Bali, Indonesia is a tropical paradise home to some of the best beaches in the world. To help you navigate your way around paradise, here is a list of the best Bali beaches.
Bali is both an island and a province, and the province also includes some smaller islands as well. To keep things organized, the best places to visit are categorized into the best popular beaches, best hidden gems and best beaches on the smaller islands of Bali.
Most Popular and Best Beaches in Bali
1. Balangan Beach
Located in the southern tip of Bali, Balangan Beach is a surfer’s paradise. It is an inspiration for surfers of all abilities. Pros will be able to take advantage of the high waves while beginners can enrol in one of the many surf schools along the beach. There are also a host of freelance instructors able to offer their services for suffers of all abilities.
If surfing is not for you, don’t despair as Balangan Beach has pristine white sand perfect for lazing about in a hammock and watching the surfers ride the waves. The beach is great for young children as well, as the sand is itching to be turned into a sandcastle.
If you need a break from all of the activity or relaxation, Balangan Beach has numerous local cafes, called warungs, to help you stay refreshed. These cafes serve plates of indo mee and local Bintangs beer to quench your thirst.
If you do venture into the water to explore, bring a pair of reef shoes as Balangan Beach is rocky and has a slippery green moss covering.
2. Geger Beach
Located in the southeast corner of Bali, next to the Bali National Golf Course, Geger Beach offers calm waters great for swimming. The water is a beautiful green-blue and has soft, rolling waves so that all family members can enjoy the ocean.
On land the sand is soft yet thick and hard packed so that when you play a game of volleyball or enjoy a beach run your feet will be supported. If you’re keen to sit and relax you can rent deck chairs relatively cheap.
Geger Beach also has a row of restaurants to keep you refreshed and the beach is making a name for itself with the brunch crowd, especially amongst local expatriates.
Tourists to Geger Beach wanting local souvenirs can engage in some bartering, but don’t worry as they aren’t too aggressive. Geger Beach is one of the few beaches in Bali where topless sunbathing is allowed.
3. Ungasan
Situated at the most southern part of Bali, Ungasan Beach is one of the prettiest on the island. The catch, of course, is that you must pay to access the beach. The fee is 250,000 rupiah, or $20 US, but can be used towards food and beverages.
For many, however, the fee is worth it as the sand is fine and the water a vivid blue color. The current can be strong, so plan your swimming around a low tide.
4. Sanur Beach
On the southeast coast of Bali lies Sanur Beach, which stretches for several miles. The sand is a golden color and dotted with many shells. If you’re looking to add to your seashell collection, Sanur Beach is the place to go to.
The water at Sanur Beach is the customary crystal blue and the current is fairly gentle which makes it great for swimming.
5. Amed Beach
Along the east coast of Bali you can find Amed Beach, which has a black, volcanic sand, thanks to the volcanoes in the region. Amed Beach won’t have surfers, but will have fishing boats, in particular traditional outriggers used by Balinese people.
The water off Amed Beach is meant for exploring. There are a number of wrecks nearby so the place is a real magnet for scuba divers. Snorkelers too will find a lot to see as the coral around Amed Beach is teeming with sea life.
6. Soka Beach
Soka Beach is a rare gem in Bali. It is well known, yet not too populated. Located along the west coast of Bali, north of the airport, the beach has black sands juxtaposed with green surroundings.
Within the water are huge coral reefs that lend themselves to Balinese myths. The coral rock formations even seem to have their own pattern to them. As a bonus there is a secret bat cave to be discovered.
7. Nusa Dua Beach
On the southeast coast of Bali sits Nusa Dua beach, a bit of paradise for you to discover. Set amongst luxury hotels, Nusa Dua is known for its abundance of flowers and plants. There are palm trees, wild mangroves and fragrant orchids. The sand is a beautiful golden color and the ocean is a clear blue.
The current at Nusa Dua Beach is calm and the waves are relatively low so swimming is the preferred activity. If you’re looking to partake in some surfing, north or south of Nusa Dua has stronger waves.
