Candidasa · Beach
Virgin Beach, Karangasem: A Guide to Pantai Pasir Putih
Half a kilometer of pale sand between two wooded headlands, 8 km east of Candidasa.
By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 11 November 2026
Overview
Virgin Beach, before you go.
Virgin Beach, known locally as Pantai Pasir Putih or Perasi Beach, is a cove of pale sand between two wooded headlands in Bugbug, about 8 km east of Candidasa in East Bali. The water is usually calm and clear enough to swim and snorkel. It suits anyone touring the east who wants a proper beach day, not an empty beach.
The names tell the story. Foreign visitors started calling it Virgin Beach when it was empty and hard to reach. Bali’s provincial tourism portal lists it as Pantai Pasir Putih, “white sand beach,” because it is the only white-sand beach around Amlapura, the regency capital. Locals call it Perasi Beach after the neighboring village, and in Bugbug it is also called Bias Putih. On the road, look for signs to White Sand Beach.
The sand runs for a little over half a kilometer between the cliffs of Bugbug to the west and Perasi to the east, facing southeast across the strait toward Lombok. It is cream rather than dazzling white, and the provincial portal itself admits it is not as white as Padang Padang or Pandawa. What makes the place is the setting: wooded hills at both ends, clear turquoise water and a long, gently curving shore.
It is no longer empty. A wide road now runs down from the coast highway, and the back of the beach is lined with family-run warungs grilling fish, rows of loungers and umbrellas, massage sellers, souvenir stalls and a couple of restaurants with pools. On weekdays it is quiet. On weekends and public holidays local families fill it, and some East Bali day tours include it.
The water is the reason to come. There is coral offshore, and in 2022 the head of Bugbug’s village tourism board said many foreign visitors come to snorkel, calling the water crystal clear. Fishing boats anchor in the bay, and fishermen run snorkel trips to Gili Kuan, the whale-shaped islet off Bukit Asah, where live coral starts at about 10 to 15 m.
The catches are modest but real. No lifeguard is reported here. The sea is usually calm, but waves can build quickly when the tide turns, especially in the afternoon, and visitors report strong currents at times. The last stretch of road is steep and narrow. And change is coming: in September 2025 a 400-room resort worth about IDR 1 trillion was announced for Bukit Asah, the headland just west of the beach, and Bali’s provincial legislature said it would check whether the plan breaks rules on building on cliffs. Access and views may change over the next few years.
- Opening hours
- Ticket post about 7 AM–6 PM; hours not published (checked Nov 2026)
- Ticket
- About IDR 15,000–20,000 adults, parking included (checked Nov 2026)
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours for a swim, a snorkel and lunch
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; April–October for calmer water
- Dress code
- Swimwear on the sand; cover up for the warungs and village
- Location
- Bugbug, about 8 km (15–20 min) east of Candidasa
Today at Virgin Beach
- Sunset
- Sunrise
- Daylight
- 12 hr 28 min
Checking the weather in Candidasa…
Times for this spot, in Bali time (WITA).
Pantai Pasir Putih, Bugbug, Karangasem, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80811, Indonesia
Open in Google MapsWhat to See
What to see at Virgin Beach.
- 01
A swim in the cove
The cove is sheltered by its two headlands, and on most mornings the water is calm enough for an easy swim straight off the sand. The sea floor shelves gently near shore, so you can wade in. Stay close to the beach and well away from the rocks at either end, and get out if the waves start to build when the tide turns.
- 02
Snorkeling off the sand
There is coral within reach of the beach, and Bugbug’s tourism board says snorkeling is what many foreign visitors come for. Warungs rent masks and fins, but quality varies and recent prices run high, about IDR 100,000 a set in one 2026 report, so bring your own if you have it. The water is clearest in the morning, before the wind and the swimmers stir up the sand.
- 03
Grilled fish at the warungs
A row of family-run warungs lines the back of the beach, serving grilled fish, simple Balinese dishes and cold drinks in the shade. They also rent the loungers and umbrellas in front of them. One 2026 report put two loungers and an umbrella at about IDR 100,000. Agree on the price before you sit down, and keep small cash on hand.
