themselves to fantastic surfing conditions. This is one of the best spots to catch a wave on Bali, and a number of surf schools are on hand to teach you the ropes. After getting your fill of the water, sprawl out on Uluwatu Beach or any other of the area's pristine beaches.