15 Best Beaches in Bali – The 2019 Guide

Are you looking for the best beaches in Bali? Here’s the 2019 Beach guide with the best Bali beaches for everyone, no matter if you just want to soak up the sun, go on an adventure or get your surfing going. 

Bali is known for being a paradise island, and many people around the world come here on vacation with the expectation of having an endless amount of paradise beaches in Bali.

And of course, many of them are absolutely breathtaking, but the most popular beaches in Bali aren’t necessarily the best ones, so that’s why I decided to share my favorite Bali beaches and how you can get there as well. 

Bingin Beach

Let’s start with one of the picture-perfect postcard beaches in Bali – Bingin Beach, which is located on the west coast of the Bukit peninsula in the south. It can be quite hard to find without the use of Google maps if you’re driving there by scooter, but it’s well worth a visit. 

Pasir Putih

Pasir Putih is also known as Virgin Beach or White Sand Beach. It’s one of the most remote beaches on this list, located about 2 hours driving from Kuta on the East Coast, near a village called Candidasa.

Pasir Putih is known for its pristine white sand and beautiful scenery as well as good snorkeling and seafood restaurants.

Sanur Beach

Sanur is one of the quieter resort towns of Bali, and here you’ll find a long beach that seems almost endless accompanied by a lovely coastal promenade. The atmosphere here is laid-back and you can expect clear waters and golden sand. 

Sanur Beach is also a great place to stay in Bali, and it’s known for its traditional boats. 

Nusa Dua 

Nusa Dua is known for its clean beaches and calm waters, so no wonder it’s such a popular family destination. It has something for every age, and the shoreline is full of restaurants and shops where you can entertain yourself when you get bored from sunbathing.

Nusa Dua is located on the East Coast of the Bukit Peninsula. 

Karma Beach

Karma Beach has become one of the trendiest beaches in Bali, and it’s known for its gorgeous azure water and white soft sand. It’s a luxurious private beach, which is part of the Karma Kandara resort.

It’s located on the southernmost part of the Bukit Peninsula.

Gunung Payung

Gunung Payung is one of the postcard beaches of Bali where you can expect powder white sand, calm waters and lush scenery. It’s easy to access thanks to the road, and on the beach, you can pay for sunbeds and umbrellas.

Thomas Beach

Thomas Beach might no longer be a secret Bali beach, but it still offers a secluded getaway which is perfect for soaking up the sun and just enjoy a relaxing day on the beach. 

It’s located south of Bingin Beach on the Bukit Peninsula, and you can easily drive here on your own by renting a scooter. 

Amed Beach

If you’re looking for the best place to go snorkeling in Bali, Amed beach is right on the top. It certainly isn’t your typical golden or white beach but a black sandy beach. Amed is known for having a teeming marine life and one of the most colorful reefs on the island. 

Due to its remote location on the East coast, it remains fairly calm without the crowds. 

Kelingking Beach (Nusa Penida)

Thanks to Instagram and Social Media, this beach has gone viral and become one of the most popular places to go on a day trip in Bali. Kelingking beach is known for its amazing scenery and nature as well as a wonderful beach, although it can get pretty wavy here and potentially even dangerous. 

It certainly isn’t one of the best beaches in Bali for swimming, but it sure is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bali.

Dream Beach (Nusa Lembongan)

Dream beach is definitely one of the best beaches in Bali, all categories. It has pristine white sand, turquoise water, a relaxed vibe and it really justifies its name. To get here, simply take a fast boat for 30 minutes from Sanur, and spend the day in paradise. 

Bias Tugel Beach

If you’re looking for secluded beaches in Bali, Bias Tugel is a good choice. It’s located in East Bali, not far from the village of Padangbai. It’s a lovely place known for its snorkeling and being away from the crowds.

The best way to get here is by renting a scooter and driving here yourself. 

Padang Padang

Padang Padang has become a hotspot for surfers as well as paddle boarders and while it’s relatively small in size compared to some other beaches in Bali, it’s one of the nicer beaches you can visit around Uluwatu on the Bukit Penisula. 

All in all, it’s a nice place to spend your day soaking up the sun and gorgeous sea views. 

Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran Bay offers its visitors about a 3-kilometer long stretch of white sand, which is nice during the day. But Jimbaran has perhaps become more famous for its spectacular sunsets and seafood restaurants serving up freshly caught fish right on the beach.

Balangan Beach

Balangan Beach has become a popular spot among surfers on the islands, and it has a laid back vibe without beach clubs. It’s still quite undeveloped and you can even find some good warungs next to it where you can eat traditional Balinese food.

It’s a good place both for sunbathers who can soak up the sun in the loungers, and surfers at beginner levels, thanks to mild waves.

Seminyak Beach

Last but not least, the beach in Seminyak, which is great for surfers and sunbathers. It’s a large golden beach that stretches for several kilometers, and it’s also one of the places to see the sunset as you sip on some cocktails or food at any of the beach cafes.

There are also some beach clubs here such as Potato Head, Alila Beach Bar, and Cocoon Beach Club. It’s also a great base and area to stay, and I particularly recommend staying at The Legian Seminyak, which is located right on the beach. 

Best beaches in Bali for snorkeling

Snorkeling is a popular activity and here are some of the best Bali beaches for snorkeling where you can enjoy a rich marine life.

• Nusa Dua
• Menjangan Island
• Dream Beach (Nusa Lembongan)
• Padangbai
• Amed beach

More about the beaches in Bali

As already mentioned, I don’t find the most popular Bali beaches to be the best ones. For example, Kuta beach is very popular because it’s one of the busiest resort destinations on the island, but the beach itself is nothing special and if you’re dreaming of paradise beaches in Bali and decide to go to Kuta, you’ll likely be disappointed. 

With that said, some of the best beaches in Bali are somewhat remotely located, away from the crowds. However, there are exceptions. Seminyak beach, for example, is so large that visitors can choose a part of the beach which suits their needs. One part of the beach is dedicated to beach clubs, but you can also find yourself a spot away from most other tourists if that’s what you prefer. 

The beaches of Bali are sandy and clean in general, but during the rainy season, it’s not uncommon for trash to wash ashore.

Also, I wouldn’t come here with the highest expectations of finding the best beaches in the world because to be completely honest, you won’t find them in Bali, although Bali is a lovely destination, specifically known for its distinct culture, friendly locals and breathtaking landscapes. 

Don’t get me wrong though, the beaches in Bali are nice in general, but some of them can be quite unswimmable, and not all of them will come with pristine white sand and turquoise water. 

Are Bali beaches safe for swimming?

There are many beaches in Bali that are safe for swimming and snorkeling. However, at some times during the year, some beaches will have red flags due to dangerous undertows and rip tides.

This is mostly true for the coastal beaches ranging from Canggu to Kuta, but it varies throughout the year. Just make sure that there is no red flag swaying before you go into the ocean. 

Which are the best beaches in Bali?

In my opinion, the best beaches in Bali are Bingin Beach, Dream Beach and Nusa Dua as well as the beach in Seminyak. But the answer will depend on preference and who you ask, so it’s better to find your own favorite beach in Bali. 

Map of the Beaches in Bali

As you can see on the map below, most of the beaches are located on the Bukit Peninsula in the south of Bali. 

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Which of these Bali beaches is your favorite? Leave a comment below!