In a nutshell
- We’ll show you Bali’s best beaches – whether you’re into surfing, snorkeling or just want a quiet spot to relax. There’s the perfect beach for everyone.
- You’ll find many of the best beaches in Bali around Uluwatu and on the Nusa Islands. All are easy to include on your Bali itinerary.
- For every other beach, we’ve noted down exactly how to get there. So you can find Bali’s best beaches without the hassle.
Table of Contents
- #1 Padang Padang Beach: The All-Rounder
- #2 Mengiat Beach: For Families
- #3 Blue Point Beach: For Explorers
- #4 Balangan Beach: Surf Beach
- #5 Nunggalan Beach: Lonely Beach
- #6 Kuta Beach: For Learning to Surf
- #7 Amed Beach: For Snorkeling
- #8 Diamond Beach: Most Photogenic Beach
- #9 Secret Point Beach: Our Insider Tip
- #10 Jungutbatu Beach: For Sunsets
- FAQs
Padang Padang Beach: The All-Rounder
- Perfect for: swimming, snorkeling, surfing
- Location: near Uluwatu (Google Maps)
- How to get there: from the parking area, walk down a steep staircase for around 5-10 minutes
- Shade: a pair of loungers with umbrella costs 100,000 IDR, some rocks also provide natural shade
- Infrastructure: warungs (local eateries), toilets, surf schools
- Entrance fee: 15,000 IDR + 2,000 IDR for parking
Padang Padang is one of Bali’s best beaches if you want a little bit of everything. It’s small but has a magical feel with its mix of jungle, rocks, and even tiny caves you can swim into.
The warungs at the back may not win any beauty awards, but they’re handy for grabbing a snack or using the facilities. You’ll also find surf schools if you’re up for a lesson.
The beach does get pretty popular though. If you follow the rocks to the right-hand side of the bay, it gets quieter and a little more peaceful.
Caution: Monkeys like to hang around and sometimes snatch things. Keep your stuff close!
Where to stay at Padang Padang Beach? The Room
Mengiat Beach: For Families
- Perfect for: families, swimming
- Location: near Uluwatu (Google Maps)
- How to get there: you can park right at the beach
- Shade: two sunbeds with umbrella for 100,000 IDR
- Infrastructure: warungs, showers, changing rooms, toilets
- Entrance free: 5,000 IDR for parking
If you’re travelling with your family and looking for one of the best areas to stay at in Bali, Mengiat Beach is our top pick. It’s wide, sandy, and thanks to the reef just offshore, the waves stay calm. It’s ideal if you’re traveling with kids or for anyone who prefers gentle swimming.
One downside: in the rainy season, the beach can collect some seaweed or litter. But don’t worry, resorts and boutique hotels in Bali clean it every morning. So it’s usually spotless.
Where to stay at Mengiat Beach? Merusaka Nusa Dua
Blue Point Beach: For Explorers
- Perfect for: explorers, surfing, photos
- Location: near Uluwatu (Google Maps)
- How to get there: park at the cliff and walk down a long staircase past warungs and stalls. It takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Shade: provided naturally by the surrounding rocks
- Infrastructure: warungs and toilets are above the beach
- Entrance fee: free + 5,000 IDR for parking
The special thing about Blue Point Beach: it only appears at low tide. When the tide is in, the beach disappears entirely underwater. But when the ocean pulls back, you can walk through a cave and around a massive rock to reach two hidden beaches that are otherwise cut off.
These secret spots aren’t the most impressive beaches in Bali on their own, but the little adventure getting there makes it totally worth it.
Just make sure you head back to Blue Point Beach before the tide rises again or you’ll be stuck waiting for hours or have to swim back through pretty wild waves.
The beach itself is completely framed by cliffs, making it one of Bali’s best beaches for taking dramatic photos. It’s also a top spot for surfers, especially if you like a challenge.
Where to stay at Blue Point Beach? Uluwatu Cottages
Balangan Beach: Surf Beach
- Perfect for: surfing, sunbathing
- Location: near Uluwatu (Google Maps)
- How to get there: you can drive right up to the beach
- Shade: two sunbeds with umbrella cost for 100,000 IDR
- Infrastructure: warungs with toilets, surf schools
- Entrance fee: free + 5,000 IDR parking fee
Balangan Beach is a classic Uluwatu surf spot and a great beach in Bali for chasing waves. It’s known for its strong swell and attracts mostly experienced surfers.
