Hello, dear reader. We continue my story about the beaches of Bali. And today, we will talk about Sanur Beach. This village is one of the popular resorts on the island of Bali, along with Nusa Dua and Kuta. Many of our readers ask us the following question: “Baliopen, hello! I’m going on vacation to Bali and will be staying at Sanur Beach (Nusa Dua, Canggu, or Kuta). Tell us about this place and how to make the most of it.” Well, today I will tell you about Sanur! ?
Friends, I want to warn you right away that I show the island’s beaches as they are. I will not remove any photos of the beach that may seem strange to you for a Bali resort. What has grown, has grown, and you have the right to know the truth. Sanur Beach is a coastline that stretches 5 km southeast of Denpasar.
The starting point of Sanur Beach has the following GPS coordinates on Google Maps: -8.673659, 115.263164
Sanur is a relatively quiet resort village favored by retirees and families with children. It is where tourism on the island began. It is the only place in Bali where buildings taller than 3 stories were allowed to be constructed. That is why, in the eastern direction of Sanur Beach, you can see the multi-story Inna Grand Bali hotel. This hotel is the tallest building on the entire island. This is because there is a rule in Bali that any building constructed on the island should not exceed the height of a coconut tree.
The beach in Sanur has a coastline that stretches for about 5 kilometers. On the southern side, the beach ends with Serangan Island, while on the eastern side, it gradually transitions into an 11-kilometer beach with black sand that extends from Sanur to the village of Padang Bai.
The Sanur beach has a coral reef and several strategically placed breakwaters, creating an artificial water enclosure that prevents ocean waves from reaching the shore. The waves break about a kilometer away from the beach. The sand on Sanur beach is artificial and was specifically brought in for tourism purposes. It is yellow and white-brown in color.
Swimming is possible in Sanur! However, it’s important to note that there is usually a consistent low tide in Sanur. In the morning, there may be enough water for swimming, but after midday, the water level is typically waist or knee deep. This is why Sanur is often referred to as a favorite beach for children and retirees. The bottom of the sea is sandy, and the water is clear with a light green color.
There may be some algae floating in the water, and you might come across chocolate wrappers and plastic bags. Algae can also be found on the beach.
We want to clarify an important point: there are no hotels with their own private beach in Sanur. All beaches in Sanur are public! Please consider this when choosing a hotel. And don’t be disappointed when you see a hundred local residents swimming near your hotel for a small fee in the evenings. ?
Summary:
Sanur Beach is suitable for swimming with small children.
There are trees along the shore where you can find shade.
There are also sun loungers for those who prefer them and sandy areas for those who don’t.
The beach is artificial, and the sand is not natural.
The seawater is transparent but may contain numerous algae and occasional debris.
The shoreline is periodically cleared of algae.
There is almost always low tide. Sea urchins have been encountered but are more commonly found 15-20 meters from the shore.
In the evenings, the beach is crowded with many people, including local residents from Denpasar who come to swim just like tourists from five-star hotels with “private beaches.”
There are persistent offers for massages and shop visits.
The presence of a high-rise hotel on the beach affects the view.
Sanur is cheaper than Nusa Dua but more expensive than Kuta.
It is conveniently located and provides easy access to many attractions on the island. Sanur can be appealing to retirees and families with children seeking a predictable and peaceful vacation.
What to see near Sanur Beach in Bali? As I mentioned before, Sanur is conveniently located in the center of the southern part of the island. From here, you can easily reach many interesting places on the island within 1-1.5 hours of travel time (excluding traffic). Here are some of the closest attractions and the approximate travel time to reach them:
- Beaches with black sand (15-30 minutes drive)
- Bird and reptile park (15-20 minutes drive)
- Serangan Island, beach, and turtles (15 minutes drive)
- Keramas Beach – surfing and swimming with dolphins (15 minutes drive)
- Safari Park (20 minutes drive)
- Sukawati Rocky Canyon (30 minutes drive)
- Ubud and its surroundings (40 minutes drive)
- Tirta Empul Holy Spring (1 hour drive)
- Gunung Kawi Rocky Caves (1 hour drive)
- Mount Batur and its surroundings (1.5 hours drive)
- Bedugul and its surroundings (2 hours drive)
- Lovina and its surroundings (3 hours drive)
- Padang Bai village and its magical beaches (1 hour drive)
- Traditional Bali Aga village – Tenganan (1 hour 15 minutes drive)
- Charlie Chocolate Factory (1.30 minutes drive)
- Ujung and Tirta Gangga Water Palaces (2 hours drive)
- Bukit beaches (1-1.30 hours drive)
There are a few attractions worth visiting in Sanur:
- Le Mayeur Museum – the house-museum of Belgian artist Le Mayeur de Merpes, who lived on Bali for several years and married a Balinese dancer.
- Pura Blanjong – a temple that houses an ancient 10th-century inscription.
- Sanur Village Festival – a village festival held in Sanur from August 15th to 19th, featuring songs, dances, and Balinese cuisine.
- International Kite Festival – a kite festival held in July-August (the windiest season on the island) at Padang Galak Beach.
- Taman Festival Park – an abandoned amusement park for enthusiasts of abandoned places. Overgrown with ferns and vines, rusty and dilapidated. According to rumors, crocodiles still inhabit the area.
What are the sea destinations you can visit from Sanur?
From the northern pier of Sanur Beach, boats depart to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and the Gili Islands.
Hotels in Sanur: Sanur Beach is abundant with beachfront hotels. Along the entire coastline, you’ll find hotels and villas. The hotel area in Sanur is neat and clean, with well-groomed lawns, flowers, and pools. Prices start from $50 per night and go higher and higher.
Why is Sanur called the “children’s beach”? Many hotels in Sanur are family-oriented. It has swings and carousels, as well as tennis, chess, and billiards. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy these amenities.
We are always happy to share the magic of Bali Island with positive people!
Sincerely, Bali Open Group, authors of the blog baliopen.org
