Ukulhas · Beaches and reef
Beaches and reef on Ukulhas
Walk the visitors’ beach, swim when conditions suit and explore the reef from shore. About a kilometre of beach and a reef crest roughly fifty metres out make the coastline central to a stay on Ukulhas.
A public beach, by a working village
It is shared. Islanders use it, visitors use it, and that includes the stretch in front of Nala Bistro. A beach dinner or a symbolic wedding gets its own setting on the sand; the rest of the beach carries on around it.
Nala Bistro has tables indoors and on the sand for a meal between swims. The beach is under 30 seconds on foot from Beach & Spa and about a minute from the Villa.
Nala BistroDinners on the beach
Snorkelling from the shore
The reef crest is about fifty metres from the bikini beach, but distance alone does not make shore snorkelling suitable. The sea, the tide, the wind and your confidence in the water decide that, so ask the Nala team about the day's conditions and where to go in before you swim.
Reef fish and coral are what you usually see. Other marine life may pass by, but sightings vary with the season and the sea.
If you would like snorkelling equipment for the beach, ask the team what can be arranged. It comes included on Nala's snorkelling trips.
Room for a beach day
The visitors’ beach covers roughly a third of the shoreline. There is room to walk beside the water, with the village close by when you want to stop for a meal or return to your room.
How the seasons change the shore
Facing south-west, the beach takes more weather during the south-west monsoon, when wind and swell can make the reef harder to reach and the sand can shift.
If swimming and snorkelling are the heart of your stay, ask about conditions for your dates and leave some room in your plans for boat trips. The team can advise you during your stay as the weather changes.
Beyond the shore
For a day beyond the shore, take a boat to another reef, a sandbank or an uninhabited island. Explore the outings below to choose a change of setting during your stay.
Half Day Desert IslandSnorkelling SafariSand Bank EscapeTurtle Point Snorkelling
What to wear, and where
Swimwear belongs on the visitors' beach, which is the island's designated bikini beach. Everywhere else, cover shoulders and knees. Pack something easy to pull on for the walk there and back.
Plan your days by the water
Tell us your dates and whether you picture beach days, shore snorkelling or trips by boat, and we will help you plan your time on Ukulhas.