Bali’s Best Beaches: sun, surf, sandcastles and lots of family fun.

If you’re coming to Bali with the kids on your annual holiday, finding the right beach to surf, swim, and sunbathe is crucial to having a fun-packed day.

Whether you want pumping surf beach breaks for the kids who are avid surfers, a beach with lots of cafés where you can graze the whole day, a relaxing lagoon-style bay where the toddlers can swim in safety or a patrolled beach where you can body surf, this article is your go-to guide for the best beaches in Bali that cover all your holiday beach needs. So, use this beach guide as your go-to reference point for the best beaches in Bali for a family that likes waves and balmy, Bali-esque, sun-kissed vibes.

Here are the 9 ultimate beaches in Bali for the family .

1. Double Six, Seminyak and Legian Beaches – beach cafés, easy surf, long walks and sunset drinks

These three beaches cover the most popular tourist areas of southern Bali and are the epicentre of beach life in Bali. It’s where everyone goes, whether for days sunbaking, late arvo sunset Bintangs with your mates, an early morning paddle, a must-try beach massage, long walks or just a quick photo opportunity on a bean bag at the popular La Plancha café at Double Six Beach. All three beaches seem to blend into each other with beach clubs, cafés, local food stalls and eager vendors plying their sarongs, jewellery and t-shirts up and down this black sandy stretch of beach.

We love:

• Easy rolling surf – great for swimming and surfing for beginners
• Local food stalls – cheap, quick meals, icy cold beers and tasty nasi goreng
• Sunbrellas for hire, where you can spend the day chilling
• It is easy to walk the 3 or 4 km from Legian to Seminyak beach.
• Top sunset vibes
• Great for people watching
• Stop off at a few of the famous beach clubs along the way for a cocktail like KU DE TA, Potato Head and Mano Beach House.

Want to rent a Seminyak villa near these beaches? Check out: https://balivillaescapes.com.au/villas_destinations/seminyak/

2. Echo Beach, Canggu – Surfer vibes, sunset Bintangs and beach cafés

Echo Beach has got to be the epicentre of surfing in Canggu. The waves are amazing (especially early in the morning), and the vibe is chilled, surfie and very hip. It’s super family-friendly, with beach lounge chairs available to rent throughout the day (watch out for high tide). And let’s not forget the popular La Brisa Beach Club smack bang in the heart of Echo Beach. There are two predominant times to come to Echo Beach: either first thing in the morning, where you can surf or walk with all the dog walkers or late in the arvo for a few sundowners and enjoy the easy-going, more ex-pat ambience. About 10 beach cafés are serving casual food and drinks, so you can pop down here for a quick and cheap meal with the kiddies and watch the surfers.

We love:

• Great waves and social vibes
• All the local cafés on the beach
• Surf instructors are available for hire – perfect for beginner kids
• La Brisa Beach Club
• Central Canggu location

Want to rent a Canggu villa near Echo Beach? Check out:

https://balivillaescapes.com.au/villas-near-echo-beach-in-bali/

We have loads more Canggu Villas to view.

@balivillaescapes

Coming to Bali and want to learn to surf then head to Berawa beach in Canggu where you can hire boards and instructors at great rates by the hour 🏄‍♀️🏄‍♀️ #seminyakvillas #balivillaescapes #cangguvillas #surfbali #bali

♬ original sound – Bali Villa Escapes

3. Jimbaran Bay – Breezy, balmy Bali nights and dinners under the stars.

Most Aussies never make it to Jimbaran Bay, preferring to hang around Seminyak, Canggu or Kuta. However, let me tell you that a day at Jimbaran Bay, with its calm waters, is a perfect escape from the crowds and Instagrammers that are so prevalent in southern Bali. The waters here are placid, and you can swim here with toddlers without waves. Make sure you hang around here for sunset and grab a bit to eat at any other of the dozen or so famous beachside restaurants (yes, you eat your dinner on the sane right by the water), where you can have the freshest seafood in Bali. Just imagine you and the family eating freshly caught lobster, all washed down with an ice-cold Bintang! – this is what a true Bali holiday is all about!

We love:

• Easy swimming for the family
• Friendly local fisherman
• Not as busy as Seminyak or Kuta
• The nighttime dinner
• You can watch the planes take off from the airport

Want to rent a Jimbaran villa near Jimbaran Bay? Check out:

https://balivillaescapes.com.au/villas_destinations/jimbaran/

4. Uluwatu Beach – Surfie energy, cafés, and amazing sunsets

Uluwatu’s main beach is known as Suluban Beach, and it’s world-famous as one of the best surf breaks on the island. Uluwatu, first discovered in the 1970s as a surfing mecca, has evolved into one of Bali’s must-see beaches. There’s the famous cave entrance to the beach accessed only by stairs, and you can only visit it during low tide, but it’s well worth it for the adventure. Explore the rock pools around the cliff face and enjoy other little beach coves that appear as the tide drops. The Uluwatu beach area isn’t necessarily best for toddlers, but older kids will love this cave area. For surfers, it’s a no-brainer! Grab a board, get out there, and enjoy this fantastic world-class left-hand break.

