You can’t visit Bali and have not seen any beach! That’s like very hard, because the moment you land, you can already see some. The iconic beaches of Bali attracts so many people, both tourists as local. There are many things to do there, and is also an important part for the Balinese community. In this article, I am going to describe some of the beaches you can add to your list of must see! I will include a map, so you can figure out if it’s on your path.
Come let’s go, it’s beach time!
Map with all the beaches
More on the beaches below the map 🙂
Some of the beaches require a fee for parking or entrance!
Beaches in the South of Bali
Seminyak Beach
Seminyak Beach is a lively spot with lots of fun things to do. It has fancy beach clubs and bars and is a favorite place for people visiting Bali. The sand is golden and perfect for sunbathing, and the water is great for a swim or a dip too. If you want a fancy beach day, check out Potato Head Beach Club. It’s a popular spot in Seminyak. It has nice things, yummy food and drinks, and a beautiful view of the ocean. It’s a cool place to chill and enjoy Seminyak Beach’s fun vibe.
Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua Beach is super family-friendly with a long stretch of soft, white sand. It’s nice and swimming is possible, and there are beach clubs to check out too. The beach is safe and fun for all kinds of water play and for walks along the shore. Some water sports is going on so you can rent a jetski, surf boards. I normally go to the shallow part, like in this picture)
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is a place where you can do lots of different activities. It’s awesome for people who want to learn how to surf, and the sandy beach is perfect for swimming and playing games. If you want to try surfing in Bali, check out any of the Surf Schools on the beach. They give lessons to beginners. The waves in Kuta are just right for people who are new to surfing, making it fun and safe.
Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran Bay is a special place for people who love food. It’s known for its seafood restaurants right on the sand, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a meal while watching a pretty sunset. If you love food, you should visit the Jimbaran Fish Market. Here, you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked right there at one of the nearby restaurants. It’s a cool way to enjoy tasty seafood while watching the sunset. Horse riding at Jimbaran beach is about 150k for a small 10 minutes or less. You can easily negotiate for 100k or even less.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is one of Bali’s secret spots and is known for being peaceful and beautiful. It’s a great place for sunbathing, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding. When you’re at Thomas Beach, just take some time to relax and enjoy the pretty scenery. The beach isn’t as busy as other beaches in Bali, making it a nice spot for sunbathing or reading a good book.
Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach is a calm and lovely place known for its beautiful sunrises. It’s perfect for a relaxed walk along the shore and is also a hit for enjoying water sports. A fun activity to try here is stand-up paddleboarding. The calm bay area, shielded by islands and reefs, is a super spot for it.
Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach is a secret spot in Bali, famous for its white sand and tall cliffs. Take a break and enjoy the view, find the swing and make the memorable Instagram moment.
Karma Beach
Karma Beach gives you a fancy beach day with private cabanas, spa treatments by the ocean, and fun water sports. When the sun sets, it turns into a lively place with DJs, live tunes, drinks, and seafood parties. A visit to Karma Spa for a soothing massage is something I suggest. It’s a nice way to chill after a day of beach fun.
Note: Be ready to spend here (minimum IDR: 650,000 per person) for the Karma Beach Club.
Pantai Gunung Payung
Gunung Payung is a peaceful beach where you can surf, swim, and canoe. It’s tucked away by tall cliffs, making it feel secret and special. Exploring the Tedung Jagat Amphitheater nearby is something I recommend. It’s an outdoor stage used for art shows and gives you a special cultural experience.
Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is getting known for its white sands and cool beach clubs. It’s also loved for pre-wedding photo shoots and traditional Balinese Kecak dance shows. Watching a Kecak dance here is something I suggest. It’s a special cultural show that lets you see Balinese tradition with the pretty Melasti Beach as a backdrop. The statues on the side in the wall are also pretty impressive to see!
Legian Beach
Legian Beach, nestled between Kuta and Seminyak, is well-liked for its stunning sunsets and lively vibe. You can do lots of fun stuff here like surfing and playing beach volleyball. Surfing at Odyssey Surf School is something I suggest trying. Legian’s waves are super friendly for beginners, making it safe and fun.
Double Six Beach
Double Six Beach, a 500-meter stretch of Seminyak Beach, is known for its lively feel with lots of bars, eateries, and shops close by. You can surf, swim, sunbathe, play beach volleyball, and watch the sunset here. Popping into the 66 Beach Club for a cool drink or a snack after beach fun is something I recommend.
