By K&P 
The horizon is trimmed by rocky elevations, with the one on the left larger than the one on the right side of the beach. Still, the view takes your breath away. In the bay, there are a dozen or so local boats, mostly for snorkeling trips. Next to the boats, you can see a swarm of tourists—locals don’t snorkel much. The water is mostly blue, lighter patches suggest sandy sections of the bottom, while darker areas likely indicate rocks. The waves are large, but smaller in the evening, depending on the tide phases. The bay is not very wide but quite deep, so the waves break on the rocky cliffs on both sides, cutting into the horizon. Entering from the hill enhances the experience and extends the view. There’s greenery only on the cliffs to the sides, but it’s still something. This place leaves an impression right away, and compared to other spots in the southeastern part of Bali, it fares well—maybe even very well.
Its location is next to the Padang Bai port, from where you can get to Lombok and Nusa Penida. It’s easy to reach if you happen to be on the eastern side of Bali, but it’s a long way from the central tourist areas—about 70 km on a dual-lane road from Denpasar. The road is good and asphalted. If you’re in Padang Bai port and have at least 4 hours to spare, you can drive there—or if you’re determined, walk about 800 meters, give or take.
Blue Lagoon is a snorkeling hub. Most people are brought here by boats from nearby towns like Candidasa, Jasri, or perhaps Amlapura (though that’s probably too far). Only a few people arrive on scooters, but most walk from Padang Bai or the hotel on the hill—there’s one if you go further along the road.
There’s definitely a lot to see—many fish, and while the reef might not be like in nature documentaries, it’s still there. You’ll find fish like big angelfish, clownfish (Nemo), and ones in green, blue, and yellow—whatever you fancy. They’re large, about 30–70 cm, so there’s plenty to admire. The fish are used to tourists snorkeling, so they flee only when you get too close. The water isn’t deep, which makes swimming more comfortable and the views better. The water is crystal clear, with excellent visibility.
Monkeys also appear, but only in the evenings, on the western cliff, where the vegetation is lush. That’s their territory—they walk on branches overhanging the rocks or sometimes sit contemplatively on the rocks themselves. They don’t come to the beach and aren’t as bold or arrogant as those in more touristy spots. They stick to their paths.
The main part of the beach is very beautiful, though it lacks vegetation, replaced by a concrete wall and steps leading to a terrace with a restaurant and snorkeling equipment rental. There are sun loungers with umbrellas, which can be handy because there’s no shade in the central area, except maybe in the afternoon. You can grab something to eat while enjoying the breathtaking view. The restaurant tables are on another terrace, slightly higher up.
The midday sun is intense, with no trees in the central part, but the eastern side has a bit of shade, thanks to a recess in the rock, offering a shadowy area with a tree leaning towards the beach—a rare shaded spot. On the opposite western side, there are also some rocks and vegetation but less shade. The first (eastern) side is prettier; unfortunately, others notice this too, so it gets a bit crowded.
Lunchtime ends the morning snorkeling session, leaving the horizon clear as the boats disappear one by one. The afternoon session is calmer, with fewer participants—a recurring pattern, as people probably don’t feel like it by then. In the afternoon, you can order a drink without guilt and relax until dinner.
The beach is worth visiting. In this part of the island, it faces strong but modest competition from Virgin Beach and Bias Tugel Beach, as well as the port beach at Padang Bai. The first two may outshine Blue Lagoon, but each has its own appeal. For snorkeling, Blue Lagoon is the clear winner. It also wins in terms of cost, with only a small parking fee. Plus, you can enjoy the beach with monkeys on the horizon.