Bali has hundreds of kilometres of coastline but surprisingly few genuinely great swimming beaches. Most of the famous west-coast beaches (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu) have strong currents, dark volcanic sand and are much better for sunset or surf than for swimming. For postcard white-sand beaches, you want the Bukit Peninsula or the smaller islands.
Best white-sand beaches
Padang Padang (Uluwatu) - small cove, white sand, aqua water, the classic Eat Pray Love beach.
Melasti Beach (Uluwatu) - big, wide, clean white sand at the bottom of huge limestone cliffs. One of Bali’s newest mainstream beach destinations.
Nyang Nyang (Uluwatu) - wide, long, nearly empty, a 15-min walk from the car park keeps it that way.
Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach, east Bali) - traditional fishing village feel, quiet warungs, very few tourists.
Best swimming beaches
Nusa Dua beaches - resort-protected, calm water, clean sand. The safest beaches in Bali for non-swimmers and kids.
Sanur Beach - reef-protected, shallow, family-friendly.
Jimbaran Bay - calm white sand crescent, famous seafood BBQ at sunset.
Bias Tugel (east Bali) - tiny hidden white sand cove near Padangbai, great visibility.
Best surf beaches
Uluwatu (advanced), Bingin (advanced-intermediate), Balangan (intermediate), Dreamland (intermediate+), Padang Padang Right (beginner+), Batu Bolong Canggu (beginner).
Best sunset beaches
Double Six / La Plancha in Seminyak for the bean-bag classic.
Tanah Lot for the silhouetted sea temple shot.
Bingin Beach for cliffside beach-club drinks while the sun drops into the ocean.
Jimbaran Bay for feet-in-sand seafood dinner with the sunset.
Echo Beach Canggu for a mellower, less polished scene.
Beaches on the islands
Nusa Penida: Kelingking (view only), Crystal Bay (swim + snorkel), Atuh Beach.
Nusa Lembongan: Dream Beach, Mushroom Bay.
Gili Islands: the entire perimeter of Gili Trawangan and Meno is beach, white sand and turquoise water everywhere.
Safety
Respect the red flags. Do not swim after dark. Watch the tide at cove beaches like Bingin - the path disappears at high tide. Box jellyfish are occasional in the wet season - local warungs will warn you.
