No Bali itinerary is complete without a few days spent on the beach lounging, surfing, or enjoying a cocktail. No two beaches in Bali are exactly the same and there is something for everyone here! Here’s the top 9 best beaches in Bali:
1. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida
BEST FOR: adventure seekers
Kelingking Beach takes the top spot on this list, and is my favorite beach I’ve ever visited. This scenic beach is located on the island of Nusa Penida, a short ferry ride from mainland Bali. Kelingking is nicknamed “T-Rex Beach” for the shape of its famous cliffs resembling the dino. It has become quite popular over the years and people flock here to enjoy the view and snap photos of the cliffs. However, many people miss out on the incredible beach down below.
The hike down to the beach is not for the faint of heart. The path is essentially carved into the side of the cliff and is quite steep. Some of the path is secured with bamboo rails, but you will often find yourself on all fours climbing up and down the rocks. It took us about 40 minutes to get down and 30 minutes to get back up – and we had a BLAST. I think the hike made the beach that much more enjoyable – even though I was definitely panting by the time we reached the bottom.
Once you make it down, you’re rewarded with a beautiful golden beach and bright blue water. Throw down a blanket and relax for the afternoon or go explore some of the caves under the cliffs. The best part about this beach is it’s usually not very busy as most people don’t want to hike down. There’s a small warung selling water, Bintang, and snacks if you’re feeling keen.
If you’re not interested in making the hike down, you can just enjoy the views from above! Many people line up to take photos and watch the sunset. We came to Kelingking twice – once to hike down to the beach, and again to snap some pics and enjoy the view. I do recommend getting here early if you’d like photos as this is the most popular destination on the island!
2. Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida
BEST FOR: scenic views
The second spot on this list is another Nusa Penida addition (not surprising as it’s my favorite island).
Diamond Beach is the most beautiful place I’ve seen in real life. Its silky white sands and bright blue waters are so pristine, it looks photoshopped. I was absolutely in awe of this place the entire time we were there and I cannot recommend it enough!
Luckily, Diamond Beach is a bit less popular than other tourist destinations in Nusa Penida due to its location on the far side of the island, but it does still get busy in the late morning/early afternoon. We arrived around 7am and were the first ones on the beach, but by the time we hiked back up around 11am the steps were packed. Similarly to Kelingking, the majority of people seem to hang out on the steps to snap a photo and never really make it down to the beach. The hike down is much less strenuous than Kelingking. Although it is carved into the cliff, the majority of the path has steps and a handrail. It only took us about 15-20 minutes to get down to the beach.
I would recommend checking the tide charts before you go – the waves here are intense. We had planned on spending the entire day here but after about two hours, the waves were crashing against the back cliffs of the beach. All of our things got soaked – with the exception of our camera equipment thankfully. The current here is pretty dangerous too, so just be smart and check the tides!
3. Dreamland Beach
BEST FOR: a chill beach day
Moving on from Nusa Penida, Dreamland Beach is my favorite beach on mainland Bali! It’s located in Uluwatu (similarly to many of the others you’ll see on this list).
The highlight of Dreamland Beach is the bright white sand contrasted by the crystal blue water. The beach also has some cliffs and rocks that give it even more character. If you’re into surfing, there’s a good break at nearly all tides making this a great surf spot. There’s a multitude of restaurants and beach bars to stop at for refreshments when you’re ready for a break from the sun.
When you first arrive to Dreamland, you’ll see a ton of chairs and umbrellas set out on the sand, usually quite full of beachgoers. I highly recommend venturing to the right to explore more of the scenic and less crowded areas of the beach (pictured above). Dreamland is quite a bit larger than some of the other popular beaches in Uluwatu (such as Bingin), so there’s plenty to explore!
4. Padang Padang Beach
BEST FOR: sunrises and sunsets
This beach was made famous by the movie “Eat Pray Love” and remains a hotspot in Bali still. It’s best to visit either at sunrise while the light glistens over the water and before the crowds roll in, or during sunset for a relaxing end to your day. It’s a fairly small beach, but is lined with warungs selling coconuts, Bintang, and snacks. There’s no beach chairs for rent here – but I think that adds to the charm. We laid down a towel and relaxed while we watched the surfers ride the waves and sun set on the horizon. It was the perfect way to end the day!
