Sand is sand no doubt, but coastlines across the world offer an array of coloured grain stretches that have become a unique attraction. Black sand beaches have been around since the earliest days of geological formation and offer an experience unlike any other beach you may have visited before. Found mainly on volcanic islands, the unique black color is created from the basalt found in the lava. When this lava flow hits the sea, it hardens instantly and gets broken into fragments, resulting in formation of coarse particles of sand, both big and small.
Black sand beaches in Bali can be found all along the east coast, stretching from Padang Bai to Lovina in the northern region. Most of them are remote, messy and quite hot under the midday sun, still travelers are intrigued by them. So if you are a black sand lover who doesn’t mind getting hands soiled, head to these pebble dotted marvels along the coast of Bali.
Related Read – Ultimate Guide to Beaches of Bali
Quick Plan Your Trip to Bali
Are you planning at the last minute and want to skim to the best parts? Here’s what to do if you happen to be in Bali and looking for the best tours and stays.
Where to Stay in Bali?
Kupu Kupu Barong Villas – Personal choice, highly recommended
Anantara Uluwatu – Best location
Top Recommended Tours in Bali
Best of Ubud Tour – Highly rated and top tour for exploring UbudÂ
Bali ATV ride and White Water Rafting – Best tour for Adventure lovers
18 Amazing Black Sand Beaches in Bali for Beach Bums
Echo Beach, Canggu
You may get initially put off by the grey and black colored sands and the rather muted oceanfront of Echo Beach in Canggu, but the chilling beach bars and cafes in lush surroundings has made this place a haven for the younger crowd. The real selling feature is the beach, where you can stroll for miles without being harassed by vendors. This tourist-friendly destination lies just 50 minutes away from Denpasar and is called ‘Pantai Batu Mejan‘ in Balinese. There is a Sand Bar retailing soft drinks and beer and even a fish market if you want to grill a fresh meal for yourself in this black sand beach Canggu.
Tip – Book your Bali flights well in advance to enjoy sun, sand and sea in this coastal paradise without breaking the bank.Â
Pererenan and Seseh
Pererenan is a charming seaside village situated between Canggu and serene Seseh. If you are seeking for some Balinese action in a relaxed atmosphere, you will find it difficult to leave this place. Both the beaches lie close to Canggu and at a walking distance from the famous Echo Beach. A stay here is not about ticking off attractions, but more about enjoying the scenery and the near-deserted black sand beach Bali.
Pemuteran Beach
Located to the south of Bali, far away from the hustle and bustle, lies the pretty coastal village of Pemuteran on the northwest side of the island. Gateway to Menjangan Island, the snorkeling and diving hub of Bali, the pristine volcanic black sand beach here is nestled between the mountains and the sea. Much quieter than Lovina, Pemuteran is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and find peace of mind. The beach is about three hours drive from the international airport.
Purnama Beach, Gianyar
There are many things alluring about the southeastern coast of Bali, but none so much as the stunning black sand beach of Purnama in Sukawati. The sand grains here are very fine and feel very nice while walking, unlike other similar beaches. The beach is small and provides a peaceful atmosphere for the tourists. The beach is also home to a unique shrine, made of reef rocks stacked in the shape of a pyramid.
Nelayan Beach
Looking for an offbeat black sand beach in Bali? Well, then Nelayan beach with its artsy fisherman huts is a gem hiding in plain sight. Situated right in the popular Canggu area of Bali, you will be surprised to find a beach that doesn’t seem to be frequented. The lovely graffiti and murals on the huts are more than enough to keep you coming back for pictures (if nothing else).
Keramas Beach
In close proximity to popular hotspots and still far removed from mass tourism, the shimmering black sands of the Keramas Beach lie in an undiscovered area of Bali, about 30 minutes from Sanur and an hour from Seminyak. The blue waters of the ocean and the black sand provide a backdrop of contrasts on the beautiful but literally deserted beach. Head to Keramas if you want some peace and bury yourself in the coarse sand if you believe in its healing properties like the locals do. Since the area is secluded, there are no means of public transport and the only way to reach Keramas is by renting a scooter or hiring a taxi.
Jemeluk Bay, Amed
The quaint fishing village of Amed has off late become an extremely popular dive destination because of the easy accessibility of the reef near the shore. The two popular black sand beaches of Jemeluk and Lipah are located in Amed, but a bit further south from each other. With the sudden spurt in visitor numbers, beach enthusiasts can spend the whole day here (or the night), by renting a sun deck from the plethora of outlets on the beach. Amed is about three hours by road, so it is recommended to hire a car. This will allow you to stop enroute to take photos of the stunning scenery along the way.
Pantai Masceti Beach
If you want to explore an unusual beach along the east coast of Bali, look no further than the Pantai Masceti Beach. This is without doubt the most stunning of all the black beaches on the coast, showcasing fine black sand in its most pristine form. Additionally, the area is absolutely untouched from tourists and still maintains its charm and village life vibe. Since Pantai Masceti is pretty close to South Bali, it can easily be covered on a half day trip. There is no snorkeling off Masceti, so a day trip, or at the most, a night stay is enough to enjoy the black sands here.
