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During your journey to Bali, make sure not to miss out on the blissful moments of relaxation on its numerous beaches, particularly those in the southern region of the island. Balangan, nestled on the picturesque rocky coast of the Bukit Peninsula, serves as our starting point. However, this is just a glimpse of what awaits your exploration! Bali boasts a plethora of other captivating beaches, featuring pristine, crystal-clear waters, soft golden sands, and awe-inspiring views of scenic cliffs. Especially for you, we have explored the places considered the most beautiful beaches in Bali and compiled the following list. Want to know how these places truly look? Find out in this article.

Unveiling Bali's Hidden Gems: Discover the Secrets of Its Most Beautiful Beaches
Unveiling Bali’s Hidden Gems: Discover the Secrets of Its Most Beautiful Beaches

1. Balangan Beach

Balangan Beach, located on the enchanting south-western edge of Bali, is renowned as one of the island’s most beloved and visually stunning beaches. Its expansive half-kilometer stretch of golden sand nestled between two majestic cliffs attracts avid surfers from across the globe, all seeking the thrill of its powerful waves. Accessing Balangan Beach is effortless, ensuring you never lose your way. A nominal fee of five thousand rupees secures parking for your motorbike.

Before indulging in the beach’s natural wonders, make a point to visit the awe-inspiring viewpoint that overlooks the entire area. Capture the breathtaking sunset in all its glory—a photographer’s dream come true. While on the beach, several cozy pubs and cafes await, offering a delightful respite for refreshments between ocean swims and sunbathing.

Please note that elaborate dining options are limited, but fear not, for an off-the-beaten-track gem awaits. Cafe La Pasion, a haven of tranquility, presents delectable Mexican cuisine complemented by Bali’s finest coffee. Moreover, local bands grace the café with live music every evening—an absolute treat for discerning enthusiasts like us

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Where to stay in Balangan Beach?

If you’re planning a stay near Balangan Beach, we highly recommend the charming Le Yanandra guesthouse. This affordable property is run by a friendly French couple. Enjoy a delicious French breakfast each morning and unwind in spacious cottages and a lovely pool. It’s the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

While Balangan Beach is celebrated for its beauty, there’s a lesser-known reality that’s rarely spoken about. The rapid surge in tourism development has led to a pressing ecological issue: a staggering mountain of garbage. Shockingly, we personally witnessed a luxury resort at Balangan Beach disposing of its waste directly onto the pristine shoreline. The sight left us appalled and fueled our frustration, prompting us to forgo sunbathing that day. Regrettably, it was also our final visit to this once-beloved destination.

Thankfully, recent efforts by Balinese authorities have initiated a tourism tax aimed at tackling the island’s pollution and waste management problems. While its effectiveness remains to be seen, we’re hopeful that it will lead to positive changes and a more sustainable future for Balangan Beach and its surroundings.

2. Padang Padang Beach

For those disheartened by the sight of Balangan Beach’s pollution, a visit further south to Padang Padang Beach offers respite. This captivating beach gained popularity, in part, due to its appearance in the 2010 film “Eat, Pray, Love“, starring Julia Roberts. While the reality may differ slightly from the movie, Padang Padang Beach still holds its allure.

Like its neighboring beaches, Balangan and Dreamland Beach, Padang Padang Beach serves as a mecca for surfers, hosting regular international surfing events such as the renowned Rip Curl Cup. Additionally, situated just a kilometer away lies the Uluwatu Temple, attracting tourists seeking cultural exploration.

However, it’s worth noting that Padang Padang Beach has lost some of its unique charm over time. Though it features intriguing rock formations and a river flowing into the sea, the beach itself is small and often overcrowded. Accessing the beach requires a hefty fee of ten thousand rupees per person. Despite the payment, finding available space on the beach can be a challenge. A handful of souvenir stalls and bars offering average-quality food dot the shoreline, but be prepared for high prices. Bringing your own provisions is advisable. Overall, we do not recommend it as a top choice.

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The Magic Uluwatu Temple

If you’re heading to Padang Padang Beach on a motorbike, be sure to venture a little further south to discover one of Bali’s most significant and ancient temples, Pura Luhur Uluwatu. This revered temple serves as a place of worship for Rudra-Siva, the Hindu deity associated with time, death, healing, nature, and storms. Balinese locals firmly believe that Uluwatu Temple safeguards the island from malevolent sea spirits. Recent archaeological findings confirm the temple’s history dating back to the 10th century.
What sets Uluwatu Temple apart from others is its breathtaking location atop a steep cliff, soaring approximately 100 meters above the roaring Indian Ocean. The temple’s allure reaches its peak during sunset, attracting a multitude of visitors. Witness the mesmerizing sight of the setting sun casting its gentle glow upon the temple’s perch, with its reflection dancing upon the restless ocean waters. It’s truly a sight to behold! Additionally, don’t miss the daily 6:00 PM kecak performance, a traditional Balinese dance show held in an open amphitheater offering a magnificent view of the sunset.

