Many tourists imagine the island of Bali as some kind of absolutely fabulous place with paradise beaches, azure sea and lonely bunagalows standing right on the shore, and this image of Bali is actively supported by travel companies.
Having arrived in Bali with similar expectations and not seeing the postcard landscapes, some are disappointed and talk about what a boring/noisy/dirty place it is (depending on where they settled).
In reality, Bali is a stunning island, if you don’t have any illusions about paradise beaches.
Initially, before coming to Bali, we planned to settle somewhere closer to the sea, we studied this issue, read various reviews on Bali beaches and chose the best place to live on the island. We couldn’t find a good review of the beaches, so we collected information bit by bit from individual reviews for each place.
As a result, having lived here for more than 5 months, we visited most of the beaches and came to the following conclusion. If we do not consider this issue from the point of view of surfing, then there are not so many good beaches in Bali and they can be divided into several categories:
- nice beach, but big waves;
- good beach, but shallow;
- good sea, but mediocre beach;
- good sea and beach, but crowded;
- good sea and beach, not crowded, but not very convenient location.
The best beaches in Bali
Bukit Peninsula: Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Balangan, Dreamland, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa
South West Coast: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu
Southeast coast: Sanur, Padang Bai
East Coast: White sand beach, Amed, Bunutan, Tulamben
North coast: Lovina
Uluwatu beach (Blue point beach)
This small beach is hidden between the rocks, and at high tide it is completely flooded with water. Due to the large waves, it is popular mainly among advanced surfers, for whom the infrastructure is well developed - there are many shops where you can buy or rent everything you need for surfing - from boards to special clothes
And those whose plans do not include surfing and catching waves can admire the views from the cliff
Padang Padang beach
In our opinion, this is one of the best beaches in Bukit. There is a good coastline here, clean, clear water and there are almost never big waves off the coast. You can surf here, but you need to swim further away for the waves
The beach is quite small and cozy, in addition, it is located next to the road, so it is very popular among tourists, so at the height of the season it is quite crowded and this is its main drawback.
A few years ago, this beach was considered “secret” and mostly only locals knew about it, but after the movie “Eat, Pray, Love,” which was partly filmed here, its popularity has grown sharply. You can rent umbrellas on the beach, but there are no sunbeds here
In addition, it is quite picturesque here and, if you are not impressed by the crowds of vacationers, you can retreat to the rocks and enjoy the beauty of the coast
Dreamland beach
The beach is located in the village of Dreamland. This is another small and incredibly beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise sea, which, however, is rarely calm
And it is precisely for the big waves that surfers love this place
You can come here if you want to surf or spend time on the shore and sunbathe, but you won’t always be able to get into the water
Here you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas
Balangan beach
This beach is famous for its “Martian” landscape
The beach is quite long and wide
but along its entire length the coast is covered with volcanic rock
which looks beautiful, but does not allow you to go into the water without shoes
Despite the fact that there are several hotels nearby and many sun loungers on the shore, swimming is not allowed here. Only surfers enter the water in order to swim away from the shore in pursuit of a good wave. There is a long, winding and picturesque road leading to the beach, which is a pleasure to ride a bike along. Weddings are often held on this beach and on the cliff next to it - we saw photos from several photo shoots against the backdrop of familiar landscapes
Jimbaran beach
This is a long beach that stretches along the entire village for several kilometers.
The shore here is quite shallow and you need to walk for a long time to get to the depths. At high tide the beach is a narrow strip several meters wide
but at low tide the water recedes tens of meters
The beach is also famous for its fish market and fish restaurants, which in the evening, during low tide, set up tables on the sand and offer visitors fresh seafood, for almost every taste.
Nusa Dua Beach
This is a gated area on the west coast of Bukit with a large number of stellar high-rise hotels. Mostly vacationers come here on tour. vouchers, a good half of which are from Russia
The beaches of Nusa Dua are well suited for a calm, relaxed holiday. It is from tourists who stayed here and never went anywhere else that you most often hear reviews that Bali, although pleasant, is a rather boring place.
