Some of the beaches in Indonesia are fantastic; however, they tend to be underrated because the most stunning ones are often hidden in remote locations without easy access. On the bright side, this means you’ll likely have them to yourself!

In Bali, for example, the most spectacular beaches are located on the nearby Nusa islands, rather than on the mainland. Similarly, other destinations like Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatra showcase the same pattern—if you truly want to experience the best beaches in Indonesia, you generally need to venture off the beaten path and engage in some island hopping.

By embarking on these journeys, you’ll discover the brightest white sand beaches, enchanting pink beaches, and unique black volcanic beaches. You might even encounter top-quality surf spots alongside photogenic cliffs, boulders, and the occasional shipwreck.

Here’s a complete Indonesia beach guide highlighting some of our favorites!

Sulawesi Beaches

1. Pasir Panjang Beach

Labengki is a remote paradise off the east coast of Sulawesi, boasting some of the finest beaches in Indonesia.

Long Sand Beach (Pantai Pasir Panjang) is Labengki’s longest beach, making it quite special. It features a perfect stretch of white sand, flanked by a palm forest and calm blue waters. This may well be the best beach in Indonesia!

Moreover, beach hut accommodation on Labengki Island is just a short walk from this stunning beach.

2. Pasir Merah Beach

The Indonesian name for this beach is Pantai Pasir Merah, which translates to Red Sand Beach—this name stems from the reddish-orange hue of the sand.

The towering cliffs and bent palm trees create a picturesque view, making it my favorite beach in Labengki; it truly deserves recognition as one of the best beaches in Indonesia!

While there is no accommodation on this beach, it remains untamed. However, you can visit it on a day trip by boat from Labengki Island.

3. Mahoro Beach

Mahoro is a remote island located near Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

To access this paradise, you must first fly to Siau Island or take a four-hour fast ferry from Manado city, followed by a small speedboat trip around Mahoro and the neighboring islands.

The journey is rewarding, as you will discover one of the finest white sand beaches in Indonesia! This private beach offers stunning views of the active Karangetang Volcano in the distance.

4. Mandel Beach

Mandel Beach boasts a pristine stretch of white sand extending over a kilometer, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in the Banggai Islands of central Sulawesi.

This beach is located on Peleng Island in Banggai. To reach it, take a flight to Luwuk in central Sulawesi, then hop on a public ferry to Salakan, before renting a motorbike or hiring a driver to take you to the beach.

Mandel Beach features incredibly white sand and turquoise waters, resembling a refreshing sea of mint-colored Listerine.

5. Tanjung Gundul

Tanjung Gundul is probably one of the most unique beaches in Indonesia. Instead of soft sand, you will find white pebbles, complemented by a giant rock arch sculpted out of limestone by natural elements. It reminded me of the pebble beaches in Kefalonia, Greece.

This little beach is located in Banggai Laut. To visit, fly to Luwuk, take the ferry to Banggai Laut, and then a small speedboat to Tanjung Gundul. Yes, it’s remote, but the surrounding Banggai area is rich with other attractions.

Komodo Beaches

6. Pink Sand Beach

The Komodo National Park in eastern Indonesia is famous for its pink sand beaches! The stunning color is derived from tiny coral-based organisms known as foraminifera.

Pink beaches are rare treasures globally, and witnessing them is a must when exploring the Komodo islands.

7. Padar Island

This location isn’t solely a beach per se, but rather a scenic viewpoint offering views of multiple beaches.

Komodo’s most famous viewpoint is situated on the small, uniquely shaped Padar Island, which features three distinct bays displaying white, black, and pink beaches.

Each of these sands is remarkable in its own right; however, witnessing all three together is a rare sight indeed. This may be the only place in the world where you can experience such a combination!

Maluku Beaches

8. Ora Beach

Ora Beach is a hidden paradise and private resort found on Seram Island, Maluku.

To access this stunning destination, first fly to Ambon (AMQ), then take a two-hour fast ferry from Tulehu to Amahai, followed by a two-hour drive to Ora Bay. Upon arrival, accommodations include the Ora Beach Resort or various homestays in the nearby Saleman village.

This beach might be the most beautiful in Indonesia, reminiscent of Bora Bora, and is excellent for snorkeling due to its vibrant coral reefs.

Sumatra Beaches

9. Tanjung Tinggi Beach

Belitung is a scenic island off south Sumatra, hosting numerous white sand beaches.

Tanjung Tinggi is arguably the most photogenic spot on the island (and is among the best beaches in Sumatra Indonesia), featuring perfect blue-green waters and striking boulders. It serves as an excellent sunset viewing location.

This beach undeniably ranks high among the best in Indonesia and deserves greater recognition.

10. Lengkuas Island

This small island is a highlight of the Belitung Island Hopping Tour.

It features an iconic Dutch lighthouse from the 1800s, which visitors can still climb today! From the 18th story balcony, you’ll enjoy views of the granite rocks and azure waters below.

Finally, Lengkuas Island has some of the best Sumatra beaches and snorkeling spots!

11. Batu Berlayar Island

This was one of our favorite mini-islands in Belitung.

It features a small, circular sandy island encrusted with rocks and boulders throughout—similar to a rugged, natural Stonehenge in the ocean.

Additionally, there’s a small cave you can stroll through to traverse between the main boulders at the center of the island.

12. Banyak Islands

The Banyak Islands consist of barely inhabited paradise islands located northwest of Sumatra.

For accommodations, you can find a basic bungalow on an almost private island, surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal-clear water in every direction.

If you seek a Robinson Crusoe-like lifestyle, it doesn’t get much better than this! Pulau Palambak, for example, boasts one of the finest beaches in Sumatra Indonesia.

