Bali and Beyond – The Best Beaches in Indonesia Handpicked for You

Indonesia – the world’s largest island country, and home to countless enchanting landscapes and mesmerizing beaches, is a destination where you will never run out of things to do! From Bali to Komodo, there are several stunning islands in Indonesia that will take your breath away.

Bali, also known as ‘The Island of Gods’, is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world. If you are a travel enthusiast, chances are, you already have Bali beaches on your travel-bucket-list! But why stop at Bali? Let’s also explore the other beautiful, far-flung Indonesian beaches. Here’s a list of our top picks, read on!

1. Bias Tugel Beach

Another name for this secluded beach is – Pantai Bias Tugel (‘Pantai’ means beach). Located just south of the Padang Bai Harbour and stretched across 120 meters, it is protected by black volcanic boulders. The mesmerising seascape with clear turquoise blue water, rock pools and white sand doesn’t disappoint any tourist. You can also buy tasty snacks and chilled beers from the local vendors here. Up for snorkelling? Here, you can also rent snorkels and fins! You can also explore Tirta Gangga, Taman Ujung Water Palace and Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple nearby.

2. Pink beach

Komodo Island’s Pink beach, or as the locals call it Pantai Merah, gets its striking pink hues from the microscopic organisms called Foraminifera, that have a reddish-pink shell. Don’t worry, the waters are safe for swimming and snorkelling!

Located west of Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Island’s pink beach is the perfect place for beach lovers, travel enthusiasts and of course, honeymooners! The best way to reach here is by catching a flight to Labuan Bajo Airport from Bali. From the airport you can hire a speedboat or you can even choose to trek. It will take you around 4 hours to reach the beach on foot.

#MMTTip: Don’t forget to click loads of pictures here. The pink sand, the natural light and the beautiful seascape, makes a perfect backdrop for photographs!

Read More: Must-See Places in Indonesia that will Leave You Speechless

3. Pangandaran beach

Welcome to Java Island’s best kept secret – Pangandaran Beach! Offering unique black and white sand, clear blue-green waters and a spectacular view of the sunset, this beach is in ideal getaway from the bustle of the busy cities. It is located in Pananjung village, 92 kms from Ciamis city. If you visit during the month of July, do participate in the International Kite Festival here. Bored of building sand castles? You can also enjoy snorkelling or rent boogie boards for surfing. And, there is also a wildlife reserve in the vicinity. Sounds great? Hell yes!

4. Beaches on Gili Meno

Gili Meno is the smallest of the three Gili islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. You can cover the whole island on foot in under 2 hours; and some of the best beaches here can be found in the north and north-eastern part of the island. Perfect for a laidback holiday, you can get a tan here while lazing on a hammock or sit on the sandy shore and enjoy uninterrupted views of the ocean .You can also visit the mini Turtle Sanctuary and the unique salt water lake on this island. As there are no automobiles here, the best way to travel is on foot or on a bicycle; and you can also ride the charming horse drawn carriages, known as – Cidomo.

To explore the gorgeous beaches on Gili Meno, you can take direct boat services from Bali or Lambok.

#MMTTip: There’s a really pretty beach in front of Seri Resort!

Read More: Get Adventurous in Bali—6 Thrilling Activities for an Adrenaline Boost

5. Derawan beach

The beautiful Derawan Beach is located in the Berau district in East Kalimantan. This is one of the best beaches for snorkelling and diving, as the crystal clear water provides excellent visibility to the adventure enthusiasts. Don’t miss the thriving ecosystem of mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. You can also ride a banana boat which can accommodate up to 5 passengers, including the instructor.

To reach here, you can fly to Sepinggan airport at Balikpapan. From there, you can head to Bearu by land or by air. Once you reach Tanjung Batu Port, you can head to Derawan on a speedboat.

Know More