When I first moved to Bali, Indonesia, in 2014, I found myself swiftly enchanted by the island—the charming locals, the singular Balinese Hindu culture, and the swoon-worthy, emerald green jungles and abundant rice terraces. It was the beaches that I loved as an ocean addict. sublime stretches of sand I was completely amazed.
To find my own little slice of coastal paradise I hiked down hundreds of stairs to Nyang Nyang in the Bukit Peninsula. I passed cows and monkeys to reach a turquoise heaven, where I saw hardly anyone. After falling in love with Bali, I decided to build a house there and spend part of the year there. Later, my family moved permanently. Bali is no longer a secret. Many of the places that I used to consider “secret” have become crowded.
Exploring Indonesia—an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands—over a decade has led me to some truly jaw-dropping beachesSome are utterly desolate while others are bursting with expats and international travelers.
The seven best beaches of Indonesia go beyond Bali.
Mawun Beach, Lombok
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Mawun is a beach that’s off the beaten track. Imagine turquoise water that is so vibrant it almost glows, soft powdery sand, and two slender hills. When I was here, local children came up to me with mangos and pineapples, which they held upside-down like ice cream cones. Mawun is just six miles away from Kuta. This main tourist village in South Lombok has many eateries, spas, hotels and resorts. Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort.
Mbawana Beach, Sumba
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The beach on the island of Bali is one of the most exciting and dramatic beaches I have ever walked on. idyllic island of Sumba, southeast of Bali, by a couple of islands—it’s almost Bali’s complete opposite in terms of development and tourism. The guide to the beautifully designed resort Cap Karoso It is a Travel + Leisure‘s 2024 It ListThe Mbawana Beach is a spectacularly quiet, secluded beach, located about an hours drive from the island. We saw locals cooking. nasi jagung Before embarking on a steep but worthwhile descent, you can enjoy a meal of (rice with corn). Pro tip: visit at low tide so you can enjoy the beach, rock formations and otherworldly scenery.
Pink Beach Komodo
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Komodo Pink Beach is one of the most Instagrammable beaches in the entire archipelago. It’s also called Pantai Merah which means “red beach” in English. Yes, the beach is truly pink thanks to tiny flora. fragments of red coral Blend with the Sand. Only accessible by boat, this popular spot is often included in day trips from hotels. Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan BajoOr Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach On the nearby island Flores, you can visit the prehistoric Komodo dragons. Charge your phone to capture the amazing pink-cyan combination.
Padar Kecil is also known as Padar Island
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The best beach experience I’ve ever had is not something you can even Google. While sailing with the luxury phinisi yacht charter VelaThe captain dropped anchor in the vicinity of Padar Island, which offers a spectacular 40-minute climb up to its top, with 360-degree views. He then took a few people to Padar Kecil, where he let us out into crystal clear shallows that were the color of topaz. The shallow, sand-covered bottom was perfect for swimming and floating. And the beach is simply stunning. Bring a few drinks or snacks and you can spend the entire day on what seems like a private beach.
Nihiwatu Beach, Sumba
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Besides one of my life’s most unforgettable surfing experiences on the private wave beyond, Nihiwatu Beach—stretching along one of T+L World’s Best Hotels, Nihi Sumba—is iconic for its band of horses that run freely atop its sands, frolicking, rolling, and splashing in the water each afternoon. Although the sandalwood ponies are not the only equine creatures to enjoy the white, wide beach, they certainly add an element of amazement. There’s nothing like riding a horse into the waves for an unforgettable swim.
Suwehan Beach, Nusa Penida
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Suwehan Beach is only a 20-minute walk away. It’s technically on Bali, but it can be reached via fast boat from the southwest. This is the stuff of postcards. Hugged by cliffs that have a stunning aquamarine sea and a huge conical rock in the middle, it is the stuff of paintings. If you want to get the most out of your visit, try visiting during low tide. Also, the best time for photos and videos is in the early morning. Atuh is also a worthwhile stop, with its 166-stair descent.
Coconut Beach at Bawah Reserve in Anambas
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The Robinson Crusoe private island eco-resort is located in the remote Anambas Archipelago. Bawah Reserve Coconut Beach, one of the 13 virgin beaches, is unspoiled and raw. There aren’t any facilities and guests must hike to reach the north-facing beach with almost blindingly white sand, but the effort is more than justified by a paradisiacal setting with mangroves, the clearest water and palms—private picnics are available, too.
