Sanur Beach - Bali

Sanur Beach in Bali, Indonesia, is one long beach - with white/off white sand. As you see in the video, the water is calm and protected. Once home to a great reef, it is mainly gone due to erosion and Indonesia "progress"; silt and pesticide runoff from construction. So for Sanur, lot's of nice sand, but below the surface there are many problems. We were first interested in the beaches of Bali when a user e-mailed asking why we didn't include this beach. Unfortunately, this is one of the better beaches here. For some reason, probably corruption, these beaches do not get the treatment they deserve. There is little enforcement of the few laws Indonesia has for preservation. Feel free to comment.


One of Southeast Bali's gems is Sanur Beach. With its small tourist population, Sanur is a very attractive. The surf is gentler than other areas of the island and the hotels are quite nice. In the past 20 years Sanur has developed into a great resort for tourists, feasting on the sights and sounds of the Indonesian countryside.

There is hardly a beach in Bali that is unappealing and Sanur is no exception. Our most breathtaking experience happens around sunrise. Sanur Beach is about 10 minutes from Denpasar (depending on traffic). After the sunrise, be sure to hire a canoe to sail along the coast with and even to the outlying islands, if you would like an extra enjoyment. Sanur just happens to be surrounded by a large coral reef so snorkeling is very much recommended for the first time visitor. As we said, however, much of the reef is dead. Fish still try to make a home here.

Sanur is a very mellow town. There is an amazing contrast constantly going on here. There are hotels upon hotels, but there are also many aspects of the old village life going on as you will see when you find a place to stay. You may choose to stay in an 11-story hotel or you may choose to stay in a Balinese type resort. Aside from the accommodations, there are also many restaurants to enjoy near the beach. Indonesia is this way. Below is one of my favorite pictures; people relaxing around one of the temples in the area.

What to visit: The Sacred Temple of Ratu Ayu of Singgi, located in the Grand Bali Beach Hotel.

Sanur Beach - Bali - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - Golden, about a km long
• Facilities - All included at the nearby hotels. Plus small stands that sell various items such as chessboards.
• Shade - mature palm trees
• Sports - Parasailing, surfing, snorkeling, touring on glass-bottom boats, canoeing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, sailing and swimming.
• Notes - can get crowded around major hotels.

Legian Beach is our next favorite beach in Bali. Let's check it out Right Now! >>

More on Jimbaran Beach, Bali

As we had been greeted at the dozens of warungs that we had passed, a team of local Indonesian guys wearing smart "Jimbaran Beach Cafe" polos ushered us to a plastic table about 20 feet from the water. Other guests included a large family of locals and tourists from all over. Jogging is widely practiced sport in Jimbaran beach and is especially tempting in the covered glow of sunset. Jimbaran is also an admired spot for windsurfing and sailing small craft, which are obtainable for rent. The organic salads are perfect for warm, sultry Balinese lunches, or try a fresh catch from nearby Jimbaran beach. Asam Garam is the perfect setting to share the local fare, notably the Balinese Roasted Duck with Water Spinach, an Indonesian Rijstafel (Seafood variety thoughtfully offered as well as a Balinese kind) - a combination meal of various dishes, or the ubiquitous Nasi Goreng.

The pioneer resort on Jimbaran beach, the Puri Bali, originally the Pansea, has stylish, self-contained garden cottages scattered among lily ponds, coconut trees, and Balinese statuary, set back from the beach. All cottages have terraces, shaded by umbrellas, with privacy-providing screens and outdoor deck showers. Jimbaran Beach is a fishing village south of the airport from Kuta beach. This bay is tranquil and affords beautiful sunsets.

The "Jimbaran Beach Front Villas" are set in a spacious landscaped garden with over 50 meters of private beach frontage right on Jimbaran beach. Guests enjoy the ultimate sunset panorama with views across the sea to the Java coastline in the West and the cloudy peaks of Gunung Agung in the North. Each seafood warung on Jimbaran beach has its own fish stall out front, where you choose your fish. Snapper, lobster, prawns, squid etc. Jimbaran Beach is an exclusive area of Bali only 15 minutes from the airport and has the islands best beaches. Known for its mystical sunset it is perhaps the image one has of the Bali paradise.

The seafood is fresh and display in aquariums or packed in ice. Varieties of fish, squid, clams and large prawns are offered here. Many Jimbaran hotels are liked to a beach restaurant where you can enjoy the incredible seafood barbeques that are located right on the beach with fresh fish from the Indian Ocean. These meals are fit for a honeymoon and are both romantic and out of this world in flavor. Only a few up-market hotels and an increasing number of unpretentious but good seafood restaurants right on the water front. Located just a few miles south of the airport.

Almost all the cafe provide special menus of the seafood with local prescriptions or the combination with the western one. Fish are provide by a next village of the fishermen in Kedonganan. The village is popular with families for its gentle tides, dramatic sunsets and numerous beach front seafood restaurants. Jimbaran is a 10 minutes drive away from the International Airport. Fortunately, the resort is directly next to the delightful beachside seafood restaurants of Jimbaran.