The BEST Beaches in Bali (Swimming and Surfing)

I can speak from experience of the magnetic power Bali has. After visiting twice for a few weeks each time, I decided to apply for a program to live in Bali for a year while learning the language and culture.

It was one of the best decisions I ever made and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Bali.

“Paradise” is a word that often gets tossed around when describing Bali, and for good reason. This famous island in Indonesia is known for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and vast selection of beaches. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best beaches in Bali.

While Bali may look small on the map, this unassuming island packs a lot in and it’s definitely one of the top places to visit in the country.

In addition to its many excellent beaches, the island also has volcanoes, lakes, hot springs, forests, waterfalls, and more. With a few days here, you can take in a little bit of everything. 

The 10 Best Beaches in Bali

If you’re ready to start planning your own dream trip to the Island of the Gods, read on to find the right Bali beach (or five) for you!

1. Uluwatu Beach(es)

The area of Uluwatu has become super popular over the last couple of years, and the defined areas of Bingin and Ulu have now merged together – it’s practically one area now. So here I’ll list a few of the best beaches in Bali in the Uluwatu area.

Uluwatu Beach

Bali has long been a top destination for surfers thanks to places like Uluwatu Beach. Located at the far southern end of the island on the Bukit peninsula, this is a legendary surfing spot. It should be noted that while many know it as Uluwatu Beach, it’s technically called Suluban.

In order to access Uluwatu and many other beaches on the peninsula, you have to walk down a long and steep staircase. This is definitely not the best Bali beach for those with mobility issues or people traveling with young children. 

For surfers, it’s definitely well worth the effort to get down to Uluwatu Beach. Although I gave it a try while I was there, I can’t surf to save my life, so I’ll send you to this excellent and detailed post from Surf Indonesia about all the waves you can ride there. 

Those who aren’t surfing should plan to visit Uluwatu Beach at low tide. It’s not exactly the best place for sunbathing, but it’s a beautiful spot to explore when the waves aren’t crashing. Be sure to check the tide chart before heading down here so you can time your visit accordingly. 

One of my favourite spots to watch the sunset and surfers is at Single Fin – the music is great, it’s always busy, and the snack food is good as well (the spicy edamame pair perfectly with a cold beer)…it’s also one of the best parties on the island every Sunday night! Click here for directions to Uluwatu Beach.

Thomas Beach

This is a great beach to chill out on. It’s a good place for beginner waves, and like many places in Uluwatu, the best swimming is around low tide when the waves aren’t as big.

It’s a quiet place with local restaurants, some surf shacks and not much else. Bring a book and spend the day enjoying the beach here. Click here for directions to Thomas Beach.

3. Padang Padang

This beach is famous (like many place in Bali) from the movie Eat Pray Love. But, it’s much more than just a movie location.

The surf here can be good, and the shoreline is perfect for relaxing. To access it, you’ll have to go down a lot of steps, and walk through an interesting cave split – but it’s worth it and of course, the sunsets here are spectacular.

When I visited, there were quite a few people on the beach (it’s a small area), so maybe best to avoid weekends, and try to visit in the shoulder season. Find it on the map, here.

2. Seminyak Beach

This is one of the top beaches in Bali for boogie-boarding, or beginner/intermediate surfing.

Seminyak is actually one of my personal favorites – I know people love the beaches around Uluwatu, but hear me out! It’s also known as Double Six, and it’s one of the most happening spots on the island. 

There’s a lot to love about this trendy Bali beach town. There’s tons of space here to just lay your towel down in the sand, and it’s not hard to find sun loungers and umbrellas if you want a bit more comfort. 

Seminyak Beach has waves, but they’re not huge depending on the time of day, or the season. This makes it a great spot for swimming, boogie-boarding, or beginner-intermediate-level surfing. You can easily rent a surf board here, and a guide.

Another reason to love the Seminyak area is the abundance of great restaurants, accommodation options and beach clubs. I loved chillin out on one of the colorful beanbags at the beachside La Plancha, or you could head up to the Double 6 Rooftop for some incredible views.

This stretch of beach is located about a 30-minute drive from the airport, just north of the busier Kuta/Legian area. Click here for directions to Double Six, and Seminyak Beach is just north of there.

3. Virgin Beach

Virgin Beach (Pasir Putih) is one of the best beaches in Bali for swimming.

It’s located on the northeast coast and it takes a while to reach, but it’s worth the effort. This gorgeous stretch of white sand is rare in this part of the island. Most of the beaches in East Bali are black, volcanic sand and aren’t exactly the best for lounging on. 

There’s not a whole lot going on here, but that’s the beauty of the place. There are a few simple warung (local restaurants) on the beach that will let you use their chairs if you order something.

These places may not look like much, but I’ve had some of the most amazing grilled fish anywhere at Virgin Beach, and the restaurant staff are super friendly.

This part of the island doesn’t get waves, so this is a great spot to do some swimming and a bit of snorkeling. You can bring your own or rent one from one of the restaurants.

