Best Beaches in Bali - A Local Guide to the Coastline

The best beaches in Bali are Padang Padang for its dramatic cliff setting and clear water, Nusa Dua for safe family swimming, and Kelingking on Nusa Penida for jaw-dropping scenery. But Bali has over 100 km of coastline with beaches that range from white sand to volcanic black, from gentle lagoons to world-class surf breaks - and the right beach depends entirely on what you want from it.

As a certified guide who takes visitors around this island daily, I have strong opinions about which beaches are worth your time and which ones are overrated. This guide covers 15 beaches I actually recommend, organized by region, with the practical details you need: how to get there, what it costs, and when to go.

South Bali - The Famous Coastline

South Bali is where most visitors spend their beach days, and for good reason. The Bukit Peninsula and the stretch from Seminyak to Canggu hold some of the most iconic beaches in Indonesia.

1. Padang Padang Beach

Padang Padang is the beach that made Bali famous in the surfing world, and it is genuinely beautiful - a small cove framed by limestone cliffs with clear turquoise water. It is compact, which means it can feel crowded, but the setting makes up for it.

Best for: Swimming, photography, couples. The surf break offshore is for experienced surfers only.

How to get there: Located on the Bukit Peninsula, about 40 minutes from Seminyak depending on traffic. There is a small car park at the entrance and a stairway down through a rock crevice to reach the sand.

Entrance fee: IDR 15,000 (roughly USD 1). Parking is IDR 5,000 for a scooter, IDR 10,000 for a car.

Insider tip: Come before 9am. By mid-morning the small beach fills up and the magic fades. Early morning light through the cliff gap is worth the alarm clock. For more on this area, see our guide to things to do in Uluwatu.

2. Thomas Beach

Just south of Padang Padang, Thomas Beach is the one the crowds skip. It is longer and wider, backed by cliffs, with good swimming conditions and far fewer people. If Padang Padang feels too packed, walk five minutes south and you have this.

Best for: Swimming, sunbathing, a quieter alternative to Padang Padang.

How to get there: Same road as Padang Padang, with a separate signed entrance. The walk down is steep but manageable.

Entrance fee: IDR 10,000.

Insider tip: There are a few simple warungs (local restaurants) on the beach selling fresh seafood and cold drinks at reasonable prices. This is the beach where locals go when they want sand and sun without the tourist markup.

3. Balangan Beach

Balangan sits on the western side of the Bukit Peninsula and is one of the most photogenic beaches in Bali. A long, wide stretch of golden sand with a dramatic cliff backdrop, it faces west for incredible sunsets. The surf break is popular but not as intense as Uluwatu's main breaks.

Best for: Sunset watching, surfing (intermediate), photography. Swimming is possible when the tide is right but check conditions - there is a reef.

How to get there: About 30 minutes from Kuta. The road down to the beach is paved but steep. Parking is available at the top.

Entrance fee: IDR 10,000. Parking IDR 5,000 for scooters.

Insider tip: The cliffs on the south end have several small warungs with bean bags and drinks - perfect for watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Arrive by 4pm to get a good spot during peak season.

4. Nusa Dua Beach

If you want calm, clean water that is safe for children, Nusa Dua is Bali's answer. The beach is sheltered by a reef that keeps waves gentle, the sand is white, and the water is clear. The downside is that it sits in front of Bali's resort strip, so it lacks the wild, natural character of the Bukit beaches.

Best for: Families with children, swimming, water sports (jet skis, parasailing, kayaks). Excellent for anyone who wants a predictable, comfortable beach day.

How to get there: Nusa Dua is a planned resort area in southeast Bali, about 30 minutes from the airport. Access is straightforward with plenty of parking.

Entrance fee: Free for the public beach sections. Some stretches in front of resorts may appear private but the beach itself is legally public in Bali.

Insider tip: Walk south past the resorts to find quieter stretches. The water stays calm and clear but you leave the resort crowds behind. The Nusa Dua Blow Hole (a natural sea spout in the rocks) is a short walk south and worth a look.

5. Seminyak Beach

Seminyak Beach is Bali's social beach - wide, flat, and lined with beach clubs, restaurants, and cocktail bars. The sand is grey-brown (not white), the surf can be rough, and it is not the most beautiful beach on the island. But the energy is hard to beat, especially at sunset.

Best for: Sunset drinks, socializing, beach club culture. Not ideal for swimming due to currents.

How to get there: Seminyak is central and well-connected. Street parking along Jalan Double Six or use the parking lots behind the major beach clubs.

Entrance fee: Free. Beach clubs require a minimum spend (typically IDR 300,000–500,000).

Insider tip: Walk north along the beach from Double Six toward Batu Belig. The further you go, the quieter it gets, and the sunset is the same. The stretch between Batu Belig and Berawa is noticeably less crowded.

