10 Best Beaches in Bali

Kuta spans around 2.5 km of white and grey sand on Bali’s western coast. Despite its rapid growth and frenzied traffic scene, its unique charm continues to attract both international and domestic visitors. Start at the main gate with the Balawista lifeguard tower in view, and stroll northwards along the shoreline.

You can find plenty of spots to sunbathe and enjoy a beach massage, paddle out from the shore, or take in the magical sunsets. Owing to its popularity, Kuta Beach has a small army of hawkers selling cold drinks, fresh fruits, towels, sarongs, and a host of other tacky trinkets.

Legian Beach is right next to Kuta, and while it’s rather challenging to define the borders of these beaches, they offer similar activities like surfing, partying, and shopping. Thanks to its sandy beach breaks, conditions are great for first-time wave riders. There are several popular surf schools here, too.

Catch a sunset at Legian’s famous coastal strip, known as Double Six Beach (or Blue Ocean Beach), where you can expect beach bars coming to life with colourful beanbags laid out on the sand. For chic and stylish beach club experiences, Seminyak is just a short stroll north from Legian.

Seminyak’s beach scene is broken up into subsections, the best of which are Petitenget Beach and Double Six Beach. Some of Bali's best dining venues and world-renowned nightlife spots can be found in Seminyak.

Waves can be a bit rough with strong undercurrents – some areas are often marked by red, no-swimming flags. It makes it a great spot for advanced surfers but not so good if you just want a relaxing swim. The beach makes up for this with exotic scenery, with long and flat sand at low tide.

Jimbaran’s main coastal stretch is the famous Jimbaran Bay, which serves as the beachfront of many luxurious 5-star resorts in Bali. There’s a small beach within it called Muaya Beach, where you can enjoy memorable sunset dinners at Jimbaran’s popular seafood restaurants. The entire length of Jimbaran Beach is quite tranquil, and the soft sand along the curving bay offers pleasant beach walks and photo opportunities.

Canggu Beach is roughly between Seminyak and Tanah Lot. The beach offers a rugged coastal scene and challenging surfing. Most of Canggu’s coastline has volcanic black sand, while its surf breaks have become popular with international surfers. Canggu’s countryside of verdant rice fields adds to its appeal, with plenty of villas and hotels making good use of the view, as well as its close proximity to the beach.

Nusa Dua is one of Bali’s all-inclusive tourism complexes, where you can find luxury resorts and international chain hotels, upmarket shopping complex, superb facilities and manicured gardens that seamlessly blend in with a luxurious 18-hole golf course.

Such exclusivity means its beaches are secluded, clean and often uncrowded. One of Nusa Dua’s most popular beaches is Geger Beach, located on the southern shores of Sawangan. It offers the unique backdrop of Geger Temple perched on a grassy limestone clifftop.

Candidasa serves as the main base for divers to explore underwater life in the surrounding waters. Its many beaches come in short stretches, some of which are secluded white sand bays bordered by hilltops.

You can get to famous dive spots not far from Candidasa Beach by boat. If you want to stay on the beach, enjoy a day of sightseeing at important historical sites, such as the Taman Ujung water palace and the Tirta Gangga royal water gardens.

Uluwatu is home to some of Bali's most beautiful cliff-fringed coasts, many of which are known as the island's hidden beaches. World-class surf breaks are only a short paddle out from the sand. Most of the surf here is on reef breaks, reserved only for advanced wave riders. The sands here are mostly fine and soft, and most of its coastline reflects the region’s rugged limestone topography. Beautiful rock pools emerge at low tide.

Tanjung Benoa is one of the best places in Bali for water sports. Parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat riding are provided by various operators along the coast. The beach is similar to the neighbouring Nusa Dua’s coastline, with a mix of fine and coarse sand. Most are well-maintained beachfronts of resorts and hotels in Tanjung Benoa. For safety, swimming is limited to areas bordered by marker buoys.