6 Best Black Sand Beaches in Bali & How to Find Them

Bali’s black sand beaches are just one of the reasons why the island is so unique. You can hop from a white sand beach to a golden sand beach, then onto a black sand beach in the space of just one day.

When you think of Bali’s beaches, it’s easy to imagine the pristine white sand and azure waters that adorn the pages of every Bali guidebook. Of course, these beaches do exist and are part and parcel of the Bali experience.

But what makes Bali so extraordinary, are all the other quirks in between. Tremendous volcanoes, steaming jungles, lush rice terraces, majestic waterfalls, and of course, black sand beaches.

If you’ve never visited a black sand beach before, Bali is the place to do it. Easily accessible and generally far quieter than the white sand beaches, we consider them to be an essential addition to your Bali itinerary.

We fell in love with the black sand beaches in Bali and wrote this article to help you locate the best of them. We’ll also include an explanation as to why there are black sand beaches in Bali, and what you can expect at each one of them!

So let’s get to it, here is a list of the best black sand beaches in Bali.

6 Black Sand Beaches in Bali & How to Find Them

Why are there Black Sand Beaches in Bali?

You might be wondering what makes black sand beaches so rare and why we can find so many of them in Bali.

Generally, black sand beaches are composed of volcanic minerals and lava fragments especially common to coastlines on volcanic islands. Which makes sense considering there are three volcanoes in Bali.

Would you dare hike an active volcano? Check out our guide to hiking Mount Batur in Bali here.  

You see, it is no accident that Bali’s black sand beaches are located along the North and East coasts of the island.

It’s in these regions that you’ll find Bali’s volcanoes, often looming in the distance of every black sand beach.

It’s a very different experience to the white sand beaches of the South, but one you can’t miss nevertheless.  

Interestingly, there is belief amidst the Balinese culture that hot black sand can help heal several ailments, including arthritis, nerve damage and vitamin deficiencies.

Which I assume stems from the similar belief that all of Bali’s volcanoes are incredibly sacred.  

Bali’s Black Sand Beaches at a Glance

I go into quite a lot of detail in this article regarding each of our favourite volcanic sand beaches in Bali. As well as what there is to do in the region around them. So if you’re short for time, here they are at a glance:

1. Jemeluk Bay, Amed
2. Amed Beach, Amed
3. Lipah Bay, Amed
4. Lovina Beach, North Bali
5. Mayo Resort, North Bali
6. Keramas Beach, South East Bali

The 6 Best Black Sand Beaches in Bali

Another reason we rate Bali’s volcanic sand beaches so much is that they are often far quieter than the beaches in the South.

While everybody rushes to the beaches in Uluwatu and Seminyak, the beaches in the North and East of Bali are left deserted and untouched.

With a desire to discover the unknown, we went in search of the mysterious black sand beaches in Bali.

Black Sand Beaches in Amed, Bali

Amed has got to be the most underrated region in Bali. It’s unpretentious and stripped back way of life is how I imagine Bali to be 20 or 30 years ago before mass tourism well and truly caught on.

There are no large scale resorts, fancy restaurants, or exploitative tourist attractions. Just locally owned businesses and simple beachside living.  

Those who do venture further East to Amed are usually there to enjoy the world-class diving opportunities.

A flourishing underwater world awaits just off the black-sand shorelines, with potential sightings of reef sharks, turtles, octopus, and barracudas.

Having said that, you don’t have to be a keen diver to enjoy all that Amed has to offer. We found the snorkelling opportunities to be equally vibrant, and there are several exciting things to do in and around the area.

On a clear day, you’ll often notice the notorious Mount Agung looming over you, adding an air of mystery and drama to the otherwise sleepy town. Here are some of our favourite black sand beaches in Amed, Bali.

1. Amed Beach

Amed Beach is the beach that runs adjacent to the main strip in town. Here you will find a selection of beach bars and restaurants, along with a great view of Agung; however, there aren’t any snorkelling opportunities.

It’s also quite a polluted beach as it’s where the fishermen park their boats. Nevertheless, it’s a sweet spot for a sunset stroll.

2. Jemeluk Bay

Jemeluk Beach is the next bay along from Amed beach, and while there still tends to be many boats around, it’s far more pleasant and pretty.

Equipped with beach bars, warungs, sun loungers, and snorkelling, we could comfortably spend the entire day here. 

