Beachside escapes in Indonesia are among the most desired in the world due to the variety and quality of the shorelines. Do you yearn for a secluded island with sandy pebbles that are perfect for surfing or a white-sand beach near world-class resorts? How about something a little different, such as a pink-sand beach where you can snorkel among big lizards near the shore? You can find an Indonesian beach to fulfil your definition of paradise no matter what it is.
Make sure to pack sunscreen, swimwear, and sandals for your Southeast Asia vacation. Then, choose from our list of the best beaches in Indonesia.
So, looking for the best beach in Indonesia? Let’s go!
1. Virgin Beach, Bali
The Virgin beach is positioned on Bali’s east coast, where you can find the most sunlight early in the morning and early in the afternoon. Around 4 p.m., the sun disappears behind the mountain range, leaving the beach in the shadows. If you want to make the most of your Virgin beach experience, I suggest arriving early in the morning or early in the afternoon. To make the most of your beach time, for example, you may want to consume lunch at the beach and relax on the sunbeds before or after. It’s not necessary to remain until late in the afternoon to see the sunset, so there’s no reason to stay late.
There are ladies at Fisherman’s restaurant who will provide you with a beach massage, if that is something that you want. Alternatively, you may choose to go snorkelling, as the water is clear and teems with healthy coral.
Want to explore more about things to do in Bali? Read this post.
2. Gili Trawangan, Lombok
The Gili Islands, a group of three small islands northwest of Lombok, have been a popular spot for island-hopping backpackers in Indonesia for decades. Their distinct charm and relaxed atmosphere are just what is needed to have a good time.
Some of the finest beaches in all of Indonesia can be found on Gili Trawangan. The water is a gentle turquoise colour, and the sand is glistening white. During your stay on this car-free island, you may wish to rent a bicycle to explore the beaches. They are a world away from Gili T’s lively restaurants and beach clubs.
Be sure to take advantage if your hotel or resort provides snorkelling equipment for rent. Gili T is brimming with colourful marine life, particularly sea turtles. You may well encounter sea turtles swimming within 15 or 20 metres of the shoreline. Seeing them in the wild might very well be your favourite memory of your trip to Indonesia.
3. Pink Beach, Komodo Island
The biggest lizards in the world, Komodo dragons are the reason most visitors come to Komodo Island. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site are charged an entrance fee, as the species has been safeguarded since 1980. Up to 50,000 people visit annually.
Besides being home to Komodo Dragons, Rinca Island is known for its wonderful beaches. Blushing pink sand, a colour that looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss story, is found here. Its unusual colour comes from red foraminifera shells, which mix with white sand to produce a startling pink colour.
Besides being a vivid location, Komodo’s Pink Beach is also enjoyable for divers. Coral reefs in the calm, shallow waters provide divers with lots of things to see.
Read more: 13 Best Things To Do In Komodo Island
4. Trikora Beach, Bintan
Trikora on Bintan’s northeast shore is the preferred destination for visitors seeking to escape the stresses of urban life in Singapore. Escape to Bintan, a resort island with luxurious hotels and magnificent beaches, by taking a ferry from Singapore. Bintan’s Trikora beach is on the eastern side of the island. It is a windswept expanse of four beaches with whitish sand and attractive boulders. Take a moment to see other islands in the distance as the sun rises across the blue sea. Look for little snails and other creatures as you journey.
Are you eager to try kitesurfing? Try it out at Trikora Beach in Bintan. Bintan has two kite-surfing seasons, from November to March and from June to September. Kitesurfing schools and resorts offer lessons to tourists in the area.
5. Sire Beach, Lombok
Sire Beach on Lombok’s north coast is one of the finest places to view Mt. Rinjani, Indonesia’s second highest volcano. The area is blanketed with a thick layer of green grass and tall, fluffy palm trees. Travellers can enjoy panoramic views of fantastic sunsets while watching cotton candy clouds that stretch for 3.8 kilometres. Snorkelling equipment and canoes are available for rent at the beach.
In addition to being a fun destination, Sire Beach plays a significant cultural role. It’s a hotspot for Indonesians, who gather here to express their cultural identity. Tourists can witness dangdut performances, a type of folk dance music, or larungan, a traditional ritual in which people send out floating offerings. These sorts of experiences help us appreciate a day at the beach in a new light.
6. Nongsa Beach, Batam
There are other simple beach getaways near Bintan aside from Batam, a part of the Riau Islands. Nongsa Beach, one of Batam’s finest beaches, is just 20 minutes away from the airport. The Singapore skyline can be seen from the golden sand beaches of this beautiful wooded coastal region.
Many tourists are drawn to Nongsa Beach for water sports. Whether you wish to zip around in a banana boat, soar through the air on a parasailing trip, surf the waves on windsurfing, or rent a couple of Jet Skis for the day, you’ll find an operator on Batam who can make it happen. What do you think? Is this the best beach in Indonesia for you?
7. Seminyak Beach, Bali
Do you yearn to escape the crowds and frenzy of Kuta? Seminyak Beach is where you should go. This beach, only 25 minutes away by car, feels like a sanctuary from all the tourist traps. Seminyak is one of the best beach in Indonesia.
Seminyak Beach is renowned for its high-end seaside hangouts in South Bali. Five-star resorts, beach clubs, and outdoor dining establishments line the five-kilometer-long sandy beach. La Plancha, a beach shack specialising in freshly caught seafood and refreshing drinks, is a great place to hang out on one of the many cool bean bag beach chairs near Seminyak’s renowned surf spot. Every evening, tourists love watching the sunset from outdoors.
