1.
Balangan Beach
Hang loose with Bali's surf community at Balangan Beach.
When
the neighboring Dreamland beach got taken over by bulldozers and chain resorts,
the surfers drifted over to Balangan.
The long stretch of
white sand is flanked by rocky cliffs while the shore is lined by an assortment
of warungs (local cafes) serving plates of instants noodles and ice-cold Beers, and
cheap non-air conditioned huts.
The agenda at Balangan
is simple: surf (if you can), go swimming when it is high tide, build intricate
sandcastles -- the sand here is exceptional for doing so -- and laze about in a
hammock watching the surfers, young and old, catch the waves.
Reef shoes are highly
recommended as the beach has a sharp rocky base and some of it covered in slippery
green moss.
For the virgin
surfers, there are surf schools and numerous freelance instructors who’ll be
willing to take you out for a price.
2.
Geger Beach
You won't get pounded by the waves at Geger Beach.
For
sun seekers dismayed by some of Bali’s rougher waters, this is a beach you can
actually swim in. Situated close to the
Nusa Dua golf course, the sparkling green-blue water here remains relatively
calm with gentle rolling waves. The sand is thick and soft, packed hard so you
can play a game of volleyball or go for a leisurely beach run.
A string of
restaurants make this a popular Sunday brunch spot, especially with the local
expats and their young ones. There are touts hawking their wares but they’re
relatively tame compared to other beaches and deck chairs can be rented from
about 20,000 rupiah (US$2) a day. Go at the right time of the day and you’ll
see seaweed farmers working between the area from Geger Cafe to Geger Temple.
Another big plus? This
is one of the few beaches where topless sunbathing is allowed
3.
Bias Tugal
Bias Tugal: Good luck tracking this spot down... here's a hint, it's
close to Padang Bai.
Referred
to as Pantai Kecil (Little Beach), this spot is often deserted, except for the
odd adventurous tourist and a couple of the warung vendors.
Tucked away near
Padang Bai, the beauty of this beach is that it is hidden, accessible only
after a 500 meter trek down a rocky path.
What greets you at the
end of your mini-hike is a glorious body of water in varying shades of blue and
turquoise fringed by a strip of fine white sand and swaying coconut trees.
The current here can
be strong, for the non-experienced swimmers, make do with playing in the waves
and soaking up the sun in relative solitude as you watch the boats entering and
leaving Padang Bai for Lombok and the Gili Islands.
4.
Ungasan
Ungasan: Some of the best things in life aren't free.
This
strip of beach situated on the southern most point of Bali is quite possibly
the island’s prettiest.
The only catch is that
it'll cost you to enjoy this little slice of paradise.
If you’re not staying
at either the Karma Kandara resort or the neighboring Banyan Tree resort, the
best way to access it is to spend a day at the popular Nammos Beach Club.
The entry fee of
250,000 rupiah (US$27) (fully redeemable for food and beverage) is a little
cheeky, but the view from the inclinator that brings you 150 meters down the
cliff-face to the beach is almost worth the fee alone.
Here, the sand is fine
and delicate, the water, an intense azure color -- not too dissimilar from the
Mediterranean -- and the waves roll in hard and evenly, forming pretty white
patterns on the shoreline.
The best time to swim
is before lunch when it is low tide and you can frolic at ease.
Later in the day, the
waves become stronger, and the currents will sweep you across to the other
beach, should you prefer a little more privacy and don’t mind the lack of deck
chairs.
Warning: do not laugh
off the yellow Wet Floor signs placed on the rocks, they’re placed there for
good reason.
Go on a Monday when
Nammos Beach Club screens a movie from 6:15 p.m., and if you really want to
splurge, the Karma Kandara spa has a on-site beach sala.
5.
Amed
Amed: A quieter, less touristy bit of Bali.
Situated
about two hours drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport is Amed, where the
sand is of the coarse black volcanic variety.
Instead of surfers and
surf boards ott on the water, the beach is lined with traditional outrigger
fishing boats.
Those who venture up
to Amed are usually keen to get in some quality diving as there are a number of
wrecks located at nearby Lipah Beach and Tulamben.
For snorkelers, the
coral and underwater life in Amed is abundant.
While the prettiest
bays are found at Jemeluk and Lipah, the whole stretch of coastline presents a
different, more natural image of Bali where the locals' primary source of
income lies in salt mining and fishing.