3. Lipah Beach

Similar to Jemeluk Bay, Lipah Beach is perfect for a touch of gentle snorkelling. Healthy coral reefs sit just metres out from the bay, and turtles are often spotted here along with an abundance of other marine life.

The beach isn’t very developed in terms of tourist infrastructure. But as a result, it’s a clean and gorgeous stretch of sand.

Other Things to do in Amed

If you’re wondering what else there is to do around Amed, here is a brief overview of the highlights.

• Check out Bukit Cinta – The Mount Agung Viewpoint for sunrise
• Enjoy sunset beers at Sunset Point
• Visit the sacred Pura Lempuyan Temple & Bali Gateway to Heaven
• Go to Tirta Gangga – The Water Palace
• Relax on Bias Tugel Beach

Black Sand Beaches in North Bali

The North of Bali is another region in Bali that isn’t given enough credit. Although slightly more popular than Amed, it’s still only a small fraction of tourists who venture this far from the typical tourist hubs.

It’s great for us because we get to explore freely without any traffic or queues. But it’s a shame for those who miss out on the endless natural beauty that North Bali has to offer.

North Bali turned out to be one of our favourite spots on the island. Boasting majestic waterfalls, beautiful religious sites, and diverse landscapes, it’s a paradise for those seeking a real adventure.

Of course, the North is also home to many of Bali’s volcanic sand beaches, and with that, here’s a list of our favourites:

4. Lovina Beach

Lovina is the most popular and consequently busiest black sand beach in North Bali. Here you’ll find various beachside bars and restaurants alongside water sports and other activities.

It’s also pretty relentless for beach hawkers and activity salesman so I’d bear that in mind if you’re looking for a relaxing day on the beach.

Otherwise, it’s a pleasant and mostly clean stretch of bay and ideal if you want in the heart of all the action.

5. Mayo Resort

On the opposite end of the scale, if you’re seeking a remote black sand beach in Bali, you may consider staying at the beautiful Mayo resort.

Located in the quiet beachside town of Seririt, Mayo Resort is a beautiful 3* beach establishment with a pool, restaurant, and astounding views which overlook the Bali sea.

Not to mention it’s perched upon a deserted black sand beach with one of the best sunset views in all of Bali.

Other things to do in North Bali

Here’s a list of some other activities you can enjoy around the North of Bali.

• Cliff jumping at Leke Leke Waterfall
• Visit a Balinese coffee plantation
• Check out the Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery
• See the floating Ulun Danu Water Temple
• Take a dip at Gitgit Waterfall

6. Keramas Beach, South East Bali

Finally, on our list of the best black sand beaches in Bali, we have Keramas Beach. Located in the South East region of Bali, Keramas it’s probably the most remote beach South of Ubud.

So if you’re only in Bali for a short time and don’t fancy the long drive up North, this is the ideal black sand beach for you.  

Remember, I mentioned the healing powers of the hot volcanic sand earlier on in the article? It’s especially prevalent on this beach, with several medicine men and women offering their services.

On that note, it’s worth mentioning that Keramas is very ‘local’, so it’s perhaps not the best beach for swimming or sunbathing.

It is, however, perfect to appreciate Bali’s natural beauty and culture with few other tourists around.

In terms of tourist hubs, Keramas Beach is most accessible from Ubud. It’s an easy 30-minute drive from the cultural heart of Bali, and you can tick off some other Ubud attractions on the way.

Best Time to Visit Bali’s Beaches

The best time to visit the black sand beaches in Bali will be in the dry season, which runs from April to late September.

While there is always a chance of an odd rainy day, generally you can expect ideal conditions for sunbathing and water sports. 

July and August are considered the high season in Bali, as well as Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Bali is at its busiest during this time, and prices rise at an alarming rate.

With this in mind, April, May, June and September are the best months to visit.

Enjoy These Gorgeous Bali Beaches!

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy Bali’s beautiful black sand beaches.

If you have any questions or feedback don’t hesitate to reach out. You can drop us a message in the comments section or through our contact us page

If you’re planning a trip to Bali, perhaps these other articles will help to plan your trip.

• The Best 10 Day Bali Itinerary
• Instagrammable Bali – The Best Instagram Spots in Bali
• 18 Unmissable Things to do in North Bali
• 14 Things to do in Amed, Bali
• Guide to Getting a Visa Extension in Bali

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here where we share more travel tips and advice.

Stay adventurous and happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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