Bali vacations have got to include a generous number of beach days. With a choice of 35 breathtaking stretches of sand across the island, there are beaches in Bali for every type of vacation. Whether you’re an active traveler hitting the island’s world-famous waves, a wildlife lover looking for fantastic reef snorkeling, or a family on an unforgettable vacation, Bali has got the beach for you. Take a look at our guide for some awesome beach recommendations in Bali.
Fantastic Family beaches in Bali
So long a haven for surfers, wellness lovers, and backpackers, you’d be forgiven for not thinking about Bali as a family vacation destination. However, with a plethora of cultural attractions and some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on Earth, Bali is actually a fabulous destination for families. There are plenty of beaches that are perfect for a family day in the Indonesian sun.
Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua Beach is probably the best in Bali for families. The sand is powdery and white and the beach is dotted with palm trees providing shade from the strong sun. The beach is bordered by one of Bali’s top resorts, so has plentiful amenities nearby. Restaurants water sports equipment hire and even a shopping complex are all available. It is the ideal Bali beach for families with young and older children, who want a good range of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Jimbaran Beach
This stunning 2.5-mile-long beach is a calm and mellow place for a family day out. Protected by an unbroken coral reef, Jimbaran Beach is known for its gentle water. It’s perfect for young children who want to splash in the waves. The coral reef also makes it a beautiful place to don snorkeling gear and explore the underwater world off the Indonesian coast. Jimbaran Bay is known as the seafood hub of Bali. Each morning fishermen sell their catch fresh from the boats.
Pandawa Beach
This popular beach is one of the most well-known in Bali and attracts crowds of tourists from sunrise to sunset. This means that Pandawa Beach has plenty of amenities, making it ideal for families. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be easily rented on the beach. Other things to do in Pandawa Beach include water sports, restaurants, beach clubs, and bars.
Blue Lagoon Beach
On Padangbai’s eastern headland, this small, pretty beach is the definition of family-friendly. It has gentle surf, fantastic snorkeling and diving, and plenty of cafes and restaurants serving up traditional Indonesian refreshments.
The best sunrise and sunset beaches in Bali
Balinese sunrise and sunsets are legendary. With beaches on both the east and west sides of the island, you’re guaranteed a front-row seat to nature’s spectacular light show. Watching as the blues and greens of the Bali Sea flicker and drift through a fiery spectrum of reds, oranges, and yellows is an awe-inspiring vacation memory to treasure.
Kuta Beach
One of the most famous beaches in Bali is also one of the best for magnificent sunsets. Known as the birthplace of tourism in Bali, Kuta Beach is a very popular place to spend a day relaxing. It is a great place to rent surfboards and hit the waves. Sun loungers are readily available for those that don’t want to get their feet wet. Even though it isn’t exactly a secret spot, the sunsets at Kata Beach are worth battling the crowds for. The sight of the sky blazing red, orange, and pink over the glistening Flores Sea is a magnificent vacation memory.
Sanur Beach
It’s worth the early start to get a prime spot on Sanur Beach for sunrise. This is among the best places in Bali to see the sun come up. The relative quietness of the beach means that you’ll enjoy this magical moment without the bustle of big crowds. Sanur Beach is also magnificent during the day, with 3 miles of soft white sand, teeming offshore reefs, and a wonderful coastal promenade which is the perfect spot for a stroll or cycle along the Bali coast.
Pemuteran Beach
This beautiful little beach may not have the softest or whitest sand in Bali, but it makes up for that with stunning scenery. Pemuteran is a Bali beach that is flanked by rolling green hills. It is west-facing, making it the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful Bali sunset. It is popular as a romantic spot for a stroll as the sun goes down. Pemuteran Beach is one of the best beaches in Bali for couples wanting a romantic experience.
Padang Padang Beach
You know a place has got to be pretty special if it bags a starring role in a Hollywood blockbuster. That’s just what Padang Padang Beach did. Featured as a key location in Julia Roberts’ ‘Eat Pray Love’, this beautiful spot is 10 minutes north of Uluwatu. It boasts some of the best scenery in Bali. Being a shooting location, Padang Padang Beach gets pretty busy during the day, full of people looking for their own movie star moment on the sand. To see it at its best, visit Padang Padang Beach at sunrise. Arrive before the crowds descend, and when you’ll be treated to the amazing scenery bathed in a gentle rose-hued light.
Black sand beaches in Bali
Bali is a volcanic island, and nowhere is its geological activity more apparent than on the black sand beaches dotted around the coastline. The sand of these beaches is black because of the high quantity of dark-colored volcanic rocks and minerals on Bali, the result of many years of eruptions and tectonic activity on the island.
