Best Beach for Beachcombing in Bali

Virtually all visitors to Bali spend some time at the beach — wandering along baking strips of sand watching bathers, surfers and sun worshippers, or even lying prone absorbing the sun’s uv rays. Few visitors, however, appreciate the natural interest that is all around them as they stroll toward the sunset, moan under a masseuses’ fingers or paddle in the shallows. There are two beach which are famous for beachcoming in Bali and is a must to visit all of them.

Kuta Beach
The striking thing about the sea at Kuta is its energy — the waves break close to shore and there is a long tidal reach, so the shore is heavily scoured. Few organisms can cope with the heavy surges of water. But wander along Kuta Beach at low tide and you’ll notice what look like the five-pad footprints of a large dog, but not arranged in tracks. Brush away the sand and just beneath the surface you will find Sand Dollars (Eckinodiscus bisterforatus), relatives of the sea urchins. Their flatshape offers minimal resistance to the moving water and hundreds can be found in a short walk.

Sanur Beach
The waves at Sanur break over a reef crest several hundred meters from the shore. As a result, only small and gentle waves reach the beach, and this protected lagoon is a very rewarding area biologically. Between the beach and the reef are some of the best seagrass meadows a casual visitor is likely to see, and it is worthwhile idling a while in this area. Seagrass is thought of as a weed, since the commonest encounter with it is when the broken or rotting leaves get caught in your hair while swimming. Indeed, staff of the large hotels can be seen at dawn busily sweeping this natural frass into holes or trucking it away lest sensitive visitors feel their idyllic beach is despoiled. The seagrass meadows can be explored either by walking around wearing sneakers at low tide when the water reaches only slightly over the ankles, or by snorkeling at high water.

The more time one spends at the beach the more one sees. Get out there and explore, but please leave live shells and other animals where you find them!