The line of beaches in Bali makes the island one of the most visited holiday destinations in the world. Each beach is different from the other, depending on what you're looking for: a quite place to relax, surfing, sunbathing, you name it because Bali has it all! Here's a quick guide on which beach to go to make your stay in Bali a lot more enjoyable. Here goes:
1 Soka
Soka beach is located in Tabanan regency, 10 km west on the traffic between Gilimanuk (the ferry port town that connects Bali and Java) and East Bali; thus, many buses stop in this area to cool their engines. Soka is also a popular hangout spot for the local younger generation to spend their weekend or for holiday sightseeing.
You can also find wet rice fields close by, which adds another attraction to this small, black sandy beach.
2 Geger
Accessed through a dirt track to the left on the road leading to the Nikko Bali Resort, Geger remains a very private beach, which makes topless sunbathing very popular here. The seaweed plantation along Geger is another attraction of this beach, even for the visiting sun worshippers.
Geger attracts mainly European tourists and is a good place to bring kids as the water is safe to swim in - no waves or currents close by. The fact that the beach has fewer vendors makes the beach enjoyable for you to relax.
3 Sanur
Sanur beach is a calm, quiet lagoon area offering great conditions for windsurfing, parasailing and other recreational activities. The calmwaters of Sanur make it very popular as a family leisure destination.
Sanur is also a well-known site to watch the sun rises as you jog alongthe white sandy beach. It is a perfect spot for non-surfer people.
4 Dreamland
Dreamland beach is really beautiful and its clear blue water looks very inviting. Nevertheless swimming is rather impossible due to the strong currents, yet you can still see some people staying in the water and play with the waves. To access the beach you have to pass a gate that leads to a private Villa Park and passed the Pecatu Graha developments.
The high tide makes Dreamland
an excellent playground for the experienced surfers. Dreamland Beach is crowded during the day and although the stretch of the beach is actually relatively short, you can still get the impression that the beach is a perfect, laid back hangout spot.
5 Lovina
Lovina beach is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Nightlife activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If you like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowds, Lovina Beach is for you.
Dolphin watching is Lovina's main attraction, and thus visitors go there in June, July or August, when the weather is good and the waters are blue and clear.
6 Balangan
This hidden paradise is located north the Dreamland Beach; that would be before Dreamland if you're coming from Kuta direction. Accessed through a small, long bumpy road, the spectacular view of this white sandy beach will swap away all the exhaustion caused from the long journey you've taken.
At low tide you can see the expansive reef that protects this oasis, offering hours of peaceful rest on the sand or just floating in one of it's natural pools. Bring a pair of rubber shoes to avoid any sharp rocks. Balangan is perfect if you want to have private time for it is very quite especially during the weekdays.
7 Kuta
Kuta is the most celebrated beach in Bali. The beach area is also known as the center of nightlife activities and a shopping Mecca with its lines of shops, boutiques and galleries. The beach itself is regularly packed with sunbathers, masseurs and vendors. So you can always expect a big crowd in this area.
Kuta is also a favorite site for surfing, although most of the surfers on this beach are beginners or those who are in the intermediate level. Sunset in Kuta is just magnificent.
8 Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is located in the Tabanan Regency. It is the home of a dramatic oceanfront Hindu temple, which is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese Gods. The temple itself is built on a small peninsula, which is only accessible at low tide.
'Sunset Terrace' is provided for a breathtaking view watching the sun setting down. A number of restaurants and gift shops are also available on the terrace, making your visit to Tanah Lot even more convenient and enjoyable.
9 Nyanyi
Another black sandy beach situated around 10 minutes before Tanah Lot from Canggu direction, Nyanyi beach is very popular among the locals in the area, especially during the sunset when many youngsters play soccer. Nyanyi is very quiet all day up to around four o'clock in the afternoon.
10 Matahari Terbit
Literally translated as "Sunrise", Matahari Terbit beach is of course the spot for you to watch the breathtaking view of the sun rising up in the morning. The beach is known as the hangout place of the younger generation couples.