White Sand Beach in Padang Bai: snorkelling, boats to the Gilis and tips
Padang Bai is a small port in eastern Bali, from where fast boats leave for Lombok and the Gili Islands. Close by, White Sand Beach (also called Bias Tugel according to one guide) is a quiet cove with soft white sand. Snorkelling is mostly at nearby Blue Lagoon, with gear to rent on site. Plan 2 to 3 hours for the beach and snorkelling if you pass through Padang Bai, or a night if you take an early boat. Fast boats to Gili Trawangan take about 1 hour 45 according to one guide; buy tickets in the terminal. Information of October 2026 from guides, with no official source: confirm on site.
Highlights
The white sand cove
A calm beach with huts and black rocks framing it; it is more peaceful than the big beaches of the south. The sand is white and soft, according to guide descriptions.
Another cove near the port
Padang Bai's coast has several small beaches of light sand (this one is named Secret Beach on Commons); the water is clear and swimming is quiet.
Snorkelling and boats
Blue Lagoon is cited as the best snorkelling in Padang Bai, with very clear water, and Jepun Beach is close. For the islands, see Gili Islands from Bali and Bali to Lombok by boat. A fast-boat ticket from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan sells at about 4.6 out of 5 from about 76 reviews on Klook (October 2026).
Practical info
Tips
- Buy the boat ticket only at the official kiosks in the terminal, not from people in the car park: one guide reports scams on the way out and on the way back. Bring cash for renting a mask and snorkel. For sleeping, Padang Bai suits a night before an early departure to the islands. Unofficial prices, to confirm. For the road from Ubud, see private driver in Bali.
How to get there
About 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 from Ubud and 1.5 to 2 hours from the airport by car (estimates). White Sand Beach is a few minutes from the port, on foot or by car; check the exact spot on site, as guides differ on access.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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