9 Best Things to Do in Padangbai

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 travellers southeast to Lombok – you'll find a nice 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 the beach, check out local temples like Pura Tanjung Sari and Silayukti Temple. 

Blue Lagoon Beach occupies a small bay about 1.5 km northeast of Padang Bai Port. You can snorkel right off from this 60-metre stretch of white sand. It 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 holiday. The best time for snorkelling, swimming, and sunbathing at Blue Lagoon Beach is during the dry season (April–October).

Located 150 metres southwest of Padang Bai Port, Pantai Bias Tugel is a secluded beach hidden between hilly capes. This 130-metre-long sandy stretch offers calm and blue waters most times of the year. You can relax on the even sand or under the shades of parasols.

Head over to Bias Tugel Beach's far eastern end to find fairly nice spots for swimming and snorkelling. You can find local vendors selling snacks and cold beers, as well as renting out parasols and snorkelling gear along this stretch of the coast.

The Kusamba Salt Farm Village occupies a black-sand beach about 4 km southwest of Padang Bai Port. You'll find salt farmers fetching seawater in buckets on carrying poles, then emptying them onto the smoothened black sand.

The salt begins to crystallise 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.

Pura 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 sunsets and sunrises in Bali. The temple is located on a headland about 1.2 km northeast of Padang Bai Port. There's a pathway that also takes you to several shrines like Pura Tanjungsari and Pura Telaga Mas.

Pura 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.

Pantai Yeh Malet is a black sand beach close to the traditional salt farming villages of Kusamba. This rather small beach is about 4 km 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 beach volleyball.

Spiral Spa at Bloo Lagoon Eco Village offers a wide range of traditional spa treatments for those looking to unwind after a day of exploring Padang Bai. The spa centre occupies a unique dome building at the resort, with treatment rooms overlooking the ocean. Must-try treatments that 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 Spiral Spa Bali.