Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the more popular Bali beaches?
Are you looking for that hidden beach off the beaten track?
We’ve been to as many beaches in Bali as we could find, looking for anything from the slightly secluded to the real hidden and unexplored beaches… and, in no particular order, this is what we found:
The Top 18 Hidden Beaches In Bali:
Suluban Beach
The first on our list of hidden beaches in Bali, Suluban Beach, is a small beach in southern Bali, just next to the famous and popular Uluwata Beach.
It’s also known as Blue Point Beach due to its crystal clear blue sea looking out into the Indian Ocean. It’s a hidden paradise in an otherwise touristy part of the island, and there are with endless photo opportunities here.
The small stairs down to Suluban Beach take you past several caves that you can explore, and you’ll see surfers heading down the stairs as this is a popular beach for them. This isn’t the best spot for swimming though as there’s a sharp reef under the water, and the waves can be very strong.
The south of the beach ends with limestone cliffs that wrap around the coast past Uluwatu Temple, towards Nyang Nyang Beach.
Want to know more? Check out our ultimate guide to Suluban Beach
Where Is It? Pantai Suluban St, Pecatu, S. Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Green Bowl Beach
This small beach is right down on Bali’s southern coast, just east of Melasti Beach.
While not a secret, Green Bowl Beach is still fairly quiet, in part due to the accessibility. To get to the beach from the carpark you have to descend a set of stairs carved into the rock, which can be quite challenging, but not as bad as the ascent back up, which took us about 20 minutes!
Expect to see some monkeys on the way!
Most tourists in the area skip Green Bowl Beach and head straight to the famous Pandawa Beach, just along the coast.
If you do make it there, expect a quiet beach with soft white sand and beautiful water. There are usually a few surfers there as it has some of the best surf on the island.
There are no facilities at Green Bowl Beach, so bring some drinks and snacks, and expect to pay a small entrance fee of 5k IDR.
Be prepared, check online and aim for a low tide visit…Green Bowl Beach is inaccessible during high tide.
Check out our guide to Green Bowl Beach
Where Is It? Ungasan, S. Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Gunung Payung Beach
Gunung Payung Beach is on the southern coastline of the Bukit Peninsula, heading towards Nusa Dua. While not completely hidden, it’s still pretty secluded, and quiet on most days.
From the car park, it’s a short walk to the beach, either via the stairs or a short pathway. Once there you’re greeted by white sand, and turquoise water stretching right out into the Indian Ocean.
The beach is overlooked by cliffs and an interesting Hindu temple, Pura Dhang Kahyangan Gunung Payung.
There’s a warung there to eat and drink, and also toilet facilities, which is useful even if it does take away some of the “hidden beach” element.
At the western end, there are some beachside caves which we decided to explore. They’re not too deep so you’re not going to get lost, don’t worry!
Where Is It? Kutuh, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Balangan Beach
While not quite a secret and a popular spot for surfing, Balangan Beach is still a hidden gem.
This white sands beach is surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs and a few small resorts, with the 15th hole of the New Kuta Golf Course overlooking the southern end!
It’s not the best place for swimming because of the sharp rocks and coral in the shallow waters, but it’s a great place for sunbathing, relaxing and of course surfing.
There are some small restaurants and cafes nearby so there’s no need to worry about bringing food with you.
We went there during low tide and were amazed to discover that it’s possible to walk from Balangan Beach to Dreamland Beach, so bear this in mind if it’s something you’d like to do when visiting.
Check out our ultimate guide to Balangan Beach
Where Is It? South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Pura Geger Beach
The small Pura Geger Beach, in Nusa Dua, is just southwest of the much larger Geger Beach. It’s overlooked by the Hindu temple Pura Geger Dalem Pemutih, from where it gets its name — “Pura” meaning temple in the Indonesian language.
Dwarfed by the larger nearby beach, Pura Geger goes largely unnoticed and has managed to remain one of Bali’s hidden gems.
Like most of the beaches in the area, it’s a nice spot for surfing, but this beach is also good for swimming, being more sandy and less rocky. One of the best times to visit is during low tide when more of the soft, sandy shoreline is revealed.
Access to the beach is by some stairs through a small rock cavern, and it’s not so easy to find at first. We asked a few locals and they showed us where to go. The beach itself is undeveloped, which is good because it helps it to maintain its natural beauty.
There is another similarly named beach nearby, Geger Sawangan Beach, which is not the same beach, but we paid that a visit also and we’ve covered it further down in the list.
Where Is It? Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Virgin Beach
Virgin Beach, also known as Pantai Bias Putih in Indonesian, or “white sand beach”, is a secluded beach in east Bali.
