Bali Beach Babble
 

There have been so many negative posts about Bali beaches that I am beginning to feel abnormal. I LOVE BALI'S BEACHES, especially the Seminak area where I like to hangout. Let me elaborate.

I'm an American who's lived in Jakarta for many years. My family and I escape to Bali whenever we can -- maybe 6-8 times a year. Half the time we spend in the Ubud area and half the time we spend at the beach.

It's true that Bali's beaches are not pristine and that the water is not limpid and/or lucid and that there are hawkers and gawkers and for all I know street walkers. It's also true that on some days when the tides are unfavorable the beaches are full of trash. There are better places for diving and snorkeling. OKAY, OKAY. Here's what to like:

You can walk for miles and miles and miles
You can get away from everyone or you can join the happy throngs
You can soak up the sun or snooze under an umbrella
You can swim in baby sized waves or gigantic waves
You can surf, windsurf, sail, bodyboard
You can walk your dog -- mutt or purebred
You can play with your kids, introduce your baby to the ocean
You can bulk a sandcastle
You can run, jog, or powerwalk
You can play or watch soccer, volleyball, Frisbee
You can go topless (ala Europe) or you can cover up from top to toe (ala Java)
You can see temple ceremonies with priests, offerings, beautifully dressed women in procession
You can sit on a beach chair -- you hotel's or a rented one -- and watch the waves, the walkers, the surfers, the sunset
You can collect shells, starfish, sanddollars
You can fly a kite
You can buy a sarong, a hat, a watch(?)
You can have a massage or a manicure/pedicure
You can watch Balinese fishermen cast their nets or patiently wait with spears
You can see hotel chefs appraising today's catch
You can sit at a café and eat or drink whatever takes your fancy --grilled fish, sate, drinks with little umbrellas, fresh mango
You can see a zillion stars
You can watch a crescent moon slip into the sea
You can fall in love, for the first time or all over again

you can do all you said as a guy walks next too you saying "marijuan, young girl"

I guess going anywhere after being in jakarta is peradice and yes I've been too both. ..

Well said Marmot.

When I go to Bali I am quite happy to park myself in a guesthouse in Kuta/Legian and enjoy the life of the streets around me plus the most wonderful beaches for a body surfer and beach jogger.

Everybody else throws their hands up at hearing this and looks sideways at their partner as if I'm barking mad.

Harzer

To marmot,
that is just lovely. i agree with you completely. while the water may not be most pristine, the beaches have lots of charm. i will try out the seminak area next time.
thanks,
mohan

I second Bali have some really good beaches I never went to the one in Seminyak but I love the Nusa Dua beach from Grand Hyatt!

996....
Where you able to a Resot cll: Peninsula Beach Resort in Nusa Dua?
I have a tiem share I am about to loose and they have that property available....... WHats your thinking. Where is that beach or area situated.

THANKS,

DIANA

Hi - I need help! I am trying to book my honeymoon and have narrowed it down to Bali and Bali. Can someone confirm this is the right trip? So far our itinerary begins from flying out of the US to Singapore for 3 days then off to the Four seasons in Jimbaran Bay for 7 nights then to the Four seasons at Sayan. Are these hotels as amazing as I have been hearing? The trip is for November which I hear may be the rainy season which doesn't concern me as much unless it will rain everyday. And regarding these pristine or not pristine beaches - will there be any please to scuba dive?

Help
Celeste