There are also a few surf schools for beginners, but keep in mind the water gets crowded and the reef bottom isn’t super forgiving. If you’re just starting out, we’d suggest heading to our beach number 6 for a safer intro.
Even if you’re not surfing, Balangan is great for sunbathing. Swimming, though, is a bit tricky. During high tide, waves crash in hard, and at low tide you’ll need to walk quite a bit over rocks to reach deeper water.
Where to stay at Balangan Beach? Le Yanandra Bali Resort
Nunggalan Beach: Lonely Beach
- Perfect for: relaxing, sunbathing, swimming
- Location: near Uluwatu (Google Maps)
- How to get there: about a 30-minute walk down rocky paths and through the forest
- Shade: two sun loungers with umbrellas available for 100,000 IDR
- Infrastructure: small drink stand, no toilets
- Entrance fee: free + 5,000 IDR for parking
Nunggalan Beach is special because it’s not easy to reach. You have to hike down for about 30 minutes, which keeps the crowds away. But once you’re there, you’re rewarded with a nearly empty, stunning beach.
The sand is soft and golden, the water is clear, and it’s actually a great beach in Bali for swimming. It’s also one of our favorite hidden gems in bali if you’re looking for something quiet and unspoiled.
There’s even a shipwreck on the sand, which makes for some cool photos and adds to the beach’s mysterious vibe. Definitely one of Bali’s best beaches if you want to escape the crowds.
Where to stay at Nunggalan Beach? Terrazza Plenilunio
Kuta Beach: For Learning to Surf
- Perfect for: beginner surfers, sunbathing, swimming
- Location: Kuta (Google Maps)
- How to get there: about 1 hour from Uluwatu, with parking right at the beach
- Shade: two loungers with umbrella available for 100,000 IDR
- Infrastructure: warungs, bars with toilets, plenty of surf schools
- Entrance fee: free + 2,000 IDR for parking
Kuta Beach stretches out for a full 8 kilometers making it the longest sandy beach in Bali and a dream for long walks and spacious sunbathing.
But the real draw here is surfing. It’s one of the best beaches in Bali to learn how to surf, with gentle waves and tons of beginner-friendly surf schools. We booked a semi-private lesson at Up2U Surf School and absolutely loved it – great instructor, small group, and fun vibes.
The beach is also good for swimming and relaxing, and sunsets here are really something else.
That said, we were there during the rainy season and found a lot of garbage washed up on shore after a big storm. Locals told us it’s usually much cleaner during the dry season, though even then some trash can show up. Still, for surfing and people-watching, this is a great beach in Bali.
Where to stay at Kuta Beach? Annora Villas Seminyak
Amed Beach: For Snorkeling
- Perfect for: snorkeling
- Location: Amed (Google Maps)
- How to get there: small, narrow paths lead from the road down to the beach
- Shade: free loungers if you eat at a warung
- Infrastructure: warungs and beach bars with toilets
- Entrance: free + 2,000 IDR parking fee
If you’re looking for the best beach for snorkeling in Bali, you’ll love Amed Beach. You only have to wade a few feet into the water and you’re already over coral.
Some of the reef is still healthy, and new coral is being cultivated too. You’ll spot colorful reef fish everywhere and with a bit of luck, even rays or sea turtles.
The vibe here is super relaxed. Amed is still kind of a hidden gem, far from the busy tourist routes. But if you’re into snorkeling and want to slow down for a few days, it’s a great place to add to your beach vacation.
The only downside? The beach itself isn’t white and sandy. It’s made of small black pebbles, which doesn’t exactly scream “paradise” but trust us it’s totally worth it.
Where to stay at Amed Beach? Kura Kura Divers Lodge
Diamond Beach: Most Photogenic Beach
- Perfect for: photos
- Location: Nusa Penida (Google Maps)
- How to get there: walk down about 20 minutes from the parking lot – some climbing involved
- Shade: in the afternoon, some natural shade comes from the cliffs
- Infrastructure: none
- Entrance fee: 45,000 IDR + 5,000 IDR for parking
Diamond Beach is the ultimate Instagram beach. It has everything: powdery white sand, turquoise water, palm trees, dramatic cliffs, and a giant rock sticking out of the sea. It’s without a doubt one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches.