Geger Beach
Geger Beach in Nusa Dua is famous for its white sand and tall cliffs. Here, you can surf, swim, dive, snorkel, and even paraglide. Paragliding at Geger Beach is something I suggest trying. Taking off from behind the cliffs and seeing the beach from the sky is super exciting.
Tanjung Benoa
Tanjung Benoa is the spot for lots of water sports fun. It’s the go-to place for exciting activities like jet skiing, fishing tours, parasailing, banana boat rides, and more. Trying out parasailing here is something I recommend. It gives you a thrilling bird’s-eye view of the peninsula while a speedboat tows your parasail.
Nyang Nyang Beach
Nyang Nyang Beach, celebrated as one of Bali’s most pristine and stunning beaches, invites visitors with its shimmering white sand and vibrant turquoise waters. You can engage in various activities such as surfing, sunset viewing, camping, and paragliding. Paragliding is a particularly recommended activity here. Launching from behind the cliffs provides an exhilarating starting point and affords breathtaking views of the beach below.
Green Bowl Beach
Tucked away in Uluwatu, South Bali, Green Bowl Beach is a hidden gem known for its substantial waves and potent ocean currents, catering primarily to surfing enthusiasts. A unique activity to try here involves exploring the two large sea caves at the beach’s end. These caves offer a cool respite, providing shade when the sun becomes particularly intense.
Nunggalan Beach
Nunggalan Beach in Uluwatu offers a secluded beach experience and is recognized for its shipwreck and superb surfing opportunities. A visit to the shipwreck on Nunggalan Beach is highly recommended. The remnants of the ship have become a home to a variety of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, offering a unique exploration opportunity in its vicinity.
Beaches in West Bali
Medewi Beach
Medewi Beach, located in a small fishing village on Bali’s west coast, is famous for its surfing. The waves break on the sand here, not on a reef, making it a favorite spot for beginner surfers. Surfing is a must-try activity here. Not only is the beach break great for new surfers, but the local community also provides a traditional Indonesian vibe.
Balian Beach
Balian Beach is a haven for surfers and sunbathers wanting a quiet escape from busy south Bali. Even though it has become a hit with surf enthusiasts, it’s less crowded than places like Kuta or the Bukit. Kite surfing is something I recommend trying here, especially in the windy month of August, when it’s simply spectacular.
Balangan Beach
Balangan Beach is celebrated for its viewpoint over Balangan Cliff, fantastic surfing, and relaxed local restaurants, or warungs. However, the waves here are strong and not suitable for swimming. Visiting the viewpoint over Balangan Cliff is my recommendation. It provides a breathtaking view of the beach and is a fantastic spot for taking photos.
Yeh Leh Beach
Yeh Leh Beach is a peaceful and unique spot, remaining largely untouched by tourist development in Bali. It’s a place where you can enjoy activities like fishing and a beach walk/hike. Taking a walk on the reef during low tide is something I recommend doing here. You’ll be able to spot many fascinating marine animals in the rock pools.
Pererenan Beach
Pererenan Beach, located right next to Canggu on Bali’s southwest coast, is a peaceful village and a hidden treasure away from the busy tourist spots. It’s known for its beautiful landscapes, relaxed vibe, and lovely local culture, providing a genuine and calm Bali experience. Surfing is a must-try activity here. The beach is famous for its excellent surf breaks, creating a paradise for surfers.
Echo Beach (Canggu)
Echo Beach, situated in Canggu, is renowned as one of Bali’s top surfing spots and is also celebrated for its breathtaking sunsets. This black sand beach, about 30km northwest of Kuta, provides perfect conditions for surfers of all levels. Windsurfing is something I recommend giving a go at Echo Beach. It’s a thrilling activity that gives you a unique way to enjoy the ocean.
Berawa Beach
Berawa Beach, found in Canggu and close to Seminyak’s tourist attractions, is known for its large waves and strong ocean currents, making it a favorite spot for surf enthusiasts. Kite surfing is an activity I recommend trying here. The beach, particularly during the windy month of August, is perfect for this exciting activity.
