Place to see · Sanur
The Sanur beachfront path: 5 km by the sea, at an easy pace
Sanur runs along the sea on about 5 km of paved promenade, open to walkers and bikes. Behind the coral reef the water stays calm: this is the beach for families and careful swimmers. At sunrise you pass fishermen, joggers and ceremonies; at the end, boats leave for the Nusa islands.
- Updated on
- 3 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
You walk or cycle along the sea, swim behind the reef when the tide is high, and have breakfast facing the rising sun. Along the way you pass beach temples, fishing boats and, some mornings, families holding a ceremony at the water’s edge.
Contents
Key points
- About 5 km of seafront path, on foot or by bike, free to use.
- The coral reef calms the water: easy swimming, especially at high tide.
- At low tide the sea pulls far back, exposing seaweed and dead coral.
- Sunrise is the best time; boats to the Nusas leave from the same shore.
Sanur faces east, towards the sunrise and the islands of Nusa Penida and Lembongan. The path links the beaches of Sindhu, Semawang and Mertasari, past terraces, beach temples and painted fishing boats.
To stay along the path, see Sanur; for the crossing, Sanur to Nusa Penida and Sanur to Nusa Lembongan.
What you do on the path
You walk or cycle along the sea, swim behind the reef when the tide is high, and have breakfast facing the rising sun. Along the way you pass beach temples, fishing boats and, some mornings, families holding a ceremony at the water’s edge.
- Cycling: bikes can be hired from seafront renters, prices posted on site.
- Swimming behind the reef, in calm, shallow water.
- The seafront temples, to respect during ceremonies.
- Kayak and paddleboard, when the sea is flat in the morning.
Getting there within Sanur
The path is Sanur’s seafront: from most accommodation you reach it on foot down the lanes leading to the beach. By taxi, get dropped at one of the beaches, Sindhu in the centre or Mertasari in the south. The path itself is closed to cars and scooters.
- Reach the sea down any lane running off the main street.
- Pick a direction: north towards the boat harbour, south towards Mertasari.
- Come back the same way, or along the main street if you are cycling.
When to go
At sunrise, without hesitation: light, cool air, fishermen and ceremonies. Midday is hot on the path, which has little shade in places. For swimming, watch the tide: you need high tide to swim. Late afternoon is pleasant, but there is no sunset here; that is on the west coast.
| Moment | For | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise | Walking, cycling, photos | The best time |
| High tide | Swimming | Calm water behind the reef |
| Low tide | Walking the flats | No swimming |
What to pair it with
The Le Mayeur museum is on the path itself, to the north: an hour’s stop in the painter’s house. Serangan island, to the south, is reached by road for its temple and its turtles. Boats to the Nusas also leave from Sanur.
- Le Mayeur museum: the Belgian painter’s house, on the beach.
- Serangan: temple, mangroves and turtles, to the south.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanur beach good for children?
Yes, it is one of the best suited in Bali: calm water behind the reef, few waves. Come at high tide so they can swim.
Can you see the sunset in Sanur?
No, Sanur faces east: it is the sunrise beach. For sunset, head to the west coast.
Where do the boats to the Nusas leave from?
From the Sanur shore, at the fast-boat harbour. Times and boarding point are confirmed with your ticket.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