That being said, you won’t be the only one who thinks it’s a great place to visit in Bali. During the day, the beach is often packed with tourists and photo shoots. So if you want the magic all to yourself, come for sunrise. Around 6 a.m., it’s still quiet and the golden morning light makes the rocks glow. Pure magic.
Once you’ve taken your photos, you can hike down to the beach. It takes about 20 minutes and includes steep stairs and some rope-assisted sections. So be sure-footed.
Please note: this is not a beach for swimming in Bali. You’re allowed to cool off at the edge, but swimming is banned due to strong currents and past accidents.
Where to stay at Diamond Beach? Diamond Beach Villas
Secret Point Beach: Our Insider Tip
- Perfect for: sunbathing, swimming, advanced surfers
- Location: Nusa Ceningan (Google Maps)
- How to get there: walk past the Secret Point Huts Hotel and take the small staircase down
- Shade: in the morning, the cliffs behind the beach provide natural shade – no umbrellas or sunbeds
- Infrastructure: a beach bar just above the beach
- Entrance fee: free
Let us introduce you to our absolute favorite beach in Bali. Secret Point Beach is a small cove that’s still a true hidden gem.
It’s perfect for sunbathing and swimming. And when you’ve had enough sun, grab a cold coconut and watch the surfers tackle the waves in the distance.
Technically, Secret Point Beach isn’t on Bali but on Nusa Ceningan, a tiny island east of Bali. You can get here in about 30 minutes from Bali or just 15 minutes by boat from Nusa Penida.
The two islands aren’t part of our Bali itinerary, but they’re a great day trip from Nusa Penida and worth visiting if you want something quieter.
Note: avoid coming at high tide. The beach gets super narrow and fills up quickly – even with just a few people.
Where to stay at Secret Point Beach? Asmara Villa
Jungutbatu Beach: For Sunsets
- Perfect for: sunsets, sunbathing, surfers
- Location: Nusa Lembongan (Google Maps)
- How to get there: you can park directly at the beach
- Shade: free loungers if you eat at a warung
- Infrastructure: warungs and bars with toilets
- Entrance fee: free
Jungutbatu Beach is the main beach on Nusa Lembongan and it’s massive. This is where most of the boats dock and the water stays very shallow, so it’s not ideal for swimming.
But what makes Jungutbatu special are the sunsets. They’re absolutely stunning here. In the evening, the sky lights up in every shade of red, orange, and purple and with the boats in the foreground, it makes for amazing photos.
A little farther offshore, you’ll also find a good surf break. Surf schools on the beach will take you out there by boat.
Where to stay at Jungutbatu Beach? Su Casa Boutique Hotel
FAQs About the Most Beautiful Beaches in Bali
Where is the best place to swim in Bali?
Most of Bali’s beaches are clustered around the Uluwatu area. You’ll find a few great places for swimming, too.
Our top picks for swimming in Uluwatu are Mengiat Beach and Nunggalan Beach.
If you’re heading to Nusa Ceningan, make sure to stop by Secret Point Beach. It’s one of the best spots for a swim.
Are the beaches in Bali clean?
First things first: it depends on whether you’re visiting during the rainy season or the dry season.
In the rainy season, the ocean tends to be rougher, and storms can wash quite a bit of garbage onto the beaches. It can take a few days for everything to be cleaned up again. That said, the beaches on the Nusa Islands were very clean when we visited even during the rainy season.
In the dry season, you’ll still find some washed-up seaweed or trash, but much less than during the wet months. Beaches like Mengiat Beach are also cleaned daily in the morning.
Where is no high and low tides in Bali?
There are no beaches in Bali without high and low tides.
But you won’t notice the tides as much on some beaches. The beaches in Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Jimbaran Bay are more sheltered compared to those in Uluwatu, for example.
Where are Bali's white beaches?
You’ll find Bali’s white sandy beaches mostly in the south and on the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan.
Can you go on a beach vacation in Bali?
Absolutely! You’ll definitely find a great spot for your beach getaway here.
Read all about our favorite beach hotels in Bali
But you shouldn’t forget that there are lots of other things to do in Bali.