From dramatically rugged coastline scenery to great sweeps of golden sand and lovely white coves, Bali’s beaches have long drawn visitors to its shores. The beaches here tick all boxes, whether you’re after world-class waves to surf, crystal clear waters for diving, or simply days digging your toes into fine sand. We've put together this list of the best beaches in Bali so you know where to direct your beach towel and snorkel gear while planning your Indonesia itinerary.
Read our guide to the best time to visit Bali, and note that the May to October dry season is best.
Bali’s most carefully designed high-end beach resort luxuriates along a coastal stretch of reclaimed mangrove swamps some 14km southeast of Kuta.
What draws most visitors to Nusa Dua is one of the best beaches in Bali — a long ribbon of mostly pale gold sand, though a reef is exposed at low tide if you’re swimming.
Halfway down the shoreline, the land blossoms out into two little clumps, or “islands” (Nusa Dua means “Two Islands”), with a temple standing on each one.
From the Ngurah Rai international airport, it's around 20–30 minutes by car or taxi. Private transfers, hotel shuttles, or day tours to the beach are common.
In the early stages of planning your trip? Read our Bali travel tips, and make use of our guide to how to plan a trip to Indonesia.
Nusa Dua - one of the best beaches in Bali © Daniel-James Clarke / Shutterstock
With its crescent of golden sand and upmarket hotels, Jimbaran is a quieter alternative to Nusa Dua. Easy access to the airport makes it a handy first- or last-night destination.
Tourism aside, its raison d’être, however, is fish. Every morning at dawn the town’s fishermen return from the sea with hundreds of kilos for sale at an enjoyable covered fish market in Kedonganan, at the northern end of Jimbaran Beach.
It’s at its best around 6–7 am, but stays open all day – the stallholders are used to sightseers. Even if you don’t see it, you can taste the day’s catch when it is served at the plethora of beach warung and cafés that specialize in grilled seafood along, what's locally called, Muaya Beach.
Into island life? Discover the best Indonesian islands, and check out the best beaches in Lombok.
Jimbaran Bay is located on Bali’s southwestern coast, just south of Ngurah Rai International Airport (10–15 minutes by taxi)
It's also just 30–40 minutes by car from Kuta and Seminyak, 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Ubud, and 20–30 minutes by car from Nusa Dua.
Secret Jimbaran Beach, Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
A postcard-perfect nook of white-sand beach and outstandingly clear water, Crystal Bay is a popular dive site with operators from Nusa Lembongan.
Most come in the morning, so if you are here in the afternoon, you’re likely to have the water to yourself.
There’s good snorkelling here, too, and a shrine on an offshore islet. That said, currents in the bay can be fierce in certain tide states, so take local advice.
Fast boats (30–45 minutes) from Sanur, Padang Bai or Kusamba land you in Toyapakeh or Buyuk Harbor.
Crystal bay coastline and Beach, Nusa Penida Island, Indonesia © Shutterstock
The reason everyone comes to Kuta is the beach. Vast and although not quite so glorious as it once was, it’s still a gentle curve of pale sand that stretches for 8km from Tuban to Canggu, its breakers luring amateur and experienced surfers alike.
It’s also the venue for the much-lauded Kuta sunsets; at their blood-red best in April, but streaky-pink at any time of year and the stuff sundowners are made of – whether you choose cocktails in a hip bar or just a cold Bintang on plastic seats.
Kuta Beach is located on the southwestern coast of the island, very close to the airport (2–3 km, 10–15 minutes by car or taxi).
From Seminyak, it's about 10–15 minutes by car or scooter. From Ubud, book a private transfer to get here in 1.5 to 2 hours.
Looking for unusual holiday destinations in Indonesia? Read our guide to Indonesia beyond Bali: 7 places off the tourist trail.
Umbrellas at Kuta Beach © Chris Howey / Shutterstock
The coast west of Tabanan is a barely-touched stretch of black sand notable for weird rock formations offshore, making it one of the best beaches in Bali.
The most appealing (and developed) section is at Yeh Gangga, which has emerged as something of a luxury hideaway in recent years.
