Bali offers a ton of different beaches along its shores, each with its own unique charm and appeal. Some are great for surfing, and others are more suitable for sunbathing, snorkeling, or nightlife. But we set out to determine which beaches in Bali are ideal for families, particularly families with small children.
To us, that means it caters to the needs of both adults and children alike in order to make the trip a worthwhile experience for the whole family!
Whether you’re looking for gentle waves for safe swimming, exciting water sports, or simply a beautiful spot to set out a beach blanket and watch the sunset, Bali has it all. We’ll explore the distinct features of each beach, from the hidden gems like Geger Beach to more popular areas like Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran.
Here are the absolute best beaches in Bali for families!
This is a guest post by Caleb from Pazook Travel Journal
1. Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Beach is a solid pick for families due to its wide, calm shoreline and minimal surf. It makes it really easy for kids to enjoy the ocean without you having to watch them like a hawk. The calm water also means that kids don’t have to watch out for surfers while playing in the water!
The beach is also easily accessible. There aren’t any steep steps or paths to navigate like you find at many beaches in Uluwatu.
If you’re researching Jimbaran, it won’t be long before you start reading about its standout seafood scene. It’s easily the best place in Bali for Seafood Barbecue, and right along the water, you’ll see numerous restaurants with tables set up in the sand,
Jimbaran is also conveniently close to the airport, which means transportation to Jimbaran and getting to other parts of Bali is really easy from Jimbaran, especially after a long flight.
- Where To Stay Nearby: Kedonganan Beach Villas
- Best Time to Visit: Afternoon/Sunset
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
2. Sanur Beach
Sanur Beach is a favorite among families for several reasons.
First, it’s on the east coast of Bali, which means the entire shore is reef-protected, shallow, and free from waves. This makes it totally safe for toddlers and young children to play in the ocean.
But it’s also stunning. The beach stretches over several kilometers, offering plenty of space for sunbathing and sandcastles, with a paved walkway behind the beach for carts or strollers.
Furthermore, the vibe here is very laid-back. You won’t find any crazy partiers here, but rather beachfront restaurants, epic sunrises, and excellent family-friendly resorts.
- Where To Stay Nearby: Villa Niketan Sanur
- Best Time to Visit: Morning/Sunrise
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
3. Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua Beach is the epitome of family-friendly luxury in Bali. The area is known for its high-end resorts, manicured gardens, and clean, white-sand beaches. The water here is calm and transparent, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling, especially for families with small children.
Nusa Dua is actually on the southernmost peninsula of Bali, called Uluwatu. It’s much more secluded than other parts of the island, which means fewer tourists and no crazy nightlife. It’s also one of the cleanest beaches in Bali since the hotels on the shore help maintain their part of the shoreline.
We also love that there are lots of family-friendly watersports near Nusa Dua, but if that’s what you’re looking forward to most in Bali, you should stay slightly farther north, in Tanjung Benoa Bay.
- Where To Stay Nearby: Melia Bali Resort
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime (though it’s quieter in the morning)
- Crowd Factor: Low to Moderate
4. Tanjung Benoa Beach
For families looking for a bit of adventure, Tanjung Benoa Beach is the go-to spot for water sports. It’s essentially the same as Nusa Dua but slightly farther north on the Benoa Bay Reef.
This narrow peninsula beach has even calmer water than Nusa Dua. Instead of a beach area, the shore meets a protective coral reef excellent for water sports and underwater excursions.
Families love to come here for activities like parasailing, banana boat rides, and jet skiing.
But there are also plenty of cool things to do underwater. Of course, you can go snorkeling, but if your kids are slightly older, you should try an underwater scooter or the Seawalk experience!
- Where To Stay Nearby: Sadara Resort
- Best Time to Visit: Morning/Afternoon (before the winds pick up)
- Crowd Factor: Very Busy
5. Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach is a relatively unknown beach on the southernmost point of Bali. Beautiful limestone cliffs and turquoise waters surround it. Ungasan, next door, is another famous beach in Bali for honeymooners, but Melasti stays much more serene and untouched.