Going by the local name for the beach, we were expecting to find blindingly white sand but were surprised to find a short, beautiful beach with sand just lighter than the nearby black sand beaches.
The beach is lined with small fishing boats which you can see going in and out during the day, and the clear blue water is great for swimming in. There’s also a string of warungs, cafes and bars on Virgin Beach, so it’s easy to grab some food or chill with a beer
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Bukit Asah No.Desa, Adat Bugbug, Kec. Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80851, Indonesia
Bias Tugel Beach
Bias Tugel Beach is a small, tranquil white sand beach in East Bali, located just outside of Padang Bai Bay. Overshadowed by the more popular beaches nearby, here you can usually find peace.
There was a small entrance fee of 10k IDR to enter when we visited, which we thought was fair. The stairs down to the beach are a bit uneven and not ideal for those with difficulty walking.
The beach itself is very beautiful, with crystal clear water and white sand, but it’s not always one of the best beaches for swimming as the waves can be a bit rough at times.
There were some vendors selling drinks, snacks and even beer while we were there, which was handy…but they were a bit pushy until we bought something!
There are other beaches in Padangbai: most obviously in the bay is the much larger and busier Padangbai Beach, then on the other side of the bay is the smaller Blue Lagoon Beach, which although nice is far from a secret beach and is run by a small resort.
Further south along the coast is Kusamba Beach, famous for its traditional salt farming.
There’s a harbour and a small port in the bay, and you can watch the boats going in and out from the comfort of the quiet Bias Tugal Beach.
Not far offshore from Bias Tugel Beach are stunning coral reefs full of rich marine life, so if you’re into snorkelling or diving then you might want to hire one of these boats.
Where Is It? Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80871
Geger Sawangan Beach
Located south of the Nusa Dua Beach area, Sawangan Beach is off the beaten path enough that it’s not crowded with tourists, and most of the visitors we saw there seemed to be from the Hilton Hotel, which is right on the beach.
It’s a nice beach for swimming, and calm enough to sunbathe in peace all day. Don’t be surprised to see a camel or two walking down the beach though, as these can be hired at the nearby Hilton!
Check out our guide to Sawangan Beach
Where Is It? Jl. Gn. Payung I, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Pabean Ketewel Beach
While not secluded, this beach is pretty off the beaten track.
A stretch of black sand with a local village behind it, and very few nearby hotels, don’t expect to see many tourists here.
It is a popular spot for locals though, and one of the best beaches to take a stroll along the beach and watch the local people living their lives and enjoying themselves.
There are a handful of local-style warungs along the beach, great if you want to try out some traditional food.
Check out our guide to Pabean Ketewel Beach
Where Is It? Ketewel, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali
Balian Beach
You can find this beautiful beach off the beaten track on Bali’s west coast, just off the main road heading north.
The beach is a long stretch of black sand, broken up by a few rocky areas.
Apart from a handful of surfers and a small group of people doing yoga, we were the only ones on the beach, so don’t be surprised to have this one all to yourself.
There’s nothing quite like strolling down an empty beach, with the soft sand beneath your feet and the gentle sound of waves crashing onto the shore.
Just up the road a bit is Yeh Leh Beach, which has a rest stop from the main road, with a spot to take photos and some places to eat and drink.
Where Is It? Lalanglinggah, Selemadeg Barat, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82162
Thomas Beach
Thomas Beach is a chill surf spot between Uluwatu and Padang Padang beaches.
It’s a lot easier to access than some of the beaches on this list, but apart from surfers and a few beach bums, it’s not overly busy.
A straight white sand beach overlooked by forest and rocks. The water is great for swimming, even if the waves can be a bit heavy at times, hence the surfing.
Where Is It? Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
Timbis Beach
Timbis Beach is on the south coast of Bali, located between the quiet Ganung Payung Beach and the very popular Pandawa Beach, from where access is possible via a short walk.
To get to Timbis Beach from Pandawa you need to take the Pandawa Beach Gate, this is a shallow stretch of crystal clear water over soft sand, which is of course easier during low tide. There is road access to the beach, but we enjoyed the walk through the water.
Unlike its busy neighbour, this beach is fairly quiet during the daytime and a great spot to relax.
Where Is It? Kutuh, S. Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Amed Beach
Amed Beach, in east Bali, is famous for its black sand, which is sacred to the local people.
Amed refers to a string of fishing villages that make up this part of the coastline. You won’t see too many tourists there, but a lot of locals, it’s a hidden gem for those wanting to experience some local beach life culture.
Many of the beaches in Bali are black sand beaches, this is due to volcanic rocks spitting out of the island’s several volcanos and landing in the sea. Over time the tides and the waves turn the rocks into the fine black sand which you see all over the island.