- 04
A boat to Gili Kuan
Gili Kuan, called Pulau Paus or Whale Island for its shape, is a rocky islet off Bukit Asah. Fishermen from this beach and from Candidasa take snorkelers out in small boats, ideally at first light when the sea is calmest. In early 2024 one Candidasa fisherman charged IDR 600,000 per boat for up to seven people, gear included. Live coral starts at about 10 to 15 m.
- 05
The view from the road down
The drive in passes terraced hills with views of the open sea, Bukit Panggian and Bukit Asah, and the wooded hillside above the beach gives the classic view of the whole cove: a pale curve of sand, turquoise water and a forested headland. Stop only where there is room to pull over, as the road down is steep and narrow.
- 06
Bukit Asah clifftop
About 3 km west by road, Bukit Asah is a grassy headland above sheer cliffs, with Gili Kuan offshore and the coast toward Virgin Beach below. Bugbug’s village tourism board runs it, rents tents and organizes outrigger boat rides and fishing. It is best early or late in the day, when the light is soft and the grass is cool.
Seasons
Best time to visit Virgin Beach.
Come on a weekday morning. The water is calmest and clearest before about 11 AM, and the beach is at its quietest. The beach faces southeast, so the sun rises over the sea, between about 5:47 AM in November and 6:33 AM in July. Waves can pick up quickly when the tide changes, especially in the afternoon, so keep your swim and snorkel for the morning.
April to October is the best season, with drier weather and calmer, clearer water. From November to March, rain and wind can cloud the water, though calm mornings still happen. Weekends and public holidays bring local families, and parking fills faster on those days.
On Nyepi, 8 March 2027, Bali shuts down for 24 hours and the beach is closed to everyone. If a ceremony or procession reaches the beach while you are there, give it room and keep your camera down.
Coming between November and March? Read our Bali rainy season guide →
Getting There
How to get to Virgin Beach.
| From | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Candidasa | 15–20 min | About 8 km east on the main coast road through Bugbug toward Amlapura. In Perasi, turn toward the sea at the White Sand Beach sign and follow the paved road about 1.2 km down to the ticket post. |
| Padang Bai | 30–40 min | About 22 km east via Candidasa. A natural stop if you arrive by boat from the Gilis or Lombok and have a few hours. |
| Amed | 50–70 min | About 32 km by car via Culik and Amlapura, then west on the coast road. |
| Bali airport (DPS) | 1.75–2.5 hours | About 73 km by car on the east-coast road past Padang Bai and Candidasa. Most people book a driver. |
| Ubud | 1.5–2 hours | About 54 km by car via Klungkung. A day trip works if you pair it with Tenganan or Taman Ujung. |
| Sanur | 1.25–2 hours | About 59 km by car on the coast road. |
| Seminyak or Canggu | 2–3 hours | About 70–80 km by car. Leave before 7 AM to beat south Bali’s traffic. |
Getting around Virgin Beach
You pay at a ticket post on the access road, a few minutes above the beach. The fee usually includes parking. Card machines often lose the connection, so carry small cash. From the parking area, the last stretch to the sand is a short walk downhill, and coming back up is a short, sweaty climb.
The road down is steep and winding, and a 2024 Indonesian report called it quite extreme. Ride or drive it slowly, in daylight, and in a low gear on the way down. Scooters are the easiest way to come from Candidasa, and hired drivers wait at the parking area.
Do not count on Grab or Gojek for the ride back from this part of Karangasem. Agree on a return time with your driver before you go down to the sand, or keep the number of a local driver from your hotel.
Tickets & Tours
Virgin Beach tours on Klook.
You can visit on your own with the details above. If you would rather have the driver, guide or entry sorted, these Klook tours include Virgin Beach. Prices, pick-up areas and what is included vary, so check the listing before you book.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Know Before You Go
Virgin Beach tips that save time and trouble.
- 01Carry small cash for the ticket, loungers, food and boats. Card machines often fail here.
- 02Arrive before 10 AM on weekends and holidays, when parking fills and the beach gets crowded.
- 03Bring your own mask and snorkel. Rentals are pricey and quality varies.
- 04There is no lifeguard. Swim close to shore, never alone, and get out when the waves build.
- 05Do not stand on the coral or take shells or coral from the beach.
- 06Agree on the price before you take a lounger, a massage or a boat trip.
- 07Take the steep road down slowly and in daylight, and ride it in a low gear.
