Beaches in Indonesia

Often described as an 'All Inclusive' beach, Nusa Dua has everything one could ask for - shopping complexes, high-end hotels, museums, even an 18-hole golf course! The pristine white sand and blue waters provide for an awe-inspiring scene to rejuvenate your senses, and the additional facilities of spas and watersports make this an ideal location for both the honeymooning couples and travelling families. Nusa Dua Beach is a clean and serene beach with blue water and silvery sand in Bali. This beach will provide for a great vacation.

Kuta beach heralded the era of tourism in Bali. A few minutes away from the Bali airport, Kuta attracts hundreds of visitors to its golden sands and surf waves making it one of the busiest and liveliest beaches the country has to offer. A plethora of cheap options for accommodation, food and beach clubs make this ideal for young travellers seeking a fun beach holiday.

Located on the south-eastern coast of Nusa Penida island, Atuh beach is ideal for those seeking a breathtaking view without the commercialized setup. Flanked by green cliffs one either side, a stairway leads the way to the white sandy shores. A few stalls sell refreshments along the coastline, and the beach is best visited during high tide.

One of the many surfing spots Bali has to offer, Padang Padang beach on the Bukit peninsula features a long stretch of white sand ideal for building sandcastles and sunbathing, while the blue waters draw pro surfers. Lined with cafes and shops, the beach gained fame for being the backdrop to Julia Robert's Eat, Pray, Love. Located on the north-western coast of the Bukit Peninsula Island, Padang Padang Beach is an ideal retreat from the city.

One of the most visually stunning beaches in all of the world, Pink Beach in Labuan Bajo is one of the most Instagrammed beaches. The beach’s characteristic pink colour comes from the red coral and calcium carbonate that has been broken up to form the sand on the beach through erosion.

Senggigi Beach occupies a prominent place within the highly popular tourist center of Senggigi on the Lombok Island, Indonesia. This is also known to be an excellent spot for surfing while visitors eager to explore the sea often set sail from the enthralling Senggigi Beach to visit the nearby islands.

The first beachside retreat in Bali, Sanur has been attracting tourists for decades now. Over 4 kms of lovely shoreline is available at the Sanur Beach Walk to take a stroll through, which gently curves past little cafes, restaurants, and resorts. Quieter as compared to Kuta and Seminyak, the beachfront walk at Sanur is ideal for unwinding after a long day.

A rugged trail road leading from Kuta (not to be confused with Kuta, Bali) in Lombok leads to one of the beaches in Lombok that is still fairly off the beaten tourist trail. The beach’s iconic swings dot the sandy white coastline and is a favourite amongst surfers and beach bums. The turquoise waters stretch out making it perfect for swimming and to work on that beach body tan. Humble warungs line stretches of white sand, offering the perfect pick-me-ups after a long day of lounging on the swings and sunbeds.

Located 20km outside the city centre of Yogyakarta lies the Parangtritis Beach. Sed amidst lush green hills, the beach is also known for the special place it holds in Javanese folklore. The surrounding area of the beach is replete with natural and geological features such as caves, lakes, lagoons. At night, once the stars come out, the entire landscape is bathed in an almost ethereal light, perhaps one of the reasons that the area is awash with legends.

Known the world over as G-Land, Plengkung beach is revered by surfers for its incredible waves that regularly swell to over 7m. Plengkung Beach's surf is meant for experienced surfers looking for the next big wave that they're looking for and it is a common sight to see surfers and their boards skim through the barrelling waves. Plengkung Beach also offers non-surfers a swathe of surrounding trekking opportunities, making it one of the most adventurous destinations in the country.

Another one of the beaches on Java that seems to be overlooked by most beach bums on the tourist trail, Pangandaran beach is populated by fishing boats on the shoreline, giving it a rustic and authentic vibe. Snorkelling and jet skis can be found abound on the beach, along with the hiking opportunities that are present on Pangandaran hill makes this a wonderful adventurous destination.

The Mawi Beach on the southern shores of Lombok, Indonesia is a surfer’s heaven with a beautiful stretch of sand across the beach and high waves for the surfing enthusiasts to ride. To reach this beach from Kuta, one has to hire either a bike or a car, and it takes around 30-45 minutes through a steep and rough road to reach the destination. The beauty of this beach, however, makes the troubled path worth it, with its mesmerising scenery and eye-catching sunsets.

Located on the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida Island in Bali, Kelingking Beach is a secluded stretch of white sand bordered by T-rex shaped steep cliffs, which is why it is also called T-Rex Beach. The scenic beauty is offset by the 400m steep climb and strong undercurrents, making this a sparsely populated beach. The only security from fatal falls are bamboo fences, so physical fitness is a must while coming here.

Located just 10 minutes from Uluwatu temple, Bingin beach in Pecatu is the ideal spot for experienced surfers looking for challenging waves. Hidden by limestone cliffs and uneven rocks, getting here is quite the struggle; however, the view at Bingin beach makes the effort worth it. For non-surfers, the beachscape during low-tide is a spectacular sight.