Balian Beach
Balian Beach is one of the most dramatic in Bali. The sand is inky black, throwing the bright azure sea and white surf into stark contrast. It is a popular spot with Bali’s ex-pat community, as well as surfers who are drawn to the large swells. The beach is marked with photogenic dunes and knolls, that give Balian Beach an undulating, otherworldly appearance. There are several bars and restaurants on the clifftop, perched precariously over the churning waves below. Balian Beach is one of the black sand beaches in Bali that is west facing. Therefore it is a great spot for sunsets.
Keramas Beach
With the imposing cone of Mount Agung behind it and crashing waves in front, there aren’t many places in Bali with such a dynamic outlook. On the east coast, away from crowds of the more popular beaches on the west side of Bali, the black sands of Keramas Beach are the star of the show, with plenty of places to kick back, relax and enjoy the incredible view. Komune Beach Club, with its luxurious infinity pool, is a popular place to enjoy the beach. Keramas Beach is also fantastic for surfing and even hosts the World Annual Surf League competition.
Amed Beach
If you’re a fan of dramatic landscapes, make a beeline to Amed Beach. With a skyline of volcanoes, deep black sand, and a vibrant, colorful reef, it is an amazing spot to enjoy the wilder side of Bali. Amed Beach snorkeling and diving are some of the best in Bali. The reefs teem with life, and nearby Tulamben is the resting place of the US Liberty shipwreck, claimed by the ocean and laying on the seabed.
Lovina Beach
Lovina is one of the most popular beaches in Bali, not just for its amazing black sand, but for the incredible wildlife experience it offers. If you get down to Lovina Beach at sunrise, you can jump aboard a local boat and travel out to sea to witness the ocean’s most playful inhabitants in their natural environment. There are several species of dolphin living in the warm waters around Indonesia, including acrobatic spinner dolphins. It is very likely that you’ll be treated to a show from these beautiful animals, as they leap and twirl out of the water in large pods. One back on dry land, stick around for the day to see one of Bali’s best sundowns. Lovina Beach is a treat from sunrise to sunset.
Quiet beaches in Bali
Bali is such a popular beach destination, that you might be wondering where you can escape the crowds and enjoy a little piece of Indonesian paradise to yourself. Luckily, with so many stretches of sand to choose from, Bali has got some spectacular under-the-radar beaches where you can enjoy some sandy solitude.
Seminyak Beach
One of Bali’s most famous beaches, you might be surprised to see Seminyak listed as a quiet beach. But it all depends on where you go. Seminyak Beach is comprised of three joined sections of sand. The northernmost of these, Batubelig Beach, is beautifully quiet and serene, and an epic place to enjoy a relaxing sunset. Seminyak Beach is also a wonderful place for advanced surfers. If you want to catch a wave that’s a little more challenging than the gentle swells up the coast, Seminyak is a great place to start.
Medewi Beach
One of Bali’s lesser-known beaches, Medewi Beach is a coastal gem on the west side of the island. It is a true taste of authentic Bali, as it was before it became a tourist magnet. The landscape around Medewi Beach is dotted with remote villages and rice paddies, and the journey there is almost as scenic as the beach itself.
Balangan Beach
With tall cliffs looming over a long strand of pale sand, Balangan Beach certainly has one of the more unusual beach landscapes in Bali. The sand is covered in palm trees, and home to laid-back surf shacks, shabby-chic bars some seriously relaxed vibes. It is not a touristy beach and is far more child out than many of Bali’s more-party-focussed destinations.
White Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Putih)
This beautiful ‘secret’ beach in Bali won’t be a secret for much longer. Word of its beauty has started to spread and visitor numbers are growing. Pantai Pasir Putih used to be a mooring spot for fishing boats. The beach itself is a sparkling white crescent of sand fringed by palm trees. It is safe for swimming, good for snorkeling, and offers rental equipment for getting up close and personal with the water. White Sand Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination. It’s found on Bali’s east coast, near Candidasa village.
The most scenic beaches in Bali
It’s no secret by now that Bali is a seriously stunning destination. While every inch of the island is utterly breathtaking, there are some beaches in Bali that take the crown for scenic beauty.
Pantai Tanjung Sanghyang
Also known as Mushroom Bay, this quiet, secluded, white sand beach is one of the prettiest in Bali. Mushroom Bay gets its name from the unusual mushroom corals found in the offshore reef. These make the beach a fantastic place to explore on a snorkeling or diving trip. Pantai Tanjung Sanghyang is just as beautiful above the waves as below them. Dramatic boulders form small coves of turquoise water, and traditional fishing boats bob up and down in the gentle surf.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach in Bali is one of the most postcard-perfect spots on the island. The sea is a sweeping gradient of blue and green tones, and the water is so clear that you can easily see the silky sand shifting as the waves drift above it. The beach is backed by a wall of lush green palm trees, that together with the blue water and soft white sand, give Thomas Beach a quintessentially tropical paradise feel.
