Seven Indonesian Beaches Worth the Journey Beyond Bali
Bali earns its reputation, but with more than 17,000 islands in the archipelago, treating it as the only destination means missing some of the most extraordinary coastline on the planet. Travel + Leisure writer and longtime Bali resident Kathryn Romeyn, who has spent over a decade exploring Indonesia as a surfer and ocean enthusiast, recently mapped out seven beaches that deserve a place on any serious traveler's itinerary.
Lombok: Mawun's Horseshoe Bay
About six miles from Kuta in South Lombok, Mawun Beach curves between two hills in a near-perfect horseshoe. The water runs a vivid turquoise, and the beach has historically been quiet enough for genuine solitude. Kuta itself offers a full range of accommodation and dining, making it a practical base for day trips to Mawun.
Sumba: Two Very Different Shores
Sumba sits southeast of Bali and represents almost the opposite end of the development spectrum. Mbawana Beach requires roughly an hour's drive from the island's interior, followed by a steep cliffside descent. Romeyn notes that low tide is essential for accessing the full beach and its unusual rock formations. Separately, Nihiwatu Beach runs alongside a luxury resort and is known both for its surf breaks and for the sandalwood ponies that roam freely along the sand, occasionally splashing in the shallows.
Komodo National Park: Pink Sand and Prehistoric Wildlife
Pantai Merah, widely called Pink Beach, gets its color from fragments of red coral mixed into the sand. It sits inside Komodo National Park and is reachable only by boat. Excursions here sometimes include encounters with Komodo dragons. Romeyn flags that a charged phone is worth prioritizing given the photogenic contrast of pink sand and cyan water.
Padar Island: A Beach with No Search Results
Padar Kecil, adjacent to Padar Island, is described by Romeyn as one of her favorite beach experiences anywhere in the world, and notably as a place that does not appear in standard online searches. Access is by private charter. The shallow, topaz-colored water and soft sandy bottom make it well suited to a full day of swimming and floating.
Nusa Penida: Suwehan and Its Neighbor Atuh
Technically part of Bali's administrative region but located off the southeast coast, Nusa Penida is reached by fast boat. Suwehan Beach sits at the base of a long staircase and features aquamarine water, surrounding cliffs, and a distinctive conical rock in the bay. Morning visits offer the best light for photography, and low tide provides more usable beach space. Nearby Atuh, with its own 166-step descent, is worth combining into the same trip.
Anambas Islands: Coconut Beach at Bawah Reserve
The Anambas archipelago sits far from the main tourist circuits. The private eco-resort there manages 13 beaches across its lagoons, but Coconut Beach stands out for its near-total lack of facilities and its setting among mangroves and palms. Guests reach it by hiking or boat, and private picnics can be arranged.
Why it matters for hosts
Independent operators on Lombok, Sumba, Nusa Penida, and Flores are well positioned to capture travelers who arrive specifically because they want to move beyond Bali. Practical, experience-led content, such as tide timing advice for Suwehan or low-tide guidance for Mbawana, is the kind of detail that converts interest into bookings. Hosts who can offer or coordinate transport to beaches like Mawun or Suwehan, and who brief guests on the best visiting conditions, add tangible value that larger, standardized properties rarely provide. Listing these access details clearly in pre-arrival communications gives independent properties a genuine competitive edge.
The beaches and travel details in this post were first reported by Kathryn Romeyn for Travel + Leisure, published August 26, 2026. This post appears on the Qontaktly travel blog.
First reported by travelandleisure.com.