BEACHES IN BALI

The Island of the Gods is completely surrounded by the ocean and by many beaches of all kinds. In Bali, most of the beaches are not the typical paradise beaches with fine sand and turquoise waters, but many of them are perfect for water sports like snorkelling, diving, or surfing. Also, each one has its own beauty and unique spots. We have gathered the best 30 beaches in Bali and all the details about each one of them. In addition, we included a short overview of the beautiful beaches on the islands near Bali and a complete map with all the mentioned beaches, that you can find at the end of this page.

Beaches in Badung Regency (South Bali)

Kuta Beach

Kuta beach is located in the southwest of Bali, in Badung regency. Kuta is known as the party area of the island and therefore next to the beach there are a lot of bars and discos. Kuta is a very long beach where you can surf, rent a sunbed, and an umbrella to relax or have a cold beer or a coconut they sell at the beach stalls. Kuta beach is undoubtedly one of the most famous beaches in Bali and is famous for being one of the best places to learn how to surf because the waves are fantastic for this sport.

Two surfers walking on the Kuta beach with the sunrise in the background, Bali

Legian Beach

Legian beach is located right next to Kuta beach, a bit further to the north. This is a much quieter beach than its neighbor and there are considerably fewer tourists. Legian is also a very long beach and has trees underneath which you can relax in the shade. On this beach, you can find several local companies that offer different types of water activities and is also one of the best beaches to see the sunset in Bali.

Seminyak Beach

Like the previous beaches, Seminyak beach is also located in the southwest of Bali, in the regency of Badung. This beach is full of trendy cafes, beach clubs and around it, you can find a lot of shops and fancy restaurants. Seminyak is the most luxurious coast of Bali and the most common activity here is to have a cocktail while watching the sunset. Surfing is also possible on this beach and there are several schools and surfboard rental shops in the area.

Berawa Beach

Berawa beach is located between the famous beaches of Seminyak and Canggu on the southwest coast of Bali. This beach is not as famous as its neighbors and therefore is not as crowded with tourists as the others. In Berawa you can find a very famous beach club and several popular beach cafes so you may find it quite busy when the sun goes down.

Canggu Beach

Canggu beach is one of the most popular beaches in Bali and, like the other beaches in the area, here you can also find beach bars and trendy restaurants. In Canggu, you can also surf and there are a lot of schools for those who want to start practicing this sport. If you want to learn how to surf on your trip to Bali, Canggu Beach is a good option.

Batu Bolong Beach

Batu Bolong beach is located next to Canggu beach. This is a fairly quiet, black sand beach. As in most of the beaches in the area, in Batu Bolong there are also a lot of waves and therefore many surfers. In Batu Bolong there you can also find beach clubs, restaurants and nice cafes where you can enjoy amazing sunsets.

Echo Beach

Echo beach is located near Batu Bolong beach, in the area of Canggu. This beach is very popular among surfers because often the waves reach up to two meters high. Although this beach is not recommended for bathing precisely because of the strength of the waves, you can lie on the sand and watch the surfers as it is quite a show.

Padang Padang Beach (or Labuan Sait)

Padang Padang is a small beach with white sand and turquoise water. This beach is considered one of the best in Bali and therefore is usually quite crowded. Padang Padang is located in the south of Bali, in the Bukit peninsula that is part of the Badung regency. In order to go down to the beach of Padang Padang or Labuan Sait (in Balinese), you will have to pay an entrance fee that costs 15,000 IDR ( about €1) and go through a temple where you will find the stairs to descend to the beach. This beach became famous because a scene from the movie Eat, Pray, Love was filmed there. Both inside the temple and on the beach there are usually long-tailed macaques. These monkeys are famous for being very naughty and for stealing food and shiny objects.

We recommend you to keep an eye on your belongings while on this beach.

⇒ Read more about the precautions to take in places with monkeys on our safety guide

Padang Padang Beach seen from above the road, Bali

Bingin Beach

Bingin beach is also located on the Bukit peninsula, slightly to the north from Padang Padang. Access to this beach is quite complicated as you will have to go through some kilometers of unpaved road in quite a bad condition. This beach has both sand and stones and in the low season, you may find it quite neglected. If you walk to the end of the beach, on the left (as you go down the street between the houses) you will find a small cove that has a rock in the water where you can swim and relax without a lot of people around.

A typical day at Bingin Beach, Uluwatu

Dreamland Beach

Dreamland Beach is also a well-known beach among surfers. To get to this beach you will have to pass through a market where they sell clothes and souvenirs of all kinds. At Dreamland you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas to spend a relaxed day at the beach. Before going down to the beach, there is a restaurant where you can eat or refresh yourself with a cold drink.

Balangan Beach

Balangan Beach is located next to Dreamland beach, a bit further up north. This is also one of the popular beaches for surfers and there are actually several surfing schools in the area. Balangan is a quiet beach, surrounded by cliffs and with fine sand. If you want to see the beauty of this beach from above, on the right, there is a viewpoint on one of the cliffs that can be climbed. In the low season, like the other beaches in the area, it may be a little bit dirty.

Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua beach is considered one of the best beaches in Bali. In the Nusa Dua area you can find the most luxurious hotels and resorts of the island, but is still maintaining the essence of Bali. This area is great for family vacations and is also a perfect destination for honeymoons. On the beach of Nusa Dua they organize different activities and parties and also there are many places where you can have a romantic dinner at the seaside. This beach has golden sand and clear waters that are usually much calmer than other beaches in the area. Therefore it is an ideal place to relax, swim in the Indian Ocean waters, and spend a peaceful holiday.

Gunung Payung Beach

Gunung Payung Beach is located at the southern tip of the island, further south than Nusa Dua, in an area that is still unknown. Gunung Payung is a small beach with white sand, clear waters and surrounded by green cliffs. Before going down to the beach you will find a temple called ‘Pura Dhang Kahyangan Gunung Payung’ and a viewpoint called Umbrella Mountain View, from where you can enjoy the amazing view of the beach.

Pandawa Beach

Pandawa beach is located next to Gunung Payung, and just like this one, it’s a quiet beach with little tourist activity. You’ll find local families walking around the beach. In the past, Pandawa Beach was called Secret Beach because it was difficult to access and hard to find. Now it is no longer a secret, but it is still not as crowded as other beaches in southern Bali. In the surroundings of this beach, you can find a lot of warungs (traditional restaurants) and there is also the option of renting sunbeds. The entrance fee for Pandawa Beach is 15,000 IDR, but it’s worth it if you want to enjoy a quiet day on a beach with white sand and turquoise and clear waters.

Green Bowl Beach

The Green Bowl beach is located near Pandawa, following the coast towards the west. The name of this beach comes from the rocks covered with vegetation that surround it. At low tide, you can go snorkelling, which is unusual in this area, and with the high tide, you will see surfers riding the waves. This beach has a circular shape and although it’s a small one, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Bali.

Karma Beach

Karma beach is located to the west of Green Bowl, in the south of Bali. This beach is private and is owned by Karma Kandara Beach Club. In the last couple of years, it has become very popular and there are a lot of people who spend the day on this beach. Although it’s a beautiful beach, with crystal clear water and many amenities, you have to know that the price of the entrance to Karma Beach is 650,000 IDR (€38 approx.).

Nyang Nyang

Nyang Nyang beach is located a few kilometers away from the Uluwatu temple and is quite far from other beaches in the area. Nyang Nyang is a beach divided into two, the access is quite difficult and you have to go down a cliff to reach it. This is why this beach is not usually very crowded. In addition, the waves are usually quite strong and the bottom covered with coral, making this beach not recommended for swimming. On the other hand, if you are an experienced surfer, this can be one of the best places to practice this sport. Nyang Nyang became famous because of the remains of shipwrecked remains that were painted by several artists in the area.

Graffiti in Nyang Nyang Beach, Bali

Blue Point Beach (Sulaban Beach)

Blue Point beach is another top surfing spot in Bali. This beach is located near the temple of Uluwatu, underneath the cliffs. This is a rocky beach, so we recommend bringing water shoes. At Sulaban beach you can see several caves and walk among the rocks if you visit it at low tide. On the side of the cliffs, on top of this beach, there are a lot of beach bars where you can have a cool drink and enjoy the sunset.

Jimbaran Beach

Jimbaran beach is located very close to the airport. This beach is one of the best places to have lunch or dinner with sea views and it’s full of restaurants and beach bars where you can try a variety of typical Balinese dishes at affordable prices. Jimbaran beach has golden sand and calm waters and has become famous for sports like wind-surfing, bodysurfing, and sailing. There are many hotels around Jimbaran Beach, which make it an excellent destination if you spend just a few days in Bali and you want to be close to the airport.

Beaches in Denpasar Regency (South Bali)

Sanur Beach

Sanur beach is one of the best-known beaches among snorkelling and diving lovers, being one of the best to discover the sea bed of Bali. This is a very quiet beach with no waves and is ideal for trips with children. From Sanur, there are boats departing for the nearby island of Nusa Penida and there is also the option of taking a ride on a glass-bottomed boat. One of the most popular activities that take place on this beach is the Bali Kite Festival, which is usually held between July and August.

Sunset on Sanur beach, Bali

Beaches in Karangasem Regency (East Bali)

Amed Beach

Amed beach is located in eastern Bali, in the regency of Karangasem. This is a black sand beach with an amazing view of Mount Agung. Amed is ideal for snorkelling or diving as is one of the best places to see underwater life in Bali. Although it’s far from the other touristic places in Bali, it’s worth taking the trip because of the great variety of fish, starfish and sea animals that can be seen. For snorkeling in Amed, you don’t need to take a boat, as you can start directly from the beach.

