Thinking of booking a holiday in Nusa Dua and wondering what the best Nusa Dua Beaches are? Well, we’ve got the lowdown on all eight of the most beautiful Nusa Dua Beaches to help you decide where to stay when you visit Nusa Dua!
The 8 Incredible Beaches Of Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is on the Southernmost point of the Bukit Peninsula. It’s 30-40 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali’s only airport).
You don’t need to deal with the worst of Bali’s traffic to get to Nusa Dua, as there is a direct toll road that skirts Uluwatu and Jimbaran to get there.
If you take a taxi from the airport, it’s a good idea to explain that you want to use the toll road and will pay the fee out of your own pocket. Some taxi drivers will take the long way if this is not agreed upon upfront.
Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua Beach is the beach from which the whole area of Nusa Dua gets its name, and it’s a fantastic beach that attracts the finest 5-star resorts to its beachfront.
How To Get To Nusa Dua Beach
If you want to get to Nusa Dua Beach, rent a scooter, use a ride-share app (such as Grab or Gojek), or even hire a car.
Be aware that if you want to park securely at Nusa Dua Beach, it will cost you 3,000 IDR.
What’s It Like?
Luxury. Nusa Dua Beach is surrounded by some of the world’s most luxurious resorts, many of which have direct beach access from the Nusa Dua Beach hotel grounds.
The good news is that this incentivises the hotels to keep Nusa Dua Beach spotless, and mainly, they do. It’s one of the cleanest beaches in Bali.
When you visit Nusa Dua Beach, you may be surprised to find that in addition to the hotels, you’re sharing the beach with local fishermen, and they can be spotted in the mornings making their way out to deeper waters to land the day’s catch.
The Indian Ocean is cut off from directly breaking onto the land by the coral reef just 500 meters offshore. This means that this is a great place to learn water sports and to swim, as there are never any severe waves crashing on the shore.
This quiet beach may feel like a private beach, but it’s not. The Balinese authorities don’t allow private beaches. So, you can happily enjoy the best beaches in Bali without having to pay for a Nusa Dua Beach Hotel.
The sand is white sand, and it’s extremely fine, which makes it almost soft underfoot. Swimmers, snorkellers and paddleboarders love the water here.
Nusa Dua Beach is a pleasure to walk from one end to the other, and the turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean is very eye-catching.
You may also pay to use all the modern amenities of some of the local resorts. So, if you want swimming pool access, for example, feel free to ask if you can use one for a fee.
What Can I Do Here?
If you visit Nusa Dua Beach, you can:
- Go swimming or snorkelling. This beats any swimming pool in our book. The waters are so clear and clean that it’s a fantastic place to splash around by the beach.
- Join a glass-bottomed boat tour. If you want to see the marine life off the coast of Nusa Dua Beach without getting wet, then a glass-bottomed boat is the way to do it.
- Take in the sunrise. The Nusa Dua Beach faces East, which means you get the best light at sunrise rather than sunset.
- Visit the Nusa Dua Complex and Bali Collection Mall. This large shopping centre is only a few minutes walk from the beach.
- See the Nusa Dua Water Blow. It’s near the Grand Hyatt Hotel and is a very impressive blowhole.
- Visit Turtle Island. If you love the idea of seeing turtles in the wild, then take a boat out to Serangan Turtle Island Conservation Centre.
Where To Stay Nearby?
You have plenty of options as to where to stay around Nusa Dua Beach. Some of the best include:
- Sofitel Bali Beach Resort – with direct access to this beautiful beach, a restaurant serving international cuisine, a great fitness centre and more. The Sofitel is a great choice.
- Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa – This five-star is more reasonably priced than the Sofitel and has some of the best swimming pool access of any hotel in the area.
- Mahogany Hotel – We love Nusa Dua Beach and the surrounding area, and we appreciate that only some people who want to enjoy the best beaches in Bali will want to stay in a 5-star. The Mahogany is only a few minutes drive away, and it’s simple, pleasant and much cheaper than the other two hotels on this list.
Geger Beach
Geger Beach is one of the lesser-known beaches in Nusa Dua, which may be because, until recently, it was a seaweed farm, not a beach.
How To Get To Sawangan Beach
It’s about a 40-minute drive from the Uluwatu Temple area and just 20 minutes from the airport.
Unlike most Nusa Dua Beaches, the parking here is free, and once you’ve parked up, you need to follow the path down the cliff to the beach.
The path is exceedingly steep at points, and we would not recommend tackling it with any mobility issues.
What’s It Like?
This Nusa Dua Beach property is connected to a single Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, the Hilton. That means it’s much quieter here than at some of the other beaches in the area.
Sawangan Beach is also more challenging to get to than the other beaches, which puts people off.
