Bali is a paradise if you want to immerse yourself in some of the best seaside escapades Mother Nature has to offer. The island has some of the most mind-blowing beaches in the world, beaches with views at volcanic mountains, picturesque coral reef beds, beaches connected to forests full of deers and even monkey beaches. Bali being also called the land for experiencing the best of diving and snorkelling.
During my stay in Bali I explored some fine beaches too, although I could only explore few of the beaches, because I visited temples, did yoga, tasted food and yes, traffic in Bali is something that will kill your day, even thought we woke up at between 5AM – 6AM or sometimes even at 3 AM, we had time to only visit one place a day, many times.
Berawa Beach is a peaceful long scenic sheashore away from the more crowded spots in Bali. Known for its laid-back vibe and serene atmosphere, Berawa Beach is perfect for those who want to enjoy water sports, long walks, breathtaking sunsets, have coconut water with a view or if you want to watch locals and their kite contests. This is a perfect place to make great memories and we visited every day, because our hotel was only 3 minutes walk from the beach.
BERAWA BEACH
This beach is not always crowded, you can find it most of the day quite empty. It gets a little bit busy at sunset, but who can blame people for wanting to watch those beautiful sunsets.
One of the best things about Berawa Beach is the many beachfront cafes and restaurants it has. It reflects perfectly the laid back Bali vibe in the cafes that line the beach, offering a relaxed space to enjoy a meal or work while looking out over the ocean. Also, if you want to get more into the Bali vibe and want to catch a wave, you can rent a surfing table, or take surf lessons from the many surfing camps that you can find all along the beach,
For those who prefer a more private experience, there are also several luxury resorts and villas nearby, where you can enjoy the beach in a more secluded setting. Our resort was 3 minutes walk from the beach and many evenings we stayed on the resort rooftop watching the stunning coastline and the dramatic sunsets while sipping coconut water or eating Nasi Goreng.
stunning sunsets
This beach is a perfect spot in Bali if you want to experience awe inspiring sunsets. The sun sets over the Indian Ocean and the sky plays the most beautiful color palette, from orange, pink and purple that reflect off the water. It is mind blowing!! So, get ready the camera, order your coconut water, or cocktail, sit back and enjoy!
surfing and water sports
Even thought Berawa Beach offers excellent conditions for surfing, it is pretty quiet for being such a great place if you want to try surfing. The beach is known for its consistent, smaller waves, making it a good spot for beginner to intermediate surfers. You can find many surf schools in the area that offer lessons and board rentals, making it a great place for those looking to try surfing for the first time or improve their skills.
If you want to enjoy other water or beach sports, Berawa Beach also offers opportunities for activities like paddle boarding, kayaking or fly kites.
The cliffs are really are dramatic with very turquoise waters and when the sun hits right, itโs genuinely wow. The beach has impressive limestone cliffs with lush greenery and many naughty monkeys, which makes this beach unique. In other words, this beach stands out a lot and it is not only a great place to sit out and relax but are great spots to take great pictures too.
PADANG PADANG BEACH
Itโs an idyllic place, with its eccentric entrance.. because to get at the beach first you must pass through a cave, it wouldnโt be wrong to say the place does have an allure of its own. Also, here are activities for everyone, there are plenty of water sports to try, as surfing…of course,. you’ll see right at the entry of the beach the surfing tables and surfing school, also you can snorkel, as the beach has astonishing coral reef.
expectations..
overcrowding: I’ve heard many travellers expressing their disappointed with the beach’s small size and frequent overcrowding. I also was a little bit overwhelmed by how many people were at the beach, it cuts off the serenity and beauty of the place and ruin the purpose of coming to the beach.
snacks and food: there are people who come with their own food, but there are restaurants around, offering drinks, snacks and food right on the beach.
challenging access: the steep stairway leading to the beach, can be physically demanding for some visitors. While entering the impressive cave is undoubtedly adventurous and exciting and certainly not common elsewhere, it can be challenging for some travellers and with all that, the beach will still be full of people.
parking lot: there is plenty of parking lots outside the beach.
cleanliness concerns: the beach is not very well maintained, some surfers had seen trash in water, the beach itself has a lot of garbage and plastic waste. The local staff tries its best to keep it clean, there is always that type of traveler who will make their work hard.
watch your belongings: be very careful with your belongings, as the monkeys of Bali are well known for being very naughty and they will steal your stuff hoping to find food and many times out of curiosity.
and there are monkeys..
