If there is a single iconic experience in Bali that’s open to just about everyone who visits, it’s the stunning sunset on the West Coast of the island.
Beach clubs are the perfect venue to enjoy a sunset, as the sky catches fire and the sun starts to dip below the horizon of the ocean, you can be in a comfy seat clutching an ice cold cocktail and enjoying blissful vibes.
Whether it’s your first time to the island, or you’re a seasoned sunset chaser, we’ve got some awesome tips to help you enjoy an amazing sunset at Bali’s beach clubs without breaking into a sweat.
Our 10 Tips For The Best Times At Sunset In Bali’s Beach Clubs
Before we begin this, we must stress that you want to visit a beach club on the right side of the island to enjoy sunset – that means Seseh, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran, or Uluwatu.
If you pick Nusa Dua, Ungasan, Amed, etc. then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment, the best sunset view is the one with the sun right in front of you – not behind you or to the side.
There are a few beach clubs on the East of the island, which are part of hotel complexes, where you might enjoy a great sunrise, though.
Tip 1: Get The Right Beach Club For Your Sunset Vibe
We’d always recommend that you think about your mood and/or your preferred vibe before you head down to a beach club for sunset. Each of Bali’s 100+ beach clubs is somewhat different and that means you can fine tune your experience to what you want to do.
FINNS Beach Club has the best crowd, high energy beats and a sunset that flows effortlessly into a night time party where everyone has an amazing time.
Potato Head’s infinity pool offers a quiet spot to chill and soak in the sunset, but the laidback mood continues into the evening.
You might enjoy sitting on a hammock at La Brisa too, a place where we prefer to go for a warm up season.
There’s always the option to head to somewhere like Uluwatu or Ungasan, you could be in Single Fin at what we think may be the most crowded sunset spot in Bali or at Sundays with a more “beach holiday” feel about it.
You should also check out the beach club’s website before you go – many clubs have regular or special sunset events that can make things more interesting.
Tip 2: Turn Up Early, Get The Best Spots (Or Book In Advance)
If you want to go to the most popular spots like FINNS or Potato Head, you really should book a daybed or beanbag in advance so that you can ensure you get a comfy spot with a great ocean view.
Walk-in guests are allowed at most clubs, but if you want to risk it and walk-in, we’d recommend hitting your beach club of choice at around lunchtime. After that, they may well be sold out and while a seat at the bar is nice, it’s not quite the same as that super location by the infinity pool.
If you do walk-in, you may find that you can choose from a number of different areas to sit in, we’d go for somewhere that you can get a nice clear view out over the ocean – that’s where the sunset action is, after all.
Pro-tip: Oceanfront infinity pool space is at a premium around sunset too, so if you want to be in the water, hit the swim up bar early and then perch yourself against the front of the pool.
Tip 3: Dressing For Sunset Style
You don’t need to go overboard when dressing up for beach clubs, there are no strict dress codes in Bali and you will almost never find a guy in a suit or a woman dressed like she’s heading to a ball.
It’s hot and humid here even when the air-conditioning is running and you want to go with something casual that looks effortless. That’s the heart of island chic, after all.
For ladies, a flowing maxi dress or a bikini paired with a tasteful sarong is the kind of vibe you’re looking for. For the guys, we’d go with linen shorts and a nice open shirt that keeps you cool and breezy looking.
Go with lightweight fabrics, the humidity here is no joke and you don’t want to end up sweating uncomfortably at sunset. If you want some great photos, we’d choose colours that look great at sunset – whites, orange hues, pastels or even go with a nice bold tropical print.
You definitely want some sunglasses if you intend to enjoy that golden hour glare without damaging your eyes and we’d throw in a wide-brimmed hat too.
For shoes? Sandals, flip-flops or even barefoot is fine (by the pool – most clubs won’t let you in the restaurants or bars without shoes). Heels are better for nightclubs.
The aim is to be comfortable, but to look amazing in those Instagram snaps you send to your friends showcasing just how much fun you’re having in Bali’s beach club scene.
Tip 4: Go For Something Special To Sip
Bali’s sunsets are made for sipping something special, you simply can’t see in the evening light show without a drink in your hand.
The good news is that beach clubs, generally, excel at delivering great drinks at this time of day, at FINNS you might opt for a pina colada or a cold Bintang (or a bucket of Bintangs if you want to get the best value out of your day).
At Potato Head a mango martini or tropical spritz might be just the ticket, at La Brisa their coconut mojito is a very refreshing sundowner.