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Uluwatu Temple – Practical Information

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple is open daily (except during Balinese New Year) from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. There is an entrance fee of fifty thousand rupiahs per person, and visitors are required to wear an appropriate sarong, which can be rented on-site. There are two main entrances to the temple – from the north and from the south. The forest area surrounding the temple complex is inhabited by hundreds of monkeys, so it is advisable to keep valuable items hidden before the visit. Allow at least one hour to explore the temple complex. If you decide to watch the kecak dance performance (priced at one hundred thousand rupiahs per person), please allocate an additional hour.

3. Bingin Beach

Surf enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on the captivating Bingin Beach, located between Uluwatu and Dreamland. Bingin Beach boasts a unique charm, with majestic white cliffs providing a striking backdrop against the vast ocean. Exploring this beach is an exhilarating experience! While accessing the most beautiful part of the beach requires navigating uneven and wet rocks, the effort is undoubtedly rewarded.

Numerous bars and restaurants near the beach offer delightful dining options while enjoying the stunning ocean view. Given the beach’s narrow width, it’s advisable to plan your visit during low tide. To reach Bingin Beach, you’ll descend steep stone stairs tucked away in a narrow street between buildings. If it’s your first visit, don’t hesitate to ask for directions.

It’s important to have some money on hand (five thousand rupees) as a unique local character has been charging tourists for parking their motorbikes near the beach for years. Embrace the allure of Bingin Beach and relish the excitement it has to offer!

4. Dreamland Beach

For those unafraid of powerful waves, strong currents, and rapid urbanization, Dreamland Beach beckons. Similar to other beaches along the Bukit Peninsula, Dreamland Beach stretches between towering cliffs, offering soft white sands. Proximity to luxurious golf clubs and resorts makes this one-hundred-meter-long beach an ideal destination for those with a penchant for indulgence.

On Dreamland Beach, sunbeds can be rented, and paid massages are available for ultimate relaxation. It is said that the sunsets witnessed at Dreamland Beach are particularly extraordinary, although we regretfully missed the opportunity to experience them ourselves. Sadly, our visit was overshadowed by witnessing a dramatic rescue operation involving a tourist who disregarded safety warnings and swam against advisories. Thankfully, the situation ended well.

5. Jimbaran Beach

The last beach we visited during our stay in Bali is the northernmost beach, Jimbaran Beach, a vibrant fishing village that retains its traditional charm. Thanks to its proximity to the airport and a wide sandy shoreline with a gentle slope into the water, Jimbaran Beach is an ideal destination for families. This coastal gem is also home to a few world-class hotels, offering a range of amenities for a comfortable stay.

However, the main allure of Jimbaran Beach lies in its evening charm, drawing crowds with its array of seafood restaurants—approximately fifty in total! Set directly on the beach, near the crashing waves, these restaurants offer a memorable dining experience, especially during sunset. The romantic ambiance is enhanced by flickering candles, further adding to the allure of the place. Each restaurant boasts a similar menu, making it a difficult choice to settle on a specific one.

Indulge in a variety of freshly caught seafood, such as fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, or squid, often served with flavorful sauces, vegetables, rice, and potatoes. Set prices range from 300,000 to 800,000 rupees, with the latter providing generous portions perfect for couples. Alternatively, you can opt for customized orders based on the weight of seafood, typically costing around 180,000 rupees per kilogram. A 10% tax will be added to the final bill. As is customary in Asia, it’s worth honing your haggling skills.

For our romantic starlit dining experience, we chose Lia Cafe, situated in the southern part of the beach. For a set menu featuring grilled seafood (including 0.5 kg of fish, 0.5 kg of crab, 10 shrimps, and 10 mussels), two drinks, soup, salad, rice, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, we paid 325,000 rupees. We highly recommend this establishment.

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AKUA restaurant

If someone is looking for exquisite cuisine, we gladly recommend the AKUA restaurant located near the beach. It is a Spanish restaurant that surprises with delicious Mediterranean dishes from this region of the world. At AKUA, you can try both traditional tapas and aromatic paella. Although prices may be slightly higher than at beachside establishments, we are confident that every dish on the menu is worth every rupee spent. We chose the spicy seafood paella and refreshing cocktails. Simply heavenly! We wish there were more places like this in Bali!

Final Thoughts

Bali is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, some places considered the most stunning beaches in Bali leave much to be desired. We hope that the recent changes happening in Bali will restore their former glory to these beaches. However, let’s remember that it also depends on us! Our actions can have a tremendous impact on bringing back their beauty. Let’s be responsible and take care of these unique places by not leaving any litter and avoiding plastic. Every small gesture we make can contribute to the preservation and restoration of Bali’s beaches and their magical charm. Have you visited Bali? What emotions did the beaches there evoke in you? Share your inspirations and memories in the comments below!

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