The Best Beaches in Bali: A Guide to the Most Picturesque Shores

Indonesian island of Bali — a paradise with exotic nature, azure ocean waters, and crystal-clear air, far from the noise and hustle of modern megacities.
If you think that a vacation in Bali is too expensive, you are mistaken: tours and entertainment can be found for various budgets. For example, sunbathing and swimming on the island’s fantastic beaches is completely free, and this is one of the most popular types of local recreation.
Let’s look at the best beaches in Bali, located in different areas of the island — their features, advantages, and disadvantages.

Which areas in Bali have the best beaches for swimming: a selection

Due to the features of its geological origin, the island has different beaches — not only classic ones but also unusual ones. However, beaches located nearby are generally similar. The most popular beaches in Bali for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and other types of leisure have been divided into several categories depending on the area.

Southwest region

The southwestern coast features classic soft sand beaches that are always in high demand among tourists.

Kuta

A four-kilometer-long beach with free entrance is located in the resort zone of the same name. A ten-minute drive away is an international airport, making the beach as convenient as possible for tourists. It is noisy and crowded here, but beach entertainment and various services are inexpensive.

The advantages of Kuta include soft sand and a convenient entry into the water.
Disadvantages begin to appear from the last month of autumn to early April: currents bring a lot of trash onto the beach, which is not always cleaned up in time. At other times, it is clean, convenient, and inexpensive here, though crowded.

Legian

Located next to Kuta, so in many ways it is similar — both beaches are convenient, crowded, and inexpensive. However, Legian has better amenities, for example, a concrete walkway for vacationers, an updated rental service for beach equipment, and newer umbrellas and sun loungers. Legian is convenient for surfing, and you can hire an instructor who will teach you how to stand on the board. It is a little quieter than in Kuta, as there are fewer entertainment venues. Thus, Legian will be an optimal choice for a budget-friendly yet relatively peaceful beach vacation.

Seminyak

It is a half-hour drive from this beach to the international airport. It is located in a prestigious and popular resort area, featuring beautiful fine sand and a smooth, comfortable descent. It is divided into two beaches — both public, but with high prices for rental, food, and additional services. In terms of swimming conditions, Seminyak is not much different from budget beaches, but it is a great find for surfing enthusiasts and those who love a vibrant resort life.

Thus, the following features of this beach can be highlighted:
Excellent conditions for surfing, not only for experienced surfers but also for beginners. Not very high waves are perfect for learning and honing skills.
A lively nightlife. The resort has clubs, bars, and restaurants, many of which are open all night.
A paradise for gourmets. In the beach area and nearby, there are many cafés and restaurants offering a diverse exotic menu.
It is worth noting that local “entrepreneurs” often appear on the beach, offering tourists souvenirs, food, or various trinkets.

Canggu

The beach is located near Seminyak and Kuta, but it is entirely different. Its main feature is black volcanic sand, creating a unique atmosphere and breathtaking landscapes. Around the beach, lush green rice fields and dense jungles stretch, adding to the impression of an unusual fantastic world.
Due to high waves, Canggu Beach is very popular among surfers. The modern infrastructure is well-developed here, but at the same time, you can often find colorful fishing villages, ancient temples, and other islands of traditional Balinese culture.

Southeastern region of Bali: the best beaches

The southeastern Balinese coast is quiet and peaceful — you can fully enjoy a relaxed holiday and the contemplation of natural beauty. The resorts here are mainly expensive, so there are not many tourists. For the same reason, noisy youth groups rarely come here.

Sanur

A comfortable beach, which in many characteristics resembles Seminyak. However, it is quieter and calmer here, as there are no nightclubs and noisy cafés with musical accompaniment near the coastline. Renting beach equipment here is expensive, although more affordable than in Seminyak.
If you are looking for the best white sand beaches in Bali, pay attention to this option. The sand here is fine and light, though not naturally occurring. It was brought here specifically to enhance the beach’s appeal to tourists. The natural surface of the resort area is dark volcanic sand. It is worth noting that the sea here is very calm — ideal for a beach vacation with small children.

Nusa Dua

A comfortable and expensive beach, often visited by wealthy tourists from Eastern Europe. There are few people here, as access to the beach is intended only for vacationers staying in hotels in the resort area. The advantages of Nusa Dua include perfect cleanliness and excellent amenities, ensuring maximum comfort.
However, for those who want to immerse themselves in Balinese culture and enjoy the island’s unique features, it is better to choose another of Bali’s best beaches for vacation.

Eastern region

On the eastern coast, only one beach is noteworthy. It is an interesting place with characteristic features, though it may not suit everyone.

Candidasa

A calm and very picturesque beach with excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving. However, if you love classic beach holidays, consisting of swimming, sunbathing, and cocktails in a beach café, Candidasa will not suit you. The sand here is quite rough, and there are almost no usual cafés and bars on the coastline (at least, very few).
In terms of amenities, Candidasa is significantly inferior to other beaches on the island, and there is a rational explanation for this. In the 1980s, active construction began in this area to increase the tourist appeal of the resort, but everything ended tragically: the coral reef was destroyed, and many beaches were washed away. Today, there is still little tourist infrastructure in Candidasa, but for some people, this is not a minus, but a plus: fewer tourists, noise, and hustle.

Northern region

If you are looking for unusual, beautiful beaches in Bali, go to the northern coast. Not all of them are covered with soft sand, but the views here are truly stunning.

Lovina

Lovina Beach in Bali is a black sand beach, one of the cleanest, although the black volcanic sand may create the opposite impression. In February and March, currents may bring debris here (as with all other beaches), but it is carefully cleaned. Large waves are rare — the sea is mostly calm, creating ideal swimming conditions. There are many tourists from European countries here, and Australians often visit. This beach is particularly popular among families with children and elderly couples.

Bukit Peninsula

Since Bukit has a geological origin different from the rest of the island, the beautiful beaches in Bali here are different. Tourists will undoubtedly enjoy the soft creamy sand and azure water with white foam. Many note the similarity of the local beaches to the Maldives.

Jimbaran

Those who are looking for the best beach in Bali are often advised to go to Jimbaran with its fine soft sand, clean water, and convenient gentle entry. It is very clean here, the infrastructure is well developed, but there is almost no obvious Balinese charm.
The northern part of the beach has its own features: it is rocky and located near a fish market. As a rule, tourists prefer to relax in the southern part of the beach, where the noise and smell from the market do not reach. However, many visit Jimbaran not for a beach holiday, but for fishing, as it is considered the main Indonesian fishing center. Here you can not only fish but also try local dishes made from the freshest fish and seafood.