The Best Bali Beaches for Teenagers With Maps and Video
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Bali is one of the best places in the world to learn how to surf - and heaps more!
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Introduction
Bali is generally a very safe place for families to vacation. But when it comes time to choose the best Bali beach for a holiday with teenagers, there are beaches that are perfect for teenagers and others that are best avoided. And some beaches have heaps of activities, while others are more suited to quiet contemplation—and we know which ones teenagers would prefer!
We also know teenagers want to be able to do their own thing, have fun, and create some awesome memories, and that’s cool.
But you've gotta know Bali can be a bit like the wild west. You don’t want to be bothered with spooky people or dangerous places, right? You just wanna have fun.
So, beaches with dangerous rips are not cool. And beaches in party areas where there are drunks, druggies, and occasional violence are also worth giving a miss. Those hassles just kill the fun.
At the same time, you also don’t want to be stuck at the kiddie beaches dodging the floatie crew, right?
We’ve created this guide to help you discover the best Bali beaches for teenagers that offer awesome fun, and keep the oldies happy…always a good thing, hey.
Read to the end, where we wrap it up
Keep reading, because at the bottom of this article we wrap it all up and offer the best Bali beaches from a teenager's perspective and from a parent's perspective. Armed with all the info, you will nail down the perfect choice for you.
Note: The following list is numbered to match the map, not in order of preference.
The Best Bali beaches for teenagers to have fun!
1. Pantai Double Six Beach, South Bali
Pantai Double Six Beach. Image: TheMonkeys | Click to watch their video
Address: Legian, Jl. Double Six, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
There’s always action on Double Six Beach, whether it’s beach volleyball, soccer, concerts, busking, or percussion groups. There are multi-coloured beach umbrellas and beach bean bags you can rent for the day. Double Six Beach is a good pick to learn to surf and there are some award-winning surf schools here. In the wet season, this beach can be a bit dirty. Double Six is a bit quieter than Seminyak Beach so a good choice for families.
Food: Everywhere! Sick of rice? No worries…burgers and fries, some quite cheap.
Hot Tip: The beach has a sandy bottom, but if you are swimming, don’t go out too far because the currents can be strong.
2. Pantai Seminyak Beach, South Bali
Seminyak is cool for teenagers. Image: Bottom Line Up Front | Click to watch their video
Address: Gg. Drona No.1, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
The waves on Seminyak Beach are lively to large, so if you just want a calm swim, it may not be the best choice. And that’s why it’s regarded as a great surf beach! If you’re not into surfing yet, try boogie boarding. You can also learn to scuba dive or try parasailing. Seminyak Beach is supposed to be a bit classy, so if style is your thing (or you want to impress your partner), this could be a good place to head. We’re talking posh shops, restaurants, etc. Double Six Beach (see below) is part of the Seminyak set of beaches too.
Food: Because it is a more uppity area, expect to pay a bit more for food and drink. But hunt, and you’ll get a cheap feed too.
Hot Tip: Check a few board rental places before you put the cash down. Some boards are newer than others.
3. Pantai Legian Beach, South Bali
Legian Beach is an awesome swim and surf choice. Image: Bali Beaches | Click to watch their video
Address: Jalan Pantai Legian, Legian, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Many say that Legian Beach is the number one place to learn to surf. Sure, there are lots of schools on Kuta Beach, but Legian Beach is just a bit friendlier for teenagers. The nice, long, rolling waves and the long stretch of sandy beach are perfect for swimming and newbie surfing. The road between the beach and the hotels is just for foot traffic (no cars), making it safer than Kuta Beach. Along this road, there are heaps of shops and restaurants to grab a snack.
Food: You won’t starve. Lots of choices along the beach.
Hot Tip: If you see a group of locals playing beach volleyball or soccer, don’t hesitate to ask to join in—the Bali crew are friendly.
