Welcome to Bali!
The busy port of Padang Bai sits on a very pretty bay surrounded by hills with easy access to some pleasant nearby beaches. In East Bali’s Karangasem region, it lies smack bang in the middle of the coast between Sanur and Amed. To the majority of travellers, Padang Bai is just a gateway to Lombok or the Gilis, but this charming little village has a relaxing vibe and is worth a stop as a destination in its own right.
If you do, you may find yourself hanging around longer than intended, and it’s a good base to explore East Bali. In recent years, the number and quality of both places to stay and places to eat has significantly increased. The majority still cater to the budget end, but there are a few decent midrange places too — and up on the hill, top-range Bloo Lagoon, if you are planning a splurge.
Padang Bai offers some excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving. Numerous dive operators line the beachfront, and a flotilla of local fishing boats offer snorkelling trips to colourful reefs. Snorkelling is possible directly from the beaches at nearby Blue Lagoon Beach and Bias Tugel Beach. Both beaches are good for swimming and relaxing spots for whiling away a day in the sun. For geology buffs, deserted Pantai Pasir Hitam has some interesting rock ... Travelfish members only (Full text is around 800 words.)
Please sign in to read the rest of this page. The full text is around 800 words.
Log in nowChoose from a free two-day pass right through to a lifetime membership.
Find out more29 other destinations in Bali
Some great diving
Don’t go, it’s awful!
Good swell, swell vibes
Ubud without the hordes
Sleepy Sanur
Bay after bay after bay
Beaches and more beaches
Eat Pray Traffic
Mountain getaway
Surf and snorkelling
An introduction
Old school beach resorts
Explore rice fields and water palaces
Dive a wreck
Black sand beach town
Infamous
Big sunglasses, good bars
Great beach BBQ
Villas and ricefields
A popular climb
Go now
We love this joint
Beach bums
Cool weather, succulent strawberries
Fancy pants resorts
The capital
West as Bali gets