Seminyak Beach is a world apart from its neighbouring beach resort areas – the likes of Kuta and Legian to its south – chiefly in the type of crowd it attracts. Bali first emerged as a tourist destination for vagabond surfers, attracted to these south-western shores by its dramatic waves, with Seminyak Beach offering its splendid coast of gold to dark sand and gorgeous sunsets.
The coast is popular with resident expats and has a refined feel to it, where you’ll find a fashionable and chic scene, with rows of designer boutiques along its main roads and side streets. A handful of the island’s best dining venues and world-renowned nightlife spots that host international gigs can also be found in Seminyak.
Good to know about Seminyak Beach
The beach resort area is also home to some of the chicest resorts and villas on the island, and they, in turn, are surrounded by many luxury spas and dining outlets. The fine selection of lavish beachfront hotels started with the Oberoi, built during the hippie-and-surf craze of the 1970s, and went on to become a landmark, lending its name to the whole north-western end of Seminyak and the road that runs through it (officially Jalan Laksmana).
The main Jalan Raya Seminyak extends north from Jalan Raya Legian and ends at Jalan Raya Kerobokan and the westernmost end of Kuta’s Sunset Road. Jalan Raya Seminyak branches into three main streets: Jalan Dhyana Pura, Jalan Laksmana and Jalan Petitenget in its north. Each has distinctive characteristics and typical collection of venues.
Food and dining in Seminyak Beach
Jalan Dhyana Pura (or Jalan Camplung Tanduk) features an eclectic row of bars – mostly a gay bar scene with go-go dancers – and leads down to the Anantara Resort that hugs the Seminyak beachfront.
Jalan Laksmana is fondly nicknamed ‘eat-street’ by expats for its concentration of great restaurants. Further south is Jalan Petitenget, home to most of the area’s notable establishments, such as Potato Head Beach Club and Ku De Ta.
Seminyak Beach comprises 3 adjoining coastal strips: Pantai Arjuna (Blue Ocean Beach) that borders Legian, Petitenget Beach, and way up north to the quieter Batubelig Beach.
As Kuta typically rocks on with its lively beach crowd and budget stays, and Legian with its eclectic bar scene, Seminyak outshines the 2 as the island’s most prized beach resort area. Undercurrents are usually strong, and surfing is mostly for the advanced. A popular activity in Seminyak is horseback riding, starting from the Umalas stables in Canggu in the north, down to Seminyak’s Petitenget coast and Legian’s Blue Ocean Beach area.
Seminyak sunsets are not to be missed, best enjoyed while chilling out with friends around the chic poolsides of WooBar at the W Retreat, or down on the beachfront lawn of Ku De Ta or the Potato Head Beach Club.
Location: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
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