Sanur Beach is the heart of the Sanur area and the place you will spend most of your time. Whether you are doing watersports, eating, drinking, shopping or watching the sunrise, the beach and its 6-kilometre path connects it all. We’ve visited Sanur more times than we can count and it never gets old. While other parts of Bali have busy nightlife and traffic jams, Sanur stays friendly, easy-going and for us, the best place in Bali to base yourself.
Things to do at Sanur Beach
This isn’t a generic checklist. These are things we’ve actually done and kept going back to over many visits to Sanur.
1. Spend the day at the Byrd House Beach Club
The Byrd House Beach Club at Segara Village Hotel is one of the best spots on Sanur Beach for a full day out. You can use the pool and sunbeds, order food and drinks brought straight to you, and if you have kids there is a playground on site. We love the funky wooden design of the place and the staff are genuinely friendly.
Arrive early. Pool and beach sunbeds are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
Current prices: Adults 300K (includes 100K day pass, towels and locker plus 200K food and beverage credit). Children 200K (includes towels and food and beverage credit). Contact: reservations@segaravillage.com or WhatsApp +6281339750364.
The Byrd House is at the north end of Sanur Beach, best accessed off the beach path. You can also get a Grab to Segara Village on Jl Segara Ayu.
2. Watch the sunrise
The Sanur sunrise is something else. I cannot tell you how many times i’ve quietly slipped out of the hotel room before Bec wakes up and walked down to the beach. At this time of day there are only a few people out, but everyone is here for the same thing — watching the sunrise over Nusa Penida. By all means grab your phone for a few shots, but then put it away and enjoy the moment.
If you only do one thing in Sanur, make it this. The whole beach faces east so every spot along the path gives you a clear view.
Head to Stuja Di Pantai Cafe for an early morning coffee with your sunrise. They make a great coffee and are at the end of Jl Kasuma Sari where it meets the beach path.
3. Walk or jog the Sanur beach path
The Sanur beach path stretches about 6 kilometres along the shoreline and it’s the best way to see Sanur at your own pace. We’ve done this walk dozens of times — sometimes with coffee in hand, sometimes hunting for happy hour, and sometimes just because it’s a good thing to do. You’ll pass beach clubs, traditional fishing boats, local artists under shady trees, beach markets and more food than you could eat in a week.
Some sections of the beach path are quite dark at night with no lighting. We have never had an issue but always be aware of your surroundings after dark.
4. Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the most popular water activities on Sanur Beach and it’s easy to see why. The water near the shore is shallow, the bottom is sandy and there’s hardly a ripple most mornings. It’s a genuinely good spot for first-timers. We usually rent near the Hyatt or Mertasari Beach but you won’t have trouble finding boards for hire anywhere along the path.
5. Free beach yoga at Pantai Karang
Sanur has plenty of yoga studios but the best option might be the free morning yoga at Pantai Karang beach. It runs Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8.30am. We stumbled onto it by accident one morning — just walking past when we saw the group stretching under the palms. A lovely Balinese woman smiled and waved us over and before long we were giving it a go.
Find it at the end of Jl Pantai Kerang, which runs off Jalan Danau Tamblingan next to Cafe Smorgus. Free. No booking needed. Just show up.
6. Get a beach massage
After a day in the sun there’s nothing better than a massage on the sand. You’ll find local women along the Sanur beach path with padded tables set up right on the beach. No fancy spa rooms — just a table, the sound of the ocean and hands that know what they’re doing. Bec goes for the foot massage every time. I’m a back and shoulder person. No Sanur day is complete without at least one.
Current prices are around 100,000 IDR on the beach path. You may be able to negotiate.
You’ll find a concentration of massage tables near Baruna market at the north end and at the south end between Puri Santrian and Prama Beach Resort.
7. Eat your way along the beach path
One of the best things about Sanur is how easy it is to eat well with the ocean a few steps away. You don’t have to plan, book or go far. The entire beach path is lined with cafes, warungs and restaurants.
We have places we go back to every visit. La Playa does a great grilled Mahi Mahi. Tootsies is the place for a club sandwich and a cold Bintang. And if you haven’t tried the banana peanut butter smoothie bowl at Costa by Monsta yet, that needs to go to the top of the list.
8. Drinks on the beach
Every restaurant and cafe along the beachfront sells Bintang Beer. Grab one and sit in the shade. That’s the whole plan and it’s a good one.
For cocktails, head to the Tree Bar at the Maya Resort for happy hour between 5pm and 7pm. It’s on the roof overlooking the beach and one of the only elevated spots along the strip. Worth it at sunset. Fruit smoothies — especially mango — are popular all day at pretty much every cafe on the path.
9. Listen to live music
Sanur Beach has a good live music scene in the evenings. Local bands and singers play at restaurants, resorts and bars all along the beach. The best spots include Griya Santrian, Prama Beach Resort and Tapha. Prama has a proper stage — we’ve spent many nights there with cocktails listening to cover bands working through the classics.
