Padang Bai (also Padangbai and Padang Bay) is a small port town in East Bali.
Most visitors to Padang Bai are there to catch a boat to Lombok. However, it is a charming little place in its own right and many people cancel their trip in order to spend more time in this lovely village. Spending a night or two here will certainly not be time wasted.
There is good diving and snorkeling in the immediate area, and a number of operators are present to cater for those activities. This is also a fairly convenient base from which to explore some of the wider attractions of East Bali. Accommodation tends to be quite basic and aimed at the backpacker market, although 3 stars villa is also available. The serenity of Padang Bai is suitable for old citizens or who want quiet place, no nightlife here.
Padang Bai functions as the gateway to Lombok and the Gilis for those traveling by boat.
Slow ferries go to Lembar on Lombok (Rp 40,000) and Nusa Penida (Rp 36,000). Book at the larger pier inside the harbor.
Virtually everyone in town will try and sell you fast boat tickets. During low season (Oct 2014) pricing appears to be extremely flexible. Posted prices can be up to Rp 660,000 for a one-way trip to the Gilis, but you may be able to negotiate open-ended return trip tickets for Rp 333,333. Prices during high season are likely much less negotiable.
Many operators offer combined tickets including both the slow ferry to Lembar and a follow up bus transfer on Lombok, e.g. to Senggigi (Rp 100,000) or Kuta Lombok (Rp 200,000). Such combined Tickets are also a cheap alternative to the fast but expensive speed boats to Gili (ferry to Lembar, bus transfer to Bangsal, ferry to Gili Air/Meno/Trawangan; Rp 150,000).
The main beach is generally awash with colorful double outrigger fishing boats in the shape of a marlin. The front of the boat is shaped with the point of its mouth open wide and large eyes looking to the heavens. Either side of the main beach are two other hidden coves with nice, quiet white sand beaches.
- Blue Lagoon Beach. A great beach for snorkeling, despite the narrow one hundred meters length. The beach is unique in color; the sandy beach is not always white, but sometimes changes to rather black. If the current comes from the west, the beach will be white, but if the current comes from the east, it will be black and white. The coral reef goes right up to the shore and is very pretty with clown fishes and small sepia. Enter on the far left side, where there is a coral-less canal leading to the snorkeling site. There are two restaurants with reasonable food (fried rice, fried noodle, omelette, sandwiches and spirits), showers (only for restaurant guests), chairs, sunbeds, and snorkeling gear.
- Bias Tugal Beach. A beautiful white sandy beach and the best beach in Padang Bai. It's wider than Blue Lagoon Beach and good for swimming, though the currents can be strong. There are about five warungs, serving simple Indonesian dishes, juices and beer. From the path to the beach, you should be able to see the largest mountain on Bali, Mount Agung — a powerful sight.
Blue Lagoon Beach. A great beach for snorkeling, despite the narrow one hundred meters length. The beach is unique in color; the sandy beach is not always white, but sometimes changes to rather black. If the current comes from the west, the beach will be white, but if the current comes from the east, it will be black and white. The coral reef goes right up to the shore and is very pretty with clown fishes and small sepia. Enter on the far left side, where there is a coral-less canal leading to the snorkeling site. There are two restaurants with reasonable food (fried rice, fried noodle, omelette, sandwiches and spirits), showers (only for restaurant guests), chairs, sunbeds, and snorkeling gear.
Bias Tugal Beach. A beautiful white sandy beach and the best beach in Padang Bai. It's wider than Blue Lagoon Beach and good for swimming, though the currents can be strong. There are about five warungs, serving simple Indonesian dishes, juices and beer. From the path to the beach, you should be able to see the largest mountain on Bali, [[Mount Agung]] — a powerful sight.
If you need a break from the beaches, there are some temples to discover. Although not particularly famous, these temples are nevertheless worth a visit. Padang Bai has five major temples: Pura Dalem, downtown, Pura Segara, next to the beach in between town and the main beach, Pura Telagamas, Pura Silayukti and Pura Tanjungsari in the eastern end of Padang Bai. Don't forget to bring a sarong and a sash.
- Pura Silayukti. Once the home of the great Hindu sage Empu Kuturan and dating back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest extant temples on the island.
Pura Silayukti. Once the home of the great Hindu sage Empu Kuturan and dating back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest extant temples on the island.
