Although Bali has always been a stopping point for outsiders for many centuries, it was not until the 1980s that the infrastructure was in place to enable mass tourism to the island. Bali has gone through many upheavals throughout history such as conflicts between the Balinese themselves, attempted subjugation by the reigning Javanese powers and Dutch colonization. Additionally, Bali underwent Japanese occupation during World War 2, the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005. Indonesian independence in the 1960′s has brought a semblance of peace and prosperity in the island and has laid the framework for a stable and prosperous Bali that enabled the island province to emerge as a premier world holiday destination.

The first tourist oriented hotel in Bali, aptly named The Bali Hotel, opened in 1926 in the modern capital of Denpasar. The 1930′s saw a gradual increase in the number of hotels opening in South Bali, mainly operated by Europeans until Japanese occupation during World War 2 put a hold on things. The 1960′s brought an increase in popularity of Sanur in Bali’s South East coast with Australian tourists, while the 70′s saw an empty stretch of mangroves and white sand beaches on the tip of a peninsula in south Bali gradually transform in to a string of 20 luxury resorts known as Nusa Dua. Kuta, located near Bali’s only international airport also emerged as mecca for surfers from Australia and the rest of the world.

The ever increasing influx of tourists from the 1980′s onwards have played a major role in improving the standards of living for the local Balinese and has brought in much needed foreign currency to the island. Paradoxically, tourism has not destroyed Bali’s unique culture, religion and strong sense of tradition, but rather reinforced them as an integral part of Balinese identity. The immense growth in the tourist industry does have its downsides, however. Many consider the unabated property development and construction in the south of the island to be unsustainable and detrimental to the environment. North Bali is increasingly seen as the answer to Bali’s overpopulated south, and the recent announcement of Bali’s second international airport to be constructed in North Bali is seen as a major step by the government to shift some of the tourist traffic to the less developed north.

Already a popular destination for many visitors looking to avoid the tourist traps of the south, north Bali has plenty of attractions in its own right. One of the biggest draws in North Bali, Lovina Beach boasts a large number of superb hotels and tourist accommodations and is also home to Lovina Beach Resort, the area’s only five-star luxury beachfront investment property.

Located in Bali’s north shore, Lovina is known for its peace, friendliness, beauty and affordability. Among the things to see and do in Lovina are dolphin watching, scuba diving, snorkelling, waterfalls, hot springs, beaches and ancient temples.

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Bali’s renowned beach towns blend high energy activities, nightclubs and markets with shopping, dining and relaxing. From the palm fringed beaches to the wild coastline and black sandy beaches in the west, the exciting surf, as well as the quiet coves in the north, Bali beaches are sure to give you are memorable experience. This is the A-Z of Bali Beaches. No doubt there are more that have not have been covered in this article but the following beaches are the more common you will find on your way around Bali.

Amed
Northeast coast; just 30min North East from Amlapura, Amed offers an excellent site for training dives. It has a flat bottom lagoon for instruction and a coral reef only 5 minutes swim away. Amed Beach East Bali is everything you dreamed it would be; a rare and special paradise of outstanding exotic beauty, vibrant culture and friendly people. Here you can finally find peace and quiet, enjoy great food and take advantage of comfortable and inexpensive accommodation.

Bingin
Surfing Beach: Bingin is located on the western side of the Bukit peninsula between Dreamland and Impossibles. It is ideal for advanced surfers and has a beautiful wave, a left hander, that works really well during the dry season (June-September) when off shore winds are the norm.

Candi Dasa
Located 85 km north-east of the airport, Candidasa is a relaxing beach area close to cultural treasures like Pura Besakih (“Bali’s Mother Temple”) While the beach is not one of Bali’s best, the tranquility of Candidasa has attracted a number of exclusive hotels like the Amankila and the Chedi. Candidasa is most often compared to Kuta as Kuta was some 20 years ago.

Canggu
Surfing Beach: Hidden behind coconut palms, and backed by rice fields north of Seminyak, this is a good surfing beach.

Dreamland
Surfing Beach: Dreamland Beach is located on the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula in South Bali and therefore only a short ride from Bali’s major tourism spots. It has a break with longer left and a short right hander. Surfable at low to dead low tide and works well when there is an average swell above 3ft.When the swell is over 7ft, the waves tends to be unpredictable and close out. Dreamland Beach is quite beautiful and the azure blue water looks quite inviting for swimmers but be aware of the very strong currents. Beach Chair hire is available and many people are found sun baking on this pretty beach.

