I love the black sand beaches in Bali. The sand here is soft, delicate and sparkles with thousands of little stars. And the stars are nothing more than salt.
Sea salt is pure magic. This is an incredibly useful earth element in many ways. I use salt on my body, wash my floors with salt, and even sprinkle salt around the house, which is how the locals protect their home from snakes.
Salt is a completely natural substance that contains the energy and wisdom of the Earth. And here you have at your disposal an endless beach with volcanic sand and salt. Natural SPA for everyone. Absolutely free, just as a gift.
That's why I love black sand beaches in Bali. They are unpopular, I note. Few people know about them. You can't swim on them unless the tide is low. The only reason to come here is to enjoy the beauty of nature, the picturesque coastline and the powerful ocean.
Black sand, ultramarine ocean, green palm trees frame the shore and the majestic Agung rises on the horizon.
Where to find black sand beaches in Bali?
It's very easy to do. Eighty percent five hundred kilometer coastline The islands have black sand beaches. And today I will talk about the coastal strip of black sand beaches, tens of kilometers long, which are located between the settlements of Sanur and Padang Bai.
I invite you to see black sand beaches with us, dear readers. Let's start with Full Moon Beach (Pantai Purnama). In Bali, all names are symbolic. Full moon and new moon are significant days on the island. On these days, ceremonies take place, the islanders go to holy springs for ablution.
And someone goes towards the ocean to spend time in the arms of this element. Living in Bali, among waterfalls, lakes, jungles and the ocean, you plunge into some amazing state, akin to a hermit.
It’s enough to just live in your own rhythm, which arises in the present moment, dances its dance with you. And do your thing.
Meanwhile, we are moving to Masketi beach (pantai Masketi)
Near the shore at low tide, picturesque algae areas appear where the sky is reflected. Masceti beach is beautiful, picturesque and absolutely not touristy. We love to come here for an early morning walk. In clear weather, directly ahead, you can see the sacred Balinese peak of Agung. Now he is hiding behind the clouds.
Local residents collect round pebbles for cladding and interior decoration. And yet, Bali is special and unique, in its simplicity and naturalness. And I can see something only in Bali, only here something is possible. Ordinary, everyday, but so Balinese? For example, this.
And we are already on Keramas beach (Pantai Keramas).
This beach is distinguished by powerful ocean waves, surfing is possible here. There are also horseback riding along the shore, a restaurant with dolphins and a beach club with a swimming pool. In general, Keramas is rich in infrastructure.
The reason the beach is lost is because it’s not so easy to “stumble” over it while walking along the shore. For a long time, tourists did not know the amazing Perasi Beach. Of course, for the Balinese it is not the discovery of the century. For them, in general, the beach is not a place to chill with a cocktail. The ocean is an element with which local residents come into contact to perform religious rituals. However, the beach has been found and let's explore it. Its local name was quickly forgotten, and was replaced by the associative Hidden Beach (lost beach), Virgin Beach (virgin beach), White Sand (white sand, which sounds like Pasir Putih in Indonesian). The name White Sand quickly established itself in reviews and guides for tourists.
In search of this secluded place, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the names of nearby settlements. This secluded coastline is located between two hills and the villages of Bugbug and Perasi in the Karangasem regency, about 4.5 kilometers from the well-known tourist village of Candidasa.
Even this is not enough to easily go to the beach. Your path there lies with main square Candidasa Village continues towards Jalan Raja Candidasa-Bugbug from where you enter Perasi Village. The landmark is the temple (Pura) Bale Agung. If you are coming from Candidasa, it will be on your left. Already from here you will find trekking (descent along a rocky and dirt road, or off-road - as you wish) about 1 kilometer long. Along the way, fortunately for us, there are signs.
And here is the long-awaited sight. You can see the completely calm waves of the Bali Sea, the island of Gili Biaha can be seen in the distance, and the sand, although called white, contains black volcanic veins. The serene waves and soft sand are contrasted by giant boulders that protect the beach from direct wind.
