One of the best things about coming to this island is all the amazing beaches it has to offer. Beaches in Bali are always beautiful, and many have incredible scenery for you to enjoy too, but which ones offer decent swimming experiences?
Surprisingly, most of the best beaches in Bali for swimming are the kind of beaches that attract tourists.
When people aren’t out soaking up the rays on a white sand beach with a gentle sea breeze keeping them cool, they’re in the water splashing about in the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean.
We’ve rounded up the 28 best beaches in Bali for swimming so that you don’t miss out on the golden sand at any of them.
Our 28 Best Swimming Beaches In Bali
Seminyak Beach
South Bali is the most popular part of the island for tourism and that’s because it has many of the best beaches in Bali.
Seminyak Beach is a great place to have fun. There are beach bars, beach umbrellas, restaurants, luxury resorts, etc. galore and the golden sand is beautiful under your feet.
When you’re not lounging around on the bean bags, you can easily swim in the waters here or take up water sports, it’s a good place to learn to surf too as there’s a very gentle whitewash.
The crowd at Seminyak Beach tends to be young, hip and looking for a good time. However, it’s not the cheapest area on the island if you want to make your money go further.
Nusa Dua Beach
The beach at Nusa Dua Beach is as close to perfect as it’s possible for one of the best beaches in Bali to be.
That’s why Nusa Dua Beach is home to the vast majority of the island’s high-end luxury resorts and villa complexes.
Everything here is tasteful, clean and well-manicured and it’s the ideal spot for a family holiday where you want to teach your children to swim or get involved in water sports.
There’s even a shopping complex at Nusa Dua Beach where you can get your retail therapy within a stone’s throw of the sand!
Echo Beach (Canggu)
Echo Beach was immortalized in song and even today, it appears to attract the coolest people in Bali.
This is where you come for a pleasant swim with the surfers and the beach babes who are simply to fashionable to be believed.
Afterwards, you take to the sands to enjoy a cold one at the beach bars or spend some time watching the locals taking their Balinese dogs for a walk.
At night, this beach turns into a party spot and you’ll see many a young Lothario toting his guitar or ukelele in hopes of winning the hearts of the drunken maidens hereabouts.
Jimbaran Bay/Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Beach in Jimbaran Bay is one of the calmest places to swim in Bali. The beach is nearly 3 kilometres long and it’s a wonderful place to walk along.
Most of all, though, Jimbaran Beach is best known for its amazing seafood BBQs. The catch of the day lands very close to this beach and you can always enjoy the freshest fish here.
It’s the ideal spot for a romantic getaway or for a great feed after a day’s play in the waves.
Jimbaran is also a great place to learn to use a stand-up paddleboard thanks to the still waters.
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is no longer really a secret but it remains one of the least visited beach environments in Uluwatu and that’s probably because it’s hard to get to.
You need to follow a gravel lane from the parking and then drop down to the beach on some winding and fairly rickety stairs.
The good news is that when you get there, you will have a near postcard-perfect beach all to yourselves.
The swimming here is fine, though there are no marked flags and you should test the water with caution and the water is beautifully clean.
Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach is by the sleeping fishing community of Sanur and we’d say that Sanur Beach would be our top pick of Bali’s beaches if you want a family holiday that isn’t too spendy.
The waters here are very calm due to an offshore reef acting as a natural wave break and it’s a great place to learn to snorkel or swim.
The coastal promenade along this beach makes it a wonderful place to go for a walk at sunrise when you get the best light of the day.
If you intend to visit the Nusa Islands, then Sanur Beach is also where you get a fast boat to the islands.
Keramas Beach
This volcanic sand beach is an amazing place to enjoy a view, Mount Agung is directly behind you and the ocean just rolls away in front of you.
The dramatic black sand beach looks amazing in your Instagram feed and makes a real change from the sands of the rest of the island.
There’s an infinity pool nearby and you can always swim in that too, if you’re willing to pay the usage fee.
Once a year, Keramas Beach attracts a large surfing competition and you can watch the pros battle it out for a prize.
Amed Beach
Amed Beach is not the typical Balinese beach. It has black sands and there are volcanoes all across the local horizon.
However, it’s an amazing place to go swimming, diving or snorkelling from and under the waves is one of the most amazing coral reefs in the world.