The beach is really spacious, offering plenty of room for kids to play and families to relax without feeling crowded. There are also a few amenities along the shore, like sunbeds with umbrellas and even a couple of small beachfront warungs (local restaurants).
The only thing to note is that there can be pretty strong waves here, depending on the time of year, so be careful bringing your children into the water!
- Where To Stay Nearby: Umana Bali
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
6. Blue Lagoon Beach
Blue Lagoon Beach, located near Padangbai, is a smaller, more secluded beach perfect for families interested in snorkeling with their kids. The beach is tucked away in a lush bay with tons of greenery and rocky outcrops, creating a serene and picturesque setting.
You can rent snorkeling gear on the beach and explore the coral reefs right offshore. There’s so much marine life here, and it has some of the clearest water in Bali!
The beach itself is relatively small, but its beauty and the clarity of the water more than make up for its size. We should note that the facilities are very basic. There are a couple of local warungs, but that’s about all!
- Where To Stay Nearby: Bloo Lagoon Village
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for the best snorkeling conditions
- Crowd Factor: Low
7. Echo Beach
Echo Beach is one of the best beaches to visit in Canggu, Bali’s nomadic epicenter. Batur Bolong Beach and Berawa are far too crowded and keen on nightlife to enjoy with smaller children, but Echo Beach is a great option if you want to spend time in the area.
There is still a lot going on here, but it’s less about nightclubs and more focused on beachfront cafes and chill live music. That makes it the best place to stay in Canggu with a family.
Families also love hanging out at the beach and watching the surfers at Echo Beach, followed by one of the best sunsets on the island!
- Where To Stay Nearby: COMO Uma Canggu
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon & at sunset
- Crowd Factor: High
8. Legian Beach
Legian Beach is an excellent option if you want to spend time around Kuta and Seminyak but don’t want all the heavy crowds. It sits comfortably between them and has the best of both worlds.
For example, it’s a great place to learn how to surf and has the same large stretch of sand as Kuta, but it dabbles in the upscale cafes and shopping you’ll find in Seminyak.
The beach has so much space to enjoy beach games, sunbathing, and playing in the water (the waves are typically just a few feet high), and a soft sand bottom safe for children of all ages! There’s also a lifeguard on duty, which we always appreciate!
Located on the west coast of Bali, you’ll also find that sunsets here are a daily spectacle, with the sky turning into vibrant hues of orange and pink.
- Where To Stay Nearby: Anantara Vacation Club Legian
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
Hopefully, this brings you more confidence in finding suitable beaches when traveling to Bali with your family.
While the island is known for honeymooners, digital nomads, and adventure travelers, it’s an underrated family destination. It can be a great place to save money on food, accommodation, and tours compared to the prices of Europe and the Caribbean!
Of all the best beaches in Bali for families, we’d highly recommend Nusa Dua/Tanjung Benoa Bay for water activities, Sanur Beach for swimming, and Legian Beach if you want to be at the heart of everything and teach your little ones how to surf!
Best Family Beaches in Bali Mapped
More on Visiting Bali With Kids
- We are big fans of Bali as a family destination – but there’s no denying it is getting busy. We asked our fellow travel bloggers where to avoid the crowds and find the hidden gems of Bali that are a little more off the beaten path for a more serene Bali experience.
- Resort or Villa when staying in Bali with family? We weigh up the options and why you might prefer one over the other.
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The north coast is clearly missing here! We love Pemuteran which is a rather quiet and family friendly dark sand beach. Its greatest asset is the “reef garden”, a re-grown coral reef that allows easy access snorkelling even for younger kids right from the beach. Also, it is a good starting point for tours to Menjangan Island for snorkelling or diving.
A great suggestion there. We do have Pemuteran in our Bali hidden gems guide. Quite a drive from the airport but well worth it to lose a lot of the crowds. The snorkelling there sounds amazing, I love it when you can access from right off the beach.