If you’re holidaying in Canggu, Bali, then you’re in for a real treat. The area is home to some of the finest beaches in the world, and you can enjoy a wealth of places to take a walk along the sands, enjoy a beachfront meal or take part in various water sports.
So, let’s take a look at the 10 best beaches near Canggu and what you can do in the most popular area of Bali.
Berawa Beach: Home Of FINNS Beach Club
Berawa Beach is our favourite Canggu beach, and that’s because it’s the home of FINNS Beach Club. FINNS is the world’s best beach club, and 1 in 6 international visitors to Bali opts to spend some time at FINNS, and often, they go more than once.
If you’re in the mood for amazing entertainment, world-class food and drinks, infinity pools, live DJs and much more, FINNS is the spot for it, and you get an amazing view of the ocean at sunset.
Berawa Beach is also an amazing spot for surfing, and many of the surf camps and schools in the area will use this beach to help beginner and intermediate surfers master their skills.
In the mornings, the beach is heaving with people out to catch waves, dog walkers and the clean-up crews that keep Berawa Beach super clean all year round.
Echo Beach: Seriously Challenging Surf Breaks
Echo Beach is not the famous beach in the song (in fact, according to the songwriter, the beach in the song is purely made up and has no relationship with the real world at all), but it is a popular spot here in Canggu.
That’s because Echo Beach has one of the most challenging surf breaks in Canggu, and many of the advanced surfers in the area come to master it before they tackle the ultimate challenge of the pro-level breaks in Uluwatu.
It’s got a bit less of a vibe than it had a few years back when it was covered in beach bars and restaurants (they’ve all gone now), but it’s still a very striking spot and, like all beaches in Canggu, it’s got a great sunset view.
Batu Bolong Beach: The Most Popular Beach In Canggu
Possibly, the most popular beach in Canggu is Batu Bolong Beach, and it’s at the end of the busiest street in the region.
It’s a nice spot for beginner surfers who tend to spend all day practising here, except during the late part of the wet season when the waves are a little too mild for it.
The area around the beach is full of restaurants, bars and boutique stores, and it’s a big draw to the beach itself.
However, it can be a bit too busy on this beach for our liking, and if you want space to think, you might decide to opt for Berawa rather than Batu Bolong Beach.
Nelayan Beach: A Hidden Gem For Canggu
Nelayan Beach is tucked away from the other beaches in the area, and it’s a bit quieter and calmer than the other beaches in Canggu proper.
It’s the sort of spot you might choose for a romantic beach picnic at sunset while the light show in the sky is really rocking and rolling.
There are some nice warungs in this area where you can grab a bite to eat without breaking the bank, too.
Pererenan Beach: A Nice Spot For Romantic Walks
While this area is becoming more popular, Pererenan Beach is still a very quiet place and tends to be used most by folks who live in the nearby villas.
It’s somewhere you can quietly contemplate your thoughts while sunning yourself or enjoying one of those awesome Bali sunsets.
Mejan Stone Beach: A Secluded Spot
As the name suggests, this beach is covered in stones and it’s not the most popular place to hangout because of it.
It does like nice in Instagram snaps though and it’s rarely very busy.
Babadan Beach: A Popular Place With Dog Walkers
Babadan is probably the least known of the beaches on this list, and it’s a very chilled-out spot where you can enjoy the sunset or kick back with friends.
We like to take a few beers with us in an Esky and really just soak up the joy of being in Bali here.
It’s also super popular in the mornings and afternoons with people walking their dogs from the local villa complexes in Pererenan.
Munggu Beach: Rocky Outcrops, Sunset Views And Black Sands
This is a very clean black sand beach with an attractive temple at one end of the beach. It doesn’t pull in huge crowds, and we think it’s a great spot for getting away from the crowds in Canggu proper.
The rocky outcrops from this beach look awesome in Instagram shots, and you can really kick back and relax in this place.
Seseh Beach: No Sun Loungers But Also No Crowds Under The Palm Trees
Seseah Beach is a quiet and attractive beach, and it’s also the beach farthest from Canggu in this list. It’s a good place to visit if you intend to spend some time at Tanah Lot Temple.
There are several attractive resorts lining the shoreline here, and it’s a very pleasant place to spend a day or two.
However, there’s not much in the area itself, and you won’t find any sun loungers for hire on this beach.
Kayu Putih Beach: An Almost Hidden Beach Near The Canggu Beaches
This tiny beach is a stone’s throw from Berawa and is almost hidden from sight for most of the public. If you do decide to trace the fairly complicated route to get there, you’ll be rewarded by an interesting lagoon pool here.