The currents make the sea too dangerous for swimming, but it’s a dramatic scene, punctuated by huge rocks, and the beach stretches for miles in both directions.
Yeh Gangga Beach can be reached by taxi from Canggu, Seminyak, or Tanah Lot in a 30–40-minute ride.
Keen to cover more ground? Read up on getting around Bali.
Yeh Gangga Beach - Massive sacred rock on sunny day on Bali - Indonesia © Shutterstock
Padang Padang is a gorgeous beach notched in the Bukit’s high cliffs that’s safe for swimming. It was used as a location in the film Eat, Pray, Love (Julia Roberts meets her beau here).
However, its fame – and the reason for all the restaurants and guesthouses – is the eponymous surf break, one of the most exciting waves in Indonesia, not least because of a kink in the final section.
This is one of the best places to visit for beach surfers. And not far off, at Pantai Suluban, lie the legendary Uluwatu waves.
Padang Padang is situated in Pecatu village, around 30 km southwest of Denpasar and about 1 hour from Kuta.
Many people rent a scooter to get around, or else take a taxi.
For more transport context, read up on getting to Indonesia.
Padang Padang beach surfers © Wonderful Nature / Shutterstock
Nine kilometres northeast of Candi Dasa lies the famously beautiful Pasir Putih (White Sand Bay).
The less-than-straightforward access, via a steep and rutted track, is part of the appeal.
The black-and-whitish-sand bay feels wild and remote, backed by palms and forest remnants, and sheltered by rocky headlands.
The aquamarine water is perfect for swimming and the reef just offshore offers decent snorkelling.
Pasir Putih Beach is located in Perasi Village, about 65 km from Denpasar and 4.5 km from Candidasa
The best access is via private car, taxi or scooter. From Kuta or Seminyak, expect the transfer to take 2.5 hours. From Candidasa, it's only a 10–15 minute ride .
Still figuring out how to configure your trip? Read our guide to how many days to spend in Bali.
Pasir Putih, a secluded beach in Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
As ever in Bali, surfers got here first – Balian Beach has the most consistent left-hand breaks in West Bali, with larger waves breaking behind off a shelf and gentler peaks inshore.
There’s no hustle, no tourist shops, just low-key accommodation, a few warungs and a beach bar, and the sense of a shared secret.
The caveat to all this is that a vicious rip inshore makes; heed local advice or be content to paddle at low tide.
Balian Beach is located in Lalanglinggah village, about 50 km (1.5–2.5 hrs) from popular hubs like Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud.
Either rent a scooter, or else take a taxi. In addition, limited local buses connect to Tabanan or Denpasar, with the last leg requiring walking.
Digging deeper into your trip plans? Read up on where to stay in Bali.
Balian beach © Gekko Gallery / Shutterstock
Strung out along the northwest coast, the village of Jungutbatu spreads out along the beachfront from its core of accommodation and restaurants.
The beach may be no great shakes for swimming but it looks gorgeous: a strip of white sand that arcs before an aqua sea filled with wooden boats and rectangular seaweed plots.
It’s an ideal place for sunset drinks or just for losing days gazing out to Bali’s Gunung Agung on the northwestern horizon.
The most convenient route is via fast boat from Sanur Beach. Boats run frequently throughout the day, taking about 30–40 minutes.
Island of Lembongan and Jungutbatu village, Bali © Shutterstock
A Lovina before tourism took hold, Pemuteran lives a double life as a fishing village and a low-key holiday getaway.
Alongside idling on the beach – a ribbon of black and biscuit-colour sand which arcs for a kilometre or so – Pemuteran is known for its snorkelling and diving.
More than a dozen reefs are within easy reach of the shore – Pemuteran has the largest shallow-reef area in Bali – and the seas are calm so there’s a site to suit all abilities.
All of which means, this is a great place to visit if you're heading to Bali with kids.
The marine life is varied, too. From turtles, giant clams and manta rays, to the very occasional whale shark, making this ideal even amongst the best beaches in Bali.
Located on Bali's northwest coast, from South Bali (Denpasar/Kuta/Ubud), the best choice is to book a private car with driver. This will take 3.5–4 hours.