8. Pangandaran, Java
The island of Java is also a wonderful destination for a relaxing holiday near the coast, especially for those seeking cultural gems like Yogyakarta and Borobudur. Pangandaran is one of Java’s finest beaches, located on the south coast of the island. The water appears to be every colour of blue imaginable as tourists dine on the beautiful white sand. Away from the urban sprawl of Java, the relaxed vibe and natural scenery provides a welcome change of pace.
Pangandaran is well-known for its excellent surf breaks, hence the large number of surf schools and board rental shops. If you’d rather not hang ten, you can still appreciate the amazing waves by walking along the beach as the sun sets. So, if you’re in Java, this is the best beach in Indonesia for you.
9. Air Manis Beach, Sumatra
Batu Malin Kundang, a peculiar rock formation that resembles a kneeling man, is part of what makes Air Manis Beach in West Sumatra one of Indonesia’s best beaches. Here, visitors will find low waves, bronze sand, volcano views, and warm seawater.
A popular Southeast Asian folktale talks about a poor sailor sneaking on board a merchant vessel and amassing his own fortune. He returned to his village disappointed at his humble origins and shunned his ageing mother, who cursed him, turning his body and ship to stone. This incident gives you something to think about as you relax in the sun here at Air Mains Beach.
10. Cimaja, Java
Cimaja, one of Indonesia’s greatest surfing spots, is located about four hours south of Jakarta. If you want to see the waves being ridden by adept surfers, this is the place to be. Instead of sand, the beach is composed of big, round stones, which makes for a beautiful setting for spectators.
Even beginners can have fun learning to surf at Cimaja’s calmer spots. Ask local surf schools for suggestions on the best destinations, or even better, take a lesson.
11. Nusa Penida Beaches, Bali
If you come to Indonesia, make sure you visit this beach. It’s one of the best beaches in Indonesia.
Nusa Penida, a tiny, underdeveloped island near Bali, is home to some of Indonesia’s most impressive beaches. To reach them, you may have to walk down steep staircases or hike along the bottom of jagged cliffs, making them feel as untouched as those on a deserted island.
Nusa Penida offers a variety of beaches to choose from. If you want to take pictures of the famous cliff that looks like an open-mouthed Tyrannosaurus Rex jutting out into the sea, head to secluded Kelingking Beach. Head to Crystal Bay Beach, which faces west, for a breathtaking sunset. The calm waters also make it a good spot for swimming and snorkelling. Tembeling Beach is a terrific place for people who want to experience the Nusa Penida off-the-path vibe. The long stretch of sandy terrain is surrounded by verdant forests, where you can discover secluded swimming locations, cliff-jumping locations, and sacred sites with traditional statues.
12. Mangsit Beach, Lombok
Mangsit Beach, a five-minute drive from Senggigi on Lombok, offers a unique experience: black volcanic sand that glistens in the sun. The gentle waves are ideal for swimming.
Mangsit Beach is less developed than other beaches around Lombok, and that’s part of what makes this charming coastal destination so appealing. If you prefer to lounge around, you won’t have to worry about touts, rowdy restaurants, or large crowds.
13. Ngurtafur Beach, Warbal Island
Make your way to Ngurtafur Beach if you want to experience the feeling of being in the sea without being on a coast. Its moniker, Snake Beach, is derived from its golden sand that meanders for two kilometres from Warbal Island into the ocean. You’ll feel like you’re strolling in paradise when you’re surrounded by pristine turquoise seawater on both sides. Australian pelicans and leatherback turtles are two of the wildlife you might come across while exploring the beach.
While the journey to Ngurtafur Beach is difficult, it increases the likelihood that you’ll have the place to yourself. Fly into Karel Sadsuitubun Airport in Langgur, then take a boat from Debut Port to reach the beach. You may then relax and enjoy the privacy of this best beach in Indonesia once you finally arrive.
14. Nyang Nyang Beach, Bali
The white sand beach of Nyang Nyang is located on Bali’s southern tip and provides a picturesque setting for a long walk. It is popular with those who want to avoid the crowds as it is off the beaten path.
This beach is also popular for its graffiti-covered shipwreck, which has become famous on social media. If you wish to stay for a while, be sure to bring some water and food—this location in Bali does not have the same development and services that you may be used to seeing elsewhere.
15. Nusa Dua Beach, Bali
Just as a postcard depicts a tropical island hideaway, Nusa Dua Beach shows you what a Balinese beach is all about: sugary white sand, calm waters, and plenty of nearby destinations. This beach reminds you of a postcard as you experience this slice of paradise for yourself—especially at sunrise, when the sapphire sea is bathed in a crimson light.
Furthermore, do you like to spend some time under the sun? Nusa Dua Beach is a good location to soak up the sun while on a brief trip to Bali. Nusa Dua Beach is close to Ngurah Rai International Airport, where the waves are calm enough for families to swim and sunbathe for hours. This is the stuff of beach vacation fantasies.
In addition to staying on the sand, you can take a glass-bottom boat tour to see marine life thriving beneath the water’s surface. Besides self-drive jet skis, underwater sea walker experiences, and parasailing, Nusa Dua Beach has other attractions.
Final Words on Best Beach in Indonesia
Ready to go on the best vacation of your life? If your answer is YES, then you better start planning now. Make a simple holiday plan to make the best of your trip. So, don’t forget to pack all the necessities, such as sunscreen, hat, mini umbrella, light clothing, etc.
Happy holiday!
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