The beaches of Nusa Dua are good - wide and clean, but the shore is also quite shallow
In addition, most beaches are located near hotel areas, so not everywhere you can calmly settle down without the risk of encountering polite but persistent security
A big disadvantage of the resorts on the Bukit Peninsula is the transportation problem. It is separated from the main part of the island by a thin bridge with a single, two-lane highway, on which traffic jams are a permanent phenomenon. Accordingly, if you plan to actively move around the island and at the same time live on Bukit, then you can safely cross out at least 2 hours daily from your vacation.
Tanjung Benoa Beach
Tanjung Benoa is a spit, less than a kilometer wide, which used to be a fishing village, and is now being actively developed with hotels. The northernmost point of the spit is a center of water entertainment for every taste, which offers any service from snorkeling to an “underwater scooter”.
Kuta Beach
This is perhaps the most popular place among tourists in Bali. Kuta is all about surfing, bars, clubs and nightlife. Housing is relatively inexpensive here; mostly young people come to the beaches of Kuta to surf during the day and have a blast at night. Traffic jams here do not stop even at night
In the water, you can easily get hit on the head with a board by a novice surfer, but if you came with the goal of arming yourself with a board, this is the place for you; you can rent a surfboard here for $3 (for 2-3 hours).
But it’s difficult for us to understand people who don’t surf and still stay in Kuta =)
Legian Beach
This is, in fact, a continuation of Kuta, but a little more respectable
There are fewer tourists and more expensive accommodation, but the sea is also more suitable for surfing than swimming - most of the day the waves are quite strong and those who decide to get into the water without a surf are driven ashore with a loud whistle from beach lifeguards
Seminyak Beach
This is the area and beach immediately next to Legian - an even more peaceful and prestigious place. Housing here is quite expensive and is a favorite place to live among European expats
Red flags here are an integral part of the landscape
Changgu Beach
In this area you can find fairly affordable housing, despite the fact that there are significantly fewer tourists on Canggu Beach than in Kuta. The beach is decent enough
but the problem with the sea is still the same - to swim you need to catch the time when there are no waves
Sanur Beach
This resort is more respectable and calm than Kuta, but less pretentious and sterilized than Nusa Dua
The bulk of vacationers here are older Europeans, and Russian speech can be heard less often than in other places. Mostly expensive hotels are located on the coast, while more budget accommodation can be found in the village, on the other side of the highway. The beaches here are long and wide, the sea is quite calm, but shallow near the shore, and to get to the depths, you need to walk knee-deep in water for dozens of meters
In our opinion, Sanur is the geographically optimal location. There is some kind of sea here and from it you can quickly get to Bukit, Ubud, volcanoes, as well as other attractions of Bali or sail to the Gili Islands.
Padang Bay Beach
In Padang Bai there is a port from which you can sail to the islands closest to Bali - Lombok, Gili, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembogan. But not everyone knows that near the village there is a wonderful beach, hidden from prying eyes, it is called “Secret beach”.
In order to get there, you need to turn right right in front of the port and follow the path to the very end. It ends at the top of the hill - you can’t go any further and this is where the bikes are parked. Further along the path you need to go down to the beach. A beach lost among the cliffs, very cozy, neat, clean, with white sand
Despite the relative proximity of the port, the sea here is also clean and, as a rule, calm. You can rent housing in the village, but there is practically no infrastructure here.
This is the only white sand beach on the east coast.
The beach is very good – wide and uncrowded
with good and, most of the time, calm seas
There are corals and rare tropical fish swimming in the sea. There are a dozen cafes on the beach where you can refresh yourself; they provide sunbeds to their clients at no additional cost. There is no housing in the immediate vicinity of the beach, but this is perfect for a beach holiday.
Amed Beach
Amed is the name of a village and an entire region on the east coast
Here, almost everywhere, the sea is absolutely stunning - calm, clean and transparent. Not far from the shore there are corals, among which wonderful colorful fish swim.
In order to snorkel, you don’t need to go anywhere by boat; you can dive close to the shore
The beaches are mostly stone or with coarse volcanic sand, and there are many fishing boats on the shore
On this coast we managed to find one absolutely magnificent place. It is located south of Amed, inBunutan village, the beach is called Pondok Vienna Beach.