4. Pantai Sanur Beach, South Bali
Sanur Beach is busting with stuff to do. Image: NowGetThere Travel. Click to watch their video
Address: Jalan Cemara, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Sanur Beach is Bali’s original tourist beach, and it is a huge hit with families of all ages. Sanur offers every style and budget of accommodation, has awesome dining options with every imaginable food, from burgers to borscht. So what is there to do for teenagers? Heaps—it’s arguably a better location for a wider range of watersports than on the Kuta side of the island. We’re talking watersports like stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, etc. You can surf, but it’s not ideal for beginners. That’s not a problem because it’s easy to pop over to Kuta, Seminyak, etc. for surfing. Sanur is also a relatively safer place than Kuta for young adults to spread their wings and have a bit of independence while doing stuff with friends.
Food: Try a BBQ corn cob; man, they're delicious. But seriously, a ton of choices here, even Maccas.
Hot Tip: It’s easy to hire surf boards, boogie boards, snorkeling gear, etc. in Bali, but shop around at the different hire stalls on the beach—some have newer equipment than others.
5. Pantai Jimbaran Beach, South Bali
Jimbaran Bay Beach is a chill choice for teens. Image: Citycams | Click to watch their video
Address: Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Jimbaran Bay Beach is known for its calm waves and beachfront seafood restaurants. Neither of these is a huge draw for teenagers, however. But what does make this a possible choice is if there is a range of ages and you want a location that suits all the family. Jimbaran Beach is a great beach to learn to surf, so whilst younger brothers and sisters get into the action in the kids club at a resort (or with Mum and Dad on the beach), you can be taking surfing lessons. Just compare the price of lessons provided by a resort with those from a school on the beach—the resort prices can be eye-watering.
Food: Don’t panic; those seafood cafes the oldies wanna have dinner at also do burgers and stuff.
Hot Tip: Take a walk right to the end of Jimbaran Beach to Tuban Beach and watch the planes land at the airport!
6. Pantai Nusa Dua Beach, South Bali
Get set for massive sandy beaches at Nusa Dua. Image: Travel Scout | Click to watch their video
Address: Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Nusa Dua is a semi-gated resort precinct with relatively safe beaches. There are lots of watersports on tap and plenty of opportunity to meet new friends. It is definitely tamer than other areas like Sanur (and Kuta), so it can strike a great balance between freedom for teenagers and the concerns of parents. Motorised watersports are nearby at Tanjung Benoa, but Nusa Dua is definitely the more manicured place to stay. There are shops and local restaurants (cheaper than the resorts), but they are not right on the doorstep of the beachfront resorts, like they are in Sanur, for example, so you need transport (a very short taxi ride).
Food: Try and convince your folks to get an all-inclusive. It’s food all day long, all included, so you don’t like have to beg when you’re hungry.
Hot Tip: Some Nusa Dua beaches, like Serangan Beach, are not good for swimming, so choose your resort carefully.
7. Pantai Tanjung Benoa Beach, South Bali
Address: Jl. Segara Kidul No.3x, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tanjung Benoa is where the action is in terms of watersports in Bali. Most Bali beaches will have some watersports on offer, but Tanjung Benoa has them all in one place. So if banana boating, parasailing, jet skiing, rolling donut, water jetpacking, and a raft of other watersports are your thing, then this is the beach for you. Tanjung Benoa’s accommodation is a bit more basic and budget (with a few lux exceptions), so if you prefer, you could splurge on a Nusa Dua resort, and it’s only five minutes up the road from Tanjung Benoa for water sport activities. Most water sport providers will pick you up from your hotel for free.
Food: You won’t starve, but it’s not wall to wall here. Load up on breakfast, get out by lunchtime. You’ll be right.
Hot Tip: Check the tides for the best times for watersports. Your hotel can help you.
