Bali beaches
15 Best Beaches in Bali (With Honest Notes)
Bali's beach quality varies enormously by region, surf-pounded Canggu vs. Calm-water Sanur vs. Cliff-edge Uluwatu vs. White-sand Nusa Penida. Here are 15 with notes on swimming, surf, crowds, and which works for which traveler.
Kelingking Beach (Nusa Penida)
T-Rex-shaped cliff. Famous Instagram shot. Swimming possible but the hike down/up is brutal.
Best: photographers + experienced swimmers
Diamond Beach (Nusa Penida)
Stairs cut into a cliff lead down to a hidden cove. White sand, turquoise water.
Best: hikers + early-risers
Crystal Bay (Nusa Penida)
Best snorkeling on Nusa Penida — mola mola sunfish in season.
Best: snorkelers + day-trippers
Padang Padang (south Bali)
Eat Pray Love beach. Walk through limestone cliff opening to a small beach. Surf break for intermediates.
Best: surfers + cinema-lovers
Bingin Beach (south Bali)
Cliff-edge beach with shacks. Better for surfing than swimming. Sunset cliff dining at the top.
Best: surfers + cliff-diners
Suluban / Blue Point
Hidden under cliffs at Uluwatu. Swim in lagoons formed by rocks.
Best: explorers
Sanur Beach (east Bali)
Calm Bali Strait water. Reef-protected. Best beach for families and weak swimmers.
Best: families + kids + sunrise (east-facing)
Geger Beach (Nusa Dua)
Quietest of the south Bali beaches. Calm reef-protected water. Resort but accessible.
Best: relaxed beach days
Atuh Beach (Nusa Penida)
White sand crescent with offshore rock arches. Long drive but uncrowded.
Best: photographers + drone shots
Amed (east Bali)
Black-sand fishing village turned slow-traveler haven. Snorkeling + diving (USAT Liberty wreck).
Best: divers + slow travelers
Echo Beach (Canggu)
Surf break + sunset beach bars. Black sand, choppy water: not for swimming.
Best: surfers + sunset drinks
Pasir Putih / Virgin Beach (east Bali)
Local secret east of Candidasa. White sand, calm water.
Best: travelers seeking quiet
Balangan Beach (Bukit)
Cliff-backed surf break. Steep stairs down.
Best: surfers + lunch
Jimbaran Bay
Long crescent beach with sunset seafood dinner shacks. Calmer water than other south beaches.
Best: seafood-focused beach day
Nyang Nyang Beach (south Bukit)
Long walk down a cliff trail to an empty 2km beach. Very few visitors.
Best: solitude seekers