Bali’s best beaches

Bali – a favourite spot of backpackers everywhere – is known for being a paradise island, thanks to its warm temperatures, beautiful architecture, and, of course, beaches. However, as Bali has become more popular, once tranquil beachside areas have now become populated and – for want of a better word – touristy. Nevertheless, Bali still has some of the most breathtaking beaches in Asia; you just need to know where to look.

While surrounded by hotel resorts, this beach hasn’t lost any of its charm and that’s why it remains one a favourite. It’s 30 minutes southeast of the popular centre of Kuta and boasts white sands and turquoise seas, all set in lush greenery.

Nusa Dua means ‘island two’ and it is made up of two small islands. The beach is separated into two parts: Geger Beach Nusa Dua and Mengiat Beach Nusa Dua. Both are renowned for their cleanliness and thanks to the resorts that border them, there are plenty of amenities close by.

If you’re after a luxury Bali trip, then Nusa Dua is the perfect destination, but if you want something a bit more off the beaten track, then you may want to give this beach a miss.

If you’re after a beach with a view then you can’t go far wrong with Bingin, but be warned, the descent is steep. Bingin Beach sits below the rocky sylvan cliffs, which have lodgings scattered across them. An elderly resident will meet you at a T-junction near the car park to lead you down the trail to the beach. This costs 5,000Rp (24p).

Below the cliffs, cafes line the beach and thanks to the breaker waves that are common at Bingin, they’re often filled with surfers. The beach itself is strewn with rocky boulders so if you’re walking around, be careful where you’re putting your feet.

This beach is a famous surf point and you can really feel this in the vibe given off at Padang-Padang. The 100-metre sandy beach lines the Indian Ocean and its ramshackle cafes only add to the feeling of paradise. Don’t bother bringing a towel, as most people just buy tie dye sarongs from the stalls on the beach and use those instead.

If you are there for surfing, the main point is near the white stone hill. The waves get really high so if you’ve never surfed before don’t try to for the first time at Padang-Padang.

Amed is one of the most recent areas to be developed for tourists in Bali, so it still feels relatively untouched. The area covers a long stretch of coast starting at Culik and covering the villages of Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning and Aas. The overall vibe of Amed is one of tranquility, which makes it the perfect last stop on your trip so you can kick back and relax.

The sands are dark in this part of the coast but the waters are blue and the mountain scenery beautiful. The sea is also a lot calmer, so it’s perfect for hiring a boat and touring the coastline.

This beach is well off the beaten track but is reasonably accessible nonetheless. It’s an hour drive from Denpasar City, near Nusa Dua, and we recommend getting a car or motorbike to get here. While you might feel like you’re on a bit of a trek, you’ll be rewarded once you arrive with panoramic views, clear blue waters and golden sands. There aren’t any amenities, so you’ll have to pack for the day, but on the plus side you won’t have to contend with any of the crowds you’ll find at many of Bali’s other popular beaches.

When visiting Bali, there is so much to see and do, so why just stay in one beach resort. Combine different beach resorts together in one holiday. Explore Ubud, the cultural hub of Bali before heading to the beach. You can also combine city stop overs, with your Bali beach stay. The possibilities are endless, but check out our most popular Bali Multi Centre Holidays for inspiration.