The closest town with tourist facilities to Virgin Beach is Candidasa. From here it’s only about a 20-minute drive. If you’re traveling to Virgin Beach from towns in the south or Ubud, it’ll take a few hours. Click here to find it on the map.

4. Nusa Lembongan Beach

Nusa Lembongan Beach offers a bit of everything. It’s a good place for snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and swimming. 

There are three smaller islands just off the southwest coast that are still considered part of Bali, and Nusa Lembongan is one of them.

These are known as the Nusa Islands (Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida) and they are easily visited on a day trip.

On Nusa Lembongan, you’ll find quite a few beaches to choose from. The main beach is Jungutbatu, which is where you’ll find a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, and bars.

Actually, the Nusa Islands are known for excellent snorkeling, diving, and surfing. When visiting, I prefer to base myself in Candidasa and go on dive excursions from there. Check out our article here to learn about diving around the Nusa Islands from Candidasa.

Nusa Lembongan is home to several dive shops and surfing schools to get you set up. The surf breaks here are better suited for more experienced riders, as they all break over coral reefs. 

There are many other beautiful beaches worth exploring on Lembongan. With a rented scooter, you can easily visit Mushroom Beach, Sandy Bay, Dream Beach, Coconut Beach (which is one of the best beaches in Bali for families), and more.

There’s enough to see and do here to warrant spending a few nights on the island, and it’s far more enjoyable once all the day-trippers have left anyways!

5. Canggu Beach

Yes, it’s true that Canggu has really grown over the years since I first visited. But, the beach is still great for surfing and having a drink. It also offers the best sunset spot in Bali.  

Canggu is another Bali beach that’s wildly popular with surfers. It’s located north of Seminyak and is also easily reached from the airport. This area has been developing rapidly over the past few years and Canggu is now a hot spot for digital nomads and yogis.

Canggu is actually home to a few different beaches. From south to north, there’s Berawa, Batu Bolong, Echo Beach, and finally Pererenan. Each beach has its own unique vibe and offers different things.

The beaches here have dark grey or black sand and these aren’t the best beaches in Bali for swimming, as the waves can be really rough. As such, you’ll find the Canggu beaches far less crowded than the ones further south.

Berawa has a few restaurants and bars, and you can also rent boards and loungers here for a reasonable price. This is my personal favorite beach to go to when I just want to enjoy some surfing or boogie-boarding without the crowds and touts. 

When you look up “Canggu Beach” on Google Maps, it takes you to Batu Bolong. There’s a lot more action here, thanks in large part to Old Man’s. This is one of the coolest bars in all of Bali and the perfect place to party after a big day out on the water. 

Just to be clear, you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy Canggu. I can’t stand on a surfboard to save my life and I always have a good time hitting Canggu Beach.

It’s especially fun to visit around sunset to watch the surfers riding their last waves as the sun dips behind the horizon. A day at the beach followed by dinner and drinks in Canggu is a great addition to any Bali itinerary.

6. Sanur Beach

Another favourite beach of mine! Sanur Beach is an excellent spot for swimming, relaxing, and walking.

This gorgeous Bali beach holds a special place in my heart. Sanur is a sleepy fishing town on the southeast coast of Bali and it’s where I lived for most of my year on the island. 

Despite having a very substantial tourism scene, Sanur remains at its heart a traditional Balinese village. Traffic comes to a standstill here quite often when processions go through the streets, and there’s a massive performance and parade for the Balinese New Year.

Every summer, the town hosts a traditional kite festival. If it’s “real Bali” that you seek (whatever that means), Sanur is a great choice.

While many decry Sanur as being too boring – its nickname is actually “Snore” – I find that to be far from the truth. Sure, there are no gnarly waves or rowdy beach clubs here, but that’s precisely why I (and many others) love it.

The beaches here are nice, the water is calm, and there are several places with sun loungers and umbrellas available. There’s a long path along the beach that makes for the perfect place to go for a leisurely stroll in the morning or evening.

It’s one of the few places in Bali where you can enjoy a walk without fear of being run over by a motorbike.

While surfing isn’t really possible over here, you can still go jet-skiing, SUPing, snorkeling, or diving from Sanur Beach. There are also a few excellent yoga studios on the beachfront.

There are actually a few different beaches in town. Sanur Beach is the most central (click here for directions), and other beaches in the area include Sindhu, Karang, and Mertasari. There are tons of options for places to stay, shop, eat, and drink here, making Sanur a very convenient base.

7. Jimbaran Beach

Jimbaran Beach is one of the best beaches in Bali for swimming and enjoying a meal. 

This Bali beach is also the easiest one to reach from the airport. In fact, Jimbaran Beach starts just south of the runway. You can be chilling on the beach with a cold one in hand in no time!

This beach is part of the narrow isthmus that connects the mainland to the Bukit Peninsula – making it a very convenient place to base yourself for exploration of south Bali. With a scooter, you can be in either Kuta or Nusa Dua in under half an hour.

Jimbaran Beach is a pretty mellow place in terms of both the ocean and the vibes. There aren’t big waves here at all, so this definitely isn’t high on the radar of surfers.

