Hidden Beaches in Bali: 6 Secret Spots Off the Tourist Trail

Green Bowl Beach is one of the Bukit Peninsula's most spectacular hidden beaches, accessible via approximately 300 steep concrete steps that descend through dense vegetation down the face of a limestone cliff. The staircase is well-maintained but relentless, and the climb back up in the tropical heat is the price of admission — allow 20 to 30 minutes for the return ascent and bring water. At the bottom, you are rewarded with a pristine crescent of white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and two large natural caves that provide welcome shade from the midday sun. The caves are home to a colony of fruit bats, and their chittering adds an atmospheric soundtrack to the experience. The beach is completely undeveloped — there are no warungs, sun loungers, or lifeguards. You must bring everything you need, including food, water, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. The swimming here can be excellent at high tide, when the water covers the reef shelf and creates a natural pool. At low tide, the reef is exposed and the water retreats, but this creates excellent rock-pooling opportunities with colourful marine life visible in the shallow pools. Snorkelling at Green Bowl is rewarding, with healthy coral and abundant fish just offshore. The beach faces south and catches morning sun, but the cliffs provide afternoon shade. Visitor numbers are low even during peak season — on weekdays you may have the entire beach to yourself. Entry costs IDR 10,000 per person, with motorcycle parking available at the top of the cliff near the small temple.

Nyang Nyang Beach is perhaps the most genuinely remote beach on mainland Bali. Located on the southwestern cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, below the Pura Luhur Uluwatu area, it requires a steep, rugged descent down an unfenced cliff path that takes 20 to 30 minutes to navigate. The path is not maintained to any formal standard — it involves loose rocks, earth steps, and sections where you need to use your hands for balance. This difficulty is precisely what keeps Nyang Nyang empty. The beach itself is extraordinary: a kilometre-long sweep of bright white sand backed by towering green cliffs, with almost no sign of human development apart from a few weathered structures and a shipwreck hull that has become a rustic photo backdrop. The water is deep blue and the surf can be powerful, making swimming risky on bigger swell days. This is not a beach for casual swimmers — the waves break directly onto the sand with no reef protection, and there are no lifeguards. On calmer days, the water near the cliff edges can be gentler. The real draw of Nyang Nyang is the sheer scale of empty, untouched coastline. Walking the length of the beach with no one else in sight is an experience that feels impossible on an island as tourist-developed as Bali. There is an alternative access path from the southern end that is slightly less steep but longer. Some visitors hire a local guide, which is recommended for first-time visitors. Bring everything you need — water, food, shade, and sun protection — as there are absolutely no facilities.

Bias Tugel (also called White Sand Beach or Pantai Kecil) is a small, sheltered cove hidden just a few hundred metres from Padangbai's ferry port on Bali's east coast. While thousands of travellers pass through Padangbai each day on their way to ferries to Lombok or fast boats to the Gili Islands, very few realise that one of Bali's most charming little beaches is tucked around the headland, just a 10-minute walk from the port. Access is via a short trail that climbs over a small headland south of the main harbour. The path is clearly marked and easy to follow, though there is one slightly steep section near the end. Compared to the cliff beaches of the Bukit, getting to Bias Tugel is straightforward. The beach is a compact crescent of bright white sand — unusual for the east coast, which is predominantly black volcanic sand. The water is calm and clear, sheltered from the open ocean by the headland on either side. Swimming is safe and the snorkelling along the rocky edges is surprisingly good, with colourful reef fish visible in just a metre or two of water. A handful of simple warungs operate on the beach, selling cold drinks, nasi goreng, and fresh fruit for reasonable prices. Sun loungers are available for around IDR 50,000. The relaxed, friendly atmosphere makes Bias Tugel feel like a discovery even though locals and savvy travellers have known about it for years. It is an excellent place to spend a half-day if you have time to kill before or after a ferry or fast boat from Padangbai.

