The 10 best beaches in Bali
Given Bali's reputation for over-development and overcrowding, it would surprise most visitors (and even a few islanders) to learn that in West Bali you can still walk for many miles along a volcanic sand beach that is lined with an almost unbroken expanse of swaying coconut palms.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Bali. Find out more below, or for more Bali inspiration, see our guides for the best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, and things to do.
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Best beaches for peaceful escapes
Pantai Yeh Leh, West Bali
If you imagined that Balinese beaches are perpetually packed with parasols, sun loungers and hawkers, think again. Pantai Yeh Leh's virtually deserted, coconut-fringed volcanic sand rarely sees more than a couple of local fishermen or a strolling expat. On Sunday afternoons, local teenagers sometimes race their scooters across the acres of mirror-like sand, but in general, you'll often have the beach to yourself. Surfers who complain about 'overcrowded' Bali should check out this un-surfed beachbreak.
Insider tip: Drop into Puri Dajuma Beach Eco-Resort for lunch and then take a soak in the rock pools that are like natural jacuzzis out front.
How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver
Jungutbatu Beach, Nusa Lembongan
Given that it's about a dozen miles as the crow flies from Bali's capital, Jungutbatu Beach, on neighbouring Nusa Lembongan island, is a delightfully low-key town beach that has everything you could wish for from a relaxing holiday destination. It is unique in the area as it combines both a highly respected reef-break for surfing and world-class diving reefs – elsewhere in Bali, you have to choose between one or the other. Jungutbatu also has a range of hospitable homestays and friendly beach bars.
Insider tip: Ask at EDDY Surfboard Hire for a boatman to take you out to the surfing or snorkelling spots that lie about a quarter-mile offshore.
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Best beaches for surfing
Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula
Uluwatu is one of the most famous surfing waves on the planet. The left-hand wave here is so long that it actually consists of five different breaks – Temples, The Bombie, Outside Corner, The Peak and Racetracks. Waves up to an awe-inspiring (and frankly terrifying) 40ft have been seen at Uluwatu. Yet even at a more manageable size, Uluwatu is not for the faint-hearted. At 6ft and under, you'll find a crowded lineup with surfers scrabbling for that once-in-a-lifetime boast: 'I surfed Uluwatu.'
Insider tip: There are three staircases leading into the famous Uluwatu cave (access to the surf), but be aware that only the third staircase stays dry at high tide.
How to get there: Hire a surf instructor to get you to the break and to show you the best spot to suit your ability.
Balian Beach, West Bali
Balian is a rivermouth break, just far enough out into virtually unknown West Bali to avoid the crowds. Conditions are consistent and, unlike the razor-sharp rocks at nearby Medewi, the sandy bottom, with both rights and lefts, is forgiving enough to make this a good spot for learning. A drawback comes when the rainy season turns the river mouth muddy and lures the occasional bull shark. In general, though, Balian is a blissfully relaxed spot that attracts a loyal surfing community year-round.
Insider tip: Pondok Pitaya, a resort right on the beach in Balian, is the ideal place to combine yoga and surfing.
How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver.
Balangan Beach, Bukit Peninsula
An unexpectedly low-key beach-bumming vibe somehow survives at Balangan Beach on the rapidly developing Bukit Peninsula. The stilted warung (eateries) here still retain their Indonesian character, while some even have rooms overlooking the surf. Balangan is known as a swell magnet, so you're almost always guaranteed a wave here. Only on really big swells does it get heavy and barrelling, so, although it's a fast wave, it can appeal to surfers of all levels.
Insider tip: Balangan is surfable at all tides, but consider taking reef booties at low tide since you need to cross an expanse of sharp rocks.
How to get there: The Bukit, with its infamous traffic jams, is best accessed on a rented scooter. Hire a driver if you are not a confident rider.
Keramas, East Bali
Indonesia is known for its left-handed breaks, but Keramas, on Bali's south-east coast, is a world-class right-hander that barrels over a shallow reef. The spot's fame grew when it was integrated on the international surfing circuit, and these days the break can see quite intense crowds of very talented local and travelling surfers. Dawn raids or sunset sessions are the best way to avoid the crowds. The shallow reef and heavy, hollow wave makes Keramas unsuitable for learners.
Insider tip: Hotel Komune has installed spotlights, making Keramas one of the few places you can surf at night (by advance booking only).
How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver but there are several resorts and homestays within just a short walk of the break.
Best beaches for families
Sanur Beach, South Bali
There's always something happening along the three-mile-plus stretch of Sanur Beach. The well-paved, tree-shaded promenade connects Bali's most appealing stretch of beachfront cafés, cocktail bars and resorts, and has surprisingly peaceful sections of white-sand beach. Man-made breakwaters and a natural barrier reef keep the waves at bay, making it ideal for children. There's also a great range of watersports equipment available for hire, from kayaks and SUPs to kite-surfing and snorkelling gear.
Insider tip: There's no shortage of bicycles for rent and dedicated cycle paths on the promenade offer an appealing way to explore this stretch of coast.
How to get there: Just 30 minutes by taxi from the airport.
Padma Beach, South Bali
More colourful and less rundown than Kuta Beach, Padma is part of the seemingly endless arc of white sand that stretches from the airport westwards to Canggu and beyond. Padma, a fascinating piece of street theatre at any time of the day, really comes into its own shortly before sunset when thousands of colourful beanbags are hauled onto the sand and barbecues are fired up. Kids love the frenetic atmosphere, fresh juices and, of course, es krim (ice cream).
Insider tip: A cacophonic army of musicians begins to compete with each other as the evening progresses, making this one of the most appealing places you'll ever visit for live music.
How to get there: 20 minutes from the airport by taxi.
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Best beaches for snorkelling
Amed, East Bali
With a range of countless dive sites stretched along seven miles of coastline, Amed is one of Bali's most popular dive towns. The spot known as Pyramids, just off Amed's shore, is famous for regular sightings of hawksbill and green turtles, but everywhere you go, the sea life is incredible. Good dive sites are accessible directly from the beaches but sail-rigged jukung (outriggers) can ferry you to several wreck-diving spots. Lipah Beach is a sheltered bay that tends to escape the currents.
Insider tip: You can hire diving equipment and join a class through one of the dozens of Amed homestays.
Pemuteran, North Bali
This little town, on Bali's tranquil north coast, is an inexplicably underrated holiday destination. It has a range of affordable resorts and a tree-shaded beach that lends itself to sunbathing. Best of all, the coral reefs – both natural and rehabilitated – lie just a few metres offshore. Marine life is sometimes unexpected, to say the least; on a hot afternoon, you'll sometimes see the resident monkeys at Goa Tirta Sunia Temple swimming in the ocean.
Insider tip: A less than half-hour drive west from Pemuteran will bring you to Labuhan Lalang. From here, you can arrange boat transfers to the reefs around Menjangan Island.
How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver.
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How we choose
Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
About our expert
Mark Eveleigh
I first fell in love with West Bali during a surf trip 25 years ago. Since then, I've returned at every opportunity and, whenever I'm not on assignment, I write from a bamboo and thatch house in the West Balinese village of Pekutatan.
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