If you’re a total beginner, though, this is a good place to try it out. It’s actually where I tried (and mostly failed at) surfing for the very first time. But most people are content with just lounging on the beach, so it’s one of the more laid-back places on this list.

8. Lovina Beach

If you really want to escape the crowds, one of the best beaches in Bali to visit is Lovina. It’s located on the far north coast of the island, which feels worlds apart from the chaos of the south.

The name Lovina actually refers to a stretch of seven different villages along the northern coast of Bali.

Beaches here are generally black sand and the water is very calm – this isn’t the Bali beach for you if you’re chasing waves. There is, however, some quality snorkeling and diving on tap up here.

Lovina’s biggest claim to fame is the dolphins that inhabit the waters around town. There’s even a statue of the aquatic mammals on the main beach. Basically, everyone in Lovina can set you up on an early morning tour in search of dolphins. 

From the airport, it’s about a 2.5-3-hour drive to reach Lovina Beach. If you end up renting a scooter/car or just hiring a driver, it’s worth it to add stops at the Jatiluwih rice terraces, Ulun Danu Beratan temple, and maybe even the Aling-Aling waterfall on your way. 

Since it’s such a long trip, I don’t really recommend coming all the way here just for the afternoon. Do what I do and stay a few days.

Lovina Beach is actually a great place to spend a few nights. There are plenty of options for accommodation here and the prices are very reasonable. Plus, it’s nice to experience a more authentic Bali beach town that’s devoid of McDonald’s and Starbucks. 

If you end up staying a few nights in Lovina, I highly recommend taking the short trip inland one afternoon to go to the Banjar Hot Springs. These pools full of natural hot spring water are a great place to relax for a couple of hours. It’s just a 20-30 minute drive from Lovina to get there. Find Lovina on the map here.

9. Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua is one of the best swimming beaches in Bali, and it’s also one of the most beautiful. 

Considered by many (including me) to be Bali’s most luxurious beach, Nusa Dua is located down on the northeast corner of the Bukit Peninsula. This area is known for its swanky resorts, upmarket shopping, and world-class golf course. In short, this is where the fabulous people stay!

Nusa Dua is very much a tourist enclave, and it’s actually a gated zone where you have to pass through security. While it may seem very exclusive, most of the beach is still public here.

Even if you’re not staying at a 5-star hotel, it’s well worth it to visit Nusa Dua for an afternoon. This is one of the nicest beaches in Bali.

The beach in Nusa Dua is white sand and the water is great for swimming. If your idea of a perfect day at the beach involves a sun lounger, a few adult beverages, and a good book, this is the Bali beach for you. 

There are a few things to do here. One of the highlights of visiting Nusa Dua is seeing the famous Waterblow. This is a point on the coast where waves crash into a rock formation in a dramatic fashion. It’s also a very popular spot for photo ops, so you have to pay a small entrance fee to access the path.

Nusa Dua is the best beach in Bali if you’re on a honeymoon, looking for some quiet, or are wanting a more luxurious stay. You can find Nusa Dua on the map here. 

Beaches to Avoid in Bali

Unfortunately, these beaches were once great, but over years, things have really changed. There’s been a lot of construction in Bali, and high number of visitors. In my opinion, sadly, these beaches don’t make the cut anymore.

Bingin Beach

Bingin was once a great place for surfing and swimming and it was a bit of a hidden gem as it was challenging to get to. There were lots of local restaurants here, and some guesthouses and shops once you made it down the cliff.

These days, the government demolished the entire area in order to build something (rumours are it’s another beach club…), but so far, it’s just a bunch of rubble. Find Bingin on the map here.

Kuta Beach

I was never a fan of this area, but a lot of people are. Kuta Beach has a reputation as being the party area…and it definitely lives up to that. Think: loud music, tons of people, and unfortunately, garbage on the beach. It’s the closest beach to the airport, so people who are coming for just a day or two often stay here. My opinion? Avoid it. There are much better beaches in Bali to spend your time at!

Stay Connected in Bali

As with anywhere in the world, you’ll want to make sure you have internet connection abroad during your trip to Bali. Our go-to solution is to get a travel eSIM card from Holafly. Rather than using old-school physical SIM cards, or relying on spotty wifi, you simply add this virtual eSIM to your phone using a QR code.

The best part, however, is having data as soon as you arrive in Bali. You can be sitting on the tarmac and get online right away, which is helpful when trying to figure out how to get to your accommodation, trying to search for somewhere to eat, or simply looking up the cost of something.

We highly recommend eSIMs from Holafly and use them when we travel. Goats On The Road readers receive a 5% discount. Click here to learn more about the eSIMs in Bali, which include unlimited data!

Best Bali Beaches: FAQs

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about visiting the beaches in Bali.

In Conclusion

As you can see, Bali is home to many fantastic beaches, each unique in its own way. When I look back on the year I spent in Indonesia, some of my most vivid memories took place on these best beaches in Bali.

My best advice is to rent a scooter or a car, or just hire the amazing local drivers and do a loop of the island to visit as many of the amazing beaches as you can!

Note: Some images in this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

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