6. Batu Bolong Beach (Canggu)

The heart of Canggu's beach scene. Batu Bolong is a black sand beach with a consistent surf break that works for beginners and intermediates. The beach is lined with surf schools, cafes, and the famous Old Man's break.

Best for: Surfing (beginner to intermediate), sunset watching, the Canggu vibe. Not great for swimming - the currents can be strong and the bottom is rocky in places.

How to get there: Follow Jalan Batu Bolong in Canggu straight to the beach. Parking is available in lots near the temple (Pura Batu Bolong). Expect to pay IDR 5,000–10,000.

Entrance fee: Free, though there is a small donation requested at the temple entrance.

Insider tip: The surf is most manageable two hours before and after low tide. If you are learning, book a lesson rather than renting a board solo - the rip currents here catch people out regularly.

Planning to hit multiple beaches in a day? Beach hopping is one of the best ways to experience Bali's coastline, but the distances between beaches (and the traffic) make it impractical by scooter if you want to cover different regions. A private driver lets you hit three or four beaches in a single day comfortably - your driver handles the traffic and parking while you enjoy the sand. It is the most efficient way to compare Bali's very different coastlines.

East Bali - Quieter, Wilder, Different

East Bali's coastline has a completely different character. The beaches are often volcanic black sand, the tourist infrastructure is minimal, and the underwater world is some of the best in Indonesia.

7. Amed Beach

Amed is not one beach but a series of small bays along Bali's northeast coast, each with dark volcanic sand and calm, clear water. The main draw is the snorkeling and diving - the coral is healthy, the marine life is abundant, and you can walk straight into the water from the beach to find it.

Best for: Snorkeling, diving, a quiet escape from southern Bali's crowds. The Japanese Shipwreck dive site is just offshore.

How to get there: Amed is about 2.5 hours from the airport or Seminyak. The road is good but long - this is a destination, not a day trip addition (unless you have a full day and a driver).

Entrance fee: Free. Snorkeling gear rental is around IDR 50,000–100,000 per day from beachside shops.

Insider tip: The best snorkeling in the Amed area is at Jemeluk Bay, where a coral garden starts just meters from shore. Go early morning when the water is calmest and you will often have the reef to yourself. Stay at least one night - rushing Amed defeats the purpose.

8. Bias Tugel Beach (White Sand Beach)

One of the few white sand beaches on Bali's east coast, Bias Tugel (also called Pasir Putih or Virgin Beach) is a hidden gem near Candidasa. It is a crescent of white sand backed by coconut palms with calm, swimmable water - the kind of beach people imagine when they think of tropical paradise.

Best for: Swimming, relaxing, escaping crowds. This is one of the most naturally beautiful beaches on mainland Bali.

How to get there: Near the village of Perasi, east of Candidasa. The turnoff from the main road is easy to miss - look for the small signed entrance. There is a short, steep path down to the beach. Parking IDR 10,000.

Entrance fee: IDR 15,000.

Insider tip: Local fishermen at the beach will offer to take you by boat to a smaller, completely empty beach around the headland. It is worth it if you want total privacy. Negotiate the price before you go - around IDR 100,000–150,000 is fair for a round trip.

9. Kusamba Beach

You will not find Kusamba in most guidebooks, and that is part of its appeal. This long stretch of black volcanic sand on Bali's southeast coast is a working fishing village, not a tourist beach. Traditional jukung (outrigger canoes) line the shore, and salt farmers still work the beach using methods unchanged for centuries.

Best for: Cultural photography, experiencing non-touristy Bali, watching traditional salt harvesting. Not a swimming beach.

How to get there: About 45 minutes from Sanur, on the main road toward Klungkung. Easy to access with plenty of roadside parking.

Entrance fee: Free.

Insider tip: Visit in the morning when the salt farmers are working. They lay seawater in troughs made from hollowed palm trunks and let the sun evaporate it - it is fascinating to watch and they are usually happy to explain the process. Buy a bag of their salt; it is exceptional quality.

North and West Bali - Off the Beaten Path

The north and west coasts see a fraction of the visitors that the south gets, which means emptier beaches, lower prices, and a very different atmosphere.

10. Lovina Beach

Lovina is Bali's main northern beach, known for its calm water and black volcanic sand. The waves here are gentle - the north coast faces away from the Indian Ocean swells that hit the south - making it good for swimming. The famous Lovina dolphin trips depart from here at dawn.

Best for: Dolphin watching, swimming, travelers who want a slow pace. The beach itself is pleasant but not spectacular.

How to get there: About 2.5–3 hours from the airport. The drive through the mountains via Bedugul is scenic. Alternatively, drive the coast road through Amed for a different route.