You can also find the sunken remains of the USAT Liberty if you take a short trip from here to Tulamben which is another Bali diving Mecca!
Head up to the viewpoint above the beach to get some snaps for your Instagram feed that are unforgettable.
Bingin Beach
Bingin Beach’s best swimming is to be had at low tide when the waves dip and the small sandy coves provide pleasant shelter for swimmers.
You should be aware that this isn’t the easiest beach to get to and you will need to climb down some uneven, rocky stairs to the sand.
However, it’s a very budget-friendly area and if you’re on a backpacking trip to Bali, this could be your perfect beach.
When you’re not swimming, it’s also a great beach for sunbathing and surfing.
Medewi Beach
This lovely beach in West Bali is one of the lesser-known places, which is a bit of a shame unless you’re a surfer, that is.
Medewi Beach is a world-class place for surf breaks and the surfers love to come out here and enjoy the beach nearly all to themselves.
However, it’s also great for intermediate and strong swimmers and the water is warm and pleasant.
We’d also notice that its position on the West Coast makes it a great place to watch the sun set.
Balangan Beach
Balangan Beach remains bafflingly underdeveloped when you consider its location in South Bali.
It’s a great place for swimming and the aquamarine tone to the water makes for great snorkelling too.
It’s easy to find sun loungers and sun umbrellas for chilling out under and the local warungs offer the best value Indonesian food and cold beers of any beach in Bali.
There’s no party scene here, yet, and we think it’s all the better for it.
Blue Lagoon Beach
The Blue Lagoon Beach is near the Padang Bai harbour which is where you need to go if you want to visit the beautiful Gili Islands.
It’s also a fabulous place for a swim with very calm waves and gorgeous white sands for you to enjoy.
We’d recommend taking some snorkelling gear because the waters are very clear and it’s easy to spot gorgeous fish and marine life at Blue Lagoon Beach.
This is what paradise looks like.
Padang Padang Beach
Not everyone in Bali is delighted when you mention the book “Eat, Pray, Love” but it would be hard to underestimate the impact its had on bringing visitors to this corner of Asia.
This beach is featured in that book and though it’s quite small, it brings in the visitors like no other beach on the island.
This is probably because everyone wants to look like Julia Roberts didi in the movie made of the book, which was filmed here.
If you do want to go, go early in the morning and have a sunrise swim and then get out before the huge influx of visitors arrives.
Balian Beach
If you like black sand beaches then you’re going to love Balian Beach which brings in surfers and digital nomads from all over the island.
The swimming is pretty good and anyone with intermediate skills should be quite safe in the waters.
The bars on the beach change hands so often at the moment, that it’s hard to find a favourite but it’s a great spot for chilling at sunset.
FINNS (VIP) Beach Club @ Berawa Beach
If you come to Bali without visiting the best beach club in the world, FINNS, you’re wasting the opportunity of a lifetime.
FINNS is on Berawa Beach in Canggu and it’s a fantastic place to spend a day enjoying the food and drink on offer at FINNS 11 bars and 3 restaurants and then having a swim or a surf when the mood takes you.
Expect to be pampered in style when you visit FINNS and Berawa Beach provides a spectacular backdrop for your day.
It’s also the perfect place for a sundowner on a Canggu Beach.
Suluban Beach
You cannot get to Suluban Beach when the tide comes in. You can only get there at low tide when you can walk down the steps, through the cave and onto the beach.
There are no sun lounger salespeople here, but it’s an amazing spot for a swim away from the crowds on the other beaches.
It’s also one of the most Instagrammable beaches in Bali.
Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach is one of the busiest beaches on the island and if you love company when you swim or sunbathe, you’ll love this beach.
If you want a swim away from the crowds, arrive at low tide and just walk down the beach past all the people, you’ll find that a large chunk of beach opens up at this time and has nobody on it at all!
Karma Beach
This beach is attached to the Karma Kandara Luxury Resort and it has a very swanky vibe attached to it.
It’s a great place to have a swim, snorkel or sunbathe and then you can look at all the beautiful (and rich) people that this resort attracts and have fun too!
Pantai Pasir Putih Beach (White Sand Beach)
You have to get a long way from the crowds in Bali to enjoy this beach but it’s very much worth a trip to get to.