That’s a shame because it is a beautiful beach with lovely soft white sands to wander on.
You can swim in the Indian Ocean here or pay for access to the Hilton’s swimming pool (you need to buy a drink from the bar).
What Can I Do Here?
The big draw on this beach is the camel safaris. This is where you rent a camel and see the local area from a camel’s back.
These can be a lot of fun for the right kind of people, and they leave other people baffled as to why they should be interested.
You probably know already into which camp you fall. But it’s not an expensive experience, so why not give it a go if you’re curious?
Where To Stay Nearby?
There are fewer options here than at some of the other beaches.
- Hilton Bali Resort – This is the only Nusa Dua Beach Hotel that actually touches the beach here. It’s luxurious and secluded and offers an excellent swimming pool among its world-class facilities.
- Swiss-Belhotel Segara Resort & Spa – It’s cheaper than the Hilton but also a 2-kilometre walk/drive away from the beach. They provide a free shuttle bus, which is handy, and the rooms are very nice.
Pandawa Beach
This beach is one of the finest beaches we’ve ever seen, and it’s worth the slightly inflated fees to access it.Â
How To Get To Geger Beach
Get to the car park on Geger Beach using Google Maps or Grab or Gojek and then pay the 5,000 IDR parking fee.
Once in the car park, you should find some stairs leading to the beach. We should note that Geger Beach is not wheelchair accessible.
What’s It Like?
If you turn left from the bottom of the stairs, you will find that this Nusa Dua Beach is very well cared for, and there’s a long line of luxury hotels and resorts and sunbeds and sunshades for hire.
We recommend visiting the Mulia Hotel and paying for a day pass if you want to chill out in style.
Plenty of bars and restaurants are here to quench your thirst or have a feed while you chill out on the sands.
What Can I Do Here?
Most people visit this beach for sunbathing or to enjoy some swimming and snorkelling.
It’s less famous than Nusa Dua Beach, but many of the hotels will offer some water sports facilities, though usually at a pretty steep price.
Where To Stay Nearby?
As with all Nusa Dua Beaches, Geger Beach has plenty of luxury hotel options to choose from.
Try:
- St. Regis Resort Bali – St. Regis is the ultimate in luxury, and it’s not cheap, but if you want a limo to pick you up at the airport and a butler to take care of you all day long, St. Regis is a great place to stay.
- The Mulia – We mentioned buying a day pass to this stylish resort, but you can also stay there, and it’s excellent value for money.
- Ayodya Resort – This is a beautiful hotel with comfy beds aimed at a more mid-range budget than the two above.
Sawangan Beach
Sawangan Beach sits just behind the legendary Hilton Resort here in Nusa Dua.Â
How To Get To Pandawa Beach
Pandawa Beach is about 30 minutes from the airport, 30 minutes from Uluwatu Temple and about 90 minutes from South Kuta.
You must pay a parking fee of 5,000 IDR plus 15,000 IDR to use the toll road for beach access.
Most people rent a scooter or use a ride-sharing app to get to Pandawa Beach. It’s also very popular with the local Balinese folk.
What’s It Like?
The waters at this beach are exceptionally calm; if you love to swim in the sea but hate waves, you’ll love it here.
There’s beautiful white sand along the whole stretch of beach, and it feels great under your feet.
You can also easily rent a shade and a lounger if you need one. Several beach shack-style warungs are in the area to get a feed and a beer.
What Can I Do Here?
There are a few things to do on this beach that you can’t find on the other Nusa Dua Beaches, including:
- Visit the Statue Of Panca Pandawa – the pandawa were the son of royalty in Hindu mythology, and this statue is quite impressive.
- Enjoy a traditional Balinese beach massage – the massages are pretty good here, and they’re very reasonably priced at 100,000 IDR each
- Rent a canoe and splash about in the Indian Ocean – this is a lovely way to spend a day on the beach
Where To Stay Nearby?
There are no hotels near this beach yet because almost nobody knew it was here until they built the new toll-based access road.
You can, however, stay nearby and visit the beach at your convenience. Try:
- The Apurva Kempinski is a 20-minute journey from the beach, but it’s one of the most popular Nusa Dua Beach hotel resorts of them all. It’s a vast place, and they have the best swimming pool in the area.
- Pandawa Hill Resort – This budget resort is a bit closer to the beach and provides a free shuttle bus to get you to the sands. We can thoroughly recommend this resort if you want a great beach holiday for a reasonable price.
Gunung Payung Beach
This small, secluded beach in Nusa Dua is the sort of beach you can often have all to yourself because it’s so often overlooked in the more touristy areas.Â
How To Get To Gunung Payung Beach
It’s a 10-minute trip from Pandawa Beach and easy to find on Google Maps.