There is somewhere to park here. “Virgin Beach” is quickly being explored by both travelers and organizers of various services. For meals, there is already a choice of a dozen cafes (warung), which will provide you with umbrellas and couches. There are also services for organizing fishing, sailing excursions, and scuba diving.
As you know, Bali is famous throughout the world for its snow-white, almost heavenly, beaches and turquoise ocean. But there are places on this island that are radically different from the image of paradise, even rather the opposite...
The thing is that Bali is home to two large active volcano Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m), periodically making adjustments to daily life islands.
It was thanks to the eruptions of these volcanoes that the famous beaches with black volcanic sand appeared on the island. This sand is nothing more than cooled lava, crushed by water into microscopic particles.
Such beaches are found mainly in the northeast of the island, although they are found in other places. The most famous of them is Lovina Beach. Located in the north of the island, it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. The fact is that it is washed by the waters of the sea, not the ocean, and there are practically no waves there. Therefore, the volcanic sand there is rather a pleasant bonus.
I decided to look at the volcanic sand in some little-known place, randomly arriving at Masceti Beach somewhere in the eastern part of the island.
It turned out that Masketi beach is a God-forsaken place. You won’t find tourists here during the day with fire. Unless residents of the surrounding villages come to breathe fresh air and admire the waves.
By the way, the waves were of such a size that the desire to swim disappeared immediately and never appeared again.
Romance!
Towards evening, again, for locals, mobile cafes come to the coast.
In the distance, several surfers tirelessly conquered the ocean waves.
Another beach visitor.
Here I noticed how a group of local residents were actively picking in the sand and putting their finds into small buckets.
It turns out that they choose small, identically shaped pebbles washed ashore by the tide.
These pebbles are then used to decorate sidewalks, curbs, house foundations and other construction sites.
The work is painstaking, but it turns out beautifully.
Because classic beach holiday This beach is completely unsuitable for this, all that remained was to wander along the unusual sand and look at the local landscapes.
It turned out that there are such “paradise” places on “paradise” islands.
Any tourist who has flown to rest in Bali simply must visit at least one beach in order to gain pleasant emotions and experience the real pleasure of relaxation. But the same beach cannot please everyone.
Some people like a secluded place, some like a large crowd of people, some care about the transparency of the water, some like the whiteness of the sand, and some need big waves for surfing. Therefore, to find a suitable beach, you need to go on a short excursion to their location. We have prepared for you an article about the best and most famous beaches in Bali. Check it out, and then all you have to do is visit them and choose your favorite one.
It is immediately necessary to note several general points: there are easily accessible beaches, which are usually crowded with people, and “hidden” ones, where there is an opportunity for privacy. Also, some will require a nominal fee to enter the territory. These are mainly beaches located near hotels, where regular cleanliness and comfort are maintained.
Bali beaches map: beaches in southern Bali
These beach areas are mainly located on the southern Bukit Peninsula and southern Bali.
Bali resort Kuta Bali Kuta
The elite beach is under ownership tourist center Bali. Therefore, the journey from the center itself takes no more than 10 minutes. Rich in various beach activities.
It will be difficult to swim here. Kuta is more suitable for surfing, especially for beginners.
Bali Legian on the map ( Legian beach)
and Seminyak Bali beach reviews ( Seminyak Beach)
A few kilometers from Kuta there is another nice beach- Legian. Once a fishing village, it is now dotted with various hotels and restaurants that are always ready to welcome guests. Another Seminyak beach is located a 15-minute walk away.
Mengiat Beach on the map Bali
and Bali Geger Beach ( Geger Beach)
The popularity of these beaches is not so high, so it is possible to relax on them without noise and unnecessary crowds. The journey from Kuta takes no more than an hour, about 45 minutes.
Jimbaran Bali on the map ( Jimbaran Bay)
The beach is also located near Kuta, just half an hour away, 5 minutes from the airport. Therefore, there is a good opportunity, after a tiring flight, to have a great rest. The beach is suitable for a relaxing, quiet holiday.
