Sun… sea… sand… serenity!
The official motto of Bali is “Glorious Bali Island”… and that’s not just hype for tourists, either! The Indonesian island of Bali is, without a doubt, one of the most gloriously, wonderfully, breathtakingly beautiful places in the world. Spectacular weather, stunning beaches, gorgeous babes and handsome dudes, a crystalline ocean, and a welcoming native population whose warmth and hospitality is world-renowned.
You might get wonderful weather and warm welcomes from other countries, but in short, Bali has it all.
Not surprisingly, tourism is both the lifeblood and backbone of the Balinese economy, up to 80% of it in fact, and that reached a new peak in the first 7 months of 2023, with some 8 million visitors experiencing the wonders of Balinese hospitality… an astounding 147% increase from 2022.
Being an island – the “island of the Gods” as is its common nickname – Bali is surrounded by an ample number of beaches, with most of them being tanned or grayish in color. The famed ‘white sand’ beaches featured so prominently in advertisements, pictures, and, indeed, in the wider public perception of Bali do exist but are decidedly uncommon and fewer in number.
Beaches play great significance in Bali, both for cultural and religious reasons, forming both a central tenet of tourism and the annual festival of Nyepi.
Are you thinking of visiting Bali? Lucky you if you are! We wish you a wonderful and relaxing vacation, but before you go, let us introduce you to what we consider the 5 best beaches on the island, just to whet your appetite and perhaps give you a useful guide on where to soak up the sun during your stay.
Put on your swimming shorts/bikini, grab that snorkel, and let’s dive in…
1. Kuta
Probably the most popular beach in Bali – ask a Balinese citizen and this is the one they’ll likely recommend – mainly because it hosts the perfect combination of sea, sand, and surf, not to mention a thriving hub of cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs along its shoreline.
Sadly, Kuta made world headlines in October 2002 when the Islamic terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiya exploded three bombs in the busy, bustling downtown district which was filled with tourists, and which murdered 202 people and wounded 209 others (many with horrific life-changing injuries).
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2. Seminyak
Just a short distance north of Kuta is the stunning beach location of Seminyak. Situated on the coastline of the Indian Ocean, Seminyak is a beautiful location for relaxation on its legendary white sand beaches or for some of the very best surfing conditions in its waters.
Additionally, Seminyak is also known for both its high-end hotels, restaurants, and exclusive villas. It is also home to the Ku Dé Ta bar/restaurant which has (deservedly) gained a worldwide reputation as the #1 party destination perhaps in all South East Asia.
3. Nusa Dua
Situated on the south-east coast of Bali is the powder-white sands of Nusa Dua (translated as “two islands”) beach. Covering some 350 hectares and boasting over 20 different resorts, Nusa Dua has gained the reputation for being a more laid-back and idyllic location to relax in.
Developed as a resort hub in the 1970s, the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel first opened in 1983, and the resort has grown exponentially since. As a family-friendly destination, Nusa Dua boasts a thriving cosmopolitan range of restaurants, bars, and cafes, many of which are enclosed in the sprawling Bali Collection shopping complex.
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4. Blue Lagoon
A very appropriately-named beach resort is this delightful slice of paradise. Encompassing a relatively compact 2 hectares and surrounded on the shoreline by two grassy cliffs. The water itself is uncommonly calm not just because it is shielded out of the way behind said cliffs but also because it is surrounded by black corals.
This almost-unnatural calmness of the sea provides the perfect location for snorkeling activities wherein you can plunge under the crystalline surface and explore, not to mention take in the stunning array of undersea marine life.
5. Jimbaran
Not just a beautiful tourist destination but a quaint seaside fishing village too, Jimbaran combines the tastiest seafood delicacies in Bali with a homely, laid-back atmosphere.
If food is the route to your heart and you’re planning on visiting Bali, then combine both into a vacation to remember! Thanks to the abundant (and tasty!) marine life in and around Jimbaran, there is no shortage of wonderful seaside restaurants offering a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes. And if you want to stay in Jimbaran throughout your Bali stay, it also boasts some wonderful exclusive and highly-rated resorts.
So here’s to a great vacation in the “island of the Gods.”
Om Swastyastu!