Padangbai is a remote coastal town area in East Bali. Thissmall town is popular for its harbor, the main harbor that connects Bali andLombok. Padangbai is much more than just a harbor town though.
You can find many natural attractions in Padangbai. You willfind a very laid-back retreat with many secluded beaches and also several divespots. You can also discover traditional salt farming activities in its blacksand beaches. Here are some of the best attractions of Padangbai.
Padangbai beach
This beach is located in a very crowded bay. The waters on this beach are always filled with traditional boats, ferries, and motorized boats that take passengers to Lombok or other destinations. Since the traffic is very crowded, the waters here are not ideal for swimming even though the white sand beach is quite beautiful and the water is very clear.
Wates Yeh Malet Beach
This beach has deep black sand and is relatively free from tourists. The main activities here are salt farming and fishing. This beach can be seen quite clearly from Jalan Tengading, including the number of fishing boats parked on the beach.
There are several stalls serving traditional food, soft drinks, and snacks. Local residents often use this quiet beach to fish or play volleyball.
Blue Lagoon beach
This is a hidden beach located north of the port. This beachis quite small, only about 60 meters long. This place is also very popular fordivers who want to enjoy the underwater beauty of Padangbai. Here you can findvarious marine species such as reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, stonefish, moray,and many other critters.
Bamboo House Pengalon Beach
As the name suggests, this place is a structure built entirely from bamboo. The shape is very striking and you just can’t miss it. This building was actually built for ‘7 Temples Eco Beach Venue’ for Bali Unite, an event that was supposed to be held in 2016. But because it did not get the required permit, the construction was abandoned. This place is still a very interesting selfie spot.
Bias Tugel beach
Only 150 meters from Padangbai port, you can find the BiasTugel beach. Even though it is near the bustling port, this white sand beach isrelatively quiet and provides an ideal atmosphere to relax. You can be lazy allday here, relaxing under the beach umbrella installed by a local beverageseller. You can also swim or snorkel in its waters.
Penataran Agung Temple Padangbai
Not too far from Padang Bai Harbor, you can find a templecomplex with a grand gate. This temple is named Pura Penataran Agung and wasbuilt in the 16th century. People believe that this temple was built by thelegendary Dang Hyang Nirartha. Like all temples in Bali, this place is alwaysvisited by Hindus who wish to pray.
Kusamba Beach
Just like Yeh Malet, you can find a salt farm in Kusamba.All the processes of harvesting salt from the sea are done traditionally. Thesea water is splashed onto the soft black sand. The sun’s heat will evaporatethe water and leave the salt crystals which are then filtered and harvested.Here, you can also buy salt directly from farmers at a relatively cheap price.
Silayukti Temple
This is one of the oldest temples in East Bali. Built in the11th century, Pura Silayukti is located northeast of the port of Padangbai.This temple often holds a ceremony of purification. If you are lucky, you mightbe able to get blessings with holy water from a Hindu priest there.
Padangbai is a small, quiet seafront area. If there is noport, Padangbai may be one of the quietest tourist destinations in easternBali. Although the area is not too large, Padangbai has many hidden charms thatyou just have to visit.