On calm, calm days the water is clean and clear. The beach is clean and beautiful with light sand. Jimbaran is famous for its fish market and seafood restaurants.
Nusa Duanusa Bali on the map ( Nusa Dua Beach)
One of the best beaches in Bali. Here there is luxurious snow-white sand, clear water, and you can have a wonderful swim. The beach is at its best in November-March.
Tanjung Benoa Bali ( Tanjung Benoa Beach)
Located north of Nusa Dua (10 minutes drive), the infrastructure is well developed, there are many hotels nearby. Perfect for surf lovers.
Dreamland Bali on the map ( Dreamland beach)
Incredibly beautiful beach with stunning views. But, unfortunately, due to high and dangerous waves, swimming here is difficult. The beach is good for walking and sunbathing.
Padang-Padang Bali ( Padang Padang)
If you have watched the movie “Eat, Pray, Love,” then you should know that this is where the episode with the beach was filmed. Due to the large number of tourists, Padang Padang is not suitable for a quiet holiday. Waves are very rare here, so you can swim, but with caution.
Balangan Bali on the map ( Balangan beach)
Beautiful long beach with great sunset views. Swimming here is quite difficult, as there is a coral reef here. At low tide you can walk along the reef, and at high tide you can swim a little.
Pandawa beach Bali ( Pandawa beach)
A luxurious beach where you can safely swim, there are sun loungers and a cafe. There is a fee to enter the territory.
IN Lately Tourists found out about the beach, and now there are always a lot of people there.
Beaches in northern Bali
Lovina Bali reviews ( Lovina beach)
If we talk about beaches in northern Bali, then only one is worth mentioning - Lovina, which is 8 km long. Dark beach attracts a large number of divers for whom a wonderful underwater world opens up. From Denpasar Airport the place is 3 hours away.
Beaches in eastern Bali
Characterized by calm waves, the beaches are often excellent for swimming and a cozy, relaxing holiday.
Amed Bali map ( Amed Beach)
Great beach for family vacation, also due to its clean water, it is well suited for diving and snorkeling. The journey from Kuta takes about 2 hours.
Tulamben Bali on the map ( Tulamben beach)
It is located just a few kilometers from Amed, so it is also suitable for a family holiday.
White Sand Beach ( White Sand Beach)
The beach is located near the town of Candidasa. The small beach is very famous for its white sand, which cannot be seen on other eastern beaches, so there are a lot of people who want to relax here.
Padangbai Bali ( Padangbai)
Located a few kilometers from White Sand Beach. There is a port on the beach, so getting to the nearby islands is not difficult.
Masceti beach Bali
An interesting black sand beach 20 minutes from Denpasar. Good quiet beach, but there are too many tourists. Swimming is difficult, only possible in very calm weather.
Beaches in western Bali
In the western part of the island, the beach infrastructure is not developed. The coastline is mostly rocky. Despite the fact that it is almost impossible to swim on the western beaches, this is an ideal place to enjoy pristine nature, take magnificent photos of rocks and the ocean, and relax alone with nature and silence.
Bali beaches for swimming
Tourists who prefer swimming should look for beaches with calm and clean waves, fine sand, a safe bottom and coastline.
Not all Bali beaches can boast such positive qualities for swimming. Often the reason for this is that there are volcanoes on the island, the ashes of which are strewn throughout the surrounding area. From here, the shores of many beaches are not very attractive. Due to the action of the volcanoes, the water itself was partially damaged and became cloudy. In addition, there are many more excellent places for quality surfing in Bali than for swimming. This is due to large and strong waves, which are in no way compatible with swimming in the water.
Crystal beaches are great for swimming. clean water and low wave activity. Almost all eastern beaches of Bali fit the description: Amed, Tulamben, Padangbey, Candidasa. The following beaches are also convenient for diving: Tejakula, Seririt and Pemuterran.