In one part of the beach, like everywhere else in Amed, there are fishing boats during the day
And at the very end of the beach there is a small hotel. Accommodation there is not cheap (from 500 thousand rupees per day), but the beach next to the hotel is excellent - a mixture of white and black sand, good access to the water
There are more budget hotels nearby with excellent sea views, and for longer stays small houses with a kitchen, also located within walking distance, are suitable - we lived in this place for almost a month and were very pleased.
In addition to the excellent sea, Amed and the surrounding area have absolutely stunning nature - mountain slopes overgrown with greenery and views of volcanoes
In our opinion, Bunutan is the best place in Bali for a long beach holiday.
Tulamben beach
This village, a few kilometers north of Amed, is not particularly remarkable - there are the same stone beaches
But there is one local attraction next to this beach, because of which we have highlighted this beach separately - a sunkenvesselLiberty. It lies literally 30 meters from the shore and is a favorite research object for novice divers.
Even if you don’t plan to go scuba diving, you can just gaze at it with a mask - the top of the ship, overgrown with algae, shells and corals, is literally a couple of meters from the surface of the water
Lovina Beach
Lovina is the general name for several beaches (Temukus, Kaliasem, Kalibukbuk, Tukad Mugga, Amturan and Peramon) on the northern coast of Bali. With wide beaches with volcanic sand, calm seas and reasonable housing prices, the resort is well suited for a relaxing family holiday with children. The main attraction in Lovina is the dolphin walk, many boats go out to sea every morning to look at them, and this is what most tourists come here for.
conclusions
There are many incredibly beautiful, fabulous and wonderful places in Bali, including excellent beaches, but in general, the combination: “good beach, clean sea, absence of waves, developed infrastructure, absence of crowds of tourists and accommodation within walking distance” in Bali, I think no.
If the purpose of the trip is exclusively a beach holiday, then Thailand or Sri Lanka are more suitable for this, but if the light on the beaches is not a wedge for you, then read our articles about Bali and stay tuned for updates ;)
And if you are seriously planning to move to tropical countries for a long-term stay, then we recommend that you take a course from our friend, who has been living in Thailand for 6 years and has managed to study this country quite thoroughly
S8.654987° E115.125215° Echo beach. Next after Seminyak and Canggu.
S8.651848° E115.121439° Pererenan beach. Next after Seminyak and Canggu and Echo beach.
South Bali:
S8.741031° E115.241286° Serangan beach on the Serangan Peninsula. There is a farm with turtles. A must visit!
West Bukit:
S8.805478° E115.113133° Bingin Beach
S8.807217° E115.110407° Impossibles beach
S8.813310° E115.096548° Pecatu (?) beach (Thomas homestay) the sign says Padang-Padang
South Bukit:
S8.839752° E115.094521° Suluban beach
S8.848154° E115.159604° I don’t know the name.
S8.848703° E115.170676° I don’t know the name. They charge for entry
S8.840729° E115.200138° I don’t know the name.
S8.834393° E115.213425° I don’t know the name.
East Bali:
S8.536531° E115.508846° Bias Tugal beach (in the review it was called Secret beach)
S8.529787° E115.513219° Blue Lagoon beach
S8.510062° E115.572508° Candidasa beach
Northeast Bali:
S8.354105° E115.688839° Lipah beach
North Bali:
S8.078357° E115.131312° Pantai Linggo beach
North West Bali:
S8.136432° E114.641934° Pemuteran beach
You can copy the coordinates to maps.google.com and see the location on the map.
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Where to eat and how much does it cost?
You've been waiting for this for so long... You imagined how, listening to the surf on the shores of the Indian Ocean, you would savor a huge portion of the freshest seafood. But... in Bali, king prawns are not fried at every turn like in Thailand, and portions of seefood may not meet your expectations. However, here you are, and your goal is lobsters, lobsters, lobsters!
Seafood in Bali. Restaurants in Kuta
Kartika street. Not far from the Discovery shopping center is a restaurant reminiscent of an aquarium. Crowds of tourists, especially the Chinese, crowd around taking pictures of the crustaceans. But not everyone decides to stay here for dinner. Most likely, prices are deterring.
It’s worth turning onto Poppies Lane, and in the local warungs you will be offered seafood much cheaper - on average for 3-4 dollars (per serving).