Because of this, sand here is believed to have healing properties. You may see people from the nearby Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple performing religious rites here.
Where Is It? Jl. I Ketut Natih, Purwakerti, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852
Pasir Putih Beach – Nusa Lembongan
Pasir Putih Beach, or “White Sands Beach” as it’s sometimes called in the area, sits on the northernmost point of Nusa Lembongan, one of the three islands in Nusa Penida, southeast of the main island of Bali.
This beach is very quiet, don’t be surprised if you’re the only one there. While this isn’t the most beautiful beach on the list, it’s a hidden gem in its own right.
The sea here is used mostly for seaweed plantations, and when the tide is low you can the plantations clearly. The most stunning feature though is the view of the volcanoes on the other side of the water.
With the tide out and the plantations on show, with the craggy mountain peaks in the background, the view is absolutely breathtaking, especially if you catch it in the morning or at sunset.
If you’re not already on the island then you can reach it by ferry or small boat from the main island.
Where Is It? Tj. Ental, Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland Beach is on the other side of the Kuta Golf Course 15th hole to Balangan Beach, and as mentioned earlier during low tide it’s possible to walk between the two beaches.
The blue sea and sheer limestone cliffs are stunning here. The crystal-clear water is great for swimming but the waves can get quite high at times so be careful! If you fancy a surf then boards are available to rent for around 50k IDR per hour.
There’s little to no shade at the beach, and it can get very hot, we would recommend hiring a sunbed and umbrella, which costs around 100k IDR for two hours.
Where Is It? Pantai Dreamland, Jl. Raya Pecatu Bukit Jimbaran Bukit Peninsula, Bali 80363
Atuh Beach – Nusa Penida
Atuh Beach is situated on the easternmost point of Penida Island, the largest of the three islands in Nusa Penida, looking eastwards towards Lombok and its huge volcano, Mount Rinjani.
This white sand beach is in a small cove, overlooked by a tall, sheer cliff face, with a few offshore rock formations closing it on the south end.
This is almost as far as you can go in what’s still part of Bali, but not quite. We hired a small boat to take us out to the tiny island of Batuabah, the views and the snorkelling there were amazing.
Where Is It? Pejukutan, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771
Prapat Agung Beach
This hidden gem is located in the far northwest point of the island and is part of the West Bali National Park.
As such, the beach is protected, and there’s an entry fee of 200k IDR at the time of going to press. Don’t expect to see swimmers, sunbathers and surfers here, the beach attracts more walkers, photographers and birdwatchers.
It was a clear day when we went, and we could see across the straight to Java, and the ferry crossing between the two islands.
Due to the location, it’s not quite pristine white sand, as a lot of driftwood and trash gets washed up from the straight.
Where Is It? Sumber Klampok, Gerokgak, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81155
FAQs
With Bali Being So Popular, Are There Still Secluded Beaches?
Yes, although many people come to visit Bali each year, the majority of people visit and stay in the same popular areas, like Kuta Beach, Seminyak etc.
While not all of the Bali beaches listed here are a secret, they’re still off the main tourist trail and some are still fairly hidden.
I want to Visit Tegal Wangi Beach, Is It Open?
No, Tegal Wangi Beach is permanently closed for safety reasons, and at the time of this article going to press, there are no plans for it to reopen again.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to visit the beach, not only is it dangerous, but also illegal, and you could find yourself with some serious questions to answer.
I Read About Karma Beach, Is It Still A Secret Beach?
No, Karma Beach, adjacent to the Karma Kandara Resort, and the nearby Melasti Beach, both in south Bali, are far from secret.
As well as the crowds, there is ongoing development there, and unless your idea of a perfect beach is heavy construction going on around you then we wouldn’t recommend it.
I’m Staying Near The Airport, Are There Any Secret Beaches Nearby?
While there are no secret beaches directly near Ngurah Rai International Airport, being a central location is perfect for visiting any of the beaches in Bali, secret or not.
Many of the beaches in this list are on the Bukit Peninsula, south Bali, and are within a reasonable driving distance from the airport. Try using a taxi app such as Grab or Gojek to check the travel times and prices.
Final Thoughts On The Best Secret Beaches In Bali
Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach with a local atmosphere, or a hidden beach completely off of the beaten path, Bali has everything.
From secret coves to hidden bays, Bali has no shortage of beautiful beaches, and we’re sure amongst them is the ideal beach for you.
We hope you enjoy exploring some of the beaches from this list and that you find what you’re looking for.
Or maybe you’ll find your own secret beach which isn’t on this list!
