Bali has dozens of beaches with different characters. Here's a subjective ranking.
- Kelingking Beach (Nusa Penida) — T-Rex shaped cliff, 302m of steps to turquoise cove.
- Padang Padang (Uluwatu) — small cove among rocks, famous from "Eat Pray Love".
- Balangan (Uluwatu) — long golden beach with cliff, less known.
- Diamond Beach (Nusa Penida) — white sand, crystal water, dramatic rocks.
- Nusa Dua — resort, shallow, ideal with kids.
- Sanur — calm, long promenade, family-friendly.
- Jimbaran — fresh fish on sand at sunset, planes overhead.
- Bingin (Uluwatu) — surfer classic, atmospheric cliff warungs.
- Suluban (Uluwatu) — access through cave, "Blue Point Beach".
- Amed (east) — black volcanic beach, diving on USS Liberty wreck.
Best time: May-October (smaller waves), 7-10 AM (best light, no crowds).