The Nusa Islands: Bali’s Best Beaches Offshore

I lived in Bali for over three years, and while I’ll always love the buzz of Canggu and the jungles of Ubud, it was the Nusa Islands that I kept sneaking away to whenever I had a few days spare. Just a short boat ride from Sanur, these three little islands—Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida—feel like a whole different world. 

Lembongan is my favourite: it’s got the perfect mix of laid-back beach cafes, dive shops and swimmable bays without feeling too hectic. Ceningan is smaller and sleepier, great for slow days and sunset drinks, while Penida is big, bold and dramatic—ideal for adventurers who don’t mind a bit of rough road. 

Here are my favourite beaches across the Nusa Islands.

This is the beach I always end up coming back to on Nusa Lembongan. It’s not the fanciest or the most photogenic, but there’s something about the long stretch of sand, the bobbing boats and that insane view of Mount Agung across the water. 

It’s also one of the easiest places to base yourself if you’re into diving. Most of the dive shops are right along the beachfront and the water’s usually calm enough for a swim between boats. The sand’s more golden than white and there’s a mix of beach cafés, warungs and higher-end spots tucked along the shore. Ohana’s is my favourite spot for a sunset cocktail! 

Mushroom Bay always feels like a little pocket of calm, especially if you wander away from the main drop-off point. The water here is usually crystal clear and calm: ideal for swimming or stand-up paddleboarding if you’re in the mood. 

It’s more developed than it looks at first glance, with boutique hotels and restaurants hidden in the trees. I like to come here around mid-morning when the day-trippers haven’t quite arrived yet. Grab an iced coffee at Hai Tide or just float in the sea watching the boats roll in. The sand is soft and clean and there are loungers for rent if you want to park up for the day.

Tucked away near Dream Beach, Sandy Bay is where I go when I want to feel like I’ve checked out of life a bit. There’s a small arc of soft sand, framed by cliffs on either side, and you’ll usually find it pretty quiet compared to the rest of the island. 

The waves can get a little punchy (definitely more for lounging than swimming, IMO) but the beach club up on the cliff is a great spot for lunch or a sunset cocktail. I love coming here late in the day; the light turns everything golden and you can actually hear the waves crashing without any background buzz.

Dream Beach might be small, but it packs a punch. I’ve come here plenty of times over the years, usually for a swim and a nap in the sun after breakfast nearby. The water is a bright turquoise, but be warned: the waves can be strong, so I usually stick to the shallows unless it’s super calm. 

There’s a beach club perched right above the sand, perfect for lunch with a view, and the whole area has that dreamy castaway feel. It gets a bit busier mid-afternoon, but if you come early, it’s all yours.

This one really does feel like a secret: I stumbled on it the first time by accident while riding around Nusa Ceningan and now I always make the detour. It’s a tiny cove with clear blue water, soft white sand and barely any people around, especially during the week. There’s not much here in terms of facilities, so bring water and snacks if you plan to stay a while. It’s not ideal for swimming when the tide’s rough, but when it’s calm, it’s gorgeous for a dip.

Technically not a beach you can swim at, but Blue Lagoon is 100% worth including. It’s more of a viewpoint: a ridiculously blue cove with steep cliffs and dramatic waves crashing below. I usually stop here on the way to Mahana Point for a quick photo op and to just soak in the wild beauty of it. 

You can’t climb down to the water safely, but the colour alone makes it a highlight. I’ve never seen it not look stunning, even on a cloudy day. If you keep an eye out, you can sometimes see turtles swimming around below. 

If you’re up for a bit of an off-the-beaten-path mission, Gamat Bay is an absolute beauty. It’s mostly known as a snorkelling spot (and rightly so, the reef here is full of life), but the beach itself is worth a visit even if you’re not getting in the water. 

It’s a little trickier to access than some of the others (expect a bumpy track and a short walk) but once you’re down there, you’ll find a quiet, rocky bay with golden sand and barely any crowds. The water can get choppy, so it’s not always the safest for swimming, but on calm days it’s lush. 

Mahagiri Beach has some of the softest sand I’ve ever walked on in the Nusas—it’s like powdered sugar underfoot. It’s huge too, so even when it’s busy you can find your own patch of peace. I used to come here for sunrise swims before the island properly woke up. The beach faces Mount Agung on clear days, which makes for pretty unreal views. The resort just behind it (also called Mahagiri) is my favourite place to stay on the island when travelling with family. 

Crystal Bay is the spot I always take visiting friends: it’s easy to reach and usually has great conditions for a swim or snorkel. The water here lives up to its name: crystal clear and full of colourful fish right off the beach. 

There’s a strip of warungs selling fresh coconuts, satay and the usual cold drinks, plus some loungers for hire if you want to settle in. Sunsets here are pretty magical too. I’ve spent many evenings just sitting on the sand, watching the sky light up over the ocean.

Tamarind Beach feels like a quiet local secret. It’s tucked between Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay and while it’s not the most polished, it’s got real charm. I’d often come here after diving, just to chill out with a book and some fruit from the market. 

There’s usually a few fishing boats bobbing in the bay and it’s a great place to catch glimpses of everyday island life. It’s swimmable when the tide is high, but even when it’s not, it’s peaceful and low-key—just how I like it.

Atuh Beach feels like a reward after the bumpy ride and steep walk down, and trust me, it’s 100% worth it. The cliffs wrap around the cove like a hug and the rock formations offshore look like something out of a fantasy film. 

I got here early one morning and had it pretty much to myself, which made the views feel even more surreal. There are a couple of little beach huts selling nasi goreng and coconuts, but it still feels wild and untouched. Bring shoes for the hike down and don’t rush it—this one’s a proper gem.

Suwehan Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches I’ve found in the Nusas—maybe because not many people bother with the steep climb back up! It’s dramatic and quiet, with pale turquoise water and a giant pointed rock that juts out like a little island. 

I brought snacks and stayed for hours, swimming and lounging under the cliffs. There’s no warung here, no sunbeds—just beauty and barely anyone around. Definitely check tide times before you go though, it all but disappears at high tide.

This one’s more of a hidden gem than a go-to tourist stop, which is probably why I love it so much. Tucked just across the Yellow Bridge on the Ceningan side, Song Tepo Beach is small, quiet and perfect for a quick dip or a peaceful moment in the sun. 

It’s got a gentle, shallow shoreline that makes it ideal for floating and daydreaming and you’ll often see local kids playing nearby or boats passing by on their way through the mangroves. There’s a laid-back little café up the hill where I’ve had some of the best banana pancakes on the island and the whole area has a lovely, local feel.