Sanur · Sanur, calm coast and family beaches
Things to do in
Sanur
A sheltered lagoon beach, a long seafront path and easy boats to the Nusa islands on the east coast.
- Ideal stay
- 2 to 3 nights suits a calm beach base and day trips to the Nusa islands.
- Best time
- April to October brings dry days and the flattest morning sea for swimming.
- Getting around
- The promenade is walkable or cyclable; use a driver or app for trips further afield.
- Good to know
- The beach faces east, so mornings and sunrises are the highlight rather than sunsets.
Sanur is Bali's calm east-coast resort, built around a sheltered beach and an easygoing seafront promenade.
Sanur runs along the south east coast, a low-rise resort town with a reef-protected beach and a relaxed pace. A long paved promenade traces the shore past hotels, warungs and old fishing boats, ideal for walking and cycling. The calm, shallow water suits families and swimmers, and the fast boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan leave from here. It suits older travellers and families who want an easy, low-key base close to Denpasar and the islands.
Before you go, read up on money and the rupiah, getting around by ferry, bus and car, the best time to visit and staying safe and healthy.
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01 Calm beachSanur Beach
Sanur Beach is a long, reef-protected stretch of golden sand with calm, shallow water that suits families and gentle swimming. The offshore reef keeps the waves down, so the sea is usually flat in the morning. Loungers, warungs and shade line the sand, with paddleboards and kayaks for hire. It is one of the easiest beaches in Bali for children and less confident swimmers.
Beach free; kayak or paddleboard hire from around 100,000 rupiah (about 6 US dollars); along the Sanur seafront.
Tip. Swim in the morning when the water is clearest and calmest before the afternoon breeze picks up.
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02 Seafront walkSanur Boardwalk
The Sanur Boardwalk is a paved path that runs several kilometres along the shore, linking the town's beaches and hotels. It is popular for a morning walk, jog or bike ride, passing cafes, temples and traditional fishing boats. Bicycles are easy to hire and make light work of the flat, car-free route. Sunrise over the sea and the Nusa islands is the classic time to be out on it.
Free to walk; bike hire from around 50,000 rupiah (about 3 US dollars) a day; the path runs the length of the seafront.
Tip. Rent a bike for the day and ride the full promenade at sunrise before the heat builds.
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03 Quiet sandMertasari Beach
Mertasari sits at the southern end of Sanur, a wider and quieter beach with a grassy park behind it. It is a favourite for kite flying, weekend picnics and beach bars set back from the sand. The calm water and open space make it relaxed and family friendly. A couple of beach clubs here give a livelier option for sunset drinks.
Free; drinks at the beach bars from around 50,000 rupiah (about 3 US dollars); the southern end of the Sanur strip.
Tip. Come in the late afternoon for the beach-bar scene and the open space to fly a kite.
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04 Art historyLe Mayeur Museum
The Le Mayeur Museum is the former beachfront home of the Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, who settled in Sanur in the 1930s. The carved wooden house displays his paintings, many of his Balinese wife and muse Ni Pollok, along with period furniture. The garden and pavilions give a sense of early expatriate life on the coast. It is a small, quiet stop that adds some history to a beach day.
Small entry fee; open roughly 08:00 to 15:30, closed some days; just off the boardwalk in northern Sanur.
Tip. Pair a short museum visit with the boardwalk, as it sits just off the seafront near the north beach.
- 05 Island boats
Fast boats to the Nusa islands
Sanur is the main departure point for fast boats to Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The crossings are short, so the islands make easy day trips or the start of a longer stay. Boats leave from the beach, where you may need to wade to board at low tide. Booking ahead in high season secures a seat on the busier morning departures.
Return fares from around 300,000 rupiah (about 19 US dollars); boats depart the Sanur beachfront, crossings of 30 to 45 minutes.
Tip. Take an early boat for a full day on the islands and to return before the afternoon sea roughens.
- 06 Sunrise
Sanur sunrise and morning market
Because Sanur faces east, sunrise over the sea is the daily highlight rather than sunset. Early risers gather on the sand and boardwalk to watch the light come up behind the Nusa islands. Nearby, the Sindhu morning market trades fresh produce, snacks and everyday goods before the day warms up. Together they make an easy, atmospheric start to a Sanur day.
Free; sunrise around 06:00 to 06:30; the beach and Sindhu market both sit on the northern seafront.
Tip. Set an early alarm for sunrise, then walk to the Sindhu market for breakfast among the local stalls.
A first-timer's three days
A relaxed way to fold the essentials into a long weekend, keeping the busiest sights for the cooler ends of the day.
Beach and boardwalk
- Watch the sunrise from Sanur Beach
- Cycle the boardwalk and stop for breakfast
- Relax on the sand or paddle in the calm water
Island day trip
- Take an early fast boat to Nusa Lembongan
- Snorkel and explore the island for the day
- Return by late afternoon for dinner in Sanur
Culture and quiet sand
- Visit the Le Mayeur Museum by the north beach
- Head to Mertasari for a quieter afternoon
- Finish with drinks at a southern beach bar
Insider tips
A few things that make Sanur smoother, and keep the trip easy.
Rise for sunrise
Sanur faces east, so the daily highlight is sunrise over the sea rather than sunset, which is worth an early start.
Hire a bike
The flat, car-free boardwalk is ideal for cycling, so rent a bike to cover the seafront easily and cheaply.
Great for families
The reef-protected water is calm and shallow, making Sanur one of the easiest beaches in Bali for young children.
Book island boats ahead
Morning fast boats to the Nusa islands fill up in high season, so reserve a seat and arrive early to board.
Sanur things to do: FAQ
Is Sanur good for families?
Yes, the reef-protected beach is calm and shallow and the flat boardwalk is easy to walk or cycle, which suits families well.
Can you swim at Sanur?
Yes, the offshore reef keeps the water calm, so mornings are ideal for gentle swimming before the afternoon breeze picks up.
Does Sanur have good sunsets?
Sanur faces east, so it is known for sunrise over the sea rather than sunset, though the boardwalk is pleasant at any time.
Can I reach the Nusa islands from Sanur?
Yes, Sanur is the main port for fast boats to Lembongan, Ceningan and Nusa Penida, with crossings of about thirty to forty-five minutes.
When is the best time to visit Sanur?
April to October brings dry days and the flattest morning sea, which is the best time for swimming and island boats.