Not all of Bali’s beaches have powerful waves that surfers try to tame, there are also beautiful beaches with calm waters and kid-friendly water sports that are perfect for family vacations and quality time.
Before you plan your family vacation, have a look at our kids-approved list of the best beaches in Bali for kids, no matter what area you are staying, we are going to cover it all.
Is Bali Worth Visiting With Kids?
Yes!
Some of Bali’s stunning beaches have clean clear and shallow water, kids’ water sports and activities your whole family will enjoy. And the best part is you don’t have to stay in luxury resorts to get access to those beaches.
Indian Ocean surrounding Bali has strong currents and big waves, especially during the wet season. The south Bali beaches from Uluwatu to Canggu are famous surf breaks which makes them less suitable for younger kids.
As Bali is also a volcanic island some beaches may be too rocky for kids to walk into the ocean.
The waters on the East coast of Bali are calm during the dry season: from April to October. These months are the best to visit the kid-friendly beaches in East Bali.
Which Beach In Bali Is Best For Kids? Highlights Upfront
the best beach in Bali for young parents with kids – Berawa beach.
the best beach in Bali for kids to snorkel from the shore and diving – Amed and Lovina beaches.
the best for swimming and playing in the sand – Sanur and Nusa Dua Beaches.
the best beach in Bali for older kids to do water sports – Benoa beach.
Best Bali Beaches For Kids & Families
Berawa Beach Canggu + FINNS Beach Club, South Bali
Berawa Beach is one of the most popular OG beaches in Canggu. It is a sandy beach with a shore that is large enough and plenty of space for families to chill.
Berawa Beach is home to Bali’s best beach club – FINNS, which has loads of activities for both kids and adults, pools, access to the beach and amazing food.
Southern Bali doesn’t have the calmest waters and many beaches are crowded with surfers.
Spending some time with your family at Finns Beach Club makes sure you can enjoy the beach time without crowds and with your private day bed and comfy changing room and showers, which regular beaches don’t really have.
Echo Beach, South Bali
Echo Beach is a popular beach between Canggu and Pererenan with many tourists coming to enjoy the sunset with friends, dates, and puppies. It is a melting pot of cultures with some food, beers, and cocktails sprinkled on top.
The waves are consistent and relatively strong, but the kids always play by the shore with lots of joy. There is a lifeguard post on this beach so it is safe.
Parents can walk or chill in one of the many bean bags sipping on a coconut.
Seminyak Beach, South Bali
Seminyak Beach stretches all the way from Legian almost to Canggu and has a wide sandy shoreline.
Kids can try surfing, horse riding, chilling on a day bed, playing in waves or with the sand. Lots to do! Local kids even fish from the shore.
As the waves are smaller, it is a great spot for kids and teens to try bodyboarding – and it is so much fun, even for adults. If your kids are interested in surfing but not quite ready yet, start with a body board.
However, as it is a large beach, it can be hard to keep an eye on your kids. We would recommend visiting this beach with kids in the morning or right before sunset for the best views for parents.
Right after dark the area will be less kids friendly as crowds will switch to beer and cocktails.
Kuta Beach, South Bali
Central white sand beach that has been drawing tourists for decades and is a short ride from the airport. It has some beginner waves for surfing but the water is much calmer compared to Uluwatu or sometimes even Canggu.
It is a long beach lined with some sun beds and umbrellas that you can rent for the day.
Just recently a small skate park has been opened right on the beach. Kids can try surfing, play beach volleyball, build sand castles, and simply run around and enjoy the water.
Beachwalk shopping centre is a short walking distance from the beach, so if you’re done and tired, you can go grab lunch, do some shopping or even watch a movie.
Right by the Beachwalk Shopping Center, you will see the famous Hard Rock resort and restaurant, and a little bit further a Jamie Oliver’s restaurant!
Note that the area is quite crowded, and the parking is easier with a bike.
Tanjung Benoa Beach, East Bali
Benoa Beach is one of the best beaches in Bali for kids and coincidentally the best place in Bali for water sports, including jet skiing, wakeboards, flyboarding sea walking, parasailing, paddle boarding, and, of course, banana boat rides.
Many activities are supervised and suitable for kids aged 8+. Ocean walking is definitely a must-try to see some tropical fishes.
