The Best Beach Escapes You Can Find in Bali

Nice sunlight, turquoise to deep blue seawater, challenging waves, and interesting marine life, that's everything about Bali beaches that we are going through in this blog.

Known as “The Diamond of the Sea,” “Tropical Paradise,” or “The Dawn of the World,” Bali - the precious asset of Indonesia is famous for its breathtaking beaches surrounded by lush tropical forests besides its stunning temples and other cultural experiences. What’s really cool about Bali’s beaches is that each one offers a different experience, catering to various interests and moods.

In this article, we’ve highlighted the best beaches in Bali with the vibes they present. As you plan your visit, consider whether you’re seeking adventure or romance and consult this guide to select the Bali beach that best aligns with your preferences. But first, before you decide to pack your bag, consider when you will choose to visit Bali.

Best time to enjoy a Bali beach vacation

Bali is a year-round destination with 2 distinct seasons: wet season (November-March) and dry season (April - September). The temperature in Bali often stays consistent at around 26-29 degrees Celcius (79-81 degrees Fahrenheit) which is quite pleasant for a great holiday in a tropical island. However, rainfall is what differentiates 2 seasons, which can affect your choice of activities on the island. Surfing, diving, and swimming in the wet season obviously are not as great as we do in the dry season since they can be disrupted by sudden and short rain showers. The only foreseen advantage of the wet season perhaps is the lower price of accommodation, services and much fewer tourists. With that in mind, it depends on what you care about: the beach activities or the price and crowds. If it is just to relax, you can enjoy Bali beach at any time of the year.

1. Kelingking Beach

• Location: Nusa Penida, Bali
• Best for: mountain climbing, sunbathing, and surfing

Kelingking Beach is a dream come true for mountain climbing enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Also known as T-Rex Bay, its stunning scenery features majestic cliffs that look just like a dinosaur’s tail. The untouched beauty makes it feel like a secret escape, where you can breathe in the fresh air and truly connect with nature.

Walking down to the beach requires a lot of workout, but the result is so worth it! Once reaching the beach after conquering the steep path, you'll finally feel a sense of accomplishment with a sweet reward of soft white sand and crystal-clear waters. Your tiredness no longer lingers when you step into the seawater or just lie down on the glimmering silky sand. Swimming and surfing on this beach are dangerously fun because of its vigorous waves. Save your energy as you have to do another workout climbing to come back.

Plus, Kelingking Beach is super close to other amazing spots on Nusa Penida, like Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong. You can easily plan your day to include these nearby gems for an even more memorable adventure.

2. Nyang Nyang 

• Location: Pecatu Village, Uluwatu
• Best for: sunbathing, camping, paragliding

If your heart is drawn to the soft and serene, with a whisper of the spiritual, then wander to Nyang Nyang Beach, a Bali beach that was nominated by CNN Travel as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2018. 

The beach during the day looks really pleasing to the eye with its pristine white sand and turquoise sea. As a beach lover, it’s hard not to lie down on the sand, put on sunglasses, and let the sun's rays touch your skin. When night falls, you can pitch your tent right on the beach under a blanket of stars and listen to the gentle sound of the waves.

Nyang Nyang benefits from consistent, powerful waves from the Indian Ocean, so it goes without saying that you can easily imagine how great surfing here must be. Another fantastic way to take in the beauty of Nyang Nyang Beach is from above with paragliding. When you launch from the edge of the cliffs, you’ll get an amazing panoramic view of the beach. 

There are other two things that make Nyang Nyang beach so unique. A sunken ship with many graffiti art pieces on its hull sits in the middle of the shore like it just stood out from a legendary story and a Boeing 737-200 Classic on the cliffs above was previously used by Mandala Air and has now been renovated into a luxurious villa. Renting this one-bedroom apartment to behold the overview of the Indian Ocean is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. 

3. Balangan

• Location: Jimbaran, Bali
• Best for: riding a scooter, local dishes, the famous cliff on Instagram

Balangan was once culturally and spiritually significant in Balinese Hinduism and often hosted sacred ceremonies. Nowadays, with increasing popularity and developing tourism, Balangan has become one of the best Bali beaches for relaxation and adventure.

To admire the beauty of Balangan, you can rent a scooter to hang around this Bali beach and the surrounding area. Surfing in Balangan with its powerful waves is a lot of fun, too. Ride the waves until hungry, then stop by a beachfront bar for a plate of nasi goreng and a bottle of the famous Bintang beer. Could your beach day be more perfect?

Even with increasing tourism, Balangan has managed to retain its natural charm. However, how long it can sustain pure beauty is still unpredictable. As sustainable travelers, we hope the best things will stay the best in Balangan.

4. Bias Tugel

• Location: Karangasem Regency
• Best for: marine life, natural phenomenon, lagoon

Bias Tugel is a fantastic spot for anyone looking to see something a bit different. While the sand color is a bit toned down, it is still just as soft as at any other beach, making it ideal for a lovely stroll and enjoying the stunning scenery.

