Melasti Beach Kecak Dance Show Tickets Bali

Melasti Beach, Ungasan

Melasti Beach lies in Ungasan on the Bukit peninsula, the dry limestone tableland at the southern tip of Bali, about forty minutes from Kuta and Jimbaran in normal traffic. For many years it was a hidden fishermen's cove at the foot of the cliffs; today a road cut straight through the white limestone leads down to a wide bay of pale sand and turquoise water, one of the most striking beach approaches on the island. The name comes from Melasti, the purification procession to the sea that Balinese communities hold before Nyepi, the Day of Silence.

How to get to Melasti Beach: most visitors come by taxi, private driver or scooter, following signs from the main Ungasan road. The beach entrance and parking fees are paid at the gate. If you arrive in the afternoon, you can walk along the sand and swim in calm conditions before heading to the Kecak stage at around 17:30.

The Kecak dance and its story

Kecak is unlike any other Balinese dance because it has no gamelan orchestra. The music is made entirely by human voices: a chorus of performers, seated in concentric circles, chant interlocking "cak" rhythms, sway and raise their hands, creating a sound that rises and falls like waves. The dance was created in the 1930s from the sacred Sanghyang trance ritual, and it quickly became one of the most famous performances in Bali.

In the centre of the circle, dancers in elaborate costumes tell an episode from the Ramayana: the prince Rama, his wife Sita, her abduction by the demon king and the rescue helped by the white monkey Hanuman, who is usually the audience's favourite with his playful, acrobatic moves. At Melasti the show also includes dramatic acrobatic scenes. You do not need a guide: the story is easy to follow, and a short synopsis is usually given at the start.

Watching the show: timing and seating

The Melasti Beach Kecak dance is performed every day from 18:00 to 19:00, timed so that the sky turns gold and pink behind the performers. Seating is open and not reserved, so we recommend arriving before 17:30 to choose a good place on the tiered seats; the central rows give the best view of both the circle and the ocean. Your ticket is valid only for the date you book.

The venue is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, but a few stairs lead to the show area, so guests with reduced mobility may need a little help. Bring a light layer for the breeze, insect repellent and a camera, and keep flash off during the performance. After the show it is dark, so arrange your return transport in advance; taxis and private drivers wait in the parking area.

The surroundings: Bukit peninsula

The Bukit peninsula is Bali's sunset coast, known for its surf breaks, cliffs and beaches tucked between high limestone walls. Melasti sits between the beaches of Pandawa to the east and the cliffs of Uluwatu to the west, which makes the show an easy evening plan if you stay in Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu or Ungasan.

Many visitors combine an afternoon on the sand at Melasti with the show and then dinner at one of the seafood restaurants on Jimbaran beach, about thirty minutes away. Is the Melasti Beach Kecak dance worth visiting? If you want the drama of Kecak in a setting that is less crowded than the more famous temple venues, with the ocean right in front of you, this is one of the best options in Bali. The best time to visit Melasti Beach is the dry season from April to October, when sunsets are clearest.