Benoa Bay is a perfect beach for swimming as the waves are calm year-round. And the sand! Oh so beautiful, white and clean! Without a doubt, it is our favourite beach area to come with kids.
If you venture a bit out of the beach area, you will find Bali Wake Park with its inflatable kingdom – AquaPark – which is technically a paradise for kids who love water. It is a fully inflatable set of obstacles and attractions kids can run through, jump in the water, and do whatever they like!
Nusa Dua Beach, East Bali
Nusa Dua is a beautiful white sand beach stretching all the way to Geger Beach, home to family-friendly resorts and 5-star beach resorts and pool villas, as well as Bali Collection Mall.
It is considered one of the best beaches for kids for a good reason
The water here is almost always calm, blue, and warm. All the resorts are connected via a long walking path along the beach.
Lots of fun family activities from cycling to riding a banana boat or a jet ski, parasailing, and even diving with instructors. Kids older than 10 y.o. can safely dive under supervision, and can you imagine the memories your kid will have?
If you come during low tide, young kids will be fascinated by exploring all nooks and crannies and trying to identify marine life.
We highly recommend staying in any Nusa Dua beach hotel to enjoy the area for a few days. The best family-friendly resort in the area is Melia Resort. They also have a kids club “Geckos” with fun activities and babysitting services.
Sanur Beach, East Bali
Sanur is the perfect family area and it has had this reputation for years. Sanur Beach is one of the best beaches in Bali for younger kids.
Sanur beach is just 40 minutes from Kuta or around 1.5 hours from Canggu.
First of all, it is long, it has a 4-km paved walking path along the beach and water, golden sand, comfy sunbeds, and stunning mountain views on a clear day.
Sunbathing, playing in the water, running, cycling, snacking, paddleboarding, or going on a family boat trip – you can do it all here. And unlike Benoa Beach it is not that hectic, because no active water sports are happening all day long.
Sanur Beach is now close to one of the newest and biggest malls in Bali – ICON Mall and XXI movie theatre with IMAX.
Blue Lagoon Beach, East Bali
A tiny hidden beach surrounded by lush nature on the way to Amed or Candidasa.
There are not many activities besides snorkelling or diving, but the waters are calm so you can also swim and as the area is small, it is safer and easier to keep an eye on your children.
The beach can be a stop during a big day trip to explore Karangasem or Klunglung Palace too, and you can ask your tour provider to take you by the Blue Lagoon. The marine life a bit further out of the bay is phenomenal.
Amed Beach, East Bali
The calm waves of Amed volcanic and rocky beaches are perfect for snorkelling right from the shore and come with a stunning view of the highest Bali mountain – Mt Agung.
The waters here are warm and clean, and the beaches are lined with warungs, small hotels, and diving shops.
Kids older than 10 years old can also dive and we’re sure they’ll love swimming with fish, and turtles and exploring the underwater world.
Amed by itself is a cozy little community with a few cafes and hikes, as you are literally surrounded by the hills!
Lovina Beach, North Bali
Lovina Beach is a remote beach on the northern coast famous for dolphin watching, snorkelling and peaceful times with a family.
A bit further, on the northwest coast, you can find Bali’s National Park with unique animals, hot springs, and kayaking. Krisna Water Sports gets you covered if you want to go on a banana boat, jet ski, or dive.
There are also a few simple water parks, a Ferris wheel, a real plane model, and some kids’ attractions in the area, maybe a 10-minute drive from the beach.
Sawangan Beach, East Bali
Sawangan Beach is located between Nusa Dua Beach and Uluwatu, on the east side of the Bukit peninsula and has a white sandy beach and ocean bottom with some rocks and seaweed.
The waves are almost always small and the shore waters are shallow enough to swim or play in the water.
The biggest advantage of this beach is that it is quite secluded and not as crowded at all as many other beaches.
But at the same time, it means fewer activities and shops or warungs nearby. Spending a whole day here may be quite boring for kids if they don’t want to try surfing.
Bali’s Best Beaches For Older Kids And Teens
All of these beaches are located in Uluwatu and have waves all year round but are still ok to swim under supervision when the weather is not too rough.
Your teens can also try surfing on one of these sandy beaches, as Uluwatu is packed with surf shops and instructors ready to teach.
Pandawa Beach, South Bali
Another pretty white sand beach in the South East of Bukit peninsula – Pandawa Beach. Great for older kids who would enjoy canoeing, swimming, or maybe trying surfing.
