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Black or white, hidden away or available for all to enjoy, there are plenty of beaches in Bali worthy of your attention. It’s been a rough task, but we’ve ranked the best beaches in Bali for every type of traveler.
The best beaches in Bali
Bingin
Hidden at the bottom of a winding cliffside staircase, Bingin Beach is where you go when you want to get away from any semblance of big city living. A white, coarse sand beach hugs against limestone cliffs with shops, boutique homestays, and warungs wedged on the cliff face. One of the best surf spots in Bali, surfers often venture here at dawn for a chance to catch the punchy wave breaking at Bingin.
A little tip? Pack light and bring plenty of water. Hang out a while before making the quad-burning trek up to the top of the stairs. If you’re in need of a stretch, yoga classes take place in the open-air studio at Temple Lodge.
Stay at: Bingin Sari, a family-run homestay with clean, spacious rooms.
Keramas
The black sand beach at Keramas sparkles and shines, making it one of the most unique beaches in Bali. Volcanic ash gives the beach its charcoal hue, and an iconic wave breaks at its shallow reef. Stroll along the sand at mid to low tide to discover seaside Balinese Hindu temples.
Stay at: Komune Resort, a health-conscious retreat with a seaside pool, a fitness center, spa, and delicious food.
Jimbaran
Close to Bali’s international airport, Jimbaran is one of the most accessible beaches in Bali. And as a bonus, it’s ofte less crowded than the neighboring beach of Kuta. Come during the early morning to enjoy the beach with a pink sky hue and watch fishermen return from a night out at sea. It often takes more than ten people to pull in their wooden jukung boats. These unique boats often have eyes painted on the sides, a symbol of guidance in the dark.
Come sunset, become one with the beanbag chair and sip an ice cold Bintang on the beach.
Stay at: Balquisse Heritage Hotel, a boutique hotel where no two rooms are quite alike, complete with an onsite spa.
Padang Padang
Padang Padang, the beach so nice they named it twice? Ugh, sorry. We couldn’t resist with that one. Yet another iconic surf spot in Bali, Padang Padang is found at the bottom of a narrow path that weaves through a crevice. Merchants sellers scout the beach in search for visitors without sarongs and coconuts while surfers head out to the water. It’s a prime spot to people watch and feel as though you’re tucked in between the arms of the Bukit Peninsula.
Stay at: Pink Coco, an adults-only resort painted in bubblegum pink.
Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach)
If you seek hidden beaches, venture to Pasir Putih. This white sand beach is tucked in between limestone cliffs, a few minutes away from Candidasa. You’ll find some locals offering umbrella and lounge rentals, small bites to eat, and a handful of souvenir stands. Swimming here is best at mid to high tide.
Stay at: Ganesh Lodge, a relaxed resort that’s worth visiting for the lagoon-style pool alone.
Canggu
While the beach of Canggu itself certainly isn’t the most scenic you’ll find in Bali, the vibe makes it worth the visit. Lively and laid back, Canggu offers places to eat and drink, has a beachside bar, and surf lessons are available for those who want to learn how to catch a wave. As an aside, the beach is nearly infested with digital nomads who somehow manage to avoid getting their laptops sandy as they type away from their oceanside lounge chair.
Stay at: Chillhouse, a surf and yoga retreat hidden among rice fields.
Sanur
The sleepy beach town of Sanur is often referred to as ‘Snore’ by those who who’ve yet to appreciate the perks of finding a quiet place to lounge. You can easily spend a few days cycling along Sanur’s seaside pathway, stopping at the many warungs, souvenir stalls, and spas along the way. A fringing reef protects the coastline from waves, making it a prime place to swim at high tide. Surfers and kitesurfers will enjoy Sanur, too.
Stay at: Artotel, a bamboo beauty of a property with a beachside pool and onsite art gallery.
Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan, a small island off of Bali’s southern coast, is where you’ll find the serene idyllic getaway you came to Bali for in the first place (hint: it’s not found in Kuta). Beachfront warungs, bars, and dive resorts lure in anyone who ventures here to come and hang a while. Walk up the main beach away from where the main ferries arrive until you get to Blue Corner Dive for the best beach experience.
Stay at: Krisna Homestay, a family-owned homestay steps away from the beach.
Diamond Beach
Nusa Penida might be Bali’s worst-kept secret. Wild and rugged, the landscape of Nusa Penida is a dramatic change from its neighboring islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Venture here and visit Diamond Beach, a remote stretch of sand with a staircase etched into the cliff face. Diamond Beach earned its name from the diamond-shaped islands glistening a little ways out at sea.
Stay at: Penida Bambu Green, bamboo bungalows set behind an infinity pool.
Pemuteran
On Bali’s northern coastline is the quiet town of Pemuteran, where you go if you’d like to try explore Menjangan Island on a scuba dive trip or learn how to freedive. It’s one of the few beaches in Bali where you can relax without interruption.
Stay at: Pondok Sari, a beachside resort you won’t want to leave. Wooden bungalows and Indonesian decor await.
Find all the best beaches in Bali in the Moon Bali & Lombok guidebook!
Bali’s beaches and the notorious trash problem
During the wet season, especially around the months of December and January, Bali’s beaches can be rife with plastic pollution—so much so, the government has declared it an emergency. With no formal (or efficient) waste management system, trash is often thrown into rivers and streams and carried to the coastlines. Currents from elsewhere around the Indonesian archipelago also bring in waste, which filters along Bali’s shorelines. It is essential to reduce plastic consumption while in Bali. There is no ‘away’ when you throw something away.
Finding the cleanest beach in Bali depends on the time of year you visit. As a rule, Sanur is cleaner than its neighboring beaches. Many resorts have staff that rake the sand before guests come to lounge. You can help counter Bali’s trash problem by volunteering or donating to Trash Hero Bali.
Bali Beaches Frequently Asked Questions
Seminyak is better than Kuta if you want a beach that’s a bit more laid back. Kuta is Bali’s busiest beach, so expect to be approached constantly by those offering lounge rentals, surf lessons, massages, and souvenirs. Seminyak still has these features as well, but it’s less crowded and therefore a little more relaxing to visit.
You can find white sand beaches in Bali at Sanur, Nusa Lembongan, Uluwatu, Bingin, Pemuteran, and near Candidasa.
Black sand beaches in Bali are found at Keramas, Amed, Tulamben, and elsewhere along Bali’s eastern and northern coastlines. They really vary from region to region and you might find a black sand beach bordering a white sand beach.
We update this article regularly, so let us know if you have any questions in the comments below! What beach would you like to visit in Bali?
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