Gunung Payung Beach sits below a Hindu temple of the same name on the Bukit Peninsula, approximately midway between Nusa Dua and Pandawa Beach. The beach is accessed via a steep staircase of roughly 200 steps that begins near the temple car park, descending through cliff-side vegetation to a beautiful stretch of white sand below. The staircase is in reasonable condition and includes handrails on the steeper sections, making it less daunting than the descents to Green Bowl or Nyang Nyang. The beach is quiet even by Bukit standards. On most days you will share it with just a handful of other visitors, mostly couples and photographers drawn by the pristine setting. The sand is fine and white, the water is clear turquoise, and limestone rock formations at either end of the beach create a dramatic framing for the cove. Swimming conditions vary with the tide and swell, but at high tide on calm days the water is excellent. The temple above the beach, Pura Gunung Payung, is a beautifully maintained Balinese temple that is worth exploring before or after your beach visit. Ceremonies are held regularly, and during these times the staircase may be busy with worshippers in traditional dress — be respectful and give way. The beach is also known as a filming and photo-shoot location, particularly for pre-wedding photography, which speaks to its photogenic qualities. A few simple vendors sometimes set up at the beach selling drinks and snacks, but do not rely on this — bring your own supplies. Parking at the top is free, and there is no entrance fee for the beach itself, though a small donation to the temple is appreciated.

Suluban Beach (also known as Blue Point Beach) is one of the most dramatic beach entrances in Bali. Accessed through a narrow passage between towering limestone cave walls, the experience of walking through the rock corridor and emerging onto a small, sheltered beach is genuinely thrilling. The caves frame the ocean in a way that feels like stepping into a natural cathedral. The beach is located on the Bukit Peninsula's western cliffs, near the Uluwatu area, and is best known as the home of the powerful Uluwatu surf break — one of the most famous left-hand reef breaks in the world. The surf here is strictly for experienced riders; the reef is shallow, the current is strong, and the paddle out through the cave mouth requires local knowledge. For non-surfers, Suluban is still worth visiting for the atmosphere and scenery. The cave passage is accessible at mid to low tide, and you can sit on the beach watching surfers ride the walls of water breaking over the reef offshore. At high tide, the beach largely disappears under water and the caves are not safely accessible — timing your visit with the tide chart is essential. Above the beach, a collection of cliff-side cafes and bars have been built into the rock, offering stunning views of the surf break and the ocean beyond. Single Fin, the most famous, hosts sunset sessions with live music and cocktails. The vibe is casual, international, and surf-oriented. Getting to the beach involves descending a series of stairs and walkways that are steep but well-constructed. The cave passage at the bottom may require wading through ankle-deep water depending on the tide.

Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida is technically not on Bali itself, but the island is so easily reached — a 30-minute fast boat from Sanur — that it belongs on any list of Bali-area hidden beaches. Atuh is located on Nusa Penida's remote east coast, and reaching it requires a drive across the island's challenging interior roads followed by a descent of approximately 300 steps down the cliff face. The roads on Nusa Penida are narrow, steep, and often unpaved, so renting a scooter requires confidence on rough terrain. Many visitors hire a local driver and car for the day instead, which costs around IDR 600,000 and solves the road-condition problem entirely. The beach itself is breathtaking. A wide sweep of white sand is framed by dramatic limestone rock formations, with a massive offshore rock arch (batu kapal or 'ship rock') rising from the turquoise water. The scale of the scenery is genuinely awe-inspiring and unlike anything on mainland Bali. The water in the sheltered bay is usually calm enough for swimming, though currents can be present — always assess conditions before entering. Several simple warungs operate on the beach, serving cold drinks, instant noodles, and basic Indonesian food. Sun loungers and simple thatched umbrellas are available for a small fee. The climb back up the 300 steps is challenging in the heat. Allow 30 minutes and bring water. While Atuh is the most famous of Nusa Penida's beaches, the island also has other stunning spots including Diamond Beach (adjacent to Atuh, accessed via its own staircase), Kelingking Beach (the iconic T-Rex-shaped cliff), and Crystal Bay (excellent snorkelling with manta rays). A full day trip from Bali covering two or three of these spots is one of the best day trips available from the island.