Why is Bali's gorgeous Pantai Pandawa Beach known as Secret Beach?

Did you know that the five knights from a long-ago Hindu legend inspired the name of Pandawa Beach? This stunning Bali beach used to be known only to a select few people and was referred to as a "hidden beach." Although Pandawa Beach is no longer a well-kept secret, do you still want to visit this Bali beach? Follow along to find out.

Following the construction of an access road from the high cliffs above Pandawa Beach in 2004, construction along this lovely stretch of the Bali coast began.

Pandawa Beach is only 17 km from Bali Airport, however due to traffic and the small road, it takes 55 minutes to reach there.

Pandawa Beach entry is 30,000 per person for tourists from outside Bali.

Near Pandawa Beach, there is a long series of stores and cafes. Along the beachfront, a row of sun umbrellas are for rent.

Along Pandawa beach, you can also hire canoes, surfboards, and stand-up paddleboards. For a unique view, try paragliding from the cliffs above the beach.

Pandawa Beach is a long, sandy beach with some areas along its shoreline offering ideal swimming. Unfortunately, Pandawa Beach has recently gained a lot of popularity and is no longer always one of Bali's cleanest beaches. Previously one of the island's best-kept secrets, it may now get crowded.

You won't see many surfers at Pandawa, in contrast to the majority of the beaches at Uluwatu. There are two reasons for this. First, the crowded beach and large number of swimmers can make it difficult for surfers to paddle out to the waves. Second, paddling out to the waves along Pandawa Beach requires paddling against a strong current, making it only ideal for experienced surfers.

Pandawa is a nice, if somewhat crowded, Bali beach overall. The water is shallow near to the coast, making it ideal for a brief dip. What personally bothers me is how crowded the sunbeds are, how frequently people stream out of the buses, and how commercialized everything seems to be.

What do you think? Would you like to visit Pandawa Beach on your next trip to Bali?