Sanur, the Birthplace of Bali Legendary Tourism

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Bali has become a juggernaut in tourism world, but not many people know that it was in Sanur that tourism first flourished in the island. Sanur is a unique blend of beauty and adventure, so it caught on pretty quickly in the early days of Bali Tourism. It’s not surprising that this area is the home of many Bali’s most historic hotels.

Silhouette of young woman practising yoga meditation in standing full lotus position near gazebo or pagoda at beach in Bali during sunrise or sunset with her dog. Sanur beach has many gazebo (c) Shutterstock
Silhouette of young woman practising yoga meditation in standing full lotus position near gazebo or pagoda at beach in Bali during sunrise or sunset with her dog. Sanur beach has many gazebo (c) Shutterstock

Sanur area is located on the eastern coast of South Bali’s Isthmus. It covers several beaches that stretched from Padanggalak Beach at the north to Mertasari Beach in the south. All are popular destinations with their own beauty and charms. You will be enchanted when you visit any of these beaches.

Padanggalak Beach

colorful kite festival with background blue sky taken from sanur bali indonesia (c) Shutterstock
colorful kite festival with background blue sky taken from sanur bali indonesia (c) Shutterstock

Padanggalak is the northernmost part of the whole Sanur coast that stretch for about eight kilometers. Admittedly, Padaggalak is not the best beach for surfers or swimmer, unlike some other beaches in Sanur. However, this beach is the site of the annual Bali Kites Festival that is held every July. This beach is the paradise for kite hobbyists as hundreds of kite lovers flock this beach to compete during the festival.

Matahari Terbit Beach

Asian Gazebo Silhouette During Tropical Sunrise On Ocean Point - Sanur Beach, Indonesia (c) Shutterstock
Asian Gazebo Silhouette During Tropical Sunrise On Ocean Point – Sanur Beach, Indonesia via theworldtravelguy.com

As the name implies, this beach is mainly popular for its spectacular sunrise. This half-kilometer beach doesn’t have sandy shore like other beaches nearby. The waves are very calm and you won’t be struggling to find a nice place if you ever want to watch the spectacular sunrise here. Interestingly, this beach is a favorite for locals who want to enjoy their weekend in Sanur.

Segara Ayu Beach

Aerial view of Sanur beach, Bali, Indonesia. (c) Shutterstock
Aerial view of Sanur beach, Bali, Indonesia. (c) Shutterstock

Segara ayu is the located in Banjar taman, Sanur. The situation here is relatively calm with not many tourists flocking the beach (compared to other beaches nearby). There are still many fishermen in Segara Ayu, and it reflected on the many traditional boats you can see there. Facing east, Segara Ayu Beach is a great place to see sunrise in relative peace.

Karang Beach

The colourful traditional fishing boats that line the coastal shores of Jimbaran and Sanur in Bali are known as jukung. (c) Shutterstock
The colourful traditional fishing boats that line the coastal shores of Jimbaran and Sanur in Bali are known as jukung. (c) Shutterstock

To the south of Segara Ayu, lies Karang Beach. It is a serene white sandy beach with very calm wave, so it is perfect for family vacation. You can walk on the wave breaker with simple patio at the end of it. You can also rent a canoe and explore the surrounding area by yourself. You can even join local fishermen if you want to fish. Just like its neighbor, Karang Beach is also ideal for watching sunrise.

Sanur Beach

Beautiful Sanur beach landscape with turquoise water under blue sky in Bali, Indonesia (c) Shutterstock
Beautiful Sanur beach landscape with turquoise water under blue sky in Bali, Indonesia (c) Shutterstock

Starting from this beach and southward, you will find that the beaches are cleaner and the resort feelings are stronger. Amenities are abundant and the beaches are well-maintained by the beachfront hotels.

Along the beach path, you can find restaurants and shops. Sometimes, you can also see the outlines of Mount Agung and Nusa Penida Island in the horizon, especially when the weather is clear.

Semawang Beach

Beautiful Sanur beach on Bali, Indonesia. (c) SHutterstock
Beautiful Sanur beach on Bali, Indonesia. (c) Shutterstock

As with many beaches in this area, there are wave breaker with simple gazebo at the end of it in Mertasari beach. This beach is also well-maintained by the respective beachfront hotels. Underwater, the extensive reef protect this place from big waves. You can also rent kayak and floaties for your kid to enjoy the waters.

Mertasari Beach

Mertasari Beach Bali Indonesia (c) Shutterstock
Mertasari Beach Bali Indonesia (c) Shutterstock

Located in the south, Mertasari is geared toward activity beach. There is cycling route and lovely paths. The rugged nature of the beach make sunrise here is not as spectacular as other beaches in the north. Mertasari is the spot for paragliding and paramotoring, where they often this beach as a take-off and landing spot. Kayaking is another option you can do here.

Beautiful Sanur Beach (c) Shutterstock
Beautiful Sanur Beach (c) Shutterstock

Albeit only 8 kilometer long, Sanur has wonderful stretch of coastline. Stunning view of sunrise, many beach activities, and wonderful hotels makes this coast one of the best tourist destinations in Bali. Its proximity to the airport also contributes to its popularity. So, which beach in Sanur is your favorite?

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Bali karang matahari terbit mertasari padanggalak sanur segara ayu semawang
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