Top 12 Best Beaches in Bali

Kuta Beach is not only one of the best best beaches in Bali, but it is also one of the most famous Indonesia beaches. If for whatever reason you can only visit one beach on your visit to Bali, make sure it's this one! This beach is often crowded with locals and tourists alike, but that only contributes to its incredibly fun atmosphere. The strong currents off Kuta Beach mean it's not a great location for inexperienced swimmers, but it's the perfect spot for lounging out on the white sand and watching the surfers catch a wave. Stay until early evening to watch one of Kuta's famous red sunsets, then start hopping between the beach's many bars and clubs for some delicious cocktails and great music. 

• Best for: Partying the night away at a beach club
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Looking for a tour that is low on price but high on fun in Kuta beach? 

Nusa Dua is so flawlessly beautiful that many luxurious beach resorts have decided to build there. Once a swampy mangrove, the area has been transformed into a 14 km stretch of gorgeous lightly-golden sand. There's plenty of space for lying around to soak up the sun, and the waters are crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. During low tide, the coral reef is also exposed and ready to be explored. When you tire of the water, you can also walk among the many palm trees, wild mangroves, flowering trees and orchids that surround the beach. 

• Best for: Soaking up the luxury at a high-end beach-side resort
• Entrance fee: Free entry

One of the best beaches in Bali for those looking for something slightly off the beaten path, Pasir Putih Beach is also commonly called 'White Sand Bay' or 'White Sand Beach'. Pasir Putih is about 9 km northeast of the popular resort town Candidasa, so you will need transportation to get there. However, the extra effort is well worth it. This is the beach of your dreams, with luxuriously soft white sand, turquoise waters, and colourful reefs, all made to feel extra secluded because of the rocks that surround it. 

• Best for: A postcard-perfect beach experience, without all the crowds
• Entrance fee: IDR 10,000 (less than USD 1*)

Sanur Beach is another one of Bali's popular resort beaches, but while Kuta may be known for its parties and bars, Sanur is more suited to those who are looking for some more laid-back outdoor activities. With mild waves, this is not the beach for surfers but is perfect for anyone who wants to dive in and look for some sea creatures (starfish are known to line the beach). There are also plenty of options for cycling and kite flying. If you're feeling less sporty, go for a stroll along the nearby Jalan Danau Tamblingan street for some great restaurants and interesting art galleries.

• Best for: Trying some outdoor activities, families with children
• Entrance fee: Free entry

For more exciting beach fun, check out more tours in Sanur.

Legian Beach is not far from Kuta Beach, but is less popular and as a result, less crowded. While the atmosphere might feel quite similar due to their close proximity, Legian is a bit more laid back than Kuta. Your day can be spent peacefully strolling the white sand — and if you're feeling up to it, you can walk from Kuta Beach on one end all the way to Seminyak Beach on the other. Literally translated into "sweet" from Balinese, Legian is also full of sweet, cozy bars and restaurants. 

• Best for: A leisurely stroll down the coastline, followed by a romantic dinner
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Padang Padang is a relatively small beach, more of a sheltered cove of white sand sheltered by rocks — you even have to enter through a cave-like structure to get there. All the same, this is one of Bali's most popular beaches thanks to the 2010 movie 'Eat, Pray, Love' starring Julia Roberts, which was partially filmed here. Just 10 minutes north of Uluwatu, it's the perfect setting to take in the glorious sunrise, or simply to enjoy the gentle waves as they lap up on shore.

• Best for: Gorgeous views that make you feel like a movie star
• Entrance fee: IDR 10,000 (less than USD 1*)

This is one of Bali's best beaches for those who are looking for something extra special. Above, you will find Single Fin Bali — a popular cliff-top bar that is a clear favorite among locals and tourists alike. Below, you can discover the hidden cave beach. At low tide, you can enter the cave for a secret swim in the Uluwatu surf! Be sure to double check the tide times before you visit to avoid disappointment. 

• Best for: Lounging at the bar and swimming in a secret cave
• Entrance fee: IDR 20,000  (about USD 1.60*)

Pemuteran Beach, located in the north coast of West Bali, is home to the biggest shallow-reef area on the island, with seas calm enough that even the most nervous swimmers will enjoy coasting through its crystal-clear waters. Whether you're a diver or a snorkeler, this is the place to be if you want to catch a glimpse of some diverse wildlife — from sea turtles and giant clams to manta rays... even a whale shark sometimes makes an appearance! 

• Best for: Some of the best snorkelling in all of Bali
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Just on the outskirts of the infamous Kuta Beach lies Seminyak, where it is often said that all the magic happens in Bali. With high-end, five-star hotels, fantastic restaurants, wild nightclubs and boutique outlets, Seminyak is all you could ever want in a holiday destination. The beach is particularly beautiful at dusk when the sun is setting on the 5 km stretch of white-grey sand.

• Best for: Bali's most luxurious hotels, restaurants and outlet shops
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Compare prices and itineraries for more tours in Seminyak. If you want to travel in a quirky 1980 Volkswagen bus (think Mystery Bus from Scooby Doo) for beach-hopping then the Bali beach road trip is a great tour!

If you're looking for a nice beach where you won't have to fight with other visitors for a place to lay your towel, Balangan Beach is for you! Nestled on Bali's southern coast, Balangan is loved by surfers and beach bums alike. This gorgeous sandy strip is fairly untouched by developers, but there are plenty of sun chairs to rest in (particularly during low tide) and a few restaurants offering traditional Indonesian cuisine.

• Best for: Secluded beach relaxation
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Balian Beach is a surfer's paradise! This is where all the cool kids hang out when they come to Bali, as this beautiful beach has some powerful waves, some chic boho cafes, and incredible sunsets. Whether you're looking to catch a wave or just want to soak up the pink sky with a local beer in hand, Balian Beach is hip and trendy without being overcrowded. 

• Best for: Surfing the best waves in Bali
• Entrance fee: Free entry

Finally, there’s the incomparable Jimbaran Beach in South Kuta. The soft sands of Jimbaran Beach are best visited early in the morning when the local fishermen are returning from sea with fresh catch. Stroll through the beach-side market to see what's in store, and return later in the evening for one of the best barbecued seafood suppers you will ever taste. Some restaurants will even let you choose your own dinner from a teeming tank. 

• Best for: A delicious Balinese seafood dinner
• Entrance fee: Free entry

 As you can see, although the island has many beaches, the best beaches in Bali are quite diverse and everyone will have their own favourite. There's the resort-filled stretched of Kuta and Nusa Dua, along with more secluded treats like Padang Padang and Balangan. No matter what your idea of the perfect beach may be, Bali has something for you. 

If you want more adventurous fun in Indonesia then why not try hiking Mount Batur? It is an active volcano where you can boil eggs in the volcanic steam — how cool is that? If hiking is not your thing then check out more tours in Indonesia to compare prices and itineraries.

*Please note prices listed here are as of July 2018