Views of Amed beach, Bali

Jemeluk Beach

Jemeluk beach is basically the extension of Amed beach and is another perfect place for snorkelling. The variety of the underwater environment and the animals that can be seen is incredible and just like Amed beach, if you are just going to snorkel, it is not necessary to take a boat trip as there are lots of fish and starfish just a few meters from the shore.

Tulamben Beach

Tulamben beach is located quite close to Amed beach, a little further north. Like its neighboring beaches, Amed and Jemeluk, Tulamben is also famous for being an excellent place for snorkelling and diving. In the waters of Tulamben, less than 5m deep, you can see a shipwreck from the Second World War (USS Liberty) that has made this beach famous.

Padangbai Beach

Padangbai beach is located in eastern Bali, in Karangasem regency. This beach is the port of departure for boats going to the Gili Islands and Lombok. Padangbai is not very recommended for swimming, especially because there are other beaches nearby more suitable for swimming and snorkelling, but it is nice to see. There are many typical Bali boats called junkung in Padangbai and these, besides being used for diving and snorkelling trips, make Padangbai beach look like a postcard.

Traditional Junkung boats in Padangbai, Bali

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon can be found very close to Padangbai beach. On this beach, you can enjoy crystal clear, calm waters perfect for snorkelling or diving. Not far from the coast you can find a quite attractive seabed that can be reached by boat.

Bias Tugel Beach

Bias Tugel beach is also located near Padangbai, in eastern Bali. This is a small, white sand beach washed by turquoise waters. Bias Tugel, like its neighbors, is also a very good place to dive and snorkel among thousands of fish. At Bias Tugel you must be careful when swimming, as some days the currents are quite strong.

Beaches in Tabanan Regency (West Bali)

Balian Beach

Balian beach is located on the southwest coast of Bali, in an area quite far from the most popular tourist spots on the island. This beach is ideal for relaxing and also for spiritual retreats since there are few things to do in the area. Balian is a dark sandy beach, with lots of vegetation around, where you can enjoy the peacefulness, do yoga or go fishing.

Beaches in Jembrana Regency (West Bali)

Medewi Beach

Medewi beach is also quite far from the main tourist areas of Bali, on the west coast. Medewi beach may be one of the least frequented by tourists, due to its remote location and this makes this beach ideal for relaxing, enjoying yourself, or surfing.

Beaches in Buleleng Regency (North and West Bali)

Pemuteran Beach

Pemuteran beach is located near the western tip of Bali, in the regency of Buleleng. This beach is one of the least known among tourists who visit Bali but is one of the best beaches for snorkelling and diving. Pemuteran has the largest area of reefs in Bali and its greatest charm lies underwater. In the waters of this beach is very likely to see sea turtles, manta rays, and even sharks.

Lovina Beach

Lovina beach is a black volcanic beach located in northern Bali. Given its location in the far north of Bali, not many tourists go there and are one of the beaches where fewer people you will find. The best-known activity in Lovina is to take a boat trip to see the wild dolphins at sunrise. You won’t be short of options to book the tour since there are many agencies that offer these tours and hotels also have packages to see the dolphins.

Several people taking a dolphin watching tour in Lovina, Bali

Other beaches in nearby islands

As you may have seen, there are many beaches in Bali, of different types and with different activities and facilities, but in the nearby islands there are some really paradisiacal beaches. If you travel to Bali with enough time, we recommend you to visit the Gili and Nusa islands.

Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are accessible in a couple of hours by fast boat from Bali and they have some of the best beaches in Indonesia. There are several islands in this small archipelago of Lombok, but Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are the best known. In the Gili Islands, the beaches are made of fine white sand and bathed by turquoise and crystal-clear waters. Any of the Gili Islands is an ideal destination for snorkelling and diving lovers. In its clear waters, you can see thousands of fish of all colors, coral reefs, sea turtles, parrotfish, manta rays and many other species of aquatic animals. Also, the beaches of these islands have very easy access to the practice of these sports.

⇒ Read our complete guide about the Gili Islands

Boats docked in the Gili Islands

Nusa Islands

The Nusa Islands are located in the south of Bali and are part of the Klungkung Balinese Regency. Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan are three small paradises full of beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes. Nusa Penida is the biggest of the three and there you can find beaches like Kelingking or Atuh which are works of art of nature. In addition, this island is a paradise for diving lovers, and there are plenty of opportunities to see huge manta rays. In Nusa Lembongan, there are also beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters like Dream Beach, Jungutbatu, or Mushroom Beach which are perfect for snorkelling or diving and in Nusa Ceningan you can find beaches like Blue Lagoon where the water has a spectacular intense blue color.

⇒ Read everything about the Nusa Islands in our complete guide about the Klungkung Regency

Atuh Beach in Nusa Penida, Bali

In the following map you can find all the beaches that we have mentioned in this article. You can use it to organize your routes around Bali. We hope you find it useful.

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