Located right on the beach and very close to the airport, Seminyak has evolved into one of Bali's most frequented tourist spots. The town is a high-end, long-term stay destination, and some who venture there fall in love with the place and never leave. It isn't cheap, but it is a charming place with access to a good range of beaches, shopping and activities.
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Location
Seminyak is located on the south coast of Bali. It is sandwiched between the sea to the west, the towns of Legian and Kuta to the south, and Bali's largest city of Denpasar to the east. A taxi ride from Denpasar's international airport to the middle of Seminyak will take about 15 minutes.
Description
The town of Seminyak is home to a mix of expatriates, Balinese and other Indonesian residents, and well-heeled tourists. Compared to neighboring Legian and especially backpacker- and surfer-oriented Kuta, it is the upscale resort destination on that stretch of Bali's coast.
Accommodations
Although they can be found, Seminyak is not the place to go hunting for mid-range and budget accommodation options. There are other towns in the immediate area with cheaper hotels. Seminyak is one of Bali's centers for four- and five-star luxury. It is also a good place to find a seaside apartment or villa to rent.
Beaches
Most visitors to Bali, and Seminyak in particular, come for the beaches. Seminyak Beach itself is well-developed but still relatively laid back and free of hassles by the standards of Bali's southern coast. The waters have some moderate waves, which are ideal for beginner and novice surfers. In the immediate vicinity of Seminyak Beach is Petitenget Beach, which is named for the most important temple in the area. Farther afield, but still within a half hour's drive, are the quiet and much less trafficked black sands of Canggu Beach, as well as the fishing boats of Berawa Beach and the more demanding surf of Echo Beach.
Diving
While the waters immediately around Seminyak are not well-known for their scuba diving, Bali as a whole is a great place to dive. The waters within a half-hour boat ride of Seminyak have some dive sites, and the dive companies in the town regularly book trips to take divers to the island's other sites by road. Close to Seminyak are the reefs of the islands of Pulau Menjangan and Nusa Penida. Both are challenging sites. Menjangan features walls with steep drops down to 200 feet, while some of Peneda's reefs are known for their strong currents and demand drift diving experience.
