Pasir Padi is the beach closest to Pangkalpinang, which makes it the default swimming spot for the city's residents. It's a long, gently curving stretch of sand — nothing dramatically scenic, but perfectly pleasant and practical. The water is calm and shallow, which makes it good for children. Vendors sell grilled corn and cold drinks along the shore, and a strip of seafood restaurants lines the road behind the beach.
If you're flying in and out of Pangkalpinang with limited time, Pasir Padi is the easy choice — 20 minutes from the airport, no navigation required. For a more scenic beach experience, the drive north to the Sungailiat area is worth it, but Pasir Padi is a perfectly decent place to spend an afternoon if the timing doesn't work out.