Beaches in Bali Travel Guide

About Beaches in Bali

The self-styled 'Ultimate Island' certainly has plenty for everyone, from those looking for a relaxing beach holiday through to a cultural journey. It is a dramatic holiday paradise of rolling rice paddies, tropical rainforest and sweeping beaches, topped with hulking volcanoes. Added to the natural attractions of this island is a sprinkling of resorts that ring the coastline offering a wealth of world-class facilities and hotels. One of the world's largest Hindu communities add their own local colour with lively processions and a flurry of temples, many set at some of the island's most dramatic locations.

Beach:

Bali boasts a string of beaches, mainly in the south of the island. The resorts of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur all boast good stretches of sand with a range of facilities and watersports available. In the north the black sands of Lovina are a striking alternative and never get too busy.

Beyond the beach:

Head away from Bali's beaches and a totally different world awaits, one where it often feels like the 20th, let alone the 21st, century is yet to dawn. Ubud is an easily accessible jungle resort town with a good range of hotels, shops and restaurants. The interior is also home to volcanoes (the active volcano of Mount Batur is a highlight) and mountain lakes, while in the east lie the famous rice paddies, set dramatically around the island's stepped terraces.

Family fun:

All of the resorts have plenty of facilities for families and the beaches of the south are also justifiably popular. In Ubud there is a monkey park (Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal; www.monkeyforestubud.com), where young ones can see monkeys that are not kept in tiny cages and an elephant park (Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Pesanggaran; www.elephantsafariparklodge.com) where holidaymakers can ride an elephant.

Exploring further:

The offshore island of Nusa Penida makes for a perfect day trip. Operators can pick holidaymakers up in all of the southern resorts and from many hotels. This idyllic island is relatively unspoilt and offers the chance of swimming and snorkelling on arrival. The boat trip across the Badung Strait is all part of the fun. The scuba-diving around Nusa Penida is also excellent.