8 Best Things to Do in Padangbai
What is Padangbai Most Famous For?
There are plenty of things to do in Padangbai, a remote coastal town in East Bali that’s best known for its bustling harbor. You’ll find laidback seaside havens at its beautiful and secluded beaches, which are located within a short walk of Padangbai Port. The waters surrounding Blue Lagoon and Bias Tugel are popular diving sites, while ancient temples to explore can be found along the coast.
The main beach of Padangbai is suitable for swimming and snorkeling, while the black-sand beach of Kusamba is busy with villagers producing salt using traditional tools. To unwind after a good day out diving or beach wandering, there are several notable resort spas in the area offering an extensive range of treatments.
1. Padangbai Beach
A beautiful stretch of coast with plentiful marine life
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Pantai Padangbai Beach is the main stretch of sand in Padangbai. While the coastal town is better known for its busy seaport, where ferries take travelers southeast to Lombok, you’ll also find a picturesque beachfront on the eastern corner of the bay.
Divers won’t find a shortage of operators lining Pantai Padangbai. Motorboats and traditional outriggers operated by locals can take you to the best spots around the waters, where you can discover vivid reefs teeming with marine life. If you prefer staying on dry land, check out the beautiful local temples like Pura Tanjung Sari and Silayukti Temple. Read more
Location: Pantai Padang Bai, Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Padangbai Beach
2. Blue Lagoon Beach
Fantastic snorkeling and dive spot
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Blue Lagoon Beach occupies a small bay about 1 mile northeast of Padangbai Port. You can snorkel right from this 60-meter stretch of white sand. It also has a diving spot that’s home to exotic marine life, including Napoleon wrasse, reef shark, stonefish, moray and blue ribbon eels, nudibranchs, octopuses, and cuttlefish.
It’s considered one of Bali’s hidden beaches, attracting those looking for a quiet tropical vacation. The best time for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing at Blue Lagoon Beach is during the dry season (April to October).
Location: Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Blue Lagoon Beach
3. Bias Tugel (White Sand) Beach
A gem hidden between 2 hills
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Located 150 meters southwest of Padangbai Port, Pantai Bias Tugel is a secluded beach nestled between hilly capes. This 130-meter-long sandy stretch offers calm, blue waters most times of the year. You can relax on the even sand or under the shade of parasols.
Head over to Bias Tugel Beach’s far eastern end to find lovely spots for swimming and snorkeling. There’s also plenty of local vendors selling snacks and cold beers, as well as renting out parasols and snorkeling gear along this stretch of the coast. Read more
Location: Pantai Bias Tugel, Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Bias Tugel (White Sand) Beach
4. Kusamba Salt Farm Village
Traditional salt farming in action
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Kusamba Salt Farm occupies a black-sand beach about 2.5 miles southwest of Padangbai Port. You’ll find salt farmers producing salt using the traditional methods their ancestors used, fetching seawater in buckets on carrying poles, then emptying them onto the smoothened black sand.
The salt begins to crystallize after several hours under the scorching sun. Once it’s fully dried, the salt gets scraped off, collected, and brought into salt-making huts for filtration processes. Kusamba Beach is quiet and exotic on its own, with the local practice of salt farming adding to its appeal. Read more
Location: Kusamba Beach, Antiga, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia
Kusamba Salt Farm Village
5. Silayukti Temple
A stunning hilltop Hindu temple
Good for: Adventure, History, Photo
Silayukti is an 11th-century Hindu temple in Padangbai. Its hilltop location overlooks the main sandy length of Padangbai and Blue Lagoon Beach to the north, making it one of the best spots for sunrises and sunsets in Bali. The temple is located on a headland about 1 mile northeast of Padangbai Port. There’s a pathway that also takes you to several shrines like Pura Tanjungsari and Pura Telaga Mas.
Silayukti is liveliest during its temple anniversary, which takes place every “Kliwon Pahang” Wednesday on the Balinese 210-day calendar. Pilgrims from all over Bali attend the temple for prayers over 4 days. Read more
Location: Jalan Silayukti, Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Silayukti Temple
6. Pantai Yeh Malet
A great beach for fishing and volleyball
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Pantai Yeh Malet is a scenic black-sand beach close to the traditional salt farming village of Kusamba. This rather small beach is about 2.5 miles east of Kusamba Beach and is visible from drives along Jalan Raya Tengading.
On the coast, you’ll see several wooden outriggers that belong to local fishermen, as well as “warungs” (food stalls) selling drinks and local snacks.
Pantai Yeh Malet Beach is a local hangout for shore fishing and playing beach volleyball. It’s the perfect little haven for unwinding after busy days of sightseeing.
Location: Yeh Malet, Antiga, Karangasem, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Pantai Yeh Malet
7. Bloo Lagoon Spa & Wellness
Pampering and relaxation with sea views
Good for: Couples, Luxury
The Spa & Wellness center at the Bloo Lagoon Eco Village offers a wide range of traditional spa treatments for those looking to unwind after a day of exploring Padangbai. The spa center occupies a unique dome-shaped building at the resort, with treatment rooms overlooking the ocean.
Must-try treatments include Balinese healing and hot-stone massages, which help relax the body and increase blood circulation in the skin and muscle. Facials, body wraps, nail services, and waxing are also available at Bloo Lagoon’s Spa & Wellness center.
Location: Bloo Lagoon Village, Jalan Silayukti, Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80872, Indonesia
Phone: +62 (0)36 341 211
Bloo Lagoon Spa & Wellness
8. Pura Penataran Padang Bai
A 16th century temple complex
Good for: History, Photo
Pura Penataran Padang Bai is a temple complex dating back to the 16th century, and is believed to have been built by the high priest Dang Hyang Nirartha during his missions to Bali. Located 650 meters southwest of Pantai Padangbai Beach, the temple complex is known for its grand gate and white limestone bricks.
The temple anniversary takes place every “Wage Kelawu” Wednesday on the Balinese 210-day calendar when Hindu pilgrims visiting Pura Penataran Padang Bai for prayers. You’re welcome to visit the temple, but you should dress appropriately out of respect for the locals and monks.
Location: Padangbai, Manggis, Padangbai, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Pura Penataran Padang Bai
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