The surf break here is one of the most popular in the world and is best suited for experienced surfers. It’s really fun (and really impressive) to watch the surfers ride the huge barrel waves here.
5. LA palmilla at melasti beach
BEST FOR: lounging and sunbathing
A last minute addition after a missed flight, La Palmilla was actually a spot on our trip we hadn’t planned for – and I truly believe sometimes the moments in travel that aren’t planned out beforehand end up being some of the best. We loved this beach club, it has the most gorgeous ambience and we were really impressed with the cocktails and food. The beach club features massive limestone cliffs in the background, and looks out onto crisp white sand and blue waters. There is an infinity pool when you’re ready to cool off, as well as beach access if you want to feel the sand between your toes.
La Palmilla is located on Melasti Beach in Uluwatu, a beach that is home to a variety of beach clubs. Even the drive down is beautiful too, as the roads are carved into the cliffs and offer panoramic views over the water.
La Palmilla does NOT take reservations and everything is first come, first served. We got here a few minutes after opening and were able to snag a front row spot, but within about an hour of opening the front two rows were full. If you’re not interested in renting a daybed, you can still enter the beach club and enjoy some drinks and the view!
6. Nyang Nyang Beach
BEST FOR: walks along the beach
Nyang Nyang is one of the largest stretches of sand in Uluwatu, at about 1.5km long. Nyang Nyang’s white sands and blue waters make it a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon stroll. Some parts of the beach are a bit rockier than others – so watch your step in these spots.
One of the best parts about Nyang Nyang is how secluded it is. There’s no billboard signs to get there and its a bit of a walk to reach the beach, but its well worth it to get a large stretch of sand all to yourself. There’s also a shipwreck down the beach for exploring!
7. Bingin Beach
BEST FOR: surfing
If you surf, you’ve heard about Bingin Beach. This beach has world-class surfers flying in just to surf their famous left break. While we don’t know how to surf (although after this trip, we want to learn), we still paid Bingin a visit.
Similar to many other beaches in Uluwatu, Bingin has a pretty small stretch of shoreline. There’s a multitude of beach bars carved into the side of the cliffs, and many offer umbrellas you can rent on the beach if you need a break from the sun. We made the mistake of visiting during high tide, so there wasn’t a ton of sand available, but we made do.
For me, the highlight of Bingin was making a stop at Kelly’s Warung and enjoying smoothies and snacks while watching the surfers ride the waves.
Bingin isn’t the easiest beach to get to – you’ll have to park in a lot and hike down a bunch of narrow alleyways to reach the beach. It’s a fairly short walk though, and you’ll be rewarded with a less crowded beach.
8. The Lawn, Canggu
BEST FOR: day drinking
Canggu is known for its beach clubs and party scene. While you’re likely to get more of the party experience somewhere like Finn’s or Atlas, The Lawn is a perfect spot to lounge in a daybed and indulge in cocktails. It’s located on Batu Balong beach, right in the heart of Canggu. We spent an entire day here relaxing on the daybed, swimming in the infinity pool, and enjoying the views. You can choose your experience: daybeds, beach beanbags, or just hanging out at the bar. The sunsets are epic here – so make sure you stay to watch!
Reservations are required for daybeds, so plan ahead!
9. Seminyak Beach
BEST FOR: variety
If you’re in Bali for a short time and you’re looking to get the most out of your beach day, head to Seminyak beach. There’s a little something for everyone here! Its 5km of shoreline offers plenty of space to lay down a towel and lounge in the sun for the afternoon.
The strip is lined with beach bars and restaurants if you’re looking for a bite to eat or a yummy cocktail. If you’re wanting to stop at a beach club, I recommend Potato Head. It offers daybeds, infinity pools, and great sunset views.
Seminyak beach is also a great spot for beginner surfers! While many waves in Bali are geared for more advanced surfers, the break here is pretty tame in comparison. You can rent a surfboard from one of the stands that line the beach, and even take a surf lesson!
Traveling to Bali? Check out more of my guides to this beautiful island here!