If we talk about swimming without diving with equipment, then, of course, you need to take into account the covering of the beach itself, so that the sand is fine and pleasant in color, and also without a large amount of volcanic ash and pebbles. Taking these parameters into account, we can highlight the following beaches: Nusa Dua, Sanur, Dreamland, Padang Padang and White Sand Beach. On these beaches, in addition to the cleanest water, you can also enjoy clean air, the complete absence of waves or their shallow presence; swimming here is safe and enjoyable.
If you don’t mind the sand mixed with dark ash, then you can visit Amed beach for swimming. The water around the beach is also great for swimming with the whole family.
Considering all of the above options, it is difficult to give preference to one of them, since each has its own pros and cons. This depends not only on the natural component. Each beach has its own infrastructure: in some places it is more suitable for noisy entertainment, in others for cultural recreation, and in others for creating a romantic atmosphere. As a rule, there are different people on different beaches, in some places the number of Russians predominates, in others you can hardly find them. Therefore, the choice of a beach for swimming often depends on individual preferences and desires.
Bali white sand beaches
Bali's beaches are not the most attractive when compared to, for example, Hawaiian beaches. But despite this, there are places to have a good time. Unfortunately, not all beaches have white or even light sand; many are covered with dark dust or mixed with it. In this regard, they do not have the most best view. There are many beaches with a lot of pebbles or rocky areas along the coast. Such places are more suitable for diving, but not all of them, but only with weak waves.
There are beaches with powerful waves where any swimming is prohibited for safety reasons. But such places create a romantic view where you can watch the waves crash against the rocks.
Bali beaches with white sand: White Sand Beach (Bias Tugel), Nusa Dua, Sanur.
Basically, all beautiful beaches become objects for swimming, so you can learn more about them later when we describe swimming beaches in more detail.
Bali photos of beaches and hotels
The beauty and comfort of some beaches directly depends on the nearby hotels, as they make great efforts to ensure cleanliness. In addition to the environment, hotel owners are also concerned about the pastime of tourists; for this purpose, various entertainment complexes, shops, bars, spas, exchange offices, etc. are being built near the shore. Of course, where everything is available to relax as much as possible, there will be a lot of people there. Many hotels monitor the beach infrastructure, the more famous ones include: “Jemeluk Bay” and “Lovina”, “Kuta”.
As mentioned above, for comfortable swimming, beaches must have appropriate characteristics for convenience. The names of the most suitable ones were also “voiced”, but from the same names and general description It is hardly possible to understand whether this place is suitable for you or not. Therefore, we bring to your attention more detailed information.
White Sand Beach Bali
You should start with the most attractive and popular beach with white and gray sand - White Sand, located on the eastern side of the island. There are many hotels on the beach to suit every taste and color, as they say. These include both expensive five-star and simpler hotels. The beach location is just a quarter of an hour from Center Point Pier. The presence of “White” in the name of the beach is not for nothing. Previously, the beach consisted only of fine white sand, but recently it has become increasingly mixed with pebbles, causing the color to change slightly.
The length of the beach reaches 3 kilometers, so, despite the large number of tourists, you can easily find a free place. The depth of the sea is pleasing, which is great for children. To get to more deep places you will have to stomp for a long time towards the ebb tide. Conventionally, the beach can be divided into northern and southern parts. The first one is calmer and less crowded. The second has a large number of people and infrastructure.
Many bars and cafes make the beach a pleasant place to hang out. There is also a sufficient number of ATMs, pharmacies, shops, hotels, spas, and karaoke bars. They help you navigate in Russian. In the evenings you can see fascinating fire shows.
Beach Blue Lagoon Bali Lagoon beach)
A little crazy a nice place This is a blue lagoon, 500 meters long. The sand is fine, yellow, and in places you can see volcanic dust, but special type It doesn’t spoil it, on the contrary, it looks more elegant. The water is clear with a blue tint, which is simply breathtaking. It is better not to leave children unattended, since although the waves are small, they are present here. It won't take long to reach the depth. For variety, you can climb the volcanic formations that are located on both sides of the beach.