On a budget? Catch a bus from Terminal Ubung (Denpasar) to Gilimanuk or Singaraja, then transfer to a red van (“bemo”) to Pemuteran.
Aerial view of Pemuteran green coastline in Bali © Shutterstock
Virgin Beach is located in the eastern part of Bali. Renowned for its unique beauty, it's a must-see spot.
The beach got its name because it is fairly unpopular and unspoilt by tourist crowds.
Public transport does not go directly to the beach, so it is worth considering renting a vehicle.
To find out how to get to the beach, ask the locals for directions, and note that they call it "Perasi Beach".
Keen to uncover the island beyond the beach? Read up on the best Bali temples.
Virgin Beach in Bali Indonesia © Shutterstock
Given its proximity to the luxury resorts in Jimbaran – even the hulking Dreamland Beach, just around the headland – Balangan is a surprise. It’s the bit the developers haven’t got around to yet.
A wonderful cove beach of golden sand that draws travellers and surfers, above the beach are some ramshackle surfer warung and a cluster of guesthouses, with new accommodation opening in the hills around.
The shallow reef offshore powers a speedy left-hand break at high tide but can make swimming dicey. Depending on the swell direction, the far southern end of the beach usually provides most shelter.
Balangan Beach (Pantai Balangan) is located on Bali’s southern Bukit Peninsula, between Jimbaran and Uluwatur.
From Ngurah Rai International Airport, it takes about 30–35 minutes by car. From Kuta, the drive is just over 20 minutes, and it's 50 minutes or so from Seminyak.
Either book a private driver, take a taxi, or rent a scooter.
Want to mix up your island experiences? Discover the best Bali tours.
Balangan Beach in Bali © Shutterstock
The entire 15km stretch of coast from Culik to Aas in the far east of Bali is known as Amed, although this is the name of just one of several villages in an area of peaceful bays, clear waters, and dramatically undulating topography.
As more people seek to escape crowds, Amed has become an important – yet still rural – tourism centre.
Visitors are drawn by the region’s impressive offshore reefs, which offer great snorkelling and diving, and facilities are mushrooming, with accommodation now available in every village bay.
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is now a popular pastime and progressive beach outlets rent them.
If a more relaxing holiday is what you're after you'll find an abundance of yoga classes. On that subject, read up on the best yoga retreats in Bali.
Amed — a coastal strip of fishing villages in East Bali — lies about 98 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport and 75 km from Ubud.
From the airport, book a private transfer in advance for a direct 2.5–3.5 hour ride.
View of Agung volcano from the ocean, Amed, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
If you're looking for one of the best beaches in Bali, Melasti Beach is exactly what you need.
This beach is a true paradise, located an hour's drive from Kuta, a popular Bali resort. Melasti Beach is attractive because it is safe to swim in, and has crystal clear water, so you can enjoy the views of the bottom and high waves on the beach are extremely rare.
The beach is particularly beautiful during sunset when the romantic landscape is coloured crimson.
The coast is also very popular for snorkeling, the local sea life is not afraid of people so you can see the underwater world even without a mask.
It's a 45 min–1 hour drive from Ngurah Rai Airport, depending on traffic — take a taxi or rent a car.
Melasti Beach, Bali © Shutterstock
Bali’s best-known beach area, the Kuta–Legian–Seminyak strip, is a 6km sweep of golden sand that draws an incongruous mix of visitors drawn by its fashionable restaurants and boutiques.
The beaches of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak share the same shoreline and flow seamlessly into one another, but the differences are quite noticeable.
The main feature of Seminyak Beach is its restless waves, which attract the young people who make up the majority of beach visitors.
The combination of golden sand and perfect waves makes it one of the best beaches in Bali for surfing.
To get to Seminyak Beach, take a taxi or rent a scooter from Ngurah Rai International Airport — it's about a 25–30 minute drive.
If you're coming from nearby areas like Kuta or Legian, it's easily walkable or just a 5–10 minute ride.
Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
Ready to head to Bali? For more inspiration while you plan your trip, discover the best things to do in Bali.
Not keen on planning? Browse our customisable Indonesia itineraries, and talk to our local experts.
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 18.06.2025
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