Nusa Dua Beach in Bali

Nusa Dua Beach is a sparklingly prestigious, sprawling enclave of international luxury hotels, deluxe spas, exclusive golf courses, and world class convention centers, that was purposely built to present the beauty of the island wrapped in exclusive luxury and also acknowledged as an ideal integrated venue for international conventions and exhibitions.

The crystal clear shallow waters and the pearly soft white sandy beaches surrounding Nusa Dua make it a perfect place to have fun for all members of the family or for tired conference delegates to relax, go swimming and return completely reinvigorated and re-inspired. The name Nusa Dua itself literally translated means 'Two Islands' which refers to the two small raised headlands or islands found just off the coast of the peninsula. On one of the islands stands a Hindu shrine (Pura) called Nusa Dharma which was built in 1948 by Tan Sie Yong of Chinese descent.

Nusa Dua tourism complex, has an upmarket shopping complex, superb facilities and manicured gardens that seamlessly blend in with a luxurious 18-hole golf course – all within a short walk from your hotel. Although Nusa Dua is Bali’s most developed resort area, you can still find cultural attractions here.

These range from temples, a museum housing arts and artefacts from Indonesia and the Pacific, and unique natural landmarks around its scenic peninsula. Dreamy beachfront settings overlooking clean white sand beaches make Nusa Dua an idyllic place for honeymooners. Some resorts feature great kids’ clubs, making Nusa Dua an ideal beach destination for families.

Most Popular Attractions in Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua attractions can take up a sizable chunk of your Bali photo albums and travel diaries, with a whole range of worthy sites and highlights to discover in this luxury beach resort area. The main attractions are the beaches of Nusa Dua, comprising Pantai Mengiat at its midsection, and Geger Beach further south with its picturesque cliff-top temple, and there’s Sawangan which forms part of the Grand Nikko Bali beachfront. Here you can also find the island’s only camel safaris.

Besides the beautiful bay to swim and snorkel in, Nusa Dua peninsula’s unique namesake twin islands serve as natural landmarks of the area. For art lovers, there’s Museum Pasifika, which houses a vast collection of rare art from around Asia and the Pacific region.

Below are the best sites and things to see and do while in Bali’s Nusa Dua area :

1. Devdan Show

Devdan, Treasure of the Archipelago, is the sole highlight performance at the Nusa Dua Theatre, presenting a 90-minute journey through the Indonesian archipelago. The numerous acts follow a fun storyline, narrated and acted by a boy and girl who discover a magical chest filled with items representing each island and culture. Stunning choreography by skilled dancers and acrobats provide non-stop thrills, with dances reflecting the diverse cultures of Indonesia, from Bali to Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Papua. The props are also visually stunning, combined with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, from rotating stages, pyrotechnics and artificial rain.

2. Nusa Dua Water Blow

Water Blow in Nusa Dua lets you witness the awesome power of nature as large waves from the Indian Ocean constantly crash against the jagged limestone edges on the peninsula’s south-eastern cliff. You can easily reach this purpose-built lookout along paved footpaths on the southern half of the ‘twin islands’. Here you’ll find 240 degrees of dramatic seascape, with the irregular splashes and sprays simply adding to the fun of it.

3. Mengiat Beach (Nusa Dua Beach)

Nusa Dua Beach, locally referred to as Pantai Mengiat, is the main beach in the area accessible from one of the main gateways near the midsection of the Bali Tourism Development Complex gardens. The coast spans the beachfronts of several five-star resorts, including the Grand Hyatt Bali and the Ayodya Resort. Featuring an offshore reef break, the waters closer to the beach are calm and great for swimming and snorkeling, while the waves beyond offer great surfing playgrounds. Some of the local fishermen also head out to sea from this beach with their traditional wooden boats, while tour operators offer glass-bottom boat rides and fishing trips.

4. Bali Camel Safaris

Bali Camel Safaris offer a unique way to experience the beach on the southern Sawangan coast of Nusa Dua. Well-trained camels take you on a steady and peaceful ride along the gorgeous white-golden beach of Nusa Dua, starting from the beachfront of the Nikko Bali Resort & Spa. Various packages are available, with combinations of lunch, water sports and extra excursions. If you opt for a tour that includes meals, the lunch stop will be at Geger Beach. Camel rides are for a minimum booking of two persons, and the more the merrier as you go down the beach on a Sahara-like caravan with friends or family.

5. Geger Temple

Geger Temple is a historical and cultural bastion amidst the modern five-star luxury resorts that dominate the Nusa Dua beach resort area. Namesake of the stretch of white sand that it looms over from above a limestone cliff, the temple offers a great setting for those who love landscape photography, and on clear mornings you can enjoy panoramas north over the bay with Mount Agung on the horizon. Once a quiet and barren coastline with local seaweed farmers tending to their crops, the bay now adjoins the beachfront of the five-star Mulia Resort.

5. Museum Pasifika

Museum Pasifika presents a collection of historical artifacts and cultural and artistic items from over 200 artists from 25 countries. Dominated by cultural and Balinese life themes, here you can witness the works of Balinese painter Nyoman Gunarsa and Javanese artist Raden Saleh, among the most notable figures in Indonesian art. Eleven display rooms each house a different set of art. Rooms one to five, feature Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, French, and Indo-European respectively. The other rooms host temporary exhibitions, and items from Southeast Asia, and don’t miss the intriguing ‘tapa’ bark artwork of Oceania and the Pacific, and exotic paintings from China and Japan.

6. Bali National Golf Club

Formerly the Bali Golf & Country Club, the Bali National Golf Club is both an attraction and a sporting activity zone. The golf course covers a considerable portion on the south of the Bali Tourism Development Complex, and features well-manicured, flowering gardens that appeal to the eye with its vast undulating greens. This Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright designed Hawaiian-styled golf course now features new Paspalum turf, with scalloped bunkering lining most fairways and elevated greens. The course now plays to over 7100 yards from the tips. The club has a modern clubhouse and restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean. A driving range with putting greens provides a great spot for warm-ups.

7. Puja Mandala

Puja Mandala is a unique cultural and religious complex consisting of the different places of worships of the five main religions in Indonesia. Literally ‘hill of worship’, Puja Mandala is only a few minutes’ drive up from Nusa Dua’s main Bali Tourism Development Complex hub. A picturesque two-hectare hilltop comprises a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, a Catholic Church, a Protestant Church and an Islamic mosque, and is meant to be a landmark and epitome of religious harmony. The complex is both a destination highlight and each serve as functional places of worship among followers of the five religions, hosting weddings and celebrating holy days of the respective faiths.

Nusa Dua Beach Location

Nusa Dua Beach is located 40 km south of Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali. Access is easy from the Kuta area (20-30 minutes) and Jimbaran (15 minutes) on the main southern route called Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, which becomes Jalan Bypass Nusa Dua as it approaches the enclave.