Some (but definitely not all) beach clubs may also time their happy hour for around sunset, some go before, some during and other go after and that can mean drinking for much less money.
For the non-alcoholic folks out there, ask to see the mocktail list or dive into some fresh coconut water which is packed with electrolytes and can help you stay hydrated in the Bali heat.
Tip 5: Chow Down On Some Saucy Sunset Snacks
We adore beach club food and it’s one of the big draws for us in the scene, but sunset is not the time for a heavy meal. It’s the time to grab some snacks and share with your partner or your mates.
FINNS does some awesome chicken yakitori skewers and their gyoza are first rate too. Over at Potato Head, they’re a little more pretentious with truffle fries (though the sushi rolls are pretty good too).
We quite like the fish tacos at La Brisa which give you a proper taste of Bali and Sundays does some nice seafood skewers from their beach BBQ.
There’s no doubt that you should enjoy a proper meal in your beach club of choice too, but we’d leave that until after the sun’s gone down and stick to some light snacks until then.
Tip 6: Feel The Soundtrack To Your Escape
Some Bali beach clubs are awesome for providing the music. FINNS will ensure you’re ready to start tapping your toes by the time the sun goes down and then move onto busting your moves on the dance floor.
Potato Head, on the other hand, will gently lull you with simple, calm beats that allow you to collapse into your day bed and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Some beach clubs don’t have any music and if they front onto the beach, you could always bring your own Bluetooth speaker and set your own mood.
But please don’t take your favourite black metal album, try to go with something a bit more tropical – some reggae or lo-fi would do nicely.
Tip 7: Capture It But Don’t Miss It
Everyone loves Bali sunsets and we acknowledge that they are an absolute dream for photographers. The light looks amazing even using a phone camera and the shot from FINNS’ infinity pool is to die for.
But here’s the thing, if you spend all your time shooting the sunset, you won’t actually experience it. You’ll just annoy the people around you and get dismissed as a wanna-be influencer.
So, take a few shots, grab a video and then put that phone down. In fact, put it away. Look out at the sky and watch the colours shift around with your own eyes. From orange, to red, to pink, to purple, to violet. It’s a holiday memory worth having and no camera can really do it justice.
You come on holiday to have fun, not to rack up Instagram likes.
Tip 8: Roll With It, Sunsets Aren’t Scripted
Nobody can guarantee the perfect sunset. Yes, sometimes clouds will roll in and spoil the view or produce a downpour. Other times, you will witness colours that you didn’t even know existed in the natural world.
Just roll with it, you’ll still have a great time if you don’t try act like everything depends on Mother Nature being in a cooperative time.
Beach clubs are still great even when the sunset is “meh”. Talk to your mates, flirt with a stranger, chill in the infinity pool, dive under cover in the restaurant and start that meal a little early.
Sunsets are a vibe as much as they are a light show. Bring the right attitude and you’ll have a day to remember no matter what the sun does.
Tip 9: Hang Around, Experience The Afterglow
You don’t have to dash out the door as soon as the sun goes down (unless you’re at a day club, then you probably do).
The post-sunset sky glow is great and the pastel colours of the skies and the cooler air is a great time of night to have fun in Bali.
At FINNS, they’ll be turning up the intensity for a party to remember, at Potato Head they’ll be winding down for a more lounge-like feel.
Wherever you are, kick back, soak it in and order another round. This is a great time to be in a beach club, you’ll miss out if you leave too soon.
Tip 10: Plan Your Perfect Exit
Of course, every night out has to come to an end at some point. When you’re ready to go, book a Grab or Gojek (especially if you have been drinking) and enjoy a simple, cheap ride home.
We don’t recommend walking home after dark as the poor road surfaces and hectic traffic conditions can lead to accidents.
Or stay until the beach club closes and then head on to a nearby nightclub or late night bar to keep the party going.
Bonus Advice
We’ve also got some other small tips to help you get the most out of a beach club sunset:
- Stay hydrated – it’s hot and humid in Bali, having a glass of water between cocktails is a great strategy to have a happy day out
- Bring bug spray – mosquitoes come out around dusk and they love the taste of tourists, so make sure to spritz yourself with bug spray at regular intervals to stay bite free
- Talk to beach club staff – they may know something about the best place to see the sunset from or of any offers or activities available around sunset
Final Thoughts On Sunset At Bali’s Beach Clubs
So, there we go, it’s pretty easy to have an unforgettable time at Bali’s beach clubs at sunset – just pick your place, turn up and let the magic take you. Raise a glass to the horizon, as you start mentally planning your next sunset outing on the island.
