Best swimwear in Bali: Where to find bikinis, one-pieces, wetsuits, boardshorts, surf gear and more

By Julianne Greco

Jan 16, 2018 | 10:33pm Bali time

Chilling at beach clubs, soaking up the sun, chasing waterfalls, jumping into adrenaline-pumping activities, going for a surf, taking a refresher in an epic infinity pool or at a swim-up bar, you name it. Whatever you’ll be doing in Bali, you’re going to need swimwear for that.

Or, even if you just want to swap out your undergarments in favor of some more colorful (and sweat-absorbent lyrcra), swimwear is essential in Bali.

Whether you somehow forgot to pack your swimmers, or are just looking for more pieces to suit up in, check out our guide to the best places in Bali to find sexy little bikinis, cute one-pieces, sporty boardshorts, and whatever other surf-wear you may need.

It may be a longstanding joke that everyone comes to Bali to make bikinis, but hey, some stereotypes turn out to be true and we’re glad, because for us, that means plenty of swimwear selection with a delectable mix of locally produced stuff and international standard surf brands.

Drifter

With stores in Seminyak and Uluwatu, the hipster haven Drifer is more than just a surf shop, it’s an experience. Both of their locations have cafes so you can sip on a cappuccino and take in their gallery of one of a kind surfboards, artwork, surf memorabilia, guitars, and collectibles as you browse for some surf gear, homewares, and other love-of-ocean-inspired goodies.

Drifter
Seminyak
Jl. Oberoi 50 (Jl. Kayu Aya)
+62 (0361) 733274
Sunday-Saturday, 7:30am-10pm
and
Uluwatu
Jl. Labuansait No.52,
(+62) 0817-557-111
Sunday-Saturday, 7:30am-10pm

OY Surf Apparel

Ask a Bali surfer gal what her favorite surf bikini is and chances are she’s tested out (and probably loves) OY Surf Apparel. Made for surfer chicks by a pair of surfer chicks, OY is designed, marketed, and distributed in Switzerland, but produced in Bali. OY is available both online but also from a handful of retailers in Bali and Kuta, Lombok. It’s the visually appealing design, but also the functionality—these lycra suits aren’t going anywhere in big waves—that have earned the brand such a loyal following. Mix and match colors, prints, and cuts, to fit your own style. Check out OY’s list of retailers here.

Bali Surf Outlet (BSO)

BSO is one of the largest surf factory outlets in Bali, conveniently located on Sunset Road for quick in-and-out access if you’re in need of a power-shop. Major markdowns on the biggest surf brands like Roxy and Quiksilver without the big prices. Bikinis, rashies, sunglasses, t-shirts, boardshorts, flip-flops, and other tropical-wear essentials, we warn you it’s hard to walk in without buying anything because they’ve just got such an amazing range of selection. BSO also has a little cafe to the side with snacks, juice, and other drinks to fuel your shopping trip.

BSO
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai no. 9
WA 085 259 021 652
Sunday to Saturday, 9am-10:30pm

Rip Curl Original Surf Outlet (OSO)

Another big surf outlet on Sunset Road, OSO is all about Rip Curl and there always seems to be some big sale going on. While they do sell other brands, if you specifically fancy Rip Curl, OSO’s going to be where you’re going to want to go for the most choices from the brand. Get all your surf-wear, beach gear, and accessories, and even check out the boards they’ve got for sale.

OSO
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai no. 417B
(0361) 766646
Sunday to Saturday, 9am to 11pm

Roxy/Quiksilver

As two of the biggest names in surf gear, of course Roxy and Quiksilver are easily available in surfer’s paradise, Bali. Not only can you get items from these brands at the surf outlets, they also have plenty of their own shops on the island, concentrated mainly in Kuta and Seminyak. Why buy from the brand when you can just go to the outlets, you may ask? It pains us to divulge this hint that we’d like to keep to ourselves, but it’s just too good: these shops have some of the best clear-out sales with prices slashed so low, that sometimes shopping the sales end up being cheaper than going to the outlets. Just make sure you walk past all the shiny new stuff and go to the back (or upstairs, depending on the shop) to get to the sales section.

Locations all over Bali, check online for the most convenient one.

Blood+Bone

Their Padang Padang shop is one of our go-to stops for bikinis, rashguards, and board wax after a coffee at the cafe next door. Blood+Bone is a Bali original label selling summer-friendly wardrobe essentials, but their Bukit location also carries other brands in their shop, including Amuse, Billabong, and Volcom. Lately they’ve been having some pretty wallet-friendly clearance sales. Designed and produced in Bali, the Blood+Bone name takes inspiration from the Merah Putih (red and white) Indonesian flag.

Blood+Bone
Padang Padang
Jl. Labuansait0823-4024-2286
Sunday to Saturday, 8am to 9pm

Thaikila

If you’re looking more for a chic, designer bikini, rather than for functional surfwear, try Thaikila, the newly launched and re-branded collection of the widely popular international swimwear line, formerly known as Blue Glue. Established in Paris in 1989 and launched in Bali in 2004, the French brand, Thaikila has some of the sexiest cuts and styles that’ll make your Instagram pop. What’s even more exciting about the brand though, is that they have bikinis made from recycled bottles.

