Bali, Indonesia, is a pretty popular stop for most travelers heading to South East Asia. Fairly cheap and with quite developed tourism, it might not be the secluded island paradise it once was years ago, but it is a convenient and beautiful tropical getaway for anyone who wants a quick vacation.
And if you only have time to do just one thing when you’re in Bali, my advice is to head on down to its famous beaches. With beautiful surf and white sandy beaches, here are 3 spots you can check out if you just need a little bit of sun, sand and sea. If you have more time, you should check out this 10-day itinerary covering all of Bali.
Kuta
Bali’s regulations don’t allow for there to be buildings taller than 4-storeys, so hotels like Sheraton Bali Kuta which are just along Kuta beach can provide spectacular unblocked views of the Indian Ocean
Kuta is probably the most famous tourist beach in Bali – it’s less than half an hour from the airport even with traffic, adjacent to Popies Lane (known for its backpacker crowd), and a popular spot for beginner surfers and swimmers alike with its gentle waves.
It is a lovely beach, but it is also a crowded one. If you decide to set up camp here, be prepared to be approached multiple times throughout your suntanning by various touts, whether it’s for umbrellas, massages, ice cream, souvenirs or even tattoos. It’s great if you like that sort of convenience, but less so if you’re just looking for a quiet time. The areas near the Hard Rock Hotel and Beachwalk tend to be the busiest, so consider heading up north towards the Legian end for a quieter option that’s still near amenities. That said, some of the best places to stay in Bali are here.
Seminyak
Taken from the infinity pool inside Potatohead, there didn’t look like much of a sunset until this sudden last-minute glow lit up the sky before disappearing into the ocean.
This stretch of beach is connected to Kuta by Legian, but is a lot less bustling than Kuta, suitable for those looking to have some quiet time. You can choose to just hang out on the beach, though Seminyak is a popular stretch for richer tourists who frequent the beach clubs Kudeta and Potatohead, where you can spend the day hanging out on a daybed with pool access and drinks.
Price-wise, it’s comparable to what you might pay in your typical Western country, so don’t expect local prices here! They are building up more hotels along the beach here, so it could get quite a lot more crowded in the future.
Jimbaran
Dusk falls on the many tables set out along Jimbaran Beach.
Twenty minutes south of Ngurah Rai airport, this is an area known for high-end hotels and villas – and correspondingly a much quieter stretch than Kuta-Legian-Seminyak. The sand here is whiter, and the surf along Jimbaran Bay is gentler, though there are good surf spots further out towards Uluwatu.
What’s popular on Jimbaran’s beach is the experience of eating barbecued seafood at tables on the beach at nightfall. But be warned – get a table high up on the beach if you eat slowly, because the tide can come in pretty fast, and I spotted lots of tourists having to scuttle off when a larger than expected wave crashed into their tables and chairs!
A little further down the coast is Balangan Beach, which is another one of my favorites.
Other Bali beach tips:
Afternoons on Bali beaches can get HOT – the sun really bakes the sand, so besides sunblock and a hat, make sure you have flip-flops at least or you’re liable to burn the soles of your feet walking on the sand.
Late afternoon is a nice time to walk the beaches as the tide tends to be lower, exposing the unique gradient of the long shallow beaches. Sunsets can also be spectacular if it’s not too cloudy – look out for that last brilliant glow as the sun finally sinks into the horizon.
The low tide and long stretches of gently sloping beaches are really nice to walk along and leaves the sand gleaming and picture perfect
absolutely beautiful beaches!
I’m pretty sure my pix don’t do justice to the real beauty of the beaches!
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thank you 🙂
Good post, although I really don’t like Kuta beach. The other two spots are beautiful though. Kuta is really overcrowded (like you mentioned) and a little dirty.
I love Bali. The people are so friendly there – it really is a magical place.
I agree Carmen, Kuta can get pretty overcrowded but if you pick a quieter spot (not in front of the main areas), it actually seems decent 🙂
Bali is a beautiful island and a province comprising of several small islands in the Indonesia. It is popularly known as The Island of the Gods, because of its spectacular varied landscape of hills, mountains, valleys and barren volcanic hillsides.
Every beach in Bali is a must visit!!!!
You can’t quite go to Bali without visiting at least one beach there…
It’s heart warning when somebody still recommends these beaches, especially for Kuta. Thank you for being able to see past the chaos of these beaches, and seeing the beauty of them.
Thanks Mumun 🙂 these are the more popular options if you’ve never been down there, even if they are a little more crowded!