However, it is not a fact that the fish will be boneless and deliciously cooked. I don't think you should even try to order barracuda. No matter how it is seasoned with spices, it tastes like dry, almost plasticine, fish meat that disintegrates into fibers. Sea bass is a better option. The fish is cooked well and is usually served whole. The main disadvantage: in such restaurants they use already frozen seafood.
Seafood in Bali. Jimbaran Restaurants
The fishing village of Jimbaran is famous for its fresh seafood. A whole strip of restaurants stretches along the shore. There is everything here: lobsters, mussels, shrimp, different types of fish, etc. You point your finger at the one you want to eat. It is caught from the aquarium, weighed and grilled in front of you. Rice is served with any dish.
There are tables both under the canopy and right on the shore.
We ordered lobster. Needless to say, it was incredibly delicious. But if you eat here every day, you can spend a decent amount. The bill for two lobsters came out to around $100.
After some time, we found ourselves in Bangkok in the foot court of a shopping center, where you could try almost any cuisine in the world. There was an Indonesian restaurant called Jimbaran. The portion size and variety of seafood turned out to be more impressive than on the shores of Jimbaran itself. And the prices are three times lower. Why? Mystery!
There are a huge number of fish species in Bali and it is simply impossible to list them all. The fact is that in the area of the island there is a mixing of the waters of the two great oceans, the Indian and Pacific. In addition, a large number of islands, straits and currents creates a beneficial effect on the growth of populations and the diversity of the underwater world. Scientists estimate that about 45-50% of all fish species in the world's oceans are found in the area of the island.
Warm and fertile waters contribute to the rapid growth of bio- and macroplankton, which is at the beginning of the food chain, and in turn attracts such giants of the deep sea as manta rays and whale sharks. The whale shark is generally very secretive and also the largest fish. Many divers travel thousands of kilometers just to see these monsters. Not far from Bali there are places where these majestic sharks are found almost constantly.
The large number of coral reefs also provide shelter to a variety of coral species. These are the most beautiful and colorful fish. They shine with the brightest colors and colors: blue, ultramarine, red, purple, bright yellow, green and dozens of other shades. Such fish live at shallow depths and can be observed from the surface by swimming with a snorkel and mask. It’s not for nothing that snorkeling is very popular among vacationers. Swimming at a depth of several meters and at a short distance from the shore, you can admire and admire the beauty of corals and colorful coral fish.
From a gastronomic point of view, most types of fish in Bali can be considered edible, besides, we all know how the Japanese love to tickle their nerves by eating super, which is also found here. But most of all you will find the following representatives on the menu of restaurants and markets:
- Tuna
- Barracuda
- Jack Fish
- Sniper
- Red sniper
- Mackerel
- Marlin et al.
Each of this list is tasty and good in its own way, and if it falls into the hands of a professional, then you are guaranteed a gastronomic masterpiece. The mere fact that the fish here is all freshly caught and only chilled, there is simply no frozen stuff, gives “a hundred points ahead” in terms of taste. Restaurants know how to cook fish in any way. In the most famous place for seafood restaurants in Bali, as a rule, fish is prepared in two ways: fried in a frying pan or baked over coals. Both are truly delicious. There are many fish dishes. The locals themselves prefer to make a grill, and they use dried coconut shells for the coals, which will add an additional piquant flavor. In addition, fresh fish tastes very different from frozen, or even frozen, fish, which can only be bought in domestic stores.
For fishing lovers it is exciting and interesting. These are very strong and large fish, and the process of fishing for a real fisherman is truly awe-inspiring. can't happen without fish.
Marlin fishing is special. This is a special case and not every fisherman is lucky enough to fight with this beautiful, strong and fast fish. Catching a marlin is one of those perhaps unique and fantastic trophies, the owner of which is looked at with envy by all other fishermen. And if you didn’t catch your marlin, then in any case it’s memorable.
How about tasting the fish you just caught and cooked on the barbecue in the fresh air? I think no food lover will refuse this. If you are not a fisherman, we invite you to take a boat to the wild beaches of the neighboring island. And it doesn’t even matter that you were not lucky enough to become the owner of a majestic trophy, you are still a winner and a happy person.
