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Bali's Beaches

For the majority of tourists to Bali, time honored images of palm fringed beaches are uppermost in the mind and probably the biggest single reason for purchasing that ticket to paradise.

The reality is all that and more. While those palm fringed beaches do exist, there is also the wild coastline of the west with black sand beaches and treacherous waters, as well as the dramatic surf beaches of the bukit, the aquamarine lagoons of Lembongan island and the sleepy coves in the north.

KUTA beach remains the most popular strip and extends all the way up to Candu and down towards the airport in Tuban. Kuta proper remains the whitest stretch of sand' and is a big draw for those who want to test their surfing skills with both a beach break and a reef break further out.

Its popularity continues to grow and for all ages, it is a wonderful place to lay your sarong, frolic in the waves and soak up the warm sun. These days beach sellers are kept behind an invisible line, so peace is still possible on this action packed strip.

SUNSET LEGIAN is a no-holds barred beach where locals, expatriates and tourists mingle, bargain with the best, play paddle ball and football, indulge in a massage and manicure, catch up on reading, meditate, exercise, you name it.

The two camps are easily recognized; the workers have as many clothes on as possible and the bules (westerners) wear as little as possible. Be prepared for scantily clad Brazilians, G-stringed Italians, Coppertone Germans, and Australians in designer surf gear and pretty Indonesian girls in multi-platform sandals - it is the United Nations of beaches.

Sunset is peak time at Sunset Legian, when the beach bars fill, the football field is at its busiest and the locals knock off work and wade fully clothes, skirts swirling, into the waves.

TUBAN, between Kuta and the airport, big hotels line this stretch of beach. A little less frantic than Kuta, it's a good place to grab a deck chair and a good book. Swimming here is safe, as the hotel, lifeguards will put up flags if there are any nps, but mostly it is pretty well protected.

ULUWATU, PADANG PADANG, BINGIN, DREAMLAND were formerly the playground of surfers almost exclusively. The former teak forest was only accessible over rough dirt tracks and the hike down to some of the beaches deterred just about everyone but the most dedicated wave riders.

This is no longer true. A number of developments planned on the barren bukit have meant that tarred roads have been put in, and slowly steps and access paths have been built down to the more popular beaches. This means that virtually anyone can take advantage of these stunning beaches, which are still very quite by Bali's standards.

Small warungs offer simple food and cold drinks, the obligatory massage people have moved in and a few sellers offer basic Bali merchandises. When the surf's up you can catch some excellent rides, when there is no surf the beaches become quiet lagoons with clear water lapping the white sand.

Uluwatu is still the busiest, particularly at sunset when the monkeys play on the spectacularly located temple. Very basic accommodation is available at most of the bukit beaches.

NUSA DUA was designed for the luxury conscious with a heavy concentration of big name hotels lining the beautiful white sand beach. Some of the resorts have private beaches but most areas are accessible. The stretch past the Hilton Resort has been a public beach and during the wet season ' the outer reef there is a popular surf break. At present, you will still find some simple warungs selling good food at cheap prices along this beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that offers excellent swimming conditions in a protected lagoon.

SANUR BEACH is a calm, quiet lagoon that offers great conditions for wind surfing and parasailing. The chic address of many of Bali is rich and famous since the 1930s; Sanur has a lively history and is still a revered area. The beach often fills with brightly clad ceremonial folk honouring various auspicious days.

The stretch from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel to beyond the Bali Hyatt is now serviced by a beach walk making it possible to enjoy the many hotels and restaurants along the strip. The calm waters are very popular with families. The reef off Sanur is a popular surf break but only works under limited conditions. Many watersport companies are based here, offering a number of recreational activities.

JIMBARAN is a sleepy cove fleet of fishing boats color on the scene. Formerly a relatively quiet its image has improved dramatically with the opening of the beautiful Four Season's Resort and the intercontinental. I the last couple of years, it has become even busier still with grilled seafood restaurants going up at a rapid pace along the beach, attracting local families and tourists in droves.

A popular spot for windsurfing and sailing small craft, which are available for rent, Jimbran's grey sand and calm waters are attracting more people but the beach still has a sleepy feeling. A day at Jimbaran is made even more popular because of the all the wonderful options to eat - choose from simple local food, the freshest fish or 5-star luxury. It is also a popular spot for sunset.

NUSA LEMBONGAN is one of the most popular destinations for day cruises on the many pleasure boats sailing from Bali. Depending on whether you sail or motor, the trip can take anywhere from one hour to two and a half.

The pristine white sandy beaches with aquamarine bays are brimming with colorful sea life, so diving and snorkeling are very popular sports. The less adventurous can enjoy glass bottomed boat rides. A number of reef breaks are popular with surfers, and the view back to Bali with a looming mount Agung makes fabulous backdrop.

The most popular trips are on Bali Hai and Wakalouka, but many smaller crafts also offer day trips with lunch and activities. Lembongan's larger neighboring island, Nusa Penida, has a somewhat more ominous reputation and is less popular.

PADANG BAI is the harbor, where the boats from Lombok take off, but also lovely and laid back fishing village with a few losmens for accommodation. A short walk over the headland to the headland to the north will take you to intimate white sand beach.

CANDI DASA is the gateway to east Bali. The beach here has been mostly washed away die to the heavy coral picking that used to provide a livelihood for locals. This has now been a stopped and tidal walls have been erected in an effort to restore the beach. Slowly the coral is returning, and Candi Dasa is developing as popular tourist destination.
Amankila at Candi Dasa has a lovely lovely beach club which tourists can visit for a daily fee - use the beach and the pool and enjoy delicious food at their restaurant-

AMED and TULAMBEN are alternative destinations in East Bali. Amed is a resort town that harks back to the early days in Kuta. Simple losmens and a couple of good, small hotels sit along the shady, Grey sand beach. Bartenders tell not-so-good jokes and boys with guitars roll off standards as entertainment in the evenings.

Snorkeling is popular in Amed. Tulumban is even quieter, but a favorite with local divers. A shipwreck and a drop off, that are accessible from the beach, offer easy access to a colorful underwater world. Dive courses for all levels are often conducted at Tulamben, and the single resort, Mimpi's, has wonderful facilities for anyone who wants to be based here.

LOVINA, KALIBUKBUK, KALIASEM, PULAU MENJANGAN. Between Singaraja and Seririt on Bali's wild north coast, is a busy stretch of losmen and hotels and some decent reef, but the low dark sea makes this far from the most inspiring stretch of beach in Bali.

A number of coves offer tranquil, protected waters and Lovina is one of them. Although the sand is gray, it is quiet, peaceful, and popular among those who shun the glitzier beach resorts of the south- Dophins Play in water off Lovina.

Diving off Pulau Menjangan, part of the Barat national park, is generally regarded as the best in Bali. Boats are readily available to take divers over to the island, where there are no residents or hotels.

The WEST COAST of Bali is very beautiful and wild. The rice fields of Tabanan are the most fertile in all of Bali, and from the wet areas, flat, stony livers dump into a thundering sea filled with treacherous rips much feared by the Balinese. Some surfing is done in this area, but is not recommended for the beginners.
The beaches around Tanah Lot is great for horse riding and watching dramatic sunsets, but for safe swimming, try one of the Other beach areas described earlier.

Bali's beaches are a wonderful asset and provide hours and days of entertainment for young and old. Watch for caution flags, as there are sometimes rips, particularly in the surf beaches, and make sure you have Protection - the Bali sun is very hot.

Source : Bali Visitor Guides

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