You’ll find that takes you to the parking lot and many local warungs selling food and drinks.
It’s a long hike from the car park to the beach, and the 500 or so steps can be steep.
What’s It Like?
Aim to get there at low tide because the sea tends to be calmer, though if you want to hear the Indian Ocean constantly crash into the beach, go later in the day.
It’s completely pristine. There are no vendors on the beach (so buy what you need from the warungs at the entrance or face a 500-step climb uphill to do so later).
There is a nice little cave on this stretch of beach where you can escape the blazing sun without shade.
What Can I Do Here?
- Sunbathe and swim – this is a non-commercial beach. If you want to do any water sports, you must bring your own gear. Mostly, people come here to unwind and enjoy the peace.
- Visit the Boeing 737-200 –Â this is off the beach but is on the road to the beach from Pandawa Beach. It’s an abandoned plane and makes for some nice Instagram shots.
Where To Stay Nearby?
There are no resorts on the beach in this part of Nusa Dua, so you can stay nearby and get a ride to the beach when you want one. Try:
- The Ritz-Carlton Bali. This expensive but incredibly luxurious resort is one we wish we could stay in all the time. The infinity pool at the Sky Villa is simply incredible.
- The Crystal Bay Luxury Resort. Despite the name, this is much more reasonably priced than the Ritz and still offers guests a fantastic pool, superb service and 5-star touches throughout.
Samuh Beach
Samuh Beach is right next to Nusa Dua Beach, which makes it very easy to find for most people staying in Nusa Dua.Â
How To Get To Samuh Beach
Walk to the end of Nusa Dua Beach, onto Samuh Beach, or park your car or scooter for 5,000 IDR.
What’s It Like?
The waters at this beach are the calmest we’ve ever seen, even more so than the waters on the neighbouring beach.
If you want to swim and ensure you won’t encounter any waves, this is where to do it.
What Can I Do Here?
- Chill out – they have a swing and hammock set up on this beach, which you can pay to use and take some Instagram photos on.
- Eat and drink – plenty of nearby shops and warungs to enjoy spending money in.
- Swim – Even beginners are going to love swimming by this beach in Bali. It’s just the most peaceful spot ever.
Where To Stay Nearby?
There are plenty of options for a great Nusa Dua Beach Hotel in this part of Bali, and they include:
- The Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua is an excellent hotel for water sports facilities. It also has a tennis court and can arrange bicycle rental too. We love that it opens onto the beach, and the rooms are very luxurious.
- Melia Bali Nusa Dua – This Spanish hotel chain has some of the finest facilities in Bali. It also allows bespoke tailoring of all their packages to the guest’s exact needs.
- La Orein Residence – If you want something cheap and cheerful instead of a luxury resort, La Orein is lovely. Free Wi-Fi, lovely clean rooms and lots of amenities within walking distance.
Pantai Tanjung Benoa Beach
This former fishing village has turned its beach into one of the finest water sports venues in Bali.
How To Get To Pantai Tanjung Benoa Beach
It’s about 10 minutes drive from Nusa Dua Beach and 30 minutes from the airport.
What’s It Like?
It’s on the Benoa peninsula; the beach is almost all luxury resorts and water sports centres.
If you stay at the resorts, only come here to lounge around because much of the beach is quite busy with people setting up equipment, etc.
What Can I Do Here?
Learn water sports! It’s a great place to learn to do something you’ve always wanted. Such as:
- Scuba Diving – You can also find PADI-qualified instructors at this beach if you want to get certified.
- Sea Walking – If you want to see the marine environment but need more motivation to dive, try sea walking instead. You pop on a helmet and then walk along the seafloor.
- Jet Skiing – Indonesian jet ski outlets are better than their Thai counterparts, and rip-offs are uncommon, but survey and agree on any existing damage before you take your rental out on the waves.
- Single & Tandem Parasailing – it’s like parachuting, sort of, but with a guaranteed soft landing
- Banana Boat Rides – This is almost like an Indonesian archipelago rite of passage for tourists.
- Snorkelling – you don’t have to dive deep to see some amazing marine life at Tanjung Benoa.
Where To Stay Nearby?
Once again, there are plenty of local resorts for those seeking some luxury in their life, including:
- The Royal Santrian Luxury Beach Villas are gorgeous villas, each with a private plunge pool. They offer every guest a complimentary high tea each day and provide a shuttle service to any part of the area.
- Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa – This is a much more affordable option, and it’s only a 5-minute drive from the beach. If you want a family room and a decent room price, this resort is a great option.
