Indonesian beaches are known for their beauty. They’re what I imagine when I think of an idyllic beach getaway: warm white sand under my feet, the fresh sea air, the sun soaking into my skin, and the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
Consisting of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia seems to offer an infinite number of pristine beaches, and so it’s the perfect country to help your paradise beach dreams become a reality!
With so many Indonesia beaches to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks to help you narrow down your options.
Here are the best beaches in Indonesia:
- Pink Beach, East Nusa Tenggara – For picturesque pink scenery
- Karimunjawa Beach, Java Island – For sunrise to sunset beauty
- Derawan Beach, East Kalimantan – For lovers of sea life
- Mawi Beach, Lombok – For surfing
- Nusa Dua Beach, Bali – For a luxury holiday
- Senggigi Beach, Lombok – For year-round swimming and sea-life
- Gili Islands – To get away from it all
- Sawarna Beach, Java – For breath-taking views
- Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida – For cliffside coastal views and exploration
- Air Manis Beach, West Sumatra – For history and culture at the beach
1. Pink Beach, East Nusa Tenggara
The perfect place for picturesque pink scenery
There are only seven pink beaches on the planet, and one can be found within Komodo National Park. The exceptional Pink Beach gets its romantic colour from tiny fragments of red coral mixing with the white sands and is a truly wonderful sight in the sunlight.
It’s also a great place for snorkelling – the National Park is home to some world-class diving and snorkelling sites. Not only does the coral provide the beach’s unique colour, but it also provides a beautiful underwater landscape where you can spend hours exploring in the clear waters.
You can get to the Pink Beach via a boat tour from the neighbouring fishing village of Labuan Bajo (there are daily flights to Labuan Bajo from Denpasar airport in Bali).
This Indonesia beach is one of the most unique places you’ll ever visit, so be sure to put it on your list!
2. Karimunjawa Beach, Java Island
Beautiful from sunrise to sunset
This beautiful beach in Java Island is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Indonesia. With silky white sands and clear waters that range from green to turquoise and deep blue, visit this Indonesian beach to fulfil your idyllic beach dreams.
What’s unique about this beach is that you can watch the sunrise and sunset in the same place! You can spend the whole day relaxing on the beach watching the sun go around, feeling the warm glow around you from dawn to dusk.
For more active beach-goers, there are plenty of top snorkelling spots to explore.
To get here, you can fly from Semarang or Surabaya to the Dewandaru Airport in Kemujan Island. Many travellers rent a motorbike to get around.
3. Derawan Beach, East Kalimantan
Perfect for lovers of sea life
As one of the best snorkelling and diving locations in Indonesia, this beach is the perfect place for lovers of sea life.
Boasting a stunning coastal ecosystem from coral reefs and seagrass beds to mangrove forests, a visit to Derawan Beach means you can expect to see many protected species, such as turtles, whales, dolphins, giant clams, coconut crabs, and many more!
This is the best of the Indonesia beaches if you dream of seeing magnificent endangered species in their natural habitat.
READ MORE: When is the best time to visit Indonesia
4. Mawi Beach, Lombok
A great beach for surfers
If you love surfing, this is the Indonesia beach for you!
Lombok is known for having some of the best surf in Indonesia, and Mawi Beach is the most popular spot on the island. With waves that get pretty big, you can expect to see some pro surfers showing off their skills.
If surfing isn’t for you, a trip to Mawi is still worth it – calmer sea conditions can be found along the bay.
Enjoy some delicious food and drink on the beach and take in the atmosphere. It’s also a great sunset spot!
5. Nusa Dua Beach, Bali
For a luxury holiday
Nusa Dua Beach in Bali is not only one of the best beaches in Indonesia but is also recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
It’s a picture-perfect piece of paradise: the ideal place for sunbathing on smooth white sands, plenty of fun water sport options, and many hotels, resorts, and restaurants for your luxury holiday needs.
For the best weather, visit Nusa Dua Beach between June and September.
READ MORE: Check out our list of the most beautiful beaches in the world
6. Senggigi Beach, Lombok
Ideal for year-round swimming and sea-life
Sea-life lovers should put this Indonesia beach on their list. The waters here are crystal clear, so they’re ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving.
This beach is great for a slow-paced, sun-soaked holiday. Take a leisurely stroll along the winding pathway on the beach, then enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many wonderful restaurants in Senggigi town for dinner.
This beach is also a safe bet for good weather: Lombok’s wet season is much drier than Bali’s, so a visit to Senggigi Beach any time of the year should be enjoyable.
7. Gili Islands
For those looking to get away from it all
The Gili Islands are a cluster of three small islands, situated off the North West shore of Lombok, and they all have mesmerising beaches.
Providing postcard-perfect beaches lined with palm trees, this place is perfect for those looking for a real break, free from hustle and bustle: Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno are completely free of cars and motorbikes!
The islands provide world-class diving and snorkelling sites to explore marine life, and there are also some impressive underwater statues that are a popular attraction among tourists.
Relax on a beach on Gili Islands if you’re looking for fewer crowds and a laid-back atmosphere.
8. Sawarna Beach, Java
For breath-taking views
Home to colourful coral reefs and tropical fish, this Indonesia beach offers uniquely beautiful views of the Indian Ocean on one side and the vibrant rice paddy fields on the other.
This beach is lined with coconut trees, and the scenery will take your breath away, especially as the sun sets.
9. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida
Best for cliffside coastal views and exploration
The Nusa Islands are situated just 30 minutes from mainland Bali, and you’ll find Kelingking Beach when you see the unique cliff formation resembling a T-Rex.
While the beach itself is paradise, it’s not the most accessible: you must attempt the climb down at your own risk. It’s a steep climb and the route isn’t very stable, so if you do decide to attempt it be sure to wear safe shoes.
While in Nusa Penida, take the time to explore! Hire a motorbike to witness some of the most beautiful views in Indonesia.
You can get here via public boats from Sanur, Kusamba or Padang Bai in East Bali.
10. Air Manis Beach, West Sumatra
History and culture at the beach
For a beach with a story, visit Air Manis Beach. Located in West Sumatra, this beach is the location of a folktale, where a young sailor named Malin Kundang was turned to stone after being cursed by his mother. You can see the legendary rock formation that accompanies this myth along the beach.
If you continue your stroll along the sandy beach during low tide, you will reach the small island of Pisang Kecil, where visitors can sit under gazebos and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Whether you’re looking for beautiful scenery, a place for diving and snorkelling, somewhere off the beaten track, or all of the above – you will find this and more when visiting these beautiful Indonesian beaches.
Check out our Indonesia Travel Guide for tips on everything you need
to know when planning your trip to Indonesia so you can make the
most of your time in this amazing country!