Nyang Nyag Beach is Bali’s best kept secret destination featuring a 1.5 kilometer crystal white sand beach along the turquoise blue waters in Uluwatu Pecatu region. The pristinely quiet beach with graffiti bearing ship wrecks along the coastline makes it one of the most visited beaches in Bali. The Nyang Nyang Beach is ideal for travel enthusiasts and beach lovers for the fact that it is far flung, secluded and a leverage over the other crowded beaches.

Lengkuas Beach is a small Indonesian beach at the island of Belitung. The magnificent beach view of the vast expanse of the turquoise-coloured sea, the tall palm trees and large granite boulders are gravitating despite its size. Along with its scenic beauty, visitors can also get to explore a century-old lighthouse and even enjoy a top view of the vast expanse of the sea.

Nestled in the southern corner of Bali, Pandawa beach, also called 'the secret beach', is a 1 km stretch of stunning shoreline flanked by precipitous hills on either side. Inaccessible until recently, the newly carved entrance invites you into a spot of untouched beauty, allowing you to sunbathe and witness a beautiful sunrise here.

Tanjung Gelam is one of Indonesia’s picturesque beaches famous for sunset views, beach activities and water sports located on the coastline of the Karimunjawa Islands. Most people head to this beach for a rejuvenating and enjoyable time on the shores of the Jawa Sea. It can be accessed via the sea route or land on the main island. Although it is a deep-sea ocean, Tanjung Gelam is mostly visited for swimming, snorkelling, boating and fishing.

Koka Beach is famous for its environment and terrain. A cliff separates two bays in the region and forms this beach. The horseshoe shores, shallow turquoise waters and the clear sands make it one of the best beaches in Indonesia. Visitors can gain access to the beach upon paying a small entry fee. A little consideration and patience with the locals and their culture might be required while exploring this beach for tourists to have a good time here.

Bali might be known as Indonesia’s party island, but not all of its beaches have that notorious wild vibe. At Lovina Beach in north-western Bali, you’ll find a much more laidback atmosphere where people can lay back and enjoy the feeling of sand in their toes and sun on their skin instead. It’s quieter than most tourist hotspots, but that is exactly Lovina Beach’s charm. The exquisite beach consists of seven small villages like Pemaron, Anturan, Kalibukbuk (the liveliest village of the lot), Temukus, and Kaliasem along its 10-kilometre stretch.

Double six beach in Seminyak offers a chilled-out ambience with golden-white sands and blue waters. Daytime sees tourists relaxing in sun loungers under parasols, and the waters are fairly good for surfing. The clubs and restaurants across the beach make it lively at night, and the beach is a popular spot for gay men and women. Double Six Beach is as lively as the name sounds and is the perfect holiday spot for both locals as well as tourists.

Selong Belanak Beach is a gorgeous crescent beach in south Lombok that’s known for its laidback vibe, surfing culture, and an array of restaurants to choose from. It’s also known as Pantai Selong Belanak. Come sunset, the beach becomes a gorgeous paradise to watch the sun go down on the horizon as you hear no sounds but the crashing of waves and squealing of fellow beachgoers having a great time.

Mawun Beach is a classic horseshoe-shaped beach in southern Lombok with two hills cordoning off each side. The stunning beach boasts of soft white sand, gentle waves at each end for swimming, and stronger waves in the middle for water sports opportunities. Some adventurers even like to trek up the hills to check out the panoramic view of Lombok. The drive here can be steep, but the mind-calming view of open, blue waters and lack of crowd at Mawun Beach is rewarding.

Located about 20 kms south of Kuta, Balangan Beach is a scenic beach in Bali famous for its golden sands and surfable blue waves. Attracting surfers worldwide, the hill from where the beach descends offers a panoramic view, and the beach itself is dotted with warungs serving refreshments. Ideal for surfers seeking to challenge themselves the beach is devoid of lifeguards, making it unsafe.

About 4.5kms east of Candidasa in Karangasem regency lies Pasir Putih beach, also called the 'virgin beach', 'white sand beach' and 'hidden beach'. The pristine beach offers a beautiful view of Gili Biaha islet over the horizon, and several local warungs and restaurants are lined against the rocky backdrop. Come here for a day full of swimming, snorkelling sunbathing in a serene setting. The beautiful Pasir Putih beach is nestled between two variegated hills and provides the picturesque beauty of the whole place.

Situated around a 2.5 hour drive away from Yogyakarta, Klayar Beach is one of those beaches that is just beginning to command the respect that it deserves from tourists and is still very much off-the-beaten-track. The conspicuous silence of the beach gives rise to one of the unique features of it; the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and flooding through holes in the rock formations make an almost flute-like whistle that floats around the beach. A surf-friendly beach

Located 20km outside the city centre of Yogyakarta lies the Parangtritis Beach. Sed amidst lush green hills, the beach is also known for the special place it holds in Javanese folklore. The surrounding area of the beach is replete with natural and geological features such as caves, lakes, lagoons. At night, once the stars come out, the entire landscape is bathed in an almost ethereal light, perhaps one of the reasons that the area is awash with legends.