The most beautiful beaches in Indonesia

Indonesia may be awash with bliss beaches but Bali is perhaps the most inundated beach destination. If we had to pick from Bali’s many offerings, Nusa Dua Beach, some 40 kilometres south of Denpasar, would be the one. All white sand, calm water and swaying palm, Nusa Dua is a picture-perfect paradise complete with sunbathing and water sports facilities for easily bored vacationers. Add to that the long stretch of luxury resorts, bars and restaurants running parallel, and Nusa Dua Beach becomes the perfect honeymoon destination. Though somewhat pricey, Nusa Dua has the advantage of being far enough from the busy centres for tranquillity but still close enough to Kuta and Seminyak to be convenient for day trips, 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport Bali.

Across the island, Dreamland Beach Bali is a more affordable alternative not far from Kuta, with surfing classes and massage treatments on the beach, plus access to trendy restaurants and cafés in town.

Where to stay

For a blend of Balinese opulence and beachside relaxation, The St. Regis Bali Resort is the epitome of sophistication. Its suites and villas are a haven of luxury, with lavish interiors featuring traditional Balinese craftsmanship. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider a villa with a private plunge pool and butler service. The resort offers exclusive dining experiences, including beachfront breakfasts and personalised in-villa dining, perfect for couples seeking privacy. Nearby, The Apurva Kempinski Bali delivers grandeur with its striking tiered design, reflecting traditional Indonesian architecture. Each room, suite, and villa is an architectural masterpiece, with many offering private plunge pools and sweeping ocean views. Guests can savour the finest Indonesian cuisine at Apurva Kempinski’s award-winning restaurants, and for those seeking a wellness retreat, the resort’s spa and holistic treatments are not to be missed.

Previously mentioned in our rundown of the world’s best pink sand beaches, the Komodo Island Pink Beach is a rare marvel. One of only a handful of pink beaches worldwide, Komodo Pink Beach (or Pantai Merah as it is locally known) is based in the Jurassic world of Komodo National Park, a protected archipelago between Sumbawa and Flores inhabited by eponymous dragons. Most of the Komodo Dragons live on either Komodo or Rinca, leaving the forests and volcanoes of Padar Island free for exploring. From the port hub of Labuan Bajo, you can take a boat trip out to Komodo Pink Beach – around 90 minutes by speed boat – combining a number of the best park attractions into one day trip or taking your sweet time on a live-aboard sightseeing boat over multiple days.

Where to stay

Nestled in the natural beauty of Labuan Bajo, TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa offers unrivalled luxury with a sense of adventure. With its design inspired by the local Manggarai culture, the resort’s villas, many featuring private plunge pools, are the perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional craftsmanship. For those with an appetite for exploration, bespoke diving excursions to the surrounding coral reefs and private yacht charters offer a gateway to Komodo’s pristine waters. Dining is a sensory journey here, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering a true taste of the region.

Rub two rocks together and you’ve got Kelingking Beach, a site featuring jutting cliffs shaped in the form of a t-rex. See the formation for yourselves on day trips from Bali to the Nusa Islands (30 minutes from Bali), opting to take photos from the viewing platform in the hills above, or braving the steep one-hour hike down to the beach itself. Most tourists come for the viewpoint, meaning that intrepid sand seekers may get lucky and have one of the best Indonesia beaches all to themselves. Organised day tours can help you access the beach more easily, but exploring the whole island by moped instead is a firm recommendation, particularly in the dry season from May to September!

Where to stay

A secluded retreat awaits at MAUA Nusa Penida, where eco-conscious design meets island luxury. Villas are elegantly designed with sustainability in mind, and many boast private pools that overlook the rugged Nusa Penida coastline. The resort’s commitment to wellness extends to its spa, where traditional Balinese treatments are complemented by views of the natural surroundings. Perfect for couples seeking seclusion, MAUA offers curated experiences such as sunset yoga and guided nature walks to explore the island’s untouched beauty.

A local favourite on the pristine island of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Koka Beach retains its tranquillity thanks to a remote position some 90 minutes away from the nearest towns of Moni and Maumere. Travelling by scooter is our preferred method of approach, allowing for a windswept drive followed by shelter within either of two coves, each distinct from the other and separated by a sandbank. The first is rockier with better snorkelling while the second is smoother for bathers and swimmers. Be prepared to pay at two checkpoints on your way down to the beach (a total of IDR30,000; USD$2.10) but it will be worth it to see the panorama of sea and neighbouring islands from the cliff viewpoint above. Beach huts and warungs (small food stands) line the first bay, so bring cash for convenience!