Ohh yes.. this is a beach full of monkeys doing monkey stuff.. But somehow the day I visited, they were on their best behaviour, no sunglasses stolen, no chasing people for food, no stealing. Justโฆ monkeys. Maybe it was their off day. However, I did spot some monkeys exploring some scooters in the parking lot, or eating coco from the coconuts who travellers left on the beach. I loved being at the beach among monkeys, actually I would have preferred just monkeys and no people, but I guess things are not always the way we want.
surfing at the monkey beach
If you are a pro surfer or you want to learn surfing, there are a few small rental stalls along the beach. Most of them rent boards for 100,000 IDR per hour and also they give surf lessons too, for those who need them. If youโve ever wanted to try surfing but were scared of the big waves at other beaches, this is a good place to try.
The calm and clear waters make Padang Padang an excellent spot for both swimming and surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, you’ll find waves to suit your skill level.
stunning sunsets
If you want to experience an amazing evening, Padang Padang offers breathtaking sunset views, with that perfect backdrop for romantic moments and photo opportunity.
Menjangan Island, also known as Pulau Menjangan, is a hidden gem in Bali that offers untouched beauty, unique wildlife, and impressive coral reef. You can find this tranquil paradise off the coast of North West Bali, just a few hours drive from Canggu.
MENJANGAN ISLAND
The islandโs name means “deer island” in Javanese, stems from the annual migration of rusa deer that enhance the island each spring. Menjangan Island is a great opportunity if you want to experience something different in Bali, you know, not the typical touristic things and also getting away from the craziness you find in popular places.
Right when you step on Menjangan Islandโs shores, youโll be greeted by white sandy beaches, colourful fish and coral reef, swaying palm trees and of course.. the deers. This is a unique opportunity to experience sunbathing alongside a group of deer while you jump into a water so blue that it makes you question if this is a beautiful dream or is your reality.
getting there
Reaching Menjangan Island it takes time. You either can take a boat from the Labuhan Lalang port near Pemuteran Beach, while enjoying a picturesque 30 minute ride, or you can come by car. If you come from Caggu, I don’t recommend you to come alone by scooter, because the drive is very long, a 4 hours drive, to be more specific.
entry fee
Anyone who visits, requires a permit to access the island. The cost is IDR 200,000 on weekdays and IDR 300,000 on weekends. You need a guide in order to explore the Bali Barat National Park and its diverse wildlife. These tours can be organized through various companies for a fee of approximately IDR 350,000.
conservation efforts
Menjangan Island is part of the Bali Barat National Park and conservation is a priority. Visitors must not touch or disturb marine life while diving or snorkelling, not to leave any trash and to respect all wildlife and temple sites. Try to always be as respectful as posible when you visit, not on this island only, but any place!
explore the waters
Menjangan Island is a haven for diving and snorkelling enthusiast. Due to minimal human interference that has preserved the reefs, around the island you’ll find an incredible marine life. Once you are in the water you’ll see various types of tropical fish such as clownfish, butterflyfish and parrotfish. Sea turtles, reef sharks and schools of barracudas are also often seen swimming gracefully.
A natural underwater corridor formed by coral reef walls filled with various species of coral and anemones, coral towers along with excellent visibility creates a breathtaking passage where sunlight streams down from above.
I wanted to explore and do as much as I could during my stay in Bali and of course swimming with dolphins had been on my bucket list. So, we woke up at 3AM and started our way to Lovina beach, to see the dolphins. I was so excited, I couldn’t help but to picture myself strolling along the black sand beach as I was watching the breathtaking sunrise in hues of orange and pink. When I finally arrived, the calm atmosphere and untouched beauty made me feel instantly relaxed.
LOVINA BEACH
Lovina Beach is also a great beach in Bali for swimming because the waves are mild and the water is shallow. Canggu has great beaches, but the waves are too intense for swimming. Also Lovina Beach is much less crowded than other beaches you’ll find in Bali. Although thereโs only a handful of things to do in Lovina, I still recommend visiting to experience the vibe for yourself. The vibe is calm and ohh yeah, thereโs also dolphins!
where is Lovina Beach?
Lovina is one of the best places to see and swim with dolphins in Bali. There are many companies offering tours, or you can hire a driver to take you to the Lovina. The drive from Ubud or Canggu to Lovina Beach is about two hours. If you are driving directly from the airport, it is about 2.5 hours. Traffic in Bali can be unpredictable, so it could easily take more time.
just enjoy the beach
Being at this beach is such an experience, we had an early breakfast with one of the most amazing views in the world, while watching the incredible sunrise. I had no idea that here the sun rises so beautifully, it looked surreal. Then we got into our boat to see the dolphins, what an experience, it was not our first time swimming with dolphins, but no matter how many times I see them I will always be in awe. After the dolphins we had lunch, pet the cars we found on our way and then wee took a nice walk along the beach.
try snorkelling
Even though itโs less popular than Nusa Penida or Amed, Lovinaโs coral reef is also an ideal spot if itโs your first time snorkelling, you will find some varieties of amazing marine life to explore.
Madeleine ๐ 