Bali: The Traveler's Dream Destination

Bali in Indonesia has long been a popular tourist destination. Benefiting from a warm climate, clear blue seas and long golden beaches, it has attracted travelers from around the world. 

Having fun on the beautiful beaches of Bali. Boys greet us happily on Sanur Beach

Indonesia

Bali is a province of the country of Indonesia. An archipelago of thousands of islands spreading either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and Philippine Sea. The world's fourth most populous country, Indonesia is renowned for it welcoming atmosphere. The culture developed with generation of seventeenth and eighteenth century traders and Dutch colonialists. A central tenet of life in Indonesia is a sense of community and consensus, making it a relaxed place to take a holiday.

The Best of Bali

Bali

Most international travelers will fly into Ngurah Rai airport. Many transnational air companies operate flights into and out of this airport, and it is positioned ideally in the south of the country to access some of the most interesting places for travellers to visit.

Kuta

Kuta, on the south coast of the island, is renowned for its long sweeping beach. Water sports, diving and beach sports are popular pastimes and there are many bars and restaurants set back from the sand. It is also well-known as a place to dance the night away, including at beach parties.

Ubud

Ubud is another popular area with travellers. It is a small town set among the volcanic mountains and rice paddies of the central lands. Popular for its food and arts scenes, it is also the perfect base for hiking in the spectacular countryside. Arguably the most popular place to hike in is the Monkey Forest, a sanctuary home to hundreds of Macaques. More fearless animal-lovers may wish to hike among the volcanoes for the chance to meet a komodo dragon.

Nusa Lembongan

A small island just off the coast, Nusa Lembongan is a laid-back place popular with surfers. With no cars and crystal clear waters it is a great place for a few days of dedicated rest and relaxation, helped in part by its reputation as a place to practice yoga and get an expert massage.

With year-round sunshine, a great food scene based on fresh produce and a fascinating mix of cultures and histories, Bali is an enticing place for all travelers looking for a tropical paradise.

Bali Surf Guide ~ Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a sacred and beautiful spot to visit for both the devout Balinese Hindu as well as travelers. But what some don't realize is that it is a good surf spot as well.

Surf Guide to Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Surfing at Bali's Stunning Tanah Lot Temple~ Notice the surfers on the left

You can approach the temple in many ways (car, motor bike, taxi, etc.). Simply ask the driver to take you to Pura Tanah Lot. Pay your entry fee at the gate. Note that indonesians go through one gate and pay a greatly reduced fee and Bule (white folk/foreigners) pay a completely different amount. Lets save that debate for another time but Indonesians and especially Balinese deserve to be able to visit their sacred places at a reasonable cost. You will then make your way through a small village that is actually just souvenir stalls. It is seemingly endless but follow the flow of people to the shore.

A lone surfer enjoys the uncrowded sets of Sea Arch at Tanah Lot in Bali

You will see the main temple ahead of you but follow the path along to the right (North) about 250 meters. You will see a natural jetty shaped like an arch (pictured above and below), pointing out to the ocean with another temple at the end of it. Some refer to this as The Bali Sea Arch. Few people know that the Tanah Lot temple was originally connected to the island of Bali with an arch very similar to this but it has been eroded away.

This surfer can't ask for a more beautiful setting for this epic solo session at Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Just South of the jetty is the surf break. Please remember, this is a holy temple so be respectful as you change your clothes. 

While it is not Uluwatu or perhaps even in the top five surf breaks of Bali, it is still a great fun wave and is usually uncrowded. I have rarely seen more than two surfers out at any one time. Its a great left and you can score solid waves here year round and at all tides but it works best with a south-southwest swell and the wind east-northeast. The most consistent surf is in the dry season from May to September and offers nice warm offshore breezes. Low and mid-tides are best and it starts working at less than 1 meter.  Mind the rocks and the reef but there is some sand as well.

Bali's Sea temple Tanah Lot

Most all surf abilities can catch good waves here and the average ride lenght is 40-100 meters.

Other notable surf breaks in the area include Kedungu Beach, Medewi Front Hotel beach and Nyani beach which is also known as Muara beach.

For more information on the breaks and our surf tours of Bali please contact us directly and for more insider information on surf in Bali, Bali culture and travel tips, be sure to sign up for our award winning newsletter.

See ya in the lineup! 

For the best Bali surf retreats check out Bali Floating Leaf. They know all the best spots, great food, luxurious villas and the price can't be beat.

Related Bali Surf Blog Posts 

Another amazing day of Bali surf at Uluwatu.

Surfing in Bali; Everything you need to know (except a few secrets)

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Today's Bali Photo of the Day takes us to Bali's Tabanan Regency on the West Coast to one of the big three sacred temples of Bali. Pura Tanah Lot is actually an island onto itself. This important pilgramage site is built upon a rock and reef outcropping in the ocean. It is possible to walk or wade to the temple at low tide.

Tanah Lot is one of the important seven sea temples of Bali and certainly one of the most picturesque. These seven temples were built around the island to protect it, and to be used as a signaling device as each temple is built within eyeshot from the last forming a visual chain around the South Western coast of Bali.

Bali's Sacred Tanah Lot Temple

Bali's Tanah Lot History

A revered 15th century Hindu priest named Nirartha is said to have built the sacred temple. He stopped to sleep on the rock and found it to be not only majestic in its beauty, but a sacred and powerful spot. The locals saw him there and began to bring him gifts. He told them to construct a temple there as it was a fitting place to worship the Balinese Sea Gods.

It is claimed that when Niratha moved on from the rock island, he left his scarf behind. The scarf turned into a giant sea snake and has protected the location ever since. To this day, holy men guard the entrances to the many caves that surround the temple and some can even show you the magical snakes inside the caves. Many will ask for a donation to enter the caves, but the payoff is usually not all that exciting.

From the main tourist areas of South Bali such as Kuta, Seminyak and Legian, its about a 40 minute car ride and from Bali's cultural center of Ubud, its perhaps a 40 minute ride depending of course on the traffic.

Tanah Lot is a must do on any traveler's itinerary. Try to go at low tide so a local Hindu Priest can bless you with the springs of holy water that emminate from beneath the temple itself. It's spectacular at sunset and it is also a fairly consistent surf break. More on surfing Tanah Lot to come. Be sure to sign up for our free award winning newsletter to get the inside tips on where and when to go to beat the crowds and to see some of the hidden aspects  of Bali.