20 Best Beaches in Bali

beach in bali

20 Best Beaches In Bali

Bali is an island rich in culture, sunshine, and beautiful beaches. Whether it's a romantic seaside dinner, surfing on the best waves, or family-friendly water sports, all the best beaches in Bali have something for you to explore and get back to your best self.

When you book your stay with Club Med Bali, you’ll get a chance to experience all of these wonderful beaches and so much more.

Most of the best beaches in Bali can be found in the south – the tourist hub of this sun-kissed island. You not only have an abundance of surfing spots and seaside lounges, but great food, malls, and nightlife nearby.

If you're looking for a Bali beach holiday with the best beaches where you can get your tan on and forget about the daily grind and focus on getting back your A-game, here are the best beaches in Bali you can consider.

1 - Swimming & Relaxing

Nusa Dua

If you’re looking to unwind and take in the beautiful scenery on your Bali holiday, you’ll need the perfect beach. Luckily, some of the best beaches in Bali have a more laid-back feel and are the perfect place for swimming and lounging.

One of the best destinations for a wholesome Bali beach holiday, Nusa Dua Beach features pristine white sands, palm trees, and calm waters making it perfect for a romantic getaway or family trip. Although it's among the calmest beaches on the island, you can still enjoy water sports such as windsurfing. Plus, it's surrounded by various other attractions for you to explore and be inspired by.

sea food in bali

Jimbaran Beach & Legian Beach

Jimbaran Beach is ideal if you're looking for a quiet place to relax and swim, yet still close to the airport. This beach with a wide, curving bay has calm waters, tame waves, and actual fishing villages. The best part of all is the affordable seafood restaurants nearby. Enjoy the fresh catches, delectable dishes, and the smell of barbeque as you dine the way locals do while basking in the cool evening sea breeze.

Legian is a great place if you have plenty of surfing in your Bali beach holiday plans. Located between Kuta and Seminyak, it's less hectic but still has plenty of things to do. After taking a dip in the water, you can shop at the nearby malls, get massages, and eat at the numerous restaurants and cafes for a truly gastronomic experience.

Suluban beach in Bali

Sanur Beach x Suluban Beach

Situated on the east of the peninsula, Sanur is a quiet beach with hotels and cafes that cater to a more discerning crowd. There are practically no waves here thanks to breakwaters. With the long cycling and walking path, you can spend some active leisure time here when you're not exploring Bali's cultural attractions and find much-needed peace and quiet to reconnect with your inner self.

Sitting directly below the famous Single Fin Bar, Suluban Beach is the main access point to the world-renowned Uluwatu surf break. Set against dramatic cliffs, this beach offers the perfect spot for a secret swim in the clear water. The only way to get to this secluded beach is by walking down the steps at Uluwatu and through the cave. However, it’s important to remember that Suluban Beach becomes inaccessible for swimming during high tide, so pick your time carefully.

virgin beach in bali

Virgin Beach

Also known as Pasir Putih or White Sand Beach, Virgin Beach is a remote spot, located off the beaten path. If you’re an adventurous type looking for a serene place to swim and relax, Virgin Beach is the place for you. Located on the east coast of Bali near Candidasa village, it offers pristine white sands and calm clear waters. Once you’re ready for a lunch break, you’ll find a few quaint seafood BBQ stalls, offering delicious Indonesian delicacies.

2 - Surfing & Water Sports

parasailing in bali

Tanjung Benoa Beach & Green Bowl Beach

If you’re looking for the perfect surf break or want to do some snorkelling and diving, Bali is one of the best places for you. Here are just a few of the best beaches for surfers in all of Indonesia.

Tanjung Benoa is great for those looking for an active beach holiday with many water sports. Being close to Nusa Dua, it is popular with tourists who want to jet-ski and parasail. The constant hustle of activities makes this lively location ideal for active holiday seekers compared to those looking for a leisure swim or lounging on the beach.

One of Bali’s most secluded beaches, Green Bowl is found at the bottom of a 75-meter tall cliff, offering 30 metres of coarse white sand. The steep descent down is part of the appeal as it only attracts the most adventurous travellers and die-hard surfers who favour the uncrowded waves. Once the waves die down or you need a break, you can look for shade and shelter in the two large limestone caves that enclose small rock shrines.

surfer in bali

Balangan Beach & Bingin Beach

Located on the Bukit Peninsula in the South of Bali, Balangan Beach is famous for its surfing crowds and laid-back experience. Devoid of tourist beach clubs, surfers and adventures can enjoy the aquamarine waters and the white sandy beach. The quiet strip of Balangan Beach is still relatively underdeveloped, making it an ideal spot for snorkelling, surfing, and sunbathing. If you’re feeling peckish, you can grab some delicious home-cooked Indonesian food at one of the few local warungs.