Ocean activities are the way to go. There is good snorkeling in the bay, though the snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon is even better. Many of the local dive operators organize trips to this spot but you can easily walk to your destination. If the waves are large, don't bother snorkeling as the visibility will be minimal. On a calm day, expect great visibility and lots of fish. Buoys mark the farthest point snorkelers should go. For even better snorkeling you can charter a boat.
Padangbai is noted for its diving, and the friendly dive centers are right on the beach with their own bars for after-diving refreshments.
- Absolute Scuba, Jl Pantai Silayukti (North end of the bay., +62 363 42088. 7AM-9PM. Teaches both PADI and SSI up to and including instructor course, in English, German, Italian, Russian and Indonesian. 3-m deep training pool, classroom, 22 air conditioned rooms, 1 speedboat, 1 small boat.
- Geko Dive Bali, Jl Pantai Silayulkti (North end of the bay., +62 363 41516. Five star PADI dive resort and TecRec dive center. Offers a wide range of courses and fun dives. Active in the community and with environmental projects. Maximum of four divers to each divemaster. This ratio is reduced if requested or needed. Dive groups are welcome. Courses taught in English, French, German, Spanish and Indonesian. 2 speedboats, 1 large outrigger boat and a variety of smaller boats. Safe diving is emphasized. US$100 for 2 dives.
- Water Worxx Dive Center Bali, Jl Pantai Silayulkti (North end of the bay., +62 363 41220. SSI dive center. German and English speaking instructors.
- Paradise Diving Bali, Jl Silayukti 9B (Central Padang Bai, +62 811 393515. German dive center offering daily dive safaris and PADI courses.
Absolute Scuba, Jl Pantai Silayukti (North end of the bay., +62 363 42088. 7AM-9PM. Teaches both PADI and SSI up to and including instructor course, in English, German, Italian, Russian and Indonesian. 3-m deep training pool, classroom, 22 air conditioned rooms, 1 speedboat, 1 small boat.
Geko Dive Bali, Jl Pantai Silayulkti (North end of the bay., +62 363 41516. Five star PADI dive resort and TecRec dive center. Offers a wide range of courses and fun dives. Active in the community and with environmental projects. Maximum of four divers to each divemaster. This ratio is reduced if requested or needed. Dive groups are welcome. Courses taught in English, French, German, Spanish and Indonesian. 2 speedboats, 1 large outrigger boat and a variety of smaller boats. Safe diving is emphasized. US$100 for 2 dives.
Water Worxx Dive Center Bali, Jl Pantai Silayulkti (North end of the bay., +62 363 41220. SSI dive center. German and English speaking instructors.
Paradise Diving Bali, Jl Silayukti 9B (Central Padang Bai, +62 811 393515. German dive center offering daily dive safaris and PADI courses.
- Spiral Spa @ Bloo, Jl Pantai Silayukti (located in the Bloo Lagoon Village, +62 81237356868. 10AM-8PM. Padang Bai's only spa facility. A wide range of massages, also facial & body care, hair treatments and organic spa products. Shuttle service within Padang Bai to pick up guests.
Spiral Spa @ Bloo, Jl Pantai Silayukti (located in the Bloo Lagoon Village, +62 81237356868. 10AM-8PM. Padang Bai's only spa facility. A wide range of massages, also facial & body care, hair treatments and organic spa products. Shuttle service within Padang Bai to pick up guests.
There are many ATMs in Padang Bai: BRI bank 100m away the police station (doesn't always function, gives a maximum of Rp 500,000 and does not accept Visa cards), Bank Mandiri 200 m from the harbour along the beach road (accepts Visa cards and gives a maximum of Rp 2,500,000), BCA and Danamon on the main road next to the Police station.
Padang Bai restaurants feature good-priced seafood and the usual travellers' fare.
- Cafe Kerti, Jl Silayukti (in the middle of the main beach, +62 361 41391. Kerti is a not so good budget place to stay, but serves good food in their restaurant. Nice views from the second floor.
- Martini's Warung. 6AM-11PM. Set in the corner of the main square (where buses drop off), Martini's Warung is a great little local treat. With budget prices Martini's offers authentic local food, often cooked by Martini herself. Tourists come to chat to Martini and each-other over beers and home cooked meals. Mie Goreng is highly recommended.