Thaikila
Wholesale showroom: Jl. Raya Kerobokan
Monday-Friday (closed on weekends), 9am-5pm
Check their website for more locations

Cantik

Meaning “beautiful” in Bahasa Indonesia, Cantik is designed in Australia but produced in Bali. Their pieces are inspired by classic vintage styles and contemporary fashion silhouettes for “minimal coverage” but that’s to “feature the perfect female form in all its variations.” In other words, these bikinis are skimpy but hot AF and flattering on all sorts of figures for the bold female. Cantik’s 2017 collection is taking into use ECONYL, an eco-friendly material, 100 percent regenerable and recycled nylon yarn from post consumer materials. How cool is that? The brand sells online to over 50 countries, but you can find their stuff at a number of shops in Bali, including 7 Shores, Bali Boat Shed, Drifter, Jane Doe, and the Tailored Store.

Cantik

Sea Folly

Seafolly is an Australian beach lifestyle, designer brand that strives to share the spirit of Australian summer with women everywhere—and that of course includes women in Bali. Gorgeous and statement-making prints, delicate details, and a variety of styles meant to work for a variety of different body types, Seafolly’s always got quite the irresistible collection. Seafolly also sells an impressive selection of beachy over-swimwear, accessories, and activewear. Sea Folly is available at a number of Universo shops in Bali in Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. See their website for more detailed locations.

Seafolly

Niconico Mare

Niconico is one of the OG Bali labels for shopping swimwear. Founded in 2004 by designer Nico Genze who previously worked at big brands like Jockey and Victoria’s Secret in New York City, Niconico Mare describes its signature style as “glam swimwear.” The brand has seven stores spread out in the Seminyak area with branches in Gili Trawangan and Nusa Lembongan. In addition to swimwear, Niconico Mare also carries men’s and women’s underwear, resort wear, and all sorts of accessories that you would need around the pool or beach.

NicoNicoMare

69slam

69Slam is Bali’s own original fashion brand. As its name suggests, you can be darn straight that 69Slam is provocative, playful, alternative, and colorful. The brand’s experienced booming success since its founding in 2004, now present in over 50 countries around the world. Get bikinis, cut-outs, activewear, boardshorts, and of course underwear here—the whole brand was supposedly conceived when the founder wanted to spice up his bland briefs with something more exciting. Choose from over 10 locations in Bali to shop at for 69Slam.

69Slam

Maidenlove

Bali-founded, high-end swimwear line made from Italian lyrcras. Maidenlove boasts a combination of styles, with vintage, high-wasted style silhouettes, more modern one-pieces with plunging necks, and of course, classic bikinis. Leather sandals and bags, dresses, tops, skirts, and cottons, linens, and rayons, the brand does more than just swimwear. You can find Maidenlove at a handful of boutiques in Seminyak, Canggu, and Gili Trawangan.

Maidenlove

Gooseberry Seaside

Gooseberry Seaside—the swimwear division of Gooseberry Intimates—is internationally recognized and you can order it all over the world, but the only place you can actually physically shop their full collection is in Bali. On trend, clean cuts, and often solid colors, we love Gooseberry Seaside pieces for their chic elegance.

Gooseberry Seaside
Jl Kayu Aya no.117x
Seminyak
Sunday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm

Cliff Swimwear

Sexy yet functional, Cliff Swimwear offers a range of surfing and fashion pieces that are customizable in size, color, and print in high quality lycra. Bikini tops and bottoms that will stay on when the surf’s on, body suits that feel like “second skin”, rash guards, and cut-out one-pieces are all on the menu from Bali-based Brazilian designer Karina Mattos. Cliff doesn’t have a physical shop though; their swimwear is sold at a number of boutiques across the island, but we recommend getting fitted and doing your design with Mattos herself, for a cool bespoke experience.

Cliff Swimwear

Rip Curl

The ultimate surfing company, Rip Curl has plenty of shops in Bali, including a giant one on Sunset Road where you can get all you need in terms of surf and beach gear. ‘Live the Search’ and while you’re at it, search for some goodies!

Rip Curl
Jl. Sunset Road no. 69
Kuta
(0361) 754455
Sunday to Saturday, 9am-9pm

Billabong

Another of the big three brands along with Rip Curl and Roxy/Quiksilver, there are plenty of places to buy original Billabong brand stuff at. They have a number of shops in Bali selling their latest bikinis, surf suits, and of course, classic boardshorts. Check locations here.

Billabong

Bali Boat Shed

While we’ve already mentioned several brands sold here, how could we not do a swimwear guide to Bali without giving Bali Boat Shed its own entry? Situated right on Seminyak’s main street, Bali Boat Shed’s fun, colorful ‘boat shed’ exterior is iconic to the ‘Yak’. The Seminyak shop carries their own three in-house labels (Bali Boat Shed, Super Normal, and Mosey Loves Elvis), along with an abundance of other amazing independent designer labels from the island.