13. Coral Island (Pulau Karang)

Coral Island, known locally as Pulau Karang, is a concealed gem in North Sumatra that showcases perfect white sand and picturesque palm trees that lean over the turquoise waters like a postcard image.

You can circle the island in about an hour of walking, yet the most breathtaking scenery lies on the western shores leading to the lighthouse. Here, numerous bent palm trees offer ideal photo opportunities (and climbing fun), along with powder-soft sand.

This may be a small island, but it hosts one of the best beaches in Sumatra!

Bali Beaches

14. Kuta Beach

This is Bali’s original beach! A classic, it absolutely deserves a mention.

Although you won’t find peace and quiet here, it remains worth a visit. Explore the Beachwalk Mall, go surfing, or simply enjoy the sunset with a refreshing Bintang.

15. Bingin Beach

Bingin is a picturesque beach adorned with exotic boulders and seaweed-covered rocks. It is fantastic for photography and surfing while being less crowded compared to other beaches in the area.

However, there is some trash and rubble resulting from hotel construction, although high-quality accommodations and restaurants are beginning to emerge in the vicinity.

16. Nunggalan Beach

This beach features one of the longest stretches of white sand in southern Bali. While the descent and ascent can be strenuous, those willing to make the effort are rewarded with a vast private beach and a visually striking wooden shipwreck!

17. Padang Padang Beach

Padang Padang is a charming beach tucked into the cliffs of south Bali. To reach it, you’ll have to navigate through a narrow passageway in the rocks and descend a series of steps.

This beach enjoys popularity for surfing, or you can simply relax with a fresh coconut on the white sand, soaking in the company of monkeys.

18. Thomas Beach

This beach is considered one of the finest in south Bali. It features a lengthy strip of white sand scattered with boulders and enjoys a relatively low footfall.

19. Melasti Beach

Melasti is a highly developed beach in southern Bali, with roads carved into tall limestone cliffs providing breathtaking backdrops.

The beach itself boasts a long stretch of white sand, clear turquoise waters, ample parking space, and a variety of upscale clubs lining the beachfront, including Cattamaran, Minoo, and Palmilla. Additionally, visitors can reach Karma Beach Club from here by walking.

While I often dislike seeing previously serene beaches overdeveloped, I must say that Melasti’s development has been executed rather gracefully. It can get a bit trashy at times, but overall it remains surprisingly clean and enjoyable.

Nusa Penida Beaches

20. Kelingking Beach

Some of Bali’s best beaches are found on the small neighboring island of Nusa Penida, reachable via a short boat ride.

After admiring the famous T-Rex shaped Kelingking Cliff, there’s a path leading down to the beautiful beach below. This hike presents quite a workout, slightly frightening at moments, taking approximately two hours round trip. Don’t forget to bring water!

You can see from the picture below that the beach at the bottom is pristine, with large waves and a hidden cave waiting to be explored!

21. Suwehan Beach

Are you searching for a hidden beach with flawless white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waves? Suwehan is recognized as one of the best hidden beaches on Penida island.

Add to that a striking pointed rock resembling a Christmas tree (or an elf hat), and you’ll find that locals have recently constructed tree houses, where visitors can stay for a night near the cliffs.

22. Tembeling Beach

This enchanting sea cave opens to awe-inspiring views of the massive cliffs along the Penida coast. Moreover, a small natural pool sits near the cave, perfect for a refreshing dip.

23. Atuh Beach

This location is among the coolest beaches on the southern tip of Penida island. Unlike Suwehan Beach, Atuh is well-known, featuring sunbeds, bean bags, and several delightful food and drink shacks available for visitors.

The highlight of Atuh Beach is the grand elephant-shaped rock in the ocean (locals say it resembles a stiletto), along with the myriad of sea life trapped in the rocks during low tide.

24. Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach, named after its uniquely pointed diamond-shaped rock, is another breathtaking “cliff beach” on Nusa Penida’s southeastern coast.

This beach became accessible for visitors in late 2018, when a pathway was carved into the cliffside leading down to its sandy shores.

25. Nyanyad Beach

This lesser-known beach is situated at the southern tip of Nusa Penida, featuring a small temple and dramatic hills on either side of its shores.

The hike to Nyanyad only requires around 15 minutes, with concrete steps guiding you all the way, leading you to a beach adorned with pristine white sand!

More Beautiful Indonesia Beaches

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this exploration of the best beaches in Indonesia.

It’s essential to note that this list is not exhaustive; countless hidden beaches await discovery in Maluku, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and other enchanting islands.

For additional information and tips on some of Indonesia’s best beach destinations, be sure to check out the comprehensive Indonesia Travel Guide!

Best Time To Visit Indonesia

The ideal time to visit Indonesia varies based on your interests:

☁ Rainy season spans from November to April. Daytime temperatures can be hot and humid, ranging from 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F), but fewer tourists visit during this timeframe. Rainfall typically occurs at night, and the skies may be cloudier, compromising underwater visibility. However, waterfalls thrive, and the landscape is lush and vibrant.

☀ Dry season lasts from May to October. Temperatures are milder and more comfortable, with enhanced breeziness and sunny skies. This period often enjoys the most pleasant weather, making it perfect for hiking, island hopping, and soaking in Indonesia’s breathtaking beaches. However, this is also the peak tourist season, meaning it can be more crowded; nonetheless, outside of Bali, you’re unlikely to encounter large crowds.

Happy travels! Regardless of when you choose to explore the beauty of Wonderful Indonesia, you are bound to witness spectacular sights!