- Omang Omang Cafe, Jl Silayukti, +62 8123638052. 10AM-late. Opposite the reggae bars, Omang Omang Cafe is one of the best restaurants in town. Serves Western and Indonesian cuisine, very good BBQ selection and various cocktails. Many home grown organic ingredients, home made cakes and ice cream. Also a regular venue for live music.
- Puri Rai Restaurant, Jl Silayukti (next to the Puri Rai Hotel, but not part of it., +62 36341187. A decent restaurant serving Indonesian food including locally caught fresh sea food.
Cafe Kerti, Jl Silayukti (in the middle of the main beach, +62 361 41391. Kerti is a not so good budget place to stay, but serves good food in their restaurant. Nice views from the second floor.
Martini's Warung. 6AM-11PM. Set in the corner of the main square (where buses drop off), Martini's Warung is a great little local treat. With budget prices Martini's offers authentic local food, often cooked by Martini herself. Tourists come to chat to Martini and each-other over beers and home cooked meals. Mie Goreng is highly recommended.
Omang Omang Cafe, Jl Silayukti, +62 8123638052. 10AM-late. Opposite the reggae bars, Omang Omang Cafe is one of the best restaurants in town. Serves Western and Indonesian cuisine, very good BBQ selection and various cocktails. Many home grown organic ingredients, home made cakes and ice cream. Also a regular venue for live music.
Puri Rai Restaurant, Jl Silayukti (next to the Puri Rai Hotel, but not part of it., +62 36341187. A decent restaurant serving Indonesian food including locally caught fresh sea food.
There are plenty of bars and small cafes to choose from along the beach in the village. On entering Padang Bai, head over to the left of the bay, keeping the ferry jetty to your right. The road here runs along the beach and is full of activity, dive shops, bars and small home stays.
- Babylon Reggae Bar, Jl Silayukti (Next to Kinky Reggae Bar. A tiny reggae bar with very friendly staff. They will make you feel this is your place, and you can enjoy live music with everyone in the bar.
- Kinky Reggae Bar, Jl Silayukti (Next to Babylon Reggae Bar, opposite Omang Omang. A tiny reggae bar with extremely friendly staff. Their Long Island Ice Teas are good value.
- Ozone Café, Jl Silayukti, +62 361 41501. A long established institution in Padang Bai, the food is good, especially the pizzas. It is a lively place for a drink and a good place to swap information with fellow backpackers.
- Sunshine Bar, Jl Silayukti (near Kinky Reggae Bar and Babylon Reggae Bar, but a bit closer to the main beach. Another friendly music bar. The owners are almost too friendly and will sit and chat with you about life for hours. Instruments are available and they love nothing more than getting the whole bar singing, playing guitar and bongos.
Babylon Reggae Bar, Jl Silayukti (Next to Kinky Reggae Bar. A tiny reggae bar with very friendly staff. They will make you feel this is your place, and you can enjoy live music with everyone in the bar.
Kinky Reggae Bar, Jl Silayukti (Next to Babylon Reggae Bar, opposite Omang Omang. A tiny reggae bar with extremely friendly staff. Their Long Island Ice Teas are good value.
Ozone Café, Jl Silayukti, +62 361 41501. A long established institution in Padang Bai, the food is good, especially the pizzas. It is a lively place for a drink and a good place to swap information with fellow backpackers.
Sunshine Bar, Jl Silayukti (near Kinky Reggae Bar and Babylon Reggae Bar, but a bit closer to the main beach. Another friendly music bar. The owners are almost too friendly and will sit and chat with you about life for hours. Instruments are available and they love nothing more than getting the whole bar singing, playing guitar and bongos.
There are reports of cases involving aggressive porters at the dock demanding excessive payments when you are waiting to board the ferry. To be safe, do not allow anyone else to carry your luggage.
There have also been cases with local taxi drivers/touts becoming extremely aggressive and threatening violence if they learn you are going to use Uber/Grab taxi/go-jek. Reports of locals ganging together and opening doors, shouting and dragging bags out of the cars to prevent you using the taxi apps. Be careful as it is extremely intimidating.
- Easy drive or bus transfer to the popular East Bali areas of Candidasa, Mount Agung and Amed.
- By ferry to Lembar (Lombok).
- Gili Cat and Perama operate boat services from Padang Bai to the Gili Islands.