The best beaches of Bali are an ideal place for relaxation, meditation, relaxing holidays and extreme entertainment. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world go to one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia to spend their holidays here. The beaches of Bali are pure sand or snow-white pebbles, picturesque landscapes, high cliffs and an amazingly beautiful ocean, the color of the water in which is amazing in the number of shades. Many of the island's beaches are unsuitable for swimming due to high waves and rip currents that can sweep swimmers out into the ocean, but there are also beautiful beaches where the sea is relatively calm and comfortable.
White Sand
The beach got its name thanks to the white sand that was brought here specifically to beautify the area and attract travelers. Over time, the sand was washed away and currently the shore has a more grayish tint, and sometimes there are completely black areas.
White Sand cannot be called an equipped beach, although sun loungers and umbrellas are installed on its territory. Rather, it is wild, and no one particularly monitors the cleanliness of the coastline. In different parts of the coastline you can see algae washed ashore by the waves, as well as cacti lying on the ground, falling from a steep cliff.
On the right side of White Sand there is a coral reef that attracts lovers of scuba diving and observing the underwater world. The sea is calmer than on other beaches, but there are still waves. You can have lunch or just a snack in several cafes right on the beach, which belong to the residents of Candidasa. There is a highway leading from Sanur to the beach, from which, turning towards Candidasa, you will have to drive several kilometers off-road.
“Fabulous beach! Very beautiful coast! The sand is not white, but it is still more pleasant to relax here than on other beaches in Bali. Local residents are very sociable and try to play with the children of vacationers. Everything in the cafe is very expensive.”
Jemeluk Bay
The beach is located next to the village of the same name in a picturesque bay. This is one of the best diving spots in Bali. There are many coral reefs here that attract scuba divers with their beauty and unusualness.
The entire Jemeluk Bay beach is covered with small white pebbles. Its territory is not too large, but allows you to comfortably sleep on a sunbed or mattress, which are rented by local residents. The ocean in this part of the coast is quite quiet. Strong waves are quite rare.
Near the beach there are the necessary tourist and resort infrastructure: rental equipment for water activities, hotels, cafes, shops, car parking. Due to the fact that the sea in this place is calm and there are almost no significant low tides, the coastline is not littered with algae and other debris. The calm water is very clear, and swimming in it is a pleasure.
“We really enjoyed relaxing on this beach. The pebbles are small, you can walk without shoes, there were no strong waves, the sea was calm and clean. Standing in the water, you can see your feet and the bottom. Excellent service in cafes located nearby. We tried all sorts of seafood delicacies. I recommend this small but very cozy beach.”
Dreamland
Local residents say that once upon a time a traveler from Italy, a professional surfer, vacationed on this beach. He was so amazed by the tall emerald-colored waves approaching the sandy shore that he decided to call it “Dreamland.”
Dreamland is a fairly popular beach among tourists. Pleasant sand for walking and a rapidly developing infrastructure allow you to relax comfortably while enjoying the picturesque view of the ocean. The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas that can be rented. Near the beach and on its territory, vacationers can eat in a cafe and restaurant, order drinks in several bars.
It is quite rare to see people swimming here. The wave is too high to be in the water safely. But the beach traditionally attracts surfers. There is a large hotel near Dreamland where you can stay, as well as several bungalows and villas for rent. You can get to the beach by road following the signs from the city of Kuta.
The journey will take about half an hour.
“A great beach to spend time in nature, sunbathe and relax. The sun loungers are comfortable, the umbrellas are large. Swimming here is incredibly difficult, as the wave covers you headlong. They say that during low tides the sea is calmer, but we were unable to catch this phenomenon.”
Green Bowl
An incredibly beautiful beach of dark golden sand on the Bukit Peninsula. The narrow coastal strip is located under a high cliff, and several hundred steep steps lead to the beach. This beach is considered very dangerous for swimming. It's all about the break wave, which often occurs in the coastal zone of the ocean. Its peculiarity is that a person is drawn into a wide channel by a strong current and can be carried into the open ocean.
Green Bowl is a wild beach, not without some resort charms, which are located on the top of a cliff. Here tourists are greeted by enterprising Balinese people selling souvenirs and selling various drinks and food. This beach is preferred by those who like to relax away from civilization, as well as by surfers who use the rip current to get on the line up.