Jimbaran
Jimbaran beach is about 10 minutes drive from the airport. Perfect white sand beach and romantic atmosphere with sunset view.

Kedongan Beach in the neighborhood also offers a mild ocean breeze with fish market and beach side sea food cafes.

Kuta
This is the famous beach of Bali and the main tourist area. Located about 10 minutes drive from the airport. Great for surfing, waterskiing, windsurfing, banana boating, boogie boarding and parasailing. Other outstanding surfer beaches include Canggu and Well known for its spectacular sunset view.

Legian
Named after the Balinese word for “sweet and pleasant,” Legian Beach is a popular destination for sun worship and water sports.It is a continuation of Kuta Beach to the North.

Lovina
With its unusual black sand, Lovina is an 8km lovely calm beach on the North coast. A good place to watch bottlenose dolphins, from an outrigger off the beach.

Medewi
One of the quiet beaches on the West coast, near Negara, Medewi is a friendly beach for surfer beginners.

Nusa Dua
Amidst white sand beaches lined with luxury hotels.Nusa Dua’s palm-fringed beach has lifeguards on duty daily. On the North side, Tanjung Benoa offers plenty of water sport activities.

Nusa Lembongan
This island is one of the most popular destinations for day trips from Bali. The journey takes between one and two hours. The pristine sandy beaches with calm bays are abundant with colorful sea life, so diving and snorkeling are very popular. For the less adventurous, glass-bottomed boats are available.

Padangbai
The white sand beach of Padangbai on the East coast offers boats to Lombok. A good beach for snorkeling and diving.

Padung Padung
Surfing Beach; often referred to as the ‘Balinese pipeline’ for its constant and perfect tubes that some say are reminiscent of Hawaii’s famous Banzai pipeline. It’s an intense left-hand break that wraps around the headland like an unfurled Oriental fan that produces a forever barreling surfing wave.Other outstanding surfer beaches include Canggu and of course the favourite Uluwatu also know for its long barrels.

Pasir Putih
A hidden Treasure: Five kilometers north east of Candidasa on the east coast of Bali is Pasir Putih, an isolated, beautiful, white sand beach fringed with coconut palms. It is five hundred meters in length and is crescent shaped with green headlands at each end. Cold drinks and food are served by locals in the Warungs that are located on the beach. There is beach lounge and umbrella hire if you prefer comfort and shade on this crystal clear water paradise.

Sanur
Sanur beach is part of Denpasar city, about 20 minutes drive from the airport.Sanur is famed for windsurfing. Most of the popular beaches offer boat hire and snorkeling trips.Sanur beach is quieter than Kuta with beachside hotels and beach markets. Boats are available to cross the island to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

Tulamban
This beach is famous for diving for the wreck boat, located East of Bali, just north from Amed or Amlapura. The highway between Amlapura and Singaraja passes through this small village. All tourist facilities are located on the road.

Tanjung Benoa
On the southeastern coast of Bali, neighboring the popular Nusa Dua resort area is the small village of Tanjung Benoa. Still a fishing village, Tanjung Benoa over the years has developed into a major player in the tourism sector. The calm waters and the white sand beach have made Tanjung Benoa the prime water sport areas of Bali.

Tuban
Between Kuta and the airport, Tuban Beach is lined with big hotels. Less frantic than Kuta, it is a wonderful place to simply grab a lounger, a good book and relax. It is safe to swim here, thanks to the hotel lifeguards.

Uluwatu
Surfing Beach: This place used to be one of the exclusive playgrounds of surfers as access was along rough dirt tracks. The hike down to the beach also deterred many people. Tarred roads have now been built making it an easier access to the beach.

Bali is a volcanic island and as such has a selection of black sand beaches, most notably on the east coast, the north coast and the west coast. White sand beaches can be found on the Bukit Peninsula, Sanur, Nusa Lembongan and a few select places in East Bali, such as Padangbai and Candi Dasa.By no means have I covered all the beaches of Bali but the above are some of the more well known. If you have time, make an effort to go across to the Gili Islands where you will also find many beautiful beaches.

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