The Perfect Bali Sunset: Where to Go and What to Wear
By Kiki Fahrina
A Bali sunset is not a moment, it is an event. The sky shifts from gold to pink to violet, the temperature drops, and an entire island seems to slow down together. Where you watch it changes everything, and so does what you wear. Here are some of our favourite sunset spots across the island, with a sunset outfit for each one, from clifftop to beach table.
Uluwatu: Cliffs and Ceremony
At the southern tip of the island, Uluwatu Temple sits on a limestone cliff above the Indian Ocean, and the light at sunset is extraordinary. Traditional Kecak dance performances are held there at dusk. It can be breezy and the paths are uneven, so wear something flowing but secure, with a light layer in case the wind picks up. Temples require a sarong and sash, so bring a sarong of your own. The sheer silk Leopard Pareo is a lovely, lightweight option for a Bali sunset like this one.
Jimbaran: Dinner on the Sand
Jimbaran Bay is famous for its seafood tables set directly on the sand, with the sun sinking over the water behind them. This is a barefoot kind of evening, relaxed and unfussy. Pair our Breeze Linen Blend Pants with a simple top and bring a light shirt for the sea breeze. Dark colours hide the inevitable splash of sambal, and linen is forgiving after a long, happy meal.
Canggu and Berawa: Surf and Sky
On the west coast, Canggu and Berawa offer the classic surf town sunset, with riders on the water, music drifting from the beach bars and the sky putting on a show. This is the place for a relaxed sunset outfit, a swimsuit under an open shirt, bare legs and a bag with your essentials. The Bella Shirt over a bikini is perfect, light enough for the heat and pretty enough for photographs.
Tanah Lot: A Temple at Sea
Tanah Lot is one of Bali's most photographed temples, standing on a rock just off the shore, and sunset draws crowds. Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes for uneven paths, and carry a sarong to respect the setting. The pace is slower than a beach bar, and the atmosphere is more reverent. A simple resort wear Bali outfit, linen and light layers, is exactly right.
Seminyak: Beach Club Glamour
For something dressier, Seminyak's sunset lounges ask for a little polish. This is the place for our Cleo Set under a silk shirt, or a simple dress, with gold jewellery and a small clutch. Heels are optional, but a sandal with a slight lift looks lovely on the sand. Seminyak is where resort wear Bali can quietly turn into evening wear without a change of clothes.
The best sunset outfit is the one that looks effortless in the last of the light.
A Sunset Outfit Formula
Whichever spot you choose, the formula is the same. Start with a swimsuit you love, add a layer for the breeze, bring a sarong for warmth and modesty, and finish with gold jewellery and a soft bag. Colours glow in the last light, so warm tones such as chocolate, spice and cream look especially beautiful. Avoid anything stiff. A sunset outfit should move with you, and a good one will look even better in the photographs you take at the end of the day.
Making the Most of the Hour
A little planning makes a Bali sunset far more enjoyable. Arrive forty five minutes early to find a good spot, bring water and a light layer, and keep your phone charged for photographs. Sunset times shift a little through the year, so check locally on the day. Roads fill quickly in the evening, so leave extra time to get home. Dress in resort wear Bali you can sit, walk and dance in, and let the colours of the sky do the rest. The best evenings are the ones where you simply stayed a little longer than you meant to.
Dress for the Golden Hour
Explore our beachwear and dresses collections to find your sunset look, or visit us in Berawa, Canggu or Padang Padang to try layers together. However you spend it, give the Bali sunset your full attention. Put the phone down for a minute. Let the colour fade. Then tuck your sarong a little tighter, and go find dinner.