During high tide, the shore is completely covered by ocean waters and you cannot rest here at this time. But the golden sand dries quickly at low tide and is again ready to welcome tourists. The best way to get to the beach is by car or even by bike. From Kuta, the journey by road will take 35–40 minutes.
“We came to this beach out of curiosity. We were told that there are monkeys walking around here, there are a lot of surfers and the ocean is incredibly beautiful. The information was confirmed. While we were going down the cliff along a huge number of steps, we saw enough wild monkeys. There are, however, a lot of surfers. You can only admire the ocean; swimming here is impossible because of the high waves, and is even prohibited.”
Bias Tegul
Bias Tegul Beach is located near Padangbai Port. To find it you need to go through a small forest grove. The secluded beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing. It is also called secret because of its location hidden from human eyes.
The shore is covered with soft, pleasant-to-touch sand. Despite the proximity to the port, where ships constantly arrive, the water here is crystal clear. Every now and then a snow-white line of foam, created by a soft wave, slowly rolls up to the shore.
There are several warungs on the beach - thatched cafes where locals cook and sell food. The beach has an interesting feature. The rocks located on the shore have small caves into which water regularly flows. Squeezed out by the accumulated air, it crumbles into a fountain of spray, rising several meters in height - an incredible sight.
Even during the peak season there are not many tourists here. The beach is quite difficult to find, making your way from the port along a narrow mountain path.
“Great beach with fine light sand and very beautiful scenery. Surrounded by mountains, it seems to be hiding from prying eyes so that tourists do not find it and disturb such beauty. The water here seemed a little colder than on other beaches, but once we got used to it, we splashed around a lot!”
Kuta
One of the best beaches in Kuta. It is famous for its long coastline of golden sand. There are always a lot of tourists relaxing here who want to soak up the hot Indonesian sun and enjoy the clean, warm water.
Kuta Beach stretches along the coast for 8 km. Its strip is wide enough to accommodate many sun loungers with umbrellas, which are arranged in several rows. The excellent infrastructure attracts not only foreigners holidaying in Kuta, but also its residents.
You can surf on the beach. Experienced instructors teach the art of controlling a board on the waves. For a small fee you can go to a massage parlor, of which there are several dozen on the beach, or order drinks in bars.
The city embankment runs along the shore - a favorite place for tourists to walk. There is everything that vacationers might need - cafes, restaurants, shops, souvenir shops. Kuta Beach is famous for its magnificent sunsets, which tourists especially come to see.
“We were on holiday in Kuta and visited this beach several times. It is very large, but there are a lot of tourists, so to find a free sunbed, you need to arrive early. The traders are very annoying, they don’t care that you lie and sunbathe with your eyes closed, they bother you and offer their products. But the beach itself is very beautiful, clean and comfortable.”
Mengiat
The beach is located on the southern coast of Bali. A wide strip of sand stretching along the coast attracts many tourists. You can come here from Kuta by bus or by renting a car or bike.
Mengiat is a clean, equipped beach with excellent infrastructure. Despite its popularity among foreign holidaymakers, it is not as crowded as the beaches of Kuta. You can always find a free sunbed and sit on it by paying a small rent.
The sea on this beach is calm and comfortable for swimming throughout the high tourist season. It is protected from strong waves by a large number of coral reefs. From the shore, the sea has an unusually beautiful color - a mixture of azure and emerald. Rubbish and algae are carefully removed by staff. At Mengiat you can engage in active water activities, have lunch or a light snack in a cafe, and use the services of massage parlors.
“A wonderful place to relax peacefully on the shore, sunbathe and swim without experiencing discomfort. The sea is very beautiful, the entrance is not too steep, and in some parts of the beach it is quite flat, which allows children to splash around.”
Jimbaran Beach
One of the best beaches in southern Bali. It is located in a beautiful bay with picturesque views, modern hotels and villas. A fairly wide coastline allows a large number of tourists and vacationers to stay comfortably. The length of the beach is more than 5 km.
The entrance to the sea along the entire beach is very gentle, and the depth near the shore is shallow, which allows not only adults, but also children to enjoy water activities. The bottom is very clean and sandy. Cleanliness and order on the beach itself are carefully monitored. There is no garbage here.
