Going on a family holiday to Bali? Or sneaking off for a weekend, sans kids? Our Honeycombers Bali Editor, Louise, shares 15 great beaches on the island for some sand, surf and spectacular sunsets
We love family holidays where there’s a beach involved, and when it comes to quick and easy holiday destinations from Singapore, Bali is high on our list of favourites. Plus with the new automated gates in Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport available for Singaporeans and making immigration take just 15-25 seconds before you’re officially in paradise, visiting the Island of Gods just got so much easier!
No visit to the island is complete without hitting the beach for some bucket and spade time with the kiddos – and adventurous families will love the great surfing action too. Parents, we all know Bali is also a fab place to enjoy cocktails on the beach, so book a babysitter! (Or take a minibreak, just the two of you. We’re all for that too.) Without further ado, get ready for that wanderlust to increase tenfold – here are the best beaches in Bali!
1. Seminyak Beach – best for a break between cafe-hopping
If you want to be in the heart of Bali’s oceanfront action, then Seminyak Beach is the place for you. Along this impressive 5km stretch of powdery white sand, you’ll find beach bars aplenty, five-star hotels and restaurants just footsteps from the waves, and world-famous beach clubs dotting the sand. During the day, it’s great for bringing the kids to burn off some energy, watch kites flying, and spot local fishermen trying their luck. Learn to surf in the gentle whitewash of the waves, soak up the sunshine on a squishy sun bed, or settle into a comfy, colourful beanbag at La Plancha for a round of sundowners and mocktails for the teens – Ibiza-style beats included.
2. Balangan Beach – best for surf and a laid-back beach scene
Located in the South of Bali on the Bukit Peninsula, Balangan Beach is best known amongst the island’s surfing crowds and those looking for a laid-back beach experience without the throng of touristic beach clubs. Ocean babies can enjoy the aquamarine waters or playing in the sand by the many loungers and umbrellas that line the sandy beach. This quiet strip is still fairly underdeveloped with just a few local warungs (little wooden shacks serving home-cooked Indonesian food and icy cold Bintangs), and since it’s blessed with awesome waves for both beginners and pros, Balangan is perfect for surfers who prefer cool tropical vibes over a pumping party scene.
3. Echo Beach – best for date night
What was once the go-to destination for a romantic beachfront barbecue has now become one of the coolest oceanfront spots to see and be seen. Echo Beach is the watering hole of Canggu (quite literally) with countless surf spots in every direction and shabby-chic bars dotted along the black sands to enjoy the views. This lively, community-vibe coastline goes from a playground of sun and surf by day, to party spot by night, so you know where to go if you’ve arranged a babysitter!
4. Sundays Beach Club – best for a five-star experience
Another South Bali gem, Sundays Beach Club at the Ungasan Clifftop Resort boasts a private white sand bay, stunning turquoise blue waters and an offshore coral reef housing Nemo and his friends. Hidden discretely at the bottom of a dramatic cliff face, this paradisal spot can only be reached by an inclinator taking you directly to the club, where the kids can enjoy beach time and you can enjoy a spa session! Don’t miss the bonfires on the beach at sunset, and come hungry because you’ll want to tuck into the delicious island-inspired menu by famed Aussie chef, James Viles. Just be sure to leave enough space for some serious water-based frolicking, like snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking the crystal clear waters.
5. White Sand Beach (Pasir Putih) – best for road trippers
Pasir Putih, also known as White Sand Beach, is a remote, off-the-beaten-path beach that rewards the most adventurous of road trippers. It’s located on the East Coast of Bali, near to the village of Candidasa, and with its pristine soft white sands that dramatically contrast to its volcanic black sand neighbours, it seriously stands out. When you see the “white sand beach” sign, follow the dirt track until you reach the carpark. You’ll spot the line up of local seafood BBQ stalls [perfect for a sea view lunch] and the calm, clear waters that make White Sand Beach a lovely spot for swimmers, too.
6. Jimbaran Bay – best for seafood feasts
This long, expansive, soft white sand beach is not only well known for its gorgeous scenery (the glittering sands stretch for a full 3km), but also as the spot where local fishermen sell their fresh-from-the-net fish each morning at the bustling markets. As the island’s seafood hub, it’s no surprise then that you’ll also find a number of beachfront barbecues dotted along the coastline, cooking up the day’s catch for your grazing pleasure as the sun sets. For a dinner feast, head to the bay before dark and choose your ocean treats straight from the water tanks to devour just a few minutes later, or if it’s sunshine you’re after, find a quiet spot away from the stalls and enjoy the calm waters from dawn until dusk.
7. Padang Padang Beach – best for that Eat Pray Love moment
You might recognise this beautiful bay from the Eat, Pray, Love movie, where Julia Roberts falls head over heels for her Brazilian hunk. Chances are, you’ll fall in love with the calm waters rolling off the bright white bay, framed by dramatic rock formations. Though Padang Padang is a relatively small beach about 10 minutes north of Uluwatu, the setting is simply stunning. The best time to visit is early in the morning around sunrise (if you can get the kids up!) when you can see Padang Padang in all its dazzling, natural glory, and before the throng of visitors descend on this spot in the hope of spotting Ms Roberts.