In the absence of waves, the beach looks especially romantic. There is a hotel and bar nearby. The only negative is the garbage that washes up on the shore after the storm.
Jemeluk Bay Beach Bali
Quiet, calm crescent-shaped bay. The surrounding area is covered with lush greenery and the water is crystal clear. The beach is great for snorkeling: plenty sea creatures, corals of unique beauty; at the bottom you can find interesting sunken things.
For those who like to sunbathe on the shore, this is not very pleasant news, since the surface is strewn with small pebbles. The place is also perfect for regular swimming, as there are low tides and waves, warm and clean water, and well-developed infrastructure, thanks to the provision of a nearby five-star hotel.
The depth begins relatively quickly, so those who are not good swimmers should stay closer to the shore. But even along it you can get great pleasure from relaxation. From here there is a beautiful view of the sunset, which can be observed from a small boat that is available for rent.
Due to the dark color of the beach, there are not many people here, so you can have a good rest with your significant other or the whole family.
Dreamland Beach Bali
Great place to sunbathe. The sand here is soft and beautiful. True, it is unlikely that you will be able to plunge into the sea, since the waves are often strong. But during low tide, you can choose the moment when the sea calms down to plunge headlong into this beauty. There are a sufficient number of bungalows and restaurants on the coast. The infrastructure is not poorly developed and is improving every year.
Thanks to strong waves, surfing is well developed. From the beach, the view of the ocean is magnificent, the water is clear with a turquoise tint. For convenience, there are umbrellas and sun loungers available for rent along the entire beach. There are a lot of young people on the beach who spend their time surfing.
You can get there from Kuta within half an hour. The roads are of high quality; for convenience, you can rent cars or bikes.
Green Bowl Beach Bali
This beach is perfect for those who are tired of noisy restaurants and bars, as there is no infrastructure here. The golden sandy strip of the beach is located under the cliffs. The water is emerald green and shallow in depth. Although there are no services on the beach that monitor cleanliness, there will be no complaints about this.
But it should be noted that relaxation on the beach is only available during low tide, since otherwise it is completely under water. Some people, especially those who don't like to move a lot, may find the long walk up/down to the beach tiring.
Green Ball is located on the Bukit Peninsula, and if your hotel is located in Kuta, you will have to get there within an hour by bike. The journey by taxi will take less time.
Closer to the rocks, algae often washes up in waves; the view does not get worse, but even better. You can arrange a wonderful photo shoot. Although many people consider the beach dangerous due to strong waves, this is not always the case. Sometimes near the shore the waves are weak and pleasant. The water temperature is acceptable, up to 26 degrees.
Beach Bias Tugel Bali
The snow-white beach "Bias Tugel" with a minimum amount of infrastructure pleases people with the opportunity to get a beautiful tan and swim in shallow emerald waters. To the right of the beach there are volcanic “growths” on which the waves gracefully break, creating a kind of fountain of spray. Particularly pleasing are the small depressions in which water collects, creating something like bathtubs with impeccably clean and clear water.
There are restaurants and cafes nearby, as well as a port from which you can sail to other islands. The beach itself is hidden and not immediately noticeable. There are not many people, especially in the morning, a decent crowd gathers towards lunch, but there is enough space for everyone, although the beach is not very large - a maximum of 400 meters.
Kuta Beach
The popular grey-white beach is always full of people; it is lonelier only in the mornings. In the evening you can admire the beautiful sunset. Despite the incessant waves, many people express a desire to swim. The sand is fine and soft, which allows you to have a good rest on the shore. The water is clear and turquoise. Getting to the place is very easy, as it is located near the tourist center of Bali, where there are many hotels, shops, cafes, spas, bars and other necessary and useful establishments.
After watching an indescribable sunset, you can head to the nightclubs, where you have the opportunity to stay until the morning. Prices on the beach are comparatively lower than in other beach areas. There are a lot of young people, some of them are active in surfing.
The shore stretches for thousands of meters, but it is advisable to come to the beach early in the morning, since if you arrive later, you may encounter the problem of choosing a place. There are really a lot of people here. But thanks to the developed infrastructure, no one will be bored; everyone will find something to their liking.
