The Ultimate Guide to Bali’s Best Beaches

Ah, the legendary Kuta Beach, where surf and nightlife have become best friends. You can’t say you visit Bali without stepping on Kuta Beach. Despite the growing interest in other coastal areas (hello, Canggu?) and how people treat Kuta as a has-been, it’s still one of the nicest beaches in Bali and the prime destination for anyone who wants to learn surfing. During the day, you’ll see plenty of sunbeds for sunbathing or simply relaxing.

Once you snap the famous and glorious sunset, Kuta becomes your extroverted friend with a never-ending energy. The rows of bars and nightclubs on Jalan Legian have made clubbing one of the things to do in Kuta. Need an outfit for clubbing? The Beachwalk Shopping Mall sits opposite the beach, tempting you to shop ’til drop. Don’t skip wine and dine, as the diverse restaurant scene in Kuta will surprise you.

The Seminyak beach may only stretch from Legian to Petitenget, but the area packs a lot of flavors (no pun intended). Besides lounging by the poolside and sipping your martini at the beach club, feel free to dip in the ocean when the sundown approaches. Rent one of the sunbeds and watch some kids trying to fly the kites or playing football for your entertainment.

One of the unskippable things to do in Seminyak is eating! Whether you crave authentic sushi in a fine dining setting or longing for the juiciest burger in a chic cafe, Seminyak will exceed your expectations. Once your tummy’s happy, clutch your purse when passing Oberoi Street because all the boutiques and shops have the magnet to lure you to a shopping spree. The beach clubs and bars in Seminyak will get your nightlife plan sorted. The only question is, “Can you keep up?”

If you’ve ever wondered where the cleanest beach in Bali is, only one place fits the bill: Nusa Dua. While you can’t separate world-class and five-star resorts that have shaped the image of Nusa Dua, you can rest assured the beach always looks clean. Despite sharing the same coastline as Uluwatu, the waves in Nusa Dua don’t share the same powerful swells. As long as you stay within the safe swimming area, you have nothing to worry about.

You can’t visit Nusa Dua without trying some of the best restaurants where creativity, finesse, complex flavors, and stunning settings are rolled into one. Plan your day around swinging the golf stick at the 18-hole course of Bali National Golf Club for some morning exercise. But if you crave the things to do in Nusa Dua that anyone rarely discusses, book your seat at Bali Nusa Dua Theater as you watch the epic Devdan Show.

If enjoying the freshest seafood is on your checklist while visiting Bali, you’ll love Jimbaran Beach. But we believe the white sand beach, the calm waters, plus the colorful fishermen’s boats should be the default description of Jimbaran (aside from the scrumptious seafood, obviously). You won’t see many people swimming, but the water is calm enough if you itch for some water action.

Take off your shoes, enjoy the sound of the crashing waves, and see the planes descend or ascend because the International Ngurah Rai Airport is just one stone’s throw away while you enjoy the smoky grilled mahi-mahi. If you want the local way and save some bucks, go to Kedonganan Fish Market, buy your favorite seafood (get ready to haggle, though), find a beachside warung, and ask them to grill your fish. All you need is to sit down and wait, and your seafood will come with rice and condiments.

As one of the most famous Bali beaches, Padang Padang has a reputation to hold. People flock here expecting the same setting they see on Eat, Pray, Love. But you will see a dramatic entrance as you need to pass a narrow staircase between two giant rocks and descend into a cove.  Spread your beach sarong, then plunge in the waters. The beach gets busier in the afternoon, so we suggest you come before noon to get a spot.

Beyond the beach’s iconic entrance, Padang Padang is one of Bali’s most incredible surf spots. The breaks cater more for pro-surfers, though, as they are unpredictable, quick, and have rocky bottoms. Visit the nearby Uluwatu Temple after your beach day. Bali’s most famous temple hosts a traditional Kecak Dance with the Indian Ocean and sunset in the background.

What once was a small fishing village, Sanur, has blossomed into a charming seaside town. Since Sanur borders the sea, it’s the best beach in Bali for swimming because you don’t have to worry about the big waves. The paved walkway makes Sanur appealing for families with kids, as they can push the stroller and enjoy the beach at once. And if you don’t feel like hiking the best volcanoes in Bali for a sunrise, just head to Sanur for the same view with less effort.

Don’t sleep on the dining scene, as you can find authentic Italian restaurants as well as local food at the famous Sindhu Night Market. The recently opened Icon Mall just brings a new definition of shopping by the beach. And if you plan a day trip to Nusa Penida, you don’t need to travel far, as the main port to the Nusa Islands is in Sanur.

Imagine as the sun rises, you see dolphins jumping while you sit on a traditional boat. That’s what Lovina does best. But don't rush to leave Lovina once the dolphin tour finishes. Jump in the water and swim to your heart’s content, or rent the snorkeling gear to see some corals and colorful fish. But Lovina’s charm lies in the black sand beach, which you rarely see on Bali beaches.

Lovina's lack of beach clubs and bars is replaced by a peaceful vibe and the opportunity to slow down. You won’t see many tourists on the north Bali beaches, even if you decide to stay for a few nights. The black sand beach and the dolphin tour are just a fraction of what Lovina has on its sleeve. You can visit the biggest Buddhist monastery in Bali or check out the Banjar Hot Spring for some downtime away from the beach.

If seeing colorful marine species and exploring the Japanese shipwreck is high on your agenda, skipping Amed Beach would be a crime. The fishing village on the northeast of Bali will charm you with its laid-back vibe, tight-knit community, and stunning underwater paradise. But you won’t only see people wearing goggles and fins or carrying oxygen tanks in Amed.

Thanks to the volcanic activity of Mount Agung, which you can see looming majestically from any point in Amed, you get to see the glinting and striking black sand beach in Bali. Add the colorful local fishermen’s boat, and you will get the perfect background for your Insta feed. In Amed, slowing down is the key, so your perfect day should consist of swimming, snorkeling/diving, and having the freshest grilled seafood for dinner.

People get crazy about Padang Padang or Dreamland but overlook Balangan. If you check the Bali beaches map, Balangan sits next to Dreamland and deserves a mention when discussing Uluwatu’s most stunning beaches. For surfers, they will include Balangan as one of the best surf spots in Bali. Balangan produces a high-quality left-hand point break, which is long and hollow, perfect for practicing your maneuvers.

But Balangan is more than just chasing the waves. Regular folks like us can’t say no to sipping the Bintang beer and having the spicy nasi goreng with a view. Who doesn’t love the scene of the rolling waves, the turquoise waters, and the white sand beach while some surfers try to put on a show? Make sure you’re already at the sunset point at Balangan to give you an unobstructed view of the famous Bali sunset.

Dotted along the white sand of Berawa and Batu Bolong and the black sand of Echo Beach, beach clubs, beach bars, and restaurants try to blend Canggu's laid-back and vibrant vibe. Canggu lets you surf, pop in the cafe for an avocado toast, or have a quick call in the co-working spaces. Canggu may not have the most beautiful beaches in Bali, but you have more activities to pick from beyond sunbathing (sorry, you can’t swim here as the waves are too strong).

The greatest thing about this corner of Bali is you will always have things to do in Canggu. Watching the sun go down can turn into a weekly open-air and beach cinema. Partying? Just pick the place. Whether you want the beachside or indoor setting, Canggu has it all. Foodies will find paradise in Canggu because the dining scene here will pamper your tummy and taste buds.