Candidasa is a relaxed place on the route east, with hotels and some decent restaurants. Concrete sea walls and breakwaters have limited the erosion of the beach and now provide some tiny pockets of sand. The relaxed seaside ambience and sweeping views from the hotels built right on the water appeal to a more mature crowd of visitors. Candidasa is a good base from which to explore the interior of east Bali on a walk and a place to spend some quiet time.

There is a quiet and little visited black sand beach west of Candidasa called Pantai Labuan Amok. This is a clean beach in a pretty bay, and the offshore waters offer good snorkeling with live coral in shallow waters. There are many other small coves and bays to explore in this area and all visitors are encouraged to do so.

Five kilometers north east of Candidasa is Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach), one of East Bali’s well-kept secrets. It’s a five hundred metre long, isolated, beautiful, white sand beach fringed with coconut palms. The surf can be a little scary for the less confident swimmer particularly when the tide is coming in. There are a few warungs with sun-beds and umbrellas, which you can use for free if you order some drinks or food. Locally caught fresh fish is on offer daily and the qualities of the meals are a pleasant surprise.

Candidasa is a tranquil coast offering varying accommodation, from basic to five-star resorts and few good restaurants in between. It is also a strategic place from where to explore the east of the island, which boasts exotic cultural highlights and a range of historical sites and exciting tours to enjoy.