8. Pantai Pandawa Beach, South Bali
Pandawa Beach is a popular day trip beach destination for teenagers. Image: Bali Beaches | Click to watch their video
Address: 553P+R5G, Jl. Pantai Pandawa, Kutuh, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
This is not the place to learn to surf (the southern ocean rips here are for expert surfers only). But inside the reef, Pandawa Beach has awesome snorkeling in the Pandawa Marine Park. You can hire sea kayaks off the beach as well. There is a beach swing for fun social snaps. There are a number of food and drink outlets, and it’s very safe to wander and find somewhere to have a snack with friends whilst the oldies sunbathe. Speaking of, we said we would not scare the oldies, but if you can get the nod, try Timbis Paragliding (close by Pandawa Beach). Instructors teach you all you need to know.
Food: Well, eat after the paragliding, not before. Nuff said.
Hot Tip: Take care on the east side of the beach for a notorious rip (that’s a fast moving/strong current that will pull you out to sea) and avoid swimming near the rock walls because crashing waves are dangerous.
9. Pantai Karma Beach, South Bali
Karma Beach is a private beach club with heaps for teenagers to get into. Image: Alfred and Chens | Click to watch their video
Address: Karma Kandara Bali, Jalan Villa Kandara, Selatan Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80362, Indonesia
You have to pay to access this private beach club, but it could be a great choice for a family with a range of ages. You don’t have to stay at the Karma Resort to use the beach club for the day and it makes a great day trip destination. The teens can do their own thing, meet new friends, get into some watersports, and have a pizza, and the parents don’t need to stress because this is a private beach at the bottom of tall cliffs. It’s fun to get to as well, down the beach funicular (vertical lift). We receive no incentive for including this beach here…it’s on the list ‘cos its a popular choice for families with teenagers.
Food: Ouch. Food is a bit ex-y. Make sure you pay attention and get the big notes from the folks when that wallet comes out :)
Hot Tip: You can get a look at Karma Beach (and even go swimming) without paying, if you access the beach from Melasti Beach at low tide.
10. Pantai Melasti Beach, South Bali
This beach is bustin’ all sorts of moves for teenagers. Image: Maksim Golitsyn | Click to watch their video
Address: Jl. Melasti Ungasan, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
With calm waves and a tame tide, this beach is great for swimming and snorkeling in the clear water. It is also a good beach for new surfers just starting out (experienced surfers go to nearby Green Bowl Beach). There are several small warungs where you can get burgers, Indonesian food, and drinks at good prices. At low tide, you can walk to Karma Beach and have a swim, etc. (but you’d need to pay to use the private facilities). This is one of those Bali beaches that is perfect for a day trip.
Food: A ton of little warungs. It’s safe dude….
Hot Tip: For a nice date thing or to meet back up with the family after a day at the beach, on Fri., Sat. and Sun. nights, the Kekak Dance is an awesome experience (6pm-7pm, Rp150k pp).
11. Pantai Padang Padang Beach (aka Pantai Labuan Sait), South Bali
Padang-Padang Beach is popular with teenagers who are into the surf scene. Image: Bali Cheapest Tours | Click to watch their video
Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Head down a flight of stairs and through a hollow rock entrance, and you hit the Padang Padang Beach—a 100-meter-long stretch of beach that is popular with surfers. There are some cool caves to explore and tidal swimming pools. You can rent a surfboard here. This is a serious surf break—the Rip Curl Padang Padang Cup is held here—so take care. Of course, the surf break is beyond the reef, so if you are just into swimming and chilling, then this is a safe beach. There are several warungs for cheap food and souvenirs.
Food: They got it, so no worries. It’s gonna be local stuff, more rice…but hey, you’re not here for the food, right?
Hot Tip: If you are a beginner, you could ask one of the locals to take you out for a lesson.