8. Kuta Beach
Close to the city of Kuta and the Ngurah Rai International Airport is Kuta Beach, a haven for surfers. The currents are strong so while there isn’t much opportunity for swimming, there is plenty for surfing.
The beach itself can become crowded, with both locals and tourists, and there is a bit of a party atmosphere in the air. The beach is used both during the day and during the night where parties from the local clubs often spill out onto the beach.
Hidden Gems
9. Bias Tugal
In the south of Bali, just north of Ngurah Rai International Airport is this lesser known beach. If you want to escape some of the larger, more crowded beaches, then Bias Tugal is right for you. The beach is actually hidden, and can only be accessed from a rocky path that is 500 metres.
The hike is worth it, however, because the water is blue and turquoise and coconut trees sway in the breeze on the white sand. If you’re not an experiences swimmer, you might want to stick to the beach as the current can be strong at Bias Tuga.
10. Nyang Nyang Beach
On the south of Bali is Nyang Nyang Beach, hidden by a green cliff so that you might just have the beach all to yourself. To get to the beach you need to head towards Uluwatu Temple along a dirt track and keep your eyes open for a sign that will direct you to Nyang Nyang Beach. Cross a field and then climb down 500 steps to get to the beach, but don’t worry as it’s all worth it.
The beach has quintessential Bali white sands and as a bonus, some remnants of a shipwreck. There is also a lovely garden by Nyang Nyang Beach with bright yellow flowers.
Because the beach is secluded make sure you bring in anything you may need. The only place to stop for refreshments is at a little refreshments stall at the top of the cliff.
11. Gunung Payung Beach
Close to the more popular Pandawa Beach, Gunung Payung offers a closer look at how the locals live. While the sand is beautiful the beach is not wide and instead a field of grass blows gently in the wind near the water.
While at Gunung Payung Beach you can swim, surf or snorkel, but also be aware that it is a beach that helps sustain the livelihoods of the Balinese. While at the beach you will most likely see seaweed farmers and sea urchin collectors in their daily work.
12. Green Bowl Beach
Another south Bali gem, Green Bowl Beach was poised to become a huge tourist attraction, but because a nearby resort was demolished, Green Bowl Beach has stayed off the beaten path.
Finding the beach can be hard as it is located at the end of some tiny, rural roads, and once you do find its location there are still hundreds of steep concrete steps to descend.
But once you arrive, it is worth it. The beach is beautiful but the rock formations are truly a sight to see. The small caves are home to many bats, but don’t worry as they are usually asleep during the day.
13. Yeh Leh Beach
Further up the west coast is Yeh Leh Beach, worth the trip if you’ve tired of endless white sand beaches. Because unlike typical Balinese beaches, Yeh Leh Beach is littered with thousands of small boulders. These rocks are part of an endless cycle: they are covered by algae only to be washed clean by the crashing waves.
The rocks have been on the beach for hundreds of years and as a result have been made smooth by the water. It really is one of the best beaches in Bali.
The rock pools on Yeh Leh Beach are incredibly neat to see; many small animals get trapped in low tide. If possible, stay on YehLeh Beach until sunset when the sun reflects off the many shining rocks.
Other Islands
14. Crystal Bay
Located on the smaller Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay hosts a stretch of high-end beach resorts among a stretch of reclaimed mangrove swamp.
The sand at Crystal Bay is a beautiful pale gold color and during low tide the coral reef is exposed.
15. Atuh Beach
On the very east coast of Nusa Penida you can find Atuh Beach which offers just about everything you could ask for in a beach. The sands are pristine, the waters vivid blue, and the coral reef any snorkeler’s fantasy.
Just up from the beach are small rock shelters and further up a picturesque cliff. This part of the island is mountainous so you can see soft peaks brush against the clouds as you lay peacefully on the beach.
Bali has no shortage of beaches to discover and trying to experience them all can be overwhelming. If possible, travel by region and try to experience different types of Bali beaches, whether it’s black volcanic sand, a hidden paradise or a surfer’s delight. The best beaches in Bali all have something wonderful to offer.