Baluk Rening Jembrana
Located in the Nehara District of West Bali, the popular Baluk Rening Jembrana black sand beach lies 105 km away from Denpasar. The black sand here has a reputation of curing various ailments, as such has become a great hit with foreigners and locals alike. Unlike other such beaches around Bali, Jembrana has beautiful coastal scenery and plenty of cafes and restaurants to cater to the large crowds who throng to this beach, especially on weekends.
Lovina Beach
The best way to get to Lovina Beach is by driving down from Kuta. The trip takes about three hours, but there are plenty of attractions enroute to keep you delighted for the entire duration of the journey. If you want a perfect black sand beach holiday in Bali, grab a beach umbrella and head to Lovina. The waves are calm, water is warm and is a good place to spot dolphins early in the morning. A number of good outlets serving fresh seafood and art stalls dot the broadwalk. Lovina is a small beach with a gentle vibe than other areas, and offers the most stunning sunsets than any other beach in Bali.
Kedungu Beach
Kedungu is another black sand beach of Bali. This one pulls in loads of locals for sunset and can get pretty crowded (And sadly dirty). However, a pretty waterfall and black lava rocks, make for some excellent backdrops for your photos and relief from the blazing Bali sun.
Lipah Bay, Amed
Lipah beach lies in a sheltered bay, about a fifteen minutes drive east from Amed and about 10km from Jemeluk. Lipah beach features a WWII Japanese patrol boat shipwreck at a depth of 3m, pretty close to the shore, making it attractive for shallow diving. The beach has coarse black sand and is a good place for snorkeling as well. Remember to wear shoes as the black sand becomes very hot after midday.
Mayo Resort, North Bali
If you are looking for a deserted black sand beach, there is a secluded stretch just opposite the Mayo Resort in the quiet beachside town of Seririt, lying west of Lovina. An ideal place to enjoy the sun setting over the picturesque Bali sea with not a soul in sight. North of Bali is a vast area, and should you decide to spend a few nights here it is better to stay at Lovina, also famous for its black sand beaches.
Lepang Beach,Klungkung
This sparkling beach of black sand is located in Takmung, Klungkung, far away from the noise and crowds, about 27km from downtown Denpasar. When the sands here get covered by sea water, the beach becomes jet black, giving a charm of its own. Lepang beach is also a designated turtle nesting sanctuary for the Oliver Sydney turtles. It is one of the few beaches of Bali which provide excellent views of both the sunrise and the sunset.
Here’s a video showcasing some amazing black sand beaches in Bali, Indonesia –
Mengening Beach, Cemagi
This amazing hidden gem tucked beneath a tall cliff is one of a kind black beach Bali that is surrounded by all sides by some of the most spectacular landscapes. Mengening Beach is located in the Bandung Residency of Bali and is accessible by an hour’s drive from the international airport. There is a smooth black sand beach here with azure blue waters, a holy temple, and low cliffs excellent for rock fishing. The area sees very little visitors, but the locals do assemble around sunset.
Pasut Beach
Approximately a pleasant 40 minutes drive through small villages and dirt roads from Canggu will bring you to this hidden black beach Bali. With hardly a tourist in sight, Pasut Beach is predominantly a haunt of the locals who enjoy speeding over the black gravel sand on their motorbikes, especially during sunset. This quiet beach is good, with just one convenience outlet, is great for swimming and is bound to gain in popularity in days to come. Surely an excellent Bali black sand beach to explore.
Kusamba Beach, Klungkung
This working beach is set among fields of rice offering a setting not visible anywhere else on the island. Towards the west of Kusamba lies the centuries-old salt farm, which is still in operation. Saltwater is collected from the ocean and splashed across the hot black sand in order to crystalize it. The salt is then filtered from the sand to be sold in the markets. Kusamba is also the gateway to Nusa Lembongan island.
Tulamben Beach
Probably the beach which attracts the maximum number of visitors in the whole of Bali is Tulamben. If you seek black sands Bali, this is the place to be. Conveniently nestled between Mount Aging volcano and the coast. Apart from the black sand, Tulamben is home to the world-famous Shipwreck USS Liberty, located just 30m from the shore at a depth of 5m, making it an attractive spit for any level of marine diver.
FAQ’s
Why is the Sand Black in Bali?
Bali, being a volcanic coastline, has tons of black sand beaches. These are formed from remnants of lava and other volcanic debris.
Does Bali have White Sand Beaches?
YES. Some of the best beaches in Bali are pristine palm fringed stretches of soft white sand.
The first thing which comes to one’s mind when thinking about Bali is the legendary white sand coastline of the island. But what makes Bali so extraordinary are the black sand beaches of Bali which are a class of their own. Due to their strategic location, you can hop from one beach to another in the space of a day, which has made these colored miles of sand an essential addition to any Bali itinerary.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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