Melasti Beach
On Bali’s southernmost tip, Melasti Beach is one of Indonesia’s most stunningly scenic beach destinations. The drive down is also magnificent. The road is carved out of sheer limestone cliffs, offering incredible views of the sea and sand at every turn. Visit Bali’s Melasti Beach at low tide for calmer water and to enjoy more exposed sand. You can also visit the Palmilla Beach Club and enjoy everything you could need for an unforgettable day trip.
Green Bowl Beach
It’s a bit of a trek to get to Green Bowl Beach, but it is more than worth the exertion! To explore the plush white sand, you have to first clamber down 300 concrete steps. Intrepid beachgoers who make the descent are rewarded with one of Bali’s finest secluded beaches. It is not just the surf and sand that make Green Bowl Beach so special. There are also sea caves to explore, along with local wildlife including monkeys and bats living amongst the rocks. Green Bowl Beach gets crowded at the weekends, but during the week, you can enjoy this breathtaking beach with far fewer people.
Best beaches in Bali for surfing
Bali is, first and foremost, a surf destination. With world-class swells that draw experts and amateurs alike, Bali’s beaches are bucket-list-worthy places to catch a few waves. `
Echo Beach (Canggu)
Arguable Bali’s coolest spot, Echo Beach is a magnet for hip young things looking to spend the day riding the waves. Full of trendy surf spots and laid-back bars, Echo Beach is a lively, community hub, filled with surfers during the day and party-goers at night. Echo Beach is also one of Bali’s most popular dog-walking beaches, so there’s a good chance that you’ll see some salty sea dogs enjoying the waves alongside their human companions.
Suluban Beach
The access point for the famous Uluwatu Surf Break, Suluban Beach is an iconic place to enjoy Bali’s incredible waves. At low tide, it is also great for swimming. The dramatic cliff backdrop and clear blue water give it a unique feel compared to Bali’s other typical palm-tree-lined beaches. Another unique feature is the Suluban Beach cave, which you have to travel through to reach the sand. It’s inaccessible at high tide, giving Suluban Beach an adventurous feel.
Labuan Sait Beach
One of Bali’s best places for surfing, Labuan Sait Beach draws experienced surfers for its immense tubes, providing an adrenaline-filled ride for board masters. Labuan Sait Beach is also popular with the party crowds because it hosts legendary late-night beach parties every Saturday.
Bingin Beach
A boho beach with great surfing, fantastic waves, and numerous small sandy coves for swimming at low tide, Bingin Beach is particularly popular with young backpackers looking for something more relaxing than all-night parties. Getting to Bingin Beach is a bit of a challenge. It involves a scramble down uneven, rocky steps from the top of the cliffs. Once on the sand, visitors can kick back and relax in the lively surf, healthy cafes, and uncrowded sand.
Beaches near Bali
As if there weren’t enough incredible beaches on Bali, this region of Indonesia is also home to many stunning islands within easy reach on a day trip. You might wonder what the point is, to travel from a destination renowned for its amazing beaches in order to visit beaches on a different island, but one look at the calm, isolated and serene beaches below, and we reckon you’ll agree that it’s worth a quick ferry ride to get there.
Diamond Beach (Nusa Penida)
Named after diamond-shaped rock emerging from the frothy white surf, Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida is the subject of any beach-lovers wildest dreams. Nusa Penida is a little island just 25kms off of the south coast of Bali. It is easy to get to on an organized day trip or by hopping onto an inter-island ferry. The trip takes about 45 minutes. Diamond Beach has only been accessible since 2018 when construction began on a footpath down the steep cliff above it. The beach has pristine white sand and is home to incredible Indonesian wildlife, including monitor lizards, dolphins, and even gentle manta rays. The star of the beach is the magnificent rock formations, rising from the water like enormous sails.
Nusa Lembongan
A 30-minute boat ride from Sanur takes you to Bali’s neighboring island, Nusa Lembongan, with quiet, untouched beaches. Dream Beach is the most popular on the island, but in comparison to Bali’s popular beaches, it is a haven of peace and tranquility.
Are there beaches in Bali with pink sand?
There are no pink beaches in Bali, but Indonesia is home to a couple of beautiful stretches of sand with a flamingo hue. One is on Lombok and is called Tangsi Beach, while the other is on the iconic Komodo Island, with the imaginative name ‘Pink Beach’. Both of these fabulous destinations are reachable from Bali. You can travel via public ferry (to Lombok, 4-5 hours), or plane (to Lombok, 58 mins, to Komodo, 37 hours), or plane and ferry (Komodo, 5h 30mins). If you want to read about visiting Komodo Island’s reptilian residents, take a look at our guide to vacations for reptile lovers.
Book a Bali beach villa
As far as luxury beach destinations go, Bali is right up there with the best of them. So it stands to reason, that you want an exquisite place to stay while you explore the sandy marvels of the island. Here at Top Villas, we have a sublime selection of luxury villas and vacation homes, some in incredible Bali beach resorts. Our villas are all hand-picked with perfection in mind. Each home has incredible amenities, facilities, and the option to add amazing Travel Extras to your stay.