At 17th on CNN’s list of the world’s 100 best beaches, Nihiwata Beach achieves godly status for all who visit. You’ll have to earn your trip to heaven by way of an hour’s flight from Bali (to Sumba Island) followed by a 90-minute drive, after which you’ll be rewarded by some of the best surfing in Indonesia. As well as catching waves, Nihiwatu Beach is a luxury retreat in its own right, watched over by the very nice Nihi Sumba Resort, a hotel that has exclusive access to the beach (together with the local community). At low tide each evening, join the villagers in scouring the reef for crabs, octopus and seaweed, revelling in peachy sunsets as you go.

Neighbouring Bali in the West Nusa Tenggara chain, the quieter, lesser-known haven of Lombok awaits. While everyone else is struggling to capture an unmanned piece of sand over on Kuta Beach (near Lombok’s main hub), 20 minutes down the road the people on Tanjung Aan Beach smile peacefully from their bamboo loungers. The bay at Tanjung Aan sees mild surf for beginners and sensational sea views backed by lush scenery, especially beautiful at sunset. Across the bay, the rock formations at Batu Payung make for some even more impressive sunset snaps.

Another Lombok beach worth travelling for is the remote Tangsi Beach (the second pink beach Indonesia) on the island’s south-eastern tip, boasting unique views of Mount Rinjani and offshore coral reefs made for snorkelling.

Where to stay

Perched along Lombok’s stunning coastline, The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa offers unparalleled luxury with its private beachfront villas, some featuring infinity pools that seem to merge with the horizon. Designed to reflect the natural beauty of Lombok, the resort’s interiors blend contemporary elegance with traditional elements. Guests can enjoy personalised wellness experiences at the spa, alongside gourmet dining featuring local delicacies. For an intimate and boutique experience, The Lombok Lodge offers just nine suites, each designed with a minimalist aesthetic and a strong emphasis on privacy. The Lodge also offers an exclusive dining programme with a five-course menu every evening, ensuring that each meal is an unforgettable experience.

A low-key alternative to Bali, the three tiny Gili Islands appear to increase in size, emerging like thought bubbles from the northwest coast of Lombok. What they’re thinking is unknown, but it’s no doubt something blissful, much like the beaches that line them. Of the three, Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno are non-motorised, meaning that you’ll have to get from place to place on foot, by electric scooter or by horse-drawn cart (that’s a thing on the Gillis!). Chances are you won’t want to move too much once you find a beach you like, however, instead sway in a hammock all morning before wreck diving off the coast in the afternoon.

Gili Meno is considered the quietest of the three islands, but its Bask Nest Underwater Statues is a top spot for diving with turtles, opposite romantic, upscale accommodation on the island’s other side. The third island, Gili Nanggu, is also a diver’s paradise, with water so clear you don’t even have to don a mask to see tropical fish swimming in the shallows. Remote as the Gili islands are, they are easily accessed on an island-hopping day tour from Bali (via fast boat or ferry from Bali’s Padang Ai), or by chartering a local fishing boat from Lombok’s Tawun Harbour.

Where to stay

Villa Tokay offers a serene escape on the Gili Islands, with its eco-luxury villas set amidst lush gardens and tropical surrounds. Each villa is meticulously designed with a blend of modern elegance and island charm, many featuring private pools. Sustainability is at the heart of the experience here, with an eco-conscious approach that extends to the villa’s architecture and operations. With private dining and tailored excursions available, Villa Tokay is perfect for couples or small groups looking for a tranquil and luxurious getaway, far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Appearing like a shimmering mirage from turquoise waters and spangled with uninhabited islets, Belitung Island in East Sumatra is a wonder to behold. Giving the best Indonesian islands with volcanoes a run for their money, Belitung Island swaps calderas for abandoned quartz sand and clay mines, such as the white basin of Kaolin Lake, now filled with aquamarine waters, just 10 minutes outside of the island’s main hub. With all its white features and elaborate rock formations, Belitung Island is a good home for a number of Sumatra Indonesia best beaches, such as Tanjung Tinggi where rock scrambling and diving are the top activities.

While visiting Belitung, you can also try an island-hopping tour to stop at Lengkuas Island’s Dutch lighthouse, the rock-strewn tiddler of Batu Berlayar and the photogenic Coral Island (Pulau Karang).