It’s a good spot for evening or morning walks and even for doing some yoga or meditation on the beach, as it’s a very quiet beach when compared to some other beaches in Canggu.
Why Is Kuta Beach Not On This List?
We’re normally vocal fans of Kuta Beach, and its omission from this list is something that saddens us. Unfortunately, this once gorgeous beach is currently undergoing a massive maintenance project to prevent coastal erosion.
That means the beach is being dug over and reinforced, and it’s not very pretty at all. Sure, there are still bits of the beach that look OK, but overall, it’s not one of the “best beaches” right now.
And given that Kuta, the town, is also experiencing something of a downturn, we think that there are better beaches for you to spend some time on, near Canggu.
We will update this section, if or when, the beach recovers to its former glory.
FAQs
Are There Nice Beaches Near Canggu?
Yes, most beaches in the Canggu area are very pleasant and a great place to find beach bars, surf schools, local restaurants, etc.
The best beach in Canggu for our money is Berawa Beach, the home of FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club.
It’s our favourite spot for sunset drinks, and here on the West Coast (unlike on the East Coast), the sunsets are truly spectacular (even in the Wet Season).
Is Uluwatu Better Than Canggu?
We think the two areas are very different, but that most holidaymakers would prefer to spend their time in Canggu rather than Uluwatu.
There’s more to see and do in Canggu; it’s the island’s top foodie destination, and it has the world’s best beach club in the form of FINNS.
The Canggu beaches are good for surfing, and there are plenty of beachfront bars and clubs where you can get a great view of the sunset.
That’s not to say Uluwatu doesn’t have its good points, but there are just fewer of them than there in Canggu.
What Is The Prettiest Beach In Bali?
Dream Beach in the Nusa Islands is often considered to be the prettiest beach in Bali, thanks to its pristine white sands and beautiful, clear blue waters. The water is also exceedingly calm at Dream Beach, which makes it a great place for snorkelling.
The only downside of Dream Beach is that the ocean view and perfect waves come at the price of a boat journey out to the Nusa Islands and then another one back again when you return.
Can You Swim At The Beach In Canggu?
You can swim at the Canggu beaches because there are no restrictions on swimming on any of these beaches. But we’d say that other beaches are more swimmer-friendly.
The currents in Canggu can be somewhat unpredictable, particularly in the rainy season, and even strong swimmers can be dragged out to sea.
It’s better to enjoy a view of the ocean while in the bean bags or daybeds at FINNS and do your swimming in their infinity pool rather than risk the waves.
Which Beach In Bali Has The Clearest Water?
Crystal Bay Beach in the Nusa Islands has crystal clear waters (hence its name) and it’s an incredible spot for those who love to snorkel and explore the marine life here in Bali.
What Is The Most Instagrammable Beach In Bali?
Kelungking Beach, often referred to as “T-Rex” Beach in the Nusa Islands, is probably the most Instagrammable beach in Bali.
However, we would point out that while it looks great in photographs, you’re not allowed down to the beach itself as the route is incredibly dangerous and tourists have died trying to reach the sands here.
What Is The Most Pristine Beach In Bali?
There are a lot of attractive and reasonably pristine beaches in Bali. However, the cleanest and tidiest beach is always likely to be the one with the most cleanup teams working there.
Currently, that honour falls to Geger Beach in Nusa Dua where the resorts in the local area tend to ensure it stays spick and span.
It’s a broad expanse of white sands, and the water is mild and calm, making it an ideal beach for swimming (something that isn’t true of all Bali’s beaches).
Where Are The Pink Sand Beaches In Bali?
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but if you’re coming to Bali for the pink sand beaches, you’re coming to the wrong part of the Indonesian Archipelago.
There are no pink sand beaches in Bali, there are lots of white sand beaches and black sand beaches to choose from, but no pink sand.
The nearest pink sand beach is in Komodo National Park. which is on the island of Komodo in East Nusa Tenggara. It’s one of only seven such beaches in the world, in fact.
Unfortunately, the island of Komodo suffers heavily from overtourism at this beach, and you will find that it’s no longer the unspoiled gem that it once was.
Final Thoughts On Beaches Near Canggu
There are plenty of awesome beaches with black sands in the area around Canggu, some of the highlights include Echo Beach, Berawa Beach, Batu Bolong Beach and Pererenan Beach.
Everyone should enjoy a drink at FINNS, some time at the local surf schools, and a romantic walk at sunset along the a black sand beach as the sky lights up and is reflected in the water trapped in the sand. It’s magical.