Jimbaran Beach and its holidaymakers are served by several restaurants and cafes located on the shore. You can sit in the shade of the awnings or order food directly to your sun lounger. Mostly, seafood dishes are prepared here, which are delivered to restaurants by fishermen. Early in the morning you can see them returning with their catch. Fans of sea walks can take advantage of the services of local residents, who will arrange an excursion on the flat surface of the sea on their own boats.
“Great place for a family holiday. We stayed in a hotel next to the beach and enjoyed this beauty every day. The sea is calm, clean, the beach is spacious and equipped. Admission for hotel guests was free. I liked that if you wish, they will immediately bring you drinks or food from local cafes.”
Balangan
The beach is located on the Bukit Peninsula near the town of Jimbaran. It is a narrow strip of sand along the coast 700 meters long. In the northern part of the beach, a high cliff extends into the ocean, where wedding photo sessions often take place. Balangan is a popular surf slot.
Even during peak season there are not too many vacationers on the beach. Mostly local hotel guests sunbathe here, less often visitors. Along the coast you can see many warungs where seafood is prepared. Having climbed the mountain along stone steps, vacationers find themselves in a picturesque area where there are several hotels and villas.
Swimming in Balangan is not very convenient due to the high waves. On rare days when the water is calmer, tourists splash around the shore, but such entertainment is considered quite dangerous, especially since there are no lifeguards on the beach. The most comfortable place for swimming is the northern part of the beach near the cliff. The sand on the coastline is fine and clean. There are sun loungers and umbrellas for the convenience of vacationers.
“Take your time on the road and be sure to visit this beach. Even while descending from the mountain, you can examine the entire coastline - long, with yellow sand, it arches, as if hugging the ocean. There are many inexpensive warungs on the beach where you can have a hearty lunch. Swimming is difficult, but it’s very interesting to watch the surfers.”
Padangbai Beach
A small cozy beach surrounded by rocks with lush green vegetation. The entire coastline is snow-white clean sand. Padangbai Beach is rightfully considered one of the best beaches in Bali, where it is pleasant to relax and spend time. In addition, this is a popular surf slot for both experienced surfers and beginners.
On the coastline there are several warungs where they prepare and sell dishes made from fresh seafood caught in the ocean in the morning. You can also order drinks here. Rescuers are closely watching the vacationers.
The water in the ocean is often calm, with long waves slowly rolling onto the shore. It is better to swim on the left side of the bank. There are no umbrellas or sunbeds on the beach. Vacationers sit right on the sand, on the rugs and towels they brought with them.
Padangbai Beach is famous for the fact that several episodes of the famous film “Pray More Love” with Julia Roberts were filmed there. After the release of the movie, Padangbai Beach became even more popular. For those who do not like a lot of people on the beach, it is best to come here in the morning and before lunch.
“The water is warm, the waves are low, the sand is fine and pleasant. A wonderful beach in a cozy cove with a beautiful landscape. It’s not always possible to swim, but we managed to thoroughly enjoy the clear water of an unusually beautiful color. Only pleasant impressions!”
Bali welcomes tourists all year round. There are no four seasons familiar to Europeans here. In the winter months the weather is as comfortable as in the summer months, but this is the rainy season. Showers are short-lived and most often occur in the evening and at night. The most popular period for travelers is from May to October. The air temperature at this time remains at +33 degrees, and the water warms up to +26. These are the best months to not only spend time on the picturesque beaches, but also get to know the local culture.
We go to the fishing village of Jimbaran, sunbathe, look under the fish's gills, marvel at sea creatures, watch the most beautiful sunsets and eat seafood like wild animals.
Let's not lie, Jimbaran is one of our favorite places in Bali. Here you involuntarily remember the fairy tale about the Old Man and the Sea, you become a shameless glutton and a hopeless romantic. There is also an amazing smell here - the ocean, fish, smoke from seafood fried on coals and incense.
All this splendor happens on Pantai Muaya beach. This is where all the fishing life of the island of Bali is concentrated - fish restaurants on the ocean, boats and the famous fish market. Many seafood restaurants in Indonesia are named after this village. We have already talked about one of them, located in Java.
It’s worth coming to Jimbaran during the day - to be lazy and watch the planes land, sunbathe on the white sand and swim in the gentle waves.