Pura Geger Beach
Not to be confused with Geger Beach, Pura Geger Beach is directly below Pura Geger Temple.Â
How To Get To Pura Geger Beach
Head to the temple, find the car park, and then the steps down the cliffs. It costs 5,000 IDR to access the beach from here.
What’s It Like?
Very small and very attractive. You can only visit this beach during low tide as the sands are covered in water when the tide comes in.
What Can I Do Here?
- Visit Pura Geger Temple – it’s one of the area’s cultural highlights and a popular destination for pilgrims during the full and new moon phase of the month. There is a huge festival at Pura Geger Temple at Purnama Kanem (that’s the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar).
- Walk along the beach and enjoy having it all to yourself – it’s as close to private beach access as you get in Bali.
Where To Stay Nearby?
There are no local hotels on this small beach; you can use the same options as Geger Beach.
FAQs
Does Nusa Dua Have Nice Beaches?
The beaches of Nusa Dua are arguably among the finest in Bali, and it’s one of the reasons so many of the high-end resorts are in this area.
If you want white sands, waters to swim or surf in, and the beautiful turquoise of the Indian Ocean, you can’t go wrong in Nusa Dua.
Is Nusa Dua Beach Swimmable?
Yes, Nusa Dua Beach has generally very calm waters and is a top destination for off-beach swimming and snorkelling.
Remember to always obey the warning flags and any lifeguards on the beach if they ask you to move out of the water for any reason.
What Is The Beach Like In Nusa Dua?
The main beach, Nusa Dua Beach, is lovely. It has white sands, calm waters and rarely gets crowded.
One of the best features of this beach is the offshore reef, which breaks up any aggressive waves before they reach the shore.
Is Nusa Dua Worth Going To?
Yes, Nusa Dua’s so worth visiting that it’s one of the most expensive parts of Bali to visit. This is due to the proliferation of international brand resorts in the area.
Nusa Dua is perfect if you love amazing beaches, luxury resorts, great surfing opportunities, shopping in boutique and brand-name stores and temple exploration.
You can also visit other parts of Bali easily from Nusa Dua.
Is Nusa Dua A Nice Part Of Bali?
Yes, Nusa Dua is a genuinely luxurious destination in Bali. You’ll find it’s popular with affluent folks from around the world, including many A-list celebrities.
However, the area is delicate, and you should always watch your possessions when they are out in public. Petty crime is still a possibility.
What Other Facilities Are Nearby To The Area?
If you want to get the most out of your holiday in this area, you can also visit:
- The Nusa Dua Theatre – this lovely local theatre has a regular Devdan Show, which highlights the diverse cultures found on the island and their traditional costumes and dances. If you want a fire dance, you’ll need to visit Uluwatu, but all other types of dance are represented here.
- Bali National Golf Club – This is officially the best-rated golf course on the island of Bali. It’s not cheap to play here, but you don’t need to be a member to get a tee time as long as you book in advance. It has some of the most stunning ocean views as you enjoy the 18 holes here.
- A Buddhist Temple – There are several Buddhist temples in the area, and it’s a shame to come to Bali and not see at least some of the local culture. Try Vihara Buddha Guna and Jagatnatha Temple.
- A Hindu Temple The dominant religion in Bali is Hinduism, with several great Hindu temples around the area. If you’ve tried the temple by the beach (as mentioned above), we recommend visiting Pura Nusa Dharma.
Are There Any Other Resorts I Should Check Out In This Area?
Yes, loads of them. We’ve only covered a few highlights here, and you may also want to check out:
- The Laguna – a resort built on a series of 7-incredibly beautiful pools
- The Westin Resort has one of the best kid’s clubs on the island and some of the best beds on Earth.
- Renaissance Bali – This theater-inspired hotel is one of the best places for an Instagram-friendly visit
- Conrad Bali – If staying in Bali’s “Island of the Gods” is your idea of a good time (and it is ours), then the ultra-luxury Conrad is excellent.
- Samabe Bali Suites and Villas – The suites and villas are excellent, and the cave dining experience is the best romantic treat in Bali.
How To Book A Holiday In Nusa Dua?
It would help if you talked to the brilliant team at the Bali Res Centre. As a local travel service, they always have the latest news on the properties in Bali and can ensure you only book next to a building site if you want to book next to one).
And because they are local, they can tap into the most competitive pricing structure for accommodation. You’ll get a great deal on your Bali holiday through Bali Res Centre.
Final Thoughts On Nusa Dua Beaches
The 8 Nusa Dua Beaches are among the most excellent beaches anywhere on Earth. The best Nusa Dua Beaches attract the best tourists worldwide to the ultra-luxury resorts surrounding them.
If you want a stay in Bali that’s all about pampering and fine dining, and you’re willing to pay for it, then the Nusa Dua Beaches are the place to be.