Beaches in East Bali
Lipah Beach
Lipah Beach, situated in Karangasem Regency, Bali, is a stunning hidden gem tucked behind a cliff, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. You can engage in various activities like fishing, snorkeling, diving, or enjoying the sunset on a traditional jukung boat. A must-try activity here is snorkeling around the Japanese Wreck Ship, a sunken warship that is now home to vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Candidasa Beach
Candidasa, located in eastern Bali, is a tranquil tropical paradise often referred to as Bali’s pearl due to its wealth of Balinese temples and secluded beaches. Activities range from snorkeling, diving, fishing, and trekking to photography sessions, beach parties, and shopping for traditional handicrafts. A visit to Charly’s Chocolate Factory is recommended, where you can enjoy healthy raw dark chocolate made from locally grown cocoa beans.
I got a full coverage for you about Candidasa Beach!
Bias Tugal Beach
Bias Tugal Beach, a hidden paradise in East Bali, is recognized for its white sandy beach encircled by towering cliffs. Here, you can snorkel to observe the stunning underwater life or relax and sunbathe on the beach. After exploring Bias Tugal Beach, it’s recommended to take a break in a simple beachside stall and refresh yourself with a cooling young coconut ice drink.
Jemeluk Beach
Jemeluk Beach, found in Amed, East Bali, is a bay area celebrated for its snorkeling and sunbathing opportunities. The warm waters, clear visibility, and rich aquatic life make this beach a fantastic spot for underwater exploration. Free-diving is highly recommended at Jemeluk Beach, where you can explore coral and rock formations along the bay and discover an old wreck in about 20m of water at the northern end. Snorkeling is also great here. when looking from the Beach go a bit to the right side, not all the way to the cliff, but the corals are beautiful there! Please don’t stand on them as the begin part is only around 1.8 but some parts will be up to 4-6 meters depth.
Amed Beach
Amed Beach, located on Bali’s east coast, is a quaint fishing village celebrated for its tranquil environment and breathtaking landscapes. This spot offers beautiful sunsets, peaceful waters, and scrumptious seafood. Engage in activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing while you’re here. Free-diving is a recommended activity in Amed due to its calm waters and abundant marine life, providing an optimal location for exploration.
White Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Putih)
White Sand Beach, or Pantai Pasir Putih, is a secluded paradise in East Bali, renowned for its white sandy shores encased by tall cliffs. The beach is an ideal spot for swimming due to its tranquility and the clarity and calmness of the water. Snorkeling is a must-try activity at White Sand Beach, where you can observe a variety of marine life, including numerous fish, sea cucumbers, and starfish.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon offers an underwater haven for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, providing a seldom crowded beach, ensuring a peaceful and quiet experience. You can enjoy a full day on its sandy shores and swim among vibrant fish. Diving is highly recommended at Blue Lagoon, where just offshore, some of Bali’s most remarkable dive sites can be found, solidifying this town as arguably the dive capital of the island.
Beaches in North Bali
Lovina Beach
Lovina Beach, is a charming fishing village recognized for its peaceful ambiance and striking landscapes. Visitors can enjoy gorgeous sunsets, gentle waters, and tasty seafood in this serene locale. Engage in various activities such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, and notably, dolphin watching. Dolphin watching is something you can try at Lovina Beach, with boats regularly departing from the shore for dolphin-spotting trips, optimally experienced at sunrise or sunset. Dolphins are not guaranteed, but you will see many boats trying to spot 1, and if you do, it’s like a chase.
Pemuteran Beach
Pemuteran Beach, is a peaceful beach celebrated for its splendid volcanic sand and the breathtaking view of nearby hills. Here, you can indulge in activities like snorkeling and diving among others. Snorkeling is particularly recommended at Pemuteran Beach due to its renowned snorkeling spots. They have the BioRock project, where they grow corals much faster than it normally would. It’s very interesting see, besides that, you can buy a place, and have something written out so coral would grow on your name in a few years.
p.s. Pemuteran beach is one of my favorite places in Bali! You could also visit Menjangan island from here.
Conclusion
Bali’s beaches are super important. They’re homes for lots of fish and plants under the sea, and they’re special places for the people who live here. When we go snorkeling or diving, we must be super careful not to touch the corals. They are very delicate and even a small touch can hurt them.
Keeping the beaches clean is also really important. Remember to always throw away your trash, use things that can be used again, and maybe even join in if the local people are cleaning up the beach.
which is your favourite beach?
Hi I am Dwi. I am a blogger, travel agent and a mom of a lovely daughter and wife to a supportive husband. I customize and plan tours in Bali and islands nearby for a living and have been doing this for more than 14 years. Get in touch via contact [at] taletravels.com