8. Suluban Beach – best for secret swims
This dreamy destination might well be directly below the famous and bustling Single Fin bar and the main access point to the world-renowned Uluwatu surf break, but come low tide, this spot at Suluban Beach is a true hidden treasure, and the best for a secret swim. Set against stunning dramatic cliffs, the water here is as turquoise as it gets. To access this little piece of paradise, you’ll need to walk down the steps at Uluwatu, through the caves and onto the sand – so this is one to visit with older, adventurous kids (no toddlers who might need to be carried!). Remember, when it’s high tide this swimming spot is inaccessible, so you’ll need to check the tide times for your trip here, and don’t forget to pack your bathers.
9. Karma Beach – best for the luxe life by the beach
Part of the stunning Karma Kandara Resort, this luxury and private beach spot brings the vibes of a swanky Mediterranean island with crowds of trendy globe trotters looking for exclusivity in a totally chic setting. The sea is a perfect shade of azure blue and great for snorkelling and water sports, while the crescent white sands are great for playing a spot of beach volleyball, or simply hanging out in cabanas and tucking into delicious wood-fired pizzas from the natural bamboo restaurant. Heaven is officially a place on earth.
10. Bingin Beach – best for boho vibes & epic surf
Look out for the signs made of recycled wood, or follow the small groups of Bali’s cool crowds with surf boards in-hand and the lack of shoes or sandals on their feet. Bingin Beach is a boho hideaway that’s hard to find unless you know where you’re going, or who to follow. With perfect waves and small sandy coves for swimming at low tide, this cliff-base beach is a favourite for Bali’s sun soakers and surfers. You’ll need to be relatively fit to get to and from the beach (there are uneven, rocky steps from the top of the cliff to the sands, so again, one to visit with the older kids), but your efforts will certainly be rewarded. Dozens of affordable beach stays line the cliffside, too, making this a good spot for budget trips. There are some great healthy cafes here too, perfect for a post-surf refuel and insta-ready sunsets.
11. Gunung Payung – best for postcard-perfect pics
Gunung Payung, also known as Secret Beach, is the epitome of a picture-perfect, postcard paradise. In fact, we were a little hesitant to include this in our roundup, since we’d like to keep this little treasure to ourselves. Alas, we can’t keep this gem a secret. Think powder white sands, warm tropical waters that are as flat as a duck pond at low-tide, and if you’re lucky, not another human in sight. This beach isn’t for the faint-hearted though. It’s a 301 step trek up and down (we counted) and once you’re down there, there’s no restaurants for refreshment or shady sun beds, just one local guy who sometimes has a cool-box with cold water and Cokes, and if he’s feeling strong enough, will also bring his single sun bed and umbrella down from the top carpark for the day for hire. It’s well worth it though, just don’t forget to hydrate.
12. Nusa Dua Beach – best for a family day out
A seemingly endless stretch of powder white perfection, Nusa Dua Beach is so flawless, it almost looks manmade. It borders the coastline of Nusa Dua’s resort area, fringed by manicured lawns and five-star hotels that have been tastefully sheltered by palm trees and natural building materials. Not only are the beaches impeccably clean and the waters calm, the shoreline is full of family-friendly restaurants, activities and even a shopping complex, so it’s the ideal destination for a fun-filled family day out that won’t leave the little ones hot and bothered thanks to plenty of places to cool off and recharge.
13. Balian Beach – best for surfing
Home to a growing number of expat crowds and surf fanatics, Balian Beach draws in the cool crowds with its pounding surf, instagram-friendly dunes and knolls, and new boho cafes and bars popping up every other day – all of which just so happen to overlook the world-class waves from the towering cliff face above. Whether you simply stroll along the sprawling black sands, brave the water or kick back with a sunset beer post-surf, Balian Beach has an undeniable charm that keeps us coming back every other weekend, and it just so happens to sit in prime position on Bali’s west-facing sunset coast, too…
14. Amed Beach – best for diving and snorkelling
With black sands and soaring volcanoes on the horizon, Amed isn’t your typical beachfront vista, but boy is it a good’un. Sitting on Bali’s northeastern coast, Amed is known for its dramatic landscapes that guarantee some awe-inspiring holiday pics. And if you’re into diving or just want to go snorkelling with the kids, Amed is also home to one of the island’s most vibrant reefs – a coral garden that’s as colourful as it is popular. An adventure beneath the waves here often involves a trip to nearby Tulamben, too, to explore the sunken US Liberty Shipwreck that’s teaming with life and aquatic beauty. You’ll definitely want an underwater camera for this one…
15. Nusa Lembongan – best for day trippers
When you feel like you’ve ventured to all of Bali’s beaches, swam in all of its seas and soaked up all of its sunshine, head to Sanur’s main harbour and hop on a 30 minute fast boat over to the neighbouring island of Nusa Lembongan. As Bali’s lesser-known and quieter sibling, Nusa Lembongan has a whole host of stunning beaches that are almost untouched. Dream Beach is one of the most famous (and loveliest), and though it’s garnered quite a bit of tourist attention in recent years, it’s still no match to mainland Bali. Also look out for Mushroom Bay, Sandy Bay and Paradise Beach. The names say it all.
Get more insider info on Bali over at our sister site, Honeycombers Bali.
This article was originally written by Louise Newsham in 2020 and updated by Syazana Hishamuddin in 2024.