The golden sand reaches tall trees where you can hide from the scorching sun. But a place under the shade is always a tasty piece of the beach, so be prepared for the fact that it will already be occupied by someone.
The island of Bali is not only beautiful beaches, but also amazing sights, so I suggest you read the article Attractions of the island of Bali, which will tell you about all the interesting places on the island with detailed instructions on the visit and symbols on the map.
The island of Bali in the minds of our travelers seems to be a kind of paradise where you can renounce the busy world and experience tropical happiness. This is true, but to fully enjoy your vacation, you need to carefully choose the right resort.
We will tell you about the most popular beaches in Bali, explore the northern and southern coasts of the island and try to understand where it is worth staying and where not. In addition, you will find the top 3 most beautiful beaches on the island. Let's swim!
Best swimming spots in Bali – where to look
Bali is a stunning island, but you don’t need to have any special illusions about this place. Get ready for the fact that the postcard landscapes will not match what you saw in reality. Many people are disappointed in Bali, calling it a noisy, dirty and boring island, but this is only part of the truth. It’s just that people who went on vacation chose a resort that was not theirs. To prevent this from happening to you, read our article.
Swimming schedule in Bali depends on the tidal schedule.
Most of Bali's beaches are either for surfing or swimming. Combining these activities is problematic, since surfers need a high wave, and ordinary tourists need a gentle and safe descent. You will have to understand the following things:
- Almost all beaches are municipal (free entry, no order).
- Every year the coast becomes dirtier.
- You will constantly encounter locals.
And where are the best beaches for swimming, you ask? They are. You just have to search thoroughly.
South Coast resorts
Bali is washed by stormy waters Indian Ocean, so rest will depend on the tide schedule. There is also a significant difference between north and south, which we will now talk about.
The southern tip of Bali is replete with golden and white sand spits. The following resorts are worth paying attention to:
- Bukit Peninsula (elite beaches of Balangan, Padang Padang, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Dreamland);
- southeast (Padang Bai, Sanur);
- southwest (Canggu, Legian, Kuta).
Holiday conditions on the elite Bukit depend on the season. In the summer, locals clean everything up in preparation for the influx of tourists, but in the winter you'll encounter algae and trash.
To get guaranteed pleasure from the calm waters washing Bukit, go to Nusa Dua - there is Geger Beach, which you will learn about a little later.
North Bali
This part of the island consists entirely of volcanic beaches. There is no white sand here, but the water has a higher “level of calm.” The reason is simple - the north of the island is washed not by the ocean, but by the waters of the Bali Sea.
The nature here is beautiful, and most of the resorts are concentrated near Buleleng. The most popular here are coastal villages with adjacent beach strips. Here they are:
- Anturan;
- Tukad Mungga;
- Temukus;
- Kalibukbuk.
The listed beaches merged into a single resort, called Lovina. The infrastructure here is not overwhelming, but everything you need is present. The main advantage of Lovina is the small influx of travelers during the summer months.
The northeast is famous for snorkeling and diving. Local beaches are covered with black volcanic sand, but there are many diving centers.
West and East
You won’t see beautiful sunsets in the east, and the beaches here are tiny and uncrowded. The sand is excellent. There are many suitable diving spots (Pasir Putih Beach, Padangbai Beach).
There are fewer resorts in the west. Connoisseurs of the unknown flock here, chasing bright adventures. Cliffs and rocky beaches - this is what Western landscapes look like. Lovers of good swimming have nothing to do here.
Popular beaches of Bali on the map
You already know that the swimming regime will coincide with the tide schedule. We have marked the main resorts of Bali on the map. Be sure to check the tidal chart there before planning your trip.
Five best swimming spots in Bali
Summarizing the knowledge gained from the previous section of the article, we will try to identify five key places for swimming. The list will look like this:
There are more beaches for surfers than for swimmers.
Three of the most beautiful beaches on the island
