For such a small island, it's amazing how many different types of Bali beaches there are. You have beaches with white sand and palm trees, but there are also the black volcanic beaches where you can find great Bali scuba diving sites or cliff beaches which are mostly popular among surfers.
Here is a list of our 6 favorite Bali beaches. They all differ from each other but they are mostly the beaches where you want to chill out on the soft sand during you beach holiday in Bali.
Jimbaran - South Bali
Jimbaran is located just under Kuta beach. Unlike the other beaches located north of Jimbaran and popular among travelers, this beach has soft clean sand and most importantly it is very quiet.
Unlike other Bali beaches hawkers are not allowed here, so once on Jimbaran beach you can fully enjoy the sun and refreshing sea breeze.
And when the sun is about to set and you get hungry you can stroll to the many restaurants located on the beach. Enjoy grilled seafood and a good glass of wine by candle light...
Sanur - South Bali
Sanur beach is a clean beach set along a walking path and a string of Bali beach resorts. A lot of activities take place at this beach, from sunbathing on the comfortable sunbeds, massages on the beach, to renting traditional boats to go on a tour along the coast line.
A great thing about this beach is that you can stroll along the walking path for miles on end. Every now and then you can stop for some drinks and food or to check the many shops right at the beach.
Padang Padang - South Bali
Padang Padang beach is set in a bay, so you need to climb down a few stairs to get there. It's a beautiful beach and because it's set within a bay it feels very secluded.
Besides its soft sand the water here is amazingly clear and has a green-blue emerald color. On specific times during the day it's a popular spot for surfers because of the great waves. But most of the time the water is calm here. Just as the whole atmosphere at this beach, very relaxing...
Balangan - South Bali
Balangan beach only has a couple of accommodation options available, which makes it a very quiet place to spend a couple of days on the beach.
Surfers come here to catch some waves, but at low tide puddles form near the beach where you can lie in and cool down. The soft sand makes it a perfect spot for a stroll while enjoying the sunset.
Pasir Putih - East Bali
Pasir Putih means white beach and this description is not an exaggeration. It's one of the whitest Bali beaches we've seen so far on the island. With the dark blue ocean on one side and the palm trees on the other, you can say that this beach is picture post card perfect.
Surprisingly, but maybe also luckily there is no tourist development here. So don't expect hotels or big restaurants. Instead there are only a handfull of warungs (small restaurants) along the beach and a couple of sunbeds.
Nevertheless, if you want to experience the white tropical beach then this is the place to be...
Balian - West Bali
Balian beach has black sand and the water here is mostly attractive for surfers than for those who want to take a dip.
So why is this one of our favorite Bali beaches?
I guess it's the whole atmosphere, it very laid back and it's a place where you can relax, feel the seabreeze, walk along the beach and enjoy each others company. To fully appreciate Balian beach you should plan to stay there at least one night. There are a couple of nice places to stay here, so that won't be a problem...
Jimbaran - South Bali
Jimbaran is located just under Kuta beach. Unlike the other beaches located north of Jimbaran and popular among travelers, this beach has soft clean sand and most importantly it is very quiet.
Unlike other Bali beaches hawkers are not allowed here, so once on Jimbaran beach you can fully enjoy the sun and refreshing sea breeze.
And when the sun is about to set and you get hungry you can stroll to the many restaurants located on the beach. Enjoy grilled seafood and a good glass of wine by candle light...
Sanur - South Bali
Sanur beach is a clean beach set along a walking path and a string of Bali beach resorts. A lot of activities take place at this beach, from sunbathing on the comfortable sunbeds, massages on the beach, to renting traditional boats to go on a tour along the coast line.
A great thing about this beach is that you can stroll along the walking path for miles on end. Every now and then you can stop for some drinks and food or to check the many shops right at the beach.
Padang Padang - South Bali
Padang Padang beach is set in a bay, so you need to climb down a few stairs to get there. It's a beautiful beach and because it's set within a bay it feels very secluded.
Besides its soft sand the water here is amazingly clear and has a green-blue emerald color. On specific times during the day it's a popular spot for surfers because of the great waves. But most of the time the water is calm here. Just as the whole atmosphere at this beach, very relaxing...
Balangan - South Bali
Balangan beach only has a couple of accommodation options available, which makes it a very quiet place to spend a couple of days on the beach.
Surfers come here to catch some waves, but at low tide puddles form near the beach where you can lie in and cool down. The soft sand makes it a perfect spot for a stroll while enjoying the sunset.
Pasir Putih - East Bali
Pasir Putih means white beach and this description is not an exaggeration. It's one of the whitest Bali beaches we've seen so far on the island. With the dark blue ocean on one side and the palm trees on the other, you can say that this beach is picture post card perfect.
Surprisingly, but maybe also luckily there is no tourist development here. So don't expect hotels or big restaurants. Instead there are only a handfull of warungs (small restaurants) along the beach and a couple of sunbeds.
Nevertheless, if you want to experience the white tropical beach then this is the place to be...
Balian - West Bali
Balian beach has black sand and the water here is mostly attractive for surfers than for those who want to take a dip.
So why is this one of our favorite Bali beaches?
I guess it's the whole atmosphere, it very laid back and it's a place where you can relax, feel the seabreeze, walk along the beach and enjoy each others company. To fully appreciate Balian beach you should plan to stay there at least one night. There are a couple of nice places to stay here, so that won't be a problem...