10. Jet ski
We’re not usually thrill-seekers but the first time we tried jet skiing in Sanur it was all fun from the moment we hit the throttle. The water off the beach is calm, especially near the shore, which makes it a good spot for first-timers. Quick safety briefing and you’re off.
Jet ski rentals are at the south end of Sanur Beach near Prama Beach Resort or near La Playa Cafe. Surya Watersports charge around 473,000 IDR for 15 minutes.
11. Go swimming
Sanur has some of the best swimming on the island. The outer reef acts as a natural barrier that keeps the water calm and flat. It’s one of the few beaches in Bali where anyone — kids, older visitors, people with no ocean swimming experience — will feel safe and comfortable. Most hotels have pools so you don’t see massive crowds in the water, but the beach itself is genuinely one of the safest in Bali for a swim.
12. Visit the Turtle Conservation Centres
Sanur Beach has two turtle conservation centres — the Sindhu Dwarawati Turtle Conservation Centre and the Sea Turtle Village. Both protect endangered green turtles, giving them a safe space to hatch and grow before being released back into the ocean. They’re small, local operations. You can pay a small fee to feed the turtles or contribute to a turtle release.
- The Sea Turtle Village is between The Hyatt and Andaz Resort on the beach path
- Sindhu Dwarawati Turtle Conservation Centre is near Icon Bali Shopping Mall at Sindhu Beach
13. Go shopping
You can do your shopping without ever leaving the beach. The Sindhu and Baruna beach markets are accessible straight off the beach path. You’ll find a range of small shops where you can barter or look for fixed-price stores. Bec loves Monica’s shop at Baruna Beach market for reliable fixed prices and good quality.
The Icon Bali Shopping Mall has also opened with direct beach access. It’s the biggest mall in Bali with 4 floors of local and international brands. Free cultural dance shows run on the ground floor daily at 1pm and 7.15pm.
14. Beach games
Sanur Beach has plenty of room for beach games. You can hire equipment for beach soccer, frisbee and volleyball from vendors along the path. The long stretch of sand at the southern end near Mertasari Beach is the best spot for space to move around.
15. Fishing
Fishing off the beach is popular in Sanur, especially early morning and late afternoon at low tide. When i say off the beach i actually mean in the beach — you have to wade out into the shallow waters to fish. The best spots are the rock formations along the beach where you can fish for reef species — rabbitfish, snappers and groupers — with a simple line and bait.
If you want something more, there are boat tours out to deeper water for tuna, mahi-mahi and marlin. All equipment is included and tours can be tailored to your experience level. You can book a private fishing tour by traditional boat here.
Getting to Sanur Beach
Unlike Seminyak and Kuta, there is no road running along the beach in Sanur. You access the beach via side streets off Jalan Danau Tamblingan. The main access points are Jl Tirta Empul (Mertasari Beach), Jl Cemara, Jl Kusuma Sari, Jl Duyung, Jl Pantai Kerang, Jl Pantai Sindhu, Jl Segara Ayu and Jl Hang Tuah at the far north. Full details on how to get to the beach in Sanur here.
Getting around Sanur is easy on a scooter. Here’s everything you need to know about hiring a scooter in Sanur.
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FAQs about Sanur Beach Bali
What is the best time to visit Sanur Beach?
The dry season from May to September is the most popular time. The weather is consistently sunny and the humidity is lower. That said, Sanur is worth visiting year-round and even in the wet season you’ll get plenty of fine days between showers.
Is Sanur Beach good for swimming?
Yes — one of the best in Bali. The outer reef creates a natural barrier that keeps the water calm and flat. There is no rough surf, making it safe for kids, older visitors and anyone without much ocean swimming experience.
Is Sanur Beach suitable for families?
It is one of the most family-friendly beaches in Bali. The water is calm and shallow, the beach path is flat and easy to walk with young children, and there are plenty of activities for all ages including the turtle conservation centres, beach games and the Byrd House playground.
Are there restaurants and cafes on Sanur Beach?
The entire 6-kilometre beach path is lined with cafes, warungs and restaurants. You can eat and drink at every price point. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Sanur for specific recommendations.
How long is the Sanur beach path?
The Sanur beach path stretches approximately 6 kilometres along the coastline from Mertasari Beach in the south to the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in the north. It is flat, paved and easy to walk or jog at any time of day.
How does Sanur Beach compare to Kuta or Seminyak?
Sanur is much quieter and more relaxed. There is no party strip, significantly less traffic and a slower pace overall. It attracts families and older visitors who want to enjoy Bali without the chaos. You still get great restaurants, beach clubs, live music and shopping — it just doesn’t feel frantic. For a direct comparison, read our Sanur vs Seminyak guide.
What watersports are available at Sanur Beach?
Sanur Beach has a good range of watersports including stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, snorkelling and fishing trips. Most can be booked directly on the beach. For a full overview, see our beaches and watersports guide for Sanur.
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