If you’re looking for a great surf spot that’s a bit more developed and trendy, you can’t go wrong with Binging Beach. Hailed as one of the best Beaches in Bali for surfing, this boho hideaway can be a bit difficult to find, but the payoff is incredible. With small sandy coves for swimming at low tide and perfect waves, this beach on a cliff is for sunbathers and surfers. But before you start your trip to Bingin Beach, keep in mind that you’ll first have to conquer some uneven rocky steps and difficult terrain.

snorkeling with turtle bali

Amed Beach & Balian Beach

One of the best beaches in Bali featuring black sand, Amed Beach is an absolute haven for divers and snorkelers. Nestled on the northeast coast, Amed is famous for its dramatic landscapes that inspire the perfect holiday pic. The best time to visit this black sand beach is from April to October as this period provides ideal conditions for outdoor activities. During these months you can go snorkelling, diving, hiking, and exploring the beautiful coastal landscapes of east Bali.

If Amed Beach isn’t up to your taste but you still want to see the beautiful black sand of Bali, we recommend Balian Beach. Home to a growing number of expats and surf enthusiasts, this beach draws in cool crowds all season long. There, you can see many chic boho cafes and bars, overlooking the picture-perfect waves and turquoise water. Whether you want to catch the perfect wave or grab a refreshing drink after a long day on the sands, Balian Beach is the spot for you.

3 - Best Beach Clubs

https://ns.clubmed.com/esap/2020/362/img/blog/legian_beach_2.jpg

Seminyak Beach

Located further north of Kuta and Legian, Seminyak Beach is the more sophisticated option along the west coast. With its classier hotels and shops, Seminyak is popular among families. With big waves, the waters here are more suitable for surfing than swimming. Nonetheless, we highly recommend you enjoy the sunset here, away from crowds so that you can say you’ve truly seen Bali in all its natural glory.

Pandawa Beach

Located at the southern tip of the island, Pandawa Beach lies beyond large limestone cliffs. It used to be a secret beach but is now popular among local and foreign tourists alike. As a white sand beach, Pandawa is a great place to swim and relax under the sun.

beach club in bali

Padang Padang Beach

The world-famous Padang Padang beach is the set of the iconic scene where Julia Roberts falls in love in the blockbuster movie “Eat, Pray, Love.” The calm, cove-like waters roll off the bright white bay, all framed by dramatic rock formations and incredible waves. Even though Padang Padang is a relatively small beach, the setting is simply stunning. It’s also very popular among tourists, hoping to spot celebrities here and features some excellent beach clubs.

kuta beach in bali

Kuta Beach

Kuta became the tourist hub of Bali thanks to its wide beaches, golden sand, exhilarating waves, and gorgeous sunset views. There's no shortage of clubs and bars here making it popular among young adults who like to party after spending the whole day in the ocean. What’s more, there are many surfboard rentals and drink stalls here so you can easily quench your thirst after a round of surfing and find enjoyment and opportunities to socialize and meet new people just around the corner.

4 - Nusa penida

broken beach in nusa penida

Broken Beach & Crystal Bay

A gorgeous, relatively underdeveloped island southeast of Bali, Nusa Penida is a true Indonesian gem. While it’s not the sight of glitzy beach clubs or trendy restaurants, there’s so much to do and see here.

Broken Beach is a picturesque location on Nusa Penida Island, an hour's journey from Bali by speedboat. It's called Broken Beach due to the archway that connects the ocean to its inland pool. If you’re interested in discovering unique terrains that you cannot find anywhere else, you can explore the beautiful bay or sunbathe there with a day trip to Nusa Penida.

Also located on Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is the perfect beach for those looking for an idyllic beach with crystal-clear waters. This cove, isolated by its surrounding hills, is quieter than other beaches making it a popular spot for serious snorkellers and scuba divers to be at one with nature underwater.

Atuh Beach & Kelingking Beach

Also known as Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach is on the other side of the island from the harbour. An incredible white sand beach surrounded by majestic cliffs, it’s a 15-minute hike to the perfect hidden paradise. Renowned for its serene beauty and secluded location, Atuh Beach is encircled by towering, rugged cliffs. If you decide to visit this beach, make sure you go during high tide because that’s when you can take part in some incredible activities and enjoy an amazing swim.

Arguably one of the most popular beaches in Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach is a breathtaking cliff in the ocean. Often featured in advertisements, as one of the best beaches in Bali and Indonesia, the unique formation of this beach has been drawing tourists in for the past decade. The rock formation resembles the backbone of a dinosaur, which is why Kelingking has affectionately been named T-Rex Bay. Once you’re there, you can take in the breathtaking scenery and take the perfect holiday photo.

Final Thoughts on the Best Beaches in Bali

With so many of the best beaches in Bali being close to each other, it's easy to visit multiple locations and experience all the wonders. Whether you’re looking for peace or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, there is a beach that will cater to whatever you seek so that you can focus on feeling your best.

To ensure you get the most out of your Bali holiday, book your stay with Club Med Bali today! A spacious resort in Nusa Dua, our all-inclusive resort allows you to dive into adventures and rejuvenate your body and soul. There, you can connect to the soul of Bali and try out once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Discover more about Club Med

Our most popular resorts