12. Pantai Suluban Beach, South Bali
Suluban Beach is its own little world and an awesome place for teenagers to let loose! Image: Lost in Bali with Senja Aldee | Click to watch their video
Address: Pantai Suluban St No.18, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
After a solid 10-minute walk down steps, past warungs (with well-priced local food), surf board rentals, and art shops, you will pass through a narrow crag into a cavern with a sandy beach. There are lots of mini caves you can claim as your spot for the day. You can swim here, but take care, as the sea is lively. There are lifeguards on duty.
Food: There’s options, and you’ll find something to fill the tank.
Hot Tip: Low tide is the best time to come to discover more mini caves and secret spots.
13. Pantai Balangan Beach, South Bali
Teenagers can learn to surf at Balangan Beach. Image: Maksim Golitsyn | Click to watch their video
Address: South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Balangan Beach is another great beach to learn to surf. It has a mix of beginner and intermediate breaks. And it is great for swimming too—but check the tide before coming because at low tide there’s not much depth to swim in! You can walk from Balangan Beach to Dreamland Beach (3.5 km each way). If you are surfing and catch a good wave, check with the local photographers in case they caught you on camera. Down the end of the beach is a pool, so if you want to surf and your partner, friends, or family want to chill, they can swim and sunbake there.
Food: Good thing the Balinese like to snack. They got all sorts of food here.
Hot Tip: If conditions are too lively for your surfing style, go to Thomas Beach instead.
14. Pantai Lovina Beach, North Bali
Address: R2PC+JMG, Jl. Raya Singaraja, Temukus, Kecamatan Buleleng, Kaliasem, Kec. Banjar, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 80117, Indonesia
Here’s one right out of left field. If you are interested in nature and the environment, consider getting out of the tourist trap areas of the south and heading to North Bali. At Lovina Beach the snorkeling is awesome. You can learn to dive, and everyone can get out on a traditional boat and find dolphins in the wild. Plus, if you head inland, you can get your explorer on and find mind-blowing waterfalls, temples, and much more. Just have a wander through our guides for North and East Bali to see what incredible stuff you can find. This is the place if you want to make an awesome short film, blow up your social feed, and see a side of Bali that tourists rarely discover.
Food: It’s Lovina, dude, not the end of the earth. No Maccas, but it’s time to down something different.
Hot Tip: The drive north is not that hard and its lots of fun. But think about making it the middle part of your trip, with a stay in the south when you first get off the plane (and maybe the same on the return) just to keep the trip chilled.
Conclusion
So where does that leave us? It probably puts us all on the same page, but let’s summ it up:
What is the best beach in Bali for teenagers from a teenagers perspective?
Teens are going to pick the beach that sounds the most free, fun and out-of-control awesome. But in truth, all the beaches on this list will be mind-blowing good fun. It’s just that some are in areas where there is potential for weird people to spoil the action, so take care. If you want cool water sports, great resort pools, massive all you can eat buffets and no hassles, Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa are the go. You can hit other beaches for surf lessons, no problems. But if this sounds a bit sleepy, check Sanur and Jimbaran Beach. If you are already a surfer, sure you are going to want to pick a beach area that matches your skill level.
What is the best beach in Bali for teenagers, from a parents’ perspective?
If you worry about safety and security, Nusa Dua is your best choice, followed by Sanur and Jimbaran Beach. After that, any of the other choices on this list.
Why? Nusa Dua might be a more sanitised Bali experience, but you can always day trip to other locations and everyone in the family will be happy to come back to Nusa Dua to chill after a days’ adventure. Taking it up a notch in would be Sanur Beach or Jimbaran Beach. And for parents who want their teens to have some freedom and trust them to be careful, any of the other choices on this list will be fine. Besides safety, other considerations include: if the focus is on learning to surf, you probably need to consider the West Coast beaches (Kuta to Echo Beach). If the focus is more on adrenalin water sports other than surfing, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa and Sanur are the better choices. And finally, for an unspoilt, peaceful and nature-based experience, consider Lovina Beach (or even branch out to the East Bali beaches covered elsewhere in our guide).
