The white pristine sands of the beach are lined by a towering green cliff, which keeps it away from prying eyes. If you are quite the explorer and looking for some solitude, this secluded beach in Southern Bali is perfect for a little adventure. To get to the beach, you need to follow a dirt track close to Uluwatu Temple and keep a lookout for a sign saying “Nyang Nyang Surfing Beach”. Next, you cross a field where you will find a drinks stall (the only one in the area as the beach is devoid of all shops and stalls also) before you ride through the steep road that split the hill and end up to the beach. So yes, getting there might be an adventure in itself, but we’d say it’s definitely worth the effort. Especially with the parts of an abandoned vessel laying around the beach – perfect for a photo-op, or even a quaint little exploration. And if you’re looking for more photo-ops, you definitely have to check out the secret wild garden by the beach – it’s blooming with a plethora of sunshine flowers that’ll provide an amazing backdrop with a cheerful pop of yellow!

If black sand beaches are your thing, then Balian Beach is the place to be. A stark contrast between the bright blue waves and the dark volcanic sand welcomes you as you step onto the beach, and what a sight it is. You’ll almost feel as if you’ve entered another planet! The beach stretches on for what seems like forever, and you’ll be left mostly to your own devices (that means, no pushy beach touts.) In fact, you’ll find you have this place all to yourself plus or minus a few surfers! It’s much further north than most of the other famous beaches in Bali, hence why it’s so quiet, but it’s definitely worth it, and in time it wouldn’t be a surprise if it got busier! So head to this little slice of dark heaven while you can and before it gets ruined!

The best time to visit Gili Putih is early in the morning at sunrise or in the evening at sunset as you can relish beautiful sky colors and enjoy the change in tides! Best yet if you can stay from sunrise to sunset to fully contemplate on how different the scenery is throughout the whole day! From the island, you can even enjoy magical views of the nearby West Bali National Park. Now, this is the ideal location if you hate crowded beaches at golden hours! And if you’re wondering how to reach the island in time for Mother Nature’s show, do not worry as locals at Bangsal Harbor will be more than happy to help you out with a boat ride!

Gunung Payung is not only a hidden paradise, but is also (thankfully) quite accessible for being one. Just an hour’s drive away from Denpasar City, located at Nusa Dua – one can follow a marker road to reach here. Once here, get treated to panoramic views of the ocean right to the horizon! The beach is clean and perfect for trying out some yoga. You can also engage in various activities like surfing and snorkeling – or more culturally interesting ones like getting a glimpse of the local ways of life. Watch the seaweed farmers and sea urchin collectors go about their daily chores, and strike up a conversation or two, just to learn more about what they do.

Looking almost like a movie set from the Pirates of the Caribbean series with its otherworldly glamour, Suluban Cave oozes both mystery and mystic. Located directly under Uluwatu, the cave actually leads up to the beach near Uluwatu Temple, another incredible sea temple you should definitely visit too!