The sand is white and lovely beneath your feet and the swimming is great thanks to the calm waters here.
Gunung Payung (The Secret Beach)
Yes, this was once a “Secret Beach” too, but it’s not very secret any more which is fine, as that means you can get umbrellas and sun loungers here now.
It’s fantastic for Instagram pics and the waters are amazing for swimming at low tide.
Melasti Beach
The best part of a trip to Melasti Beach is the trip to Melasti Beach. The road is carved out of the cliffs and it’s so dramatic that you won’t be able to stop taking photos of it.
The water is best for swimming here at low tide, when it’s calmer and there’s more beach available to lounge on.
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is, perhaps, the most popular stretch of beach anywhere in Bali and it attracts expats, locals, and tourists in equal measures.
If you want a place you can swim and then dry off and go shopping? Kuta Beach is the place you need!
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland Beach in Uluwatu was once a long way off the tourist track but today, thanks to Bali’s surf community it’s much more popular.
It’s a wonderful place to swim, the waves are good for surfing too and there’s no shortage of opportunities to build sandcastles either!
Lovina Beach
Lovina Beach is pleasant enough and the swimming here is good but the real reason to visit this part of North Bali is not the beach but the marine life offshore.
Lovina and the North Bali Beaches are home to schools of dolphins and you can get a boat tour out to see these amazing creatures frolic in the waters!
Dream Beach (Nusa Lembongan)
Nusa Lembongan has become ever more popular by the day and Dream Beach is arguably its prettiest beach.
It’s a lovely place to go swimming in calm and clear waters and snorkeling here is a real pleasure.
Crystal Bay Beach (Nusa Penida)
Crystal Bay Beach has crystal clear waters as the name suggests and it’s the main attraction on the island of Nusa Penida.
The water here is calm and turquoise and you will love swimming or snorkelling in it.
Virgin Beach
This beach in East Bali is awesome and it sees very few visitors, and, in fact, the locals sometimes call it “the silent beach”.
Come to swim and stay to soak up the sun in a refined and wonderful atmosphere.
Geger Beach
Geger Beach is a hidden gem in Nusa Dua which is entirely secluded and the ideal spot for a romantic picnic.
The swimming here is also perfectly decent and the white sand is a lovely place to dry off on after a dip.
FAQs
Can You Swim At The Beaches In Bali?
Yes. In fact, you can swim at most beaches in Bali. The trick is to remember to check the safety indicators before you throw yourself into the water.
It’s safe to swim in any stretch that has a red flag at one end and a yellow flag at the other.
You should never swim if there are no flags present or if you find yourself between two red flags. This is a direct indicator that the water is not safe for swimming.
Which Beach In Bali Has The Calmest Water? Where Is The Calmest Beach In Bali?
There are quite a few beaches with calm waves and calm waters in Bali. The best of them include Jimbaran Beach in Jimbaran Bay, Nusa Dua Beach, Lovina Beach and Sanur Beach.
In fact, these places typically have such calm waters that they’re ideal for a snorkelling swim as the water has great visibility.
If you’re a beginner swimmer or have young children with you, these beaches are a great place to learn without taking any foolish risks
As to the calmest beach? Well, we’d say that was Lovina Beach as it’s about as far from large volumes of tourists as you can get in Bali.
Thus, the warm golden sand is generally quiet and peaceful there.
Which Coast Of Bali Has The Best Beaches?
Arguably, the South Coast of Bali has the best overall beaches. That’s where you will find Nusa Dua Beach, Seminyak Beach, Kuta Beach, Jimbaran Beach, etc.
It’s why these areas tend to attract the most tourists too. White sands and great swimming and surfing conditions are very attractive to visitors to Bali.
Final Thoughts On Swimming Beaches In Bali
Bali’s beaches are very popular beaches and that’s because there are so many amazing golden sand and white sand beaches that are perfect for spending a day on the sun loungers, scuba diving, surfing, swimming, etc.
There are often beach bars and beach umbrellas galore to help ensure your time on the beaches of Bali is comfortable and pleasant too.
And one thing we’re certain of is that if you want to go swimming then we’ve got the 28 best Bali beaches for you to have a great time on!
