10 of the Top Beaches on Bali For Every Type of Traveler

Sheltered by an offshore reef, the shallow, mellow Sanur Beach has been one of the top Bali beach destinations for families for a long time. It runs for several miles along Bali’s east coast—with a seaside path that’s both walkable and cyclable. The calm, warm waters have a gently sloping sandy bottom, and the golden beach is perfect for building sandcastles. And one of the best Bali beach travel tips? You can rent kayaks, bicycles, or e-bikes here.

Home to a strip of beach and rapidly disappearing rice fields on Bali’s west coast, Canggu and its (in)famous party scene draws travelers from around the world. Expect to find endless bamboo beach bars and plenty of fun. Discover live music on the sands, international name DJs, or a sleek daybed with minimum spend to match. Start at Berawa Beach, walk north, and see where the day (or night) takes you.

Indonesia is one of the world’s top dive destinations, and with good reason. But the rounded pebbles and volcanic sands of Tulamben Beach near Amed on Bali’s northeast coast lead to the island’s signature dive site: the USS Liberty Wreck (USAT Liberty).

A World War II cargo ship, the Liberty lies on a slope, so its highest points are just a few feet below the surface. This makes it an unusually accessible shipwreck for snorkelers and divers alike, and watching turtles and tropical fish flit through sunken portholes is magical. See it on a dive tour or independently while snorkeling.

Up in Bali’s northwest corner, close to East Java’s ranks of volcanoes, Menjangan Island forms part of West Bali National Park, where the powder-soft sands of the island make for the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. It’s tough to stay overnight, as there’s no accommodation on the island—however, there are a range of choices within the national park. Instead, consider a snorkeling boat trip out to Menjangan Island, which allows you to experience vivid forests of soft coral and tropical fish that draw predators, including barracuda.

An island off Bali’s east coast, Nusa Penida and its spectacular combo of limestone cliffs, golden beaches, and azure waters has been making Instagram magic for a while now. This means that the popular Kelingking Beach can get extremely crowded. Farther afield on Penida’s east coast, Diamond Beach offers a similarly spectacular photo backdrop but with fewer tourists and a marginally safer route down (you can take a hiking tour if you prefer to visit with an experienced guide). Be aware that swimming is extremely dangerous, so it’s best to stay on the sands at this beach.

It’s not hard to dine with a sea view on Bali. But Seminyak Beach, on the island’s west coast, offers a particularly wide range of options. Splurge on one of Bali’s best Sunday brunches at Starfish Bloo at W Bali, or enjoy free-flow seafood during Seasalt at Alila’s Sunday brunch. Pair classy cocktails with some of Bali’s best Indonesian food at Kaum at Potato Head Beach Club, or eat Italian with a twist at La Lucciola, one of the must-visit Bali beach spots that’s still going strong after more than 30 years.

A long, slim spit of land near Nusa Dua on Bali’s east coast, Tanjung Benoa enjoys sheltered, calm waters paired with photogenic golden sands. The beach has been the epicenter of beach activities in Bali for decades, and almost every Bali water sports tour visits this spot.

Try your hand at everything from Jet Ski to banana boats to parasailing. More niche options include the Seawalker, where you stroll on the bottom of the ocean breathing through a helmet supplied with air from the surface, and flyboarding, where you hover over the surface on water-powered jet boots.

If you’re exploring Bali’s coastline and looking for a break from crowded south Bali beaches, head north along the west coast to Balian, a charming enclave that attracts surfers and yoga enthusiasts. You’ll need to be a solid intermediate surfer (if not, take some surfing lessons) to enjoy the waves here. But Mejan Beach, a hidden gem among Bali beaches, delivers some of Bali’s best beach walking. A strip of lava sands framed by surf and palm trees, it stretches for around 10 miles (15 kilometers) with only the occasional surfer or beachcomber to break the mood of an undisturbed stroll.

Choosing the right Bali beach for surfers isn’t easy. The perfect pick depends both on your level and the season: Broadly speaking, you’ll want to surf west coast spots during the dry season (May through October) and hit the east side once the rains arrive.

But if you had to pick just one wave, it has to be the titan that inspired Bali’s entire surf scene thanks to 1972’s cult classic Morning of the Earth: Uluwatu. Experienced surfers can access it through a cave on Suluban Beach, a sandy cove reached by 100-odd steps, while everyone else should simply watch.

The Indian Ocean sunsets on Bali’s west coast are spectacular, from the dazzling Tanah Lot Temple all the way down to Rock Bar at the Ayana in south Bali. But Jimbaran Beach, a strip of golden sand on a sheltered bay in southwest Bali, is often overlooked for sunset in favor of Uluwatu, which is farther south. The calm waters make for gorgeous, delicate sunsets and when night falls, seafood barbecues light up the night with flickering candles and smoldering grills.