Take a quick five-minute stroll to the left side of the beach, and you'll discover a charming little lagoon on the left side of the beach - a nature’s perfect spot for a refreshing dip and some relaxation. Be sure to capture some photos of the amazing water blow, the phenomenon of the sea crashing against the cliffs and shooting up in a spectacular spray.

On the right side of the beach, towards Padangbai Harbor, there’s an abandoned hotel that may trigger your curiosity and thrill. From there, you can also enjoy watching boats and ferries going back and forth.

The waves in Bias Tugel are usually quite gentle, making it ideal for swimming or snorkeling and admiring the beautiful marine life. After enjoying the waves, you'll find local warungs, the Indonesian vendors with delicious food and refreshing drinks, waiting for you onshore. Nearby, there are also stalls selling Balinese fabrics and souvenirs that make great gifts for your loved ones.

5. Melasti

• Location: Ungasan, South Bali
• Best for: beach clubs, parties, traditional Balinese performance, natural phenomenon 

Kecak Dance Performance in Melasti beach

Melasti is perfect for beach party lovers. With about a dozen beach clubs, you’ll find spots to suit any mood, whether you want to kick back and relax or dive into a high-energy party with DJs and light shows.

While you're there, don’t forget to catch the amazing Kecak Dance. This traditional Balinese performance is on the beach in the evenings and features lively chants and songs with the vibe changing depending on the setting.

This beach is one of Bali’s cleanest, with crystal-clear water where you can spot colorful coral reefs and limestone formations right from the surface. And make sure to take a walk out to the small rocky point that juts into the ocean and take some snapshots. It’s a cool way to declare that you’ve made it to the southern tip of the island!

6. Green Bowl

• Location: Ungasan, South Bali
• Best for: wildlife, fishing, caves

As its name suggests, Green Bowl Beach, with its bowl-shaped coastline, revolves around the sustainable beauty of nature. 

The green cliffs and lush forest at Green Bowl Beach, accessible by more than 300 steps, are home to a troop of shy gray long-tailed monkeys. You may meet them on the way down to the beach, so remember to bring some food along if you want to make friends with these buddies.

Green Bowl Beach benefits from the rich marine life of the Indian Ocean. That is why underwater activities are a must-try here, especially fishing. You can fish right from the shore or head out on a boat to broaden your catch in different spots. After a fun time under the water, you can chill in the shade of the cliffs and lush trees and check out the mysterious temples in the caves nearby. 

7. Berawa

• Location: Kabupaten Badung, Bali
• Best for: surfing, kiteboarding, Finn’s Beach Club

Berawa is a place for you to live in the vibrance all day long as it focuses on many festivals and events. And if you’re into water sports, this spot has got you covered too.

Berawa Beach may not have the most beautiful sand to walk on but its gorgeous waves, wide coastline, and stunningly expansive view towards the Indian Ocean make it ideal for a fun horse ride. If that's what you are looking for, you'll love to experience it during sunset when the beach transforms into a magical scene, with the sky bathed in stunning shades of gold and red. Wandering the shore, you may catch streaks of brown and black on the white sand, a natural phenomenon due to volcanic eruption. 

The strong currents and impressive waves at Berawa Beach make it ideal for surfing and kiteboarding. Surfing here is sure to be thrilling and challenging if you're after an adrenaline rush. And make sure to stop by Finn's Beach Club, one of the most famous bar chains in the world, to grab a drink and enjoy the stunning sunset.

Aside from enjoying the beach, check out Pura Dalem Perancak for a bit of spiritual insight. It’s a temple where major religious ceremonies take place, like the Melasti purification ritual and other fascinating spiritual festivals.

8. Karma 

• Location: Negril, Ocho Rios and Turks & Caicos
• Best for: SUP, snorkeling, cabana, beach parties

One of the best beaches in Bali for entertaining activities must be Karma. It’s the private beach of Karma Kandara Beach Resort, which CNN Travel has ranked as one of the top 50 beach bars in the world. To access Karma Beach, you’ll need to be a guest of the resort or purchase a day pass. It might cost a bit, but with top-notch resort-quality service, it’s definitely worth it.

To reach Karma Beach, you'll need to take an escalator, gondola, or cable car from the Karma Kandara Resort down a steep cliff. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a spacious area with pristine white sand and traditional alang-alang grass roofs, where you can fully enjoy the secluded beach and lagoon atmosphere.

You’ll want to try SUP or snorkeling here. But if you're looking for something more fancy, treat yourself to a beach cabana. Worth every penny!

The fun really picks up on Monday afternoons at Karma Beach, with the resort often hosting DJ sets and live music performances. Or you can just relax and enjoy a movie on the beach at sunset. Remember to check their event calendar in advance to stay updated.