Beaches · Bali · Indonesia
The best beaches in and near Bali
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Merbabu, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Seminyak and Double Six Beach (In Seminyak). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 8
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
In Seminyak · Sunsets and beach bars
1.Seminyak and Double Six Beach
A long west-facing beach with beach bars and beanbags for sunset; swim only between the flags because of strong currents.
About 10 minutes from the airport · Learning to surf
2.Kuta Beach
A wide sandy beach with gentle beginner surf and many surf schools; busy and lively.
In Canggu · Surfing and sunset drinks
3.Batu Bolong and Echo Beach
Black-sand surf beaches in Canggu with cafés and sunset bars on the sand.
In Uluwatu · A scenic cove
4.Padang Padang Beach
A small, pretty cove reached by steps through a rock crevice on the Bukit Peninsula, with a famous reef break offshore.
About 15 minutes from Uluwatu · Swimming and photos
5.Melasti Beach
A white-sand beach below sheer limestone cliffs in Ungasan, reached by a road cut through the rock.
In Nusa Dua · Families and swimming
6.Nusa Dua Beach
Calm, clear water protected by a reef, lined with resort gardens and a beachfront path.
In Sanur · Calm water and sunrise
7.Sanur Beach
A long, calm lagoon beach with a seafront path, sunrise views and fishing boats.
About 15 minutes from the airport · Seafood dinners at sunset
8.Jimbaran Bay
A sweeping bay with gentle waves and seafood restaurants putting tables on the sand at sunset.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| December | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
Staying near the beach
$ · Best for budget, families, nightlife and beach
Kuta and Legian
Close to the airport, Kuta and Legian are Bali's original package-holiday strip, with a long sandy beach that is one of the best places to learn to surf, plus budget hotels, the Beachwalk mall and the Waterbom water park. Nightlife is loud and late around Legian Street.
- Good
- Closest beach area to the airport; Lowest hotel prices; Beginner surf lessons
- Watch out
- Touts and crowds; Beach rubbish in the wet season
- Nearby
- Kuta Beach, Waterbom Bali, Beachwalk Shopping Center, Legian Beach
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Hiring a car with a driver for the day is common and good value for touring temples and terraces; most hotels can arrange one.
- Scooter — Scooters are the local way to get around and are easy to rent, but roads are chaotic and accidents are the most common cause of injury to visitors.
- Ferry — Fast boats run from Sanur to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, and from Padang Bai and Serangan to the Gili Islands and Lombok; public ferries cross to Lombok and Java.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in April–October. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
The main risks are road accidents, especially on scooters, and strong rip currents on the west and south coasts — swim between the red-and-yellow flags. Monkeys at temples can bite, and illicit arak has caused methanol poisoning. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Bali have beaches?
Yes: Seminyak and Double Six Beach, Kuta Beach, Batu Bolong and Echo Beach, Padang Padang Beach, Melasti Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Sanur Beach and Jimbaran Bay.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Bali?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Bali?
Seminyak and Double Six Beach: A long west-facing beach with beach bars and beanbags for sunset; swim only between the flags because of strong currents.