The ocean in Jimbaran is friendly, rustling joyfully and not trying to rip off your swimsuit. There are numerous fish restaurants on the shore, the provisions of which are supplied directly from the shore. But, let's get to the fishing zone.
Fishermen, fish and the famous fish market
The tourist beach of Jimbaran smoothly turns into a fishing area, which tourists love to photograph. Here it’s worth watching your step, because fishing is a working process, and all the products of the craft are right there – pieces of lobster and squid, fishing nets and gear. On the shore there are numerous prau boats - the horses of the fishing industry.
Here is the famous market, where you can find any sea reptile to suit your taste, buy it for pennies and cook it right there. This is for those who love the authentic.
This place is so interesting that we decided to go there with a camera in the future, so we won’t write much here, it’s better to show everything later.
The main entrance to the fish market is located on the road side. We recommend entering from the beach, where they sell fish for the locals.
Bargain joyfully and mercilessly, it's worth it.
Fish restaurants and a couple of life hacks for choosing fish
By sunset, all fish restaurants set up tables on the beach. This is the time of hot hours, when tourists flock to restaurants to watch the sunset and enjoy delicious fish. Restaurants are very similar to each other, differing in prices, quality of prepared food and, of course, choice. But the system is the same everywhere: you come in and immediately go to the counters with fish, choose the one you like, and weigh it. Personally, we are not shy about picking it up and touching it, feeling it, tickling it, and most importantly, checking it for freshness.
How to Identify the Right Fish
Despite the fact that the fish is delivered directly from the ocean shore (that is, within walking distance), it may not always be fresh. To determine whether the fish is the right one, shamelessly look under its gills - there should be no mucus or suspicious spots. Now smell it! This is important because the fish itself may not smell, but what is under its gills will immediately indicate the degree of freshness. Healthy and freshly caught fish smells like fish, the ocean and nothing else.
We weigh and watch
Now the fish needs to be weighed. Ask for the cost per kilogram right away, and make sure that half a kilo of shrimp is not weighed for you as two. Next, the job is done. You wash your hands and head to the table.
Or maybe eat everything at once?
Almost all fish restaurant menus in Jimbaran have fixed-price platter offerings.
For example, for 420,000 rupees (1,400 rubles) you can order a set for two of lobster, shrimp, fish, squid, rice, salad, two glasses of wine and fruit.
Here it is, as you like. For example, we are in love with grilled squid, although we had never liked it before until we tried it once in one of the most famous restaurants in Jimbaran, Menege.
Menega – an establishment rising from the ashes
Menega is a restaurant that gets written and talked about a lot. It is popular for its chefs, incredibly tasty grilled sauce, and always a huge influx of tourists. It wasn't always like this.
In 2005, this restaurant was attacked by terrorists, there was an explosion and people died. It would seem that after such a bitter event, tourists should have avoided the place. And so it was until one lively Balinese girl got down to business. The restaurant was promoted, promoted, and guests were invited there.
The work was not in vain, because now you need to book a table in Menega in advance, if you come right before sunset, of course. And it’s not just a matter of a competent manager. The food here is truly divine. And we are proud to say that the grilled squid in Menega is truly the best.
According to the tradition of fish restaurants in Jimbaran, here, with your chosen fish, you will be served a traditional Balinese kangkung salad (be careful - it is spicy), a lot of delicious sauces, nuts for beer, rice and a plate of fruit for dessert.
For a couple of thousand (in rubles), three of us can eat too much and drink a bottle of beer.
What if you want something exotic?
In some fish restaurants in Jimbaran you can watch small live sharks swimming in aquariums. There are no sharks on the menu, but you can order them (if you are a bloodthirsty glutton).
Sharks are not weighed, they are sold individually. The price starts at 700,000 rupees (2,300 rubles) per piece, but in reality, it can be much lower. We personally feel sorry for the sharks, so we cannot say about the minimum price. But they say you can buy it at half the price.
That's probably all. It's time to walk along the shore, wet your heels in the ocean and listen to the songs of the Balinese orchestra, which has been traditionally entertaining tourists on the beach of beautiful Jimbaran for several years now.
For help, information, photos and invaluable experience of contacts with fish, we thank the wonderful girl and sorceress Ira Obukhova. Also, many thanks to the good fairy Lena Bodina and our iPhone for the photo.