- 08Take your trash back with you, including cigarette butts and plastic bottles.
- 09Combine the beach with Tenganan in the morning or Taman Ujung in the late afternoon.
FAQ
Virgin Beach questions, answered.
Is Virgin Beach in Bali worth visiting?
Yes, if you are already in East Bali. It is the best white-sand swimming beach between Padang Bai and Amed, with calm water most mornings, coral to snorkel and simple warungs. It is not worth a long day trip from the south on its own, and it is no longer empty: expect loungers, vendors and local families on weekends.
How much is the entrance fee to Virgin Beach?
About IDR 15,000 to 20,000 per adult, paid at a ticket post on the access road, with parking usually included (checked Nov 2026). A 2026 report gave IDR 20,000 for adults and IDR 10,000 for children. The price is not officially published and has risen over the years, so carry small cash.
Can you swim at Virgin Beach?
Yes, most mornings. The cove is sheltered by two headlands, the water is usually calm and the bottom shelves gently near shore. No lifeguard is reported, though, and waves can build quickly when the tide turns, especially in the afternoon. Visitors report strong currents at times, so stay close to shore and keep children within reach.
Is there good snorkeling at Virgin Beach?
Yes, on calm mornings. There is coral offshore, and Bugbug’s village tourism board says snorkeling is what many foreign visitors come for. For better coral, take a fisherman’s boat to Gili Kuan, the whale-shaped islet off Bukit Asah. Bring your own mask if you can, as rentals are pricey.
Why is it called Virgin Beach?
Foreign visitors gave it the name when it was empty and hard to reach. Officially it is Pantai Pasir Putih, “white sand beach,” because it is the only white-sand beach near Amlapura. Locals also call it Perasi Beach, after the neighboring village, or Bias Putih, and road signs point to White Sand Beach.
How do you get to Virgin Beach from Candidasa?
Drive or ride about 8 km east on the main coast road, 15 to 20 minutes, through Bugbug toward Amlapura. In Perasi, turn toward the sea at the White Sand Beach sign and follow the paved road about 1.2 km down to the ticket post and parking. The last stretch is steep, so go slowly.
What are Virgin Beach’s opening hours?
The beach is open every day, and the ticket post is staffed from about 7 AM to 6 PM, according to a 2026 report. The village does not publish official hours. Come in the morning for the calmest water. On Nyepi, 8 March 2027, the beach is closed along with the rest of Bali.
Can you camp near Virgin Beach?
Yes, at Bukit Asah, the clifftop about 3 km west, which Bugbug’s village tourism board runs as a campsite. In January 2024 a detikBali report gave IDR 30,000 a night with your own tent and from IDR 150,000 with rented gear. Book through the village tourism board and check current prices.
Virgin Beach or Blue Lagoon in Padang Bai?
Virgin Beach for a long, easy beach day; Blue Lagoon for snorkeling. Virgin Beach has more sand, more space, loungers and warungs. Blue Lagoon is a smaller cove next to Padang Bai harbor, known for reef close to shore. They are about 22 km apart, so you can see both in one day.
Nearby
Where to go after Virgin Beach.
Places close by that fit into the same trip, with realistic travel times.
10 min by road (3 km)
Bukit Asah
A grassy clifftop with views of Gili Kuan and the coast, camping and outrigger boat rides run by Bugbug village.
20–25 min by road (11 km)
Taman Ujung Water Palace
The last Karangasem raja’s seaside water palace near Amlapura, with large pools and bridges; best in late-afternoon light.
Visitor guide20–25 min by road (13 km)
Tenganan Village
A walled Bali Aga village above Candidasa, known for its double-ikat weaving.
Visitor guide25–35 min by road (16 km)
Tirta Gangga
Stepping stones, koi ponds and spring-fed pools among rice terraces.
Visitor guide35–45 min by road (22 km)
Blue Lagoon Beach, Padang Bai
A small cove next to the harbor with reef a few strokes from the sand.
Visitor guide15–20 min by road (8 km)
Candidasa lotus lagoon
The town’s lotus pond and Pura Candidasa on the hill above it, prettiest near sunset.
More in Candidasa
Plan the rest of your time in Candidasa.
Read Next
More Virgin Beach guides.
How we researched this
Sources and fact checks.
Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Virgin Beach guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 11 November 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.
We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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