We love:

• Stunning cliffside sunset views
• Tide pools and hidden beaches exposed at low-tide
• Cafés on the cliff serving local food
• Sunset drinks at Single Fin

@balivillaescapes

Want to know where the best surf in Uluwatu is? Head to Suluban Beach at the southern tip of the Bukit in Bali for amazing waves🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️ And, if you want to rent a holiday villa in Uluwatu check out Bali Villa Escapes – we’ve got fabulous holiday luxury villas in Uluwatu to rent. Aussie owned and managed!! 🎉 #balivilla #suluban #uluwatu #uluwatusurf #uluwatuvilla #balivillaescapes

♬ original sound – Bali Villa Escapes – Bali Villa Escapes

5. Kudungu Beach – empty beach days

Whilst not really on the tourist map, the area of Kudungu, which is about a 20-minute scooter ride north of Canggu, is worth a visit because of 1 thing: the lack of crowds. Easily accessible and boasting a black sandy beach, Kudungu offers travellers a glimpse of what Canggu was like a few years ago while still maintaining a Balinese rustic charm with rice fields, farmers, and a lack of villa development. There are places to eat along the main road down to Kudungu (as per the video below), and it’s good to come here anytime during the day for a surf, walk, sunbake or that perfect sunset photo.

We love:

• Idyllic Balinese beach
• Peaceful and quiet
• You can surf here
• Friendly local food stalls dotted around the beach

6. Sanur Beach – buzzy tourist vibes, beach hotels and white sandy beach

A super-popular family beach destination on the East Coast of Bali, Sanur is a bit of a contradiction. Previously known as a sleepy seaside enclave where breezy Bali days blended into warm nights, Sanur has (like most parts of Bali) metamorphosised into a family destination in part due to the construction of the new Icon Mall. Having said that, Sanur offers families a sheltered bay to swim (protected by the outer reef) and lots of beachside restaurants and cafés for a quick, cheap meal.

We love:

• Long paths along the beach for walking
• There are lots of places to find a quiet spot to swim
• Loads of cafés and restaurants and opportunities to shop
• Calm waters

7. Bingin Beach – cool vibes, sunset cocktails and surf

Bingin Beach has a reputation as one of the most fashionable places to be right now especially for the Aussies. Descend the stairs, and you’ll soon see why. White sandy beach dotted with cafés and perfect surf. When the surf is small and the tide is low, it’s the perfect beach to swim and enjoy the calm waters, followed by fresh coconut juice from the famous Kelly’s Warung. Being on the Bukit, the traffic getting there from areas like Seminyak or Canggu can be a bit hectic on the weekend, so plan to spend the whole day here to make it worthwhile.

We love:

• Laid back easy vibes
• Calm crystal blue waters
• Sunset drinks
• Gorgeous ocean views from the cafés

8. Nusa Dua Beach – resorts, white sandy beach and sleepy, lazy beach days

Nusa Dua is known for its big resort-style hotels and gated estates. But the beach here is magnificent, and with an outer reef sheltering the bay area, families can swim here in calm, warm waters. The beach area is relatively large, and you can hire day beds with umbrellas to set up camp for the day with the troop.

We love:

• Friendly local massage ladies (Ibu’s)
• Uncrowded white sands
• Protected bay area
• local boat hire to take you reef exploring

9. Kuta Beach – massages, cheap t-shirts and sunset Bintangs

Kuta is loved passionately by Aussies and has a bit of a rep as a bogan hangout. But, Kuta’s loads of fun and the perfect place to bring the kids for a swim or surf lesson or take them shopping for their Bintang singlet. Kuta does get big waves, so take care and always swim between the patrolled flag area. But for calmer waters, walk about 10 minutes south towards the airport near Tuban.

We love:

• Friendly Aussie vibes (especially at sunset)
• Grab a bean bag and  enjoy the passing parade of people
• Easy surf conditions
• Tons of shopping options from local stalls
• Cheap beach massages

@balivillaescapes

Head to Kuta Beach for a change and watch a great sunset with a few Bintangs. The atmosphere is vibrany and theres so much going in. Afterwards there are loads if places to go for dinner like the Hard Rock Cafes – i know Kuta has received a bad rap in the past but its still worth it just for the experience. #kuta #balivillaescapes #holidaybali #balivillas

♬ original sound – Bali Villa Escapes

Tips from the Bali Pro’s.

As Bali locals who live near some of these beaches, we know what you’re looking for on your holiday. We can quickly sort through the social media hype, fluff, and exaggerated, over-polished beach shots to filter the correct information for you, ensuring the best Bali family holiday. If you are staying in one of our family villas, we can offer quality advice for families wanting to spend the day at the beach: best times, do they have stairs (that are stroller unfriendly), best times for sunset drinks, and when to take the kids for a surf lesson.

So, now that we’ve sorted your beach days out, let’s look at your Bali villa accommodation near some of these incredible beaches. We’ve got everything you could want: pool fences, floaties for the kids, blow-up pool toys, in-villa nannies, you name it, and we’ll arrange it!

About the author

Steven is a true Bali enthusiast and passionate surfer who knows the island like the back of his hand. When he’s not crafting articles or capturing videos of the latest restaurants, hidden gems, and must-see spots, you’ll find him riding the waves at Echo Beach or zipping around Seminyak, Berawa, and Canggu on his scooter. As part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team, Steven has been living in and out of Bali for over 15 years, soaking up the culture, beaches, and vibrant local scene. He loves sharing insider tips and favourite experiences to help visitors make the most of their Bali adventures.