Sanur Beach, Beach in Denpasar, Indonesia
Sanur Beach is a sandy stretch on the east coast of Bali that runs for several kilometers and sits protected by an offshore reef barrier. The shoreline is wide and flat, backed by palm groves and a paved promenade that links the entire coastal section together.
Dutch painters discovered the area in the 1930s because of its special morning light, but larger accommodations for travelers only appeared three decades later. The area shifted from a fishing village into a quieter destination for those avoiding the crowds of Kuta during the 1960s.
The name Sanur refers to an old fishing temple nearby, and today you still see nets laid out to dry along the shore. Colorful ceremonial umbrellas stand at small shrines scattered along the coast, where residents place fresh offerings every day.
The water stays shallow and calm for a long way out, so you can walk far during low tide without it getting deep. Early morning is the easiest time to visit, when the sun rises over the ocean and the light is softer than midday.
The reef allows you to walk across wide flats at low tide and explore small pools where shrimp and crabs hide. In some spots, bleached coral pieces lie scattered on the sand, washed ashore during storms.
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