BALI BUCKET LIST for the beach lovers

Welcome to the latest addition to the La Luna Rose Blog: Bali Bucket List(s). We are well aware that there are so many things to do in Bali, it’s so easy to get lost in amongst the world wide web of Bali knowledge. Where to start? What to do? Places to stay? We’ve spent a few years in Bali & experienced a number of offerings this amazing island has so we thought it’s time to compile our experiences to share with you. Our bucket lists will give you a great base to start your planning and a few little secrets for a perfect trip to the island. Here in Bali there really is something for everyone. For now, let’s start with the Bali Bucket list for the Beach Lovers…

 If you are already considering traveling to Bali, I have no doubt the beautiful beaches have featured somewhere in the tipping scale… Below I have listed a handful of amazing beaches that I highly recommend you add to you Bali Bucket List…

White Sand Beach (Above)

Located on the East Coast of Bali, near the village of Candidasa, White Sand Beach is a remote, off-the-beaten-path made for the most adventurous road trippers. Also known as Pasir Putih or Virgin Beach, this beautiful beach stretches for over 800 meters of golden sand. White Sand beach is an attractive turquoise cove bookended with two rocky cliffs and fringed with a tropical forest behind. Famous for it’s pristine soft white sand, White sand beach contrasts a lot with its volcanic black sand neighbours (And a large amount of Bali’s beaches). Fine and squeaky, this beach is a real pleasure to walk on. Pasir Putih is the perfect beach for a sea view lunch and is a lovely spot for swimming (Something I can’t say for all beaches in Bali due to their underlying reef or hectic waves!) A great off the track beach to spend the day, especially if you are on your way North to Amed.

Thomas Beach (Above)  

Located between the famous Bingin Beach and Padang Padang, Thomas Beach is another hidden gem of Bali’s Southern peninsula. Skip your workout the day before; you will have to suffer a little bit to enjoy this beautiful place with the steps down to the beach seemingly an endless hike down! Accessible only via a gravel lane followed by the winding set of crumbling stairs, this hidden beach is well worth descending down for. Luckily, you can every few steps to enjoy the beautiful views out over the ocean. Note: At Thomas Beach you won’t find any restaurant to the shoreline so come prepared with drinks and snacks to fully relax and enjoy your afternoon with.

Green Bowl Beach (Above)

If you’re looking for a quiet and secret place, Green Bowl Beach is the perfect spot to have a more intimate beach day. Named because of the color of the cliffs surrounding the beach and the emerald hues of the water, Green Bowl Beach is (currently) one of the most secluded beaches in Bali. A small 30 m coastal strip framed by two large limestone cliffs and beautiful white sand, you have to check the tides before descending to this beautiful beach. (High tide there is no beach and you won’t be able to make it into the ‘Bowl’ or Cave to relax). Green Bowl beach is located approximately 75 meters down the cliff and you will have to make your way down no less than 250 steps to access to this little paradise. But trust me, your efforts will be reward by this little slive of paradise of this exotic location. Note: Try and go early in the morning before the scattering of Surfers arrive to enjoy the serenity by yourself.

Bingin Beach (Above)

A more popular spot due to it’s easy access and increasing amount of accommodation and restaurants, Bingin is both a beautiful beach with a stunning view of the Indian Ocean and one of the greatest Left Hander Surf waves in Bali. It’s consistent surf and crystal clear waters makes it one of the most demanded surf spots on the Island and therefore, remains relatively busy at all times of the year. Again, as with many beaches on the Bukit Peninsula in South Bali you will need to be relatively fit to get to and from the beach, but the hike is worth every drop of sweat! With its glistening blue water, perfect waves and white sand, Bingin beach offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend getaway. You will find a dozen of affordable stays line the Cliffside, ideal for a budget trip. There is also some great places to eat, like the well-known beach-side Kelly’s Warung or the evening Fish BBQ that sets up on the shores of the beach.

Mawun Beach Lombok (Above)

Located 25 minutes east of Kuta, Mawun Beach is one of the most incredible beaches I have ever stepped foot on. Nestled in a secluded half-moon bay surrounded by lush green hills, it is the perfect place to relax and let go of any modern day worries ... With only white sand, palm trees and turquoise crystal clear water you can only find your happiness and relaxation. When I first arrived at this beach I thought I had arrived at a tropical version of New Zealand… A rare sight in many locations and increasingly beaches here in Bali is the absence of any man made structures, hotels or shops. But Mawun Beach offers just that. Stretch out on the pristine white sand, swim in the clear blue water (Just be wary of the Rip and crashing waves) and enjoy the moment. I can’t wait to get back here…

Secret Beach Nusa Ceningan (Above)

If you plan to visit all the small islands of Bali during your trip (Which I highly recommend), you shouldn’t miss Secret Beach. On the South-West Coast of Nusa Ceningan, a tiny island wedged between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, hides a little slice of paradise, called Secret Beach. Secret but not so secret, Secret Beach is a small and pretty white sand beach with a great surf-spot. If you’re not surfing, you can park up at the Secret Point Warung above the beach or set up on the un-crowded (It’s Secret remember!?) golden sand and chill. Our tip? Come and pay a visit at low tie to really enjoy the beach, when the water level is low the reef forms little rock pools akin to little spa baths. I can also highly recommend a stay at the Secret Point Beach Huts (Around $60AUD for a private bungalow) that have the most amazing views of the ocean right from your bed! All in all, make sure you make it to Secret Beach on your trip Indonesia!

Crystal Bay Beach Nusa Penida (Above)

Situated on the West of Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay Beach is a lovely place to enjoy the beautiful view of the bay, views out to rock island and some amazing snorkeling. Besides its beautiful undeveloped 200 meters-stretch of sand, Crystal Bay is best known as one of Nusa Penida’s famous snorkelling and diving spots. Crystal Bay makes for a lazy beach day and is the perfect place to sunbathe, swim and snorkel out directly from the shore. Here you can find a couple of Umbrellas and sunbeds available for rent on the beach and you can even ask for a fresh coconut to be plucked from the tree! There are also a few local warungs, selling snacks and cold drinks to keep you fed and hydrated in between naps and snorkel sessions… ahhh the life of the tropics.

Of course, this is a not the end! There are many other wonderful beaches to see in Bali, and trust me our choice wasn’t easy. If you have visit the island of Bali we would love to hear in the comments below which beaches were your favourite. x

Planning to visit Bali soon? Don’t miss our 5 amazing places to stay in Canggu and Top places to stay in the Bukit.