During the day, it is best to rent an umbrella as the sun is rather brutal no matter what season it is.
Unlike many beaches in Uluwatu, Pandawa Beach actually has calm waves with very good visibility. So it is ok to bring smaller kids too, but they may be a bit bored.
Melasti Beach, South Bali
Melasti Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in Bali. Located in Uluwatu it is surrounded by limestone cliffs, has picturesque views of Balinese temple and Indian Ocean, as well as pretty restaurants along the beach, and smaller waves for older kids to play.
This beach is amazing during big Balinese ceremonies as all the villages of the area form a procession all the way down the beach dressed in traditional outfits and carrying numerous offerings.
Plus, your family can join a kecak dance performance – a traditional Balinese dance.
The spot is perfect during low tide, as your kids can play in the water safely and walk along the beach. It is important though to come back before high tide, as the water gets pretty high and can cut off parts of the beach.
There are no water sports activities here, the beach is more for relaxation and plunges.
Kid-Friendly Beaches Close To Bali: Nusa & Gili Islands
A short boat ride from Bali there are tiny islands, the extension of the tropical paradise, with white sand beaches and abundant marine life. Islands are perfect for a romantic holiday too.
Gili islands are the best spot to snorkel and dive. If your kids want to see turtles, you should bring them either to Amed or to Gili Meno.
Dream Beach or Sandy Bay Beach on Nusa Lembongan are majestic but safe for kids only during low tide and calm weather. Otherwise, the turquoise waters and rocky cliffs can be too dangerous, especially for younger kids.
Beautiful Beaches That May Not Be Great For Kids
These Bali beaches are absolutely phenomenal but if you’re visiting the island with kids, they are not your best choice.
The reason is simple: strong waves and currents, no space to set up all the things properly (or no sun beds), or too crowded.
Some of the Uluwatu beaches have a strong focus on surfing and unless your kids love surfing, there will be not much to do as where the surfing is good, the waves are always mid to big.
Balangan Beach, South Bali
A white sand beach stretched along a rocky formation with lush tropical gardens above it.
This is mostly a surfing spot and not a very long beach, but there are a few single sun beds, cafes with local food, and during mid to high tide you can swim with older kids.
There are still waves here and the bottom of the ocean is rocky so this beach is not ideal for babies.
Bingin Beach, South Bali
Bingin Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali but the challenge comes with enjoying its beauty – to reach it, you need to go down a lot of steps navigating through surf shops, souvenir shops, accommodations, and cafes.
Not every visitor is a fan of these steps.
Once you reach the beach though, it is well worth it.
During low tide, there are no waves and kids can explore all the rocks covered in algae and look for tiny fishes and crabs hiding here and there while you can chill and read on a sun bed or in one of the beachfront cafes.
Suluban Beach, South Bali
Suluban is a hidden gem for surfing in Uluwatu, but during high tide, there is practically no sand to step on and the entrance to the beach is through a cave.
There are many rocks and waves pulling off the cave, plus to reach this beach you need to go down the stairs. It is not ideal with kids, especially if you’re carrying the bags and need to hold their hands.
Jimbaran Beach, South Bali
Jimbaran Beach is famous for the biggest fish market in Bali but it also has a beginner-friendly surf break and a wide sandy beach with cafes and shallow water by the shore.
Unfortunately, we do not recommend visiting this beach during the wet season or after heavy rain as the currents tend to bring too much trash to Jimbaran Bay. Sometimes the fish market odor becomes too strong too.
It is better to travel to other beaches on the Bukit Peninsula or go to Kuta Beach and Berawa Beach.
Final Thoughts On Kid-Friendly Bali Beaches
From Canggu to South Kuta to Sanur, Bali has something to offer to kids of any age and experience with water.
Planning a family holiday just got a bit easier as now you know exactly that you can swim with your kids at pretty much any East Bali beach, try diving or sea walking with older kids, and even have some you-time and get a massage on the beach or do some shopping.
If your kids are interested in water sports head to Bali Wake Park near Benoa, if they are curious about diving and snorkelling, Amed, Lovina, Gili Islands, and Blue Lagoon Beach are perfect options.
And if they are yet too small to enjoy these activities, Sanur Beach or Nusa Dua Beach is great for playing with pristine white sand and splashing in shallow waters.
