Most know this Indonesian island in Southeast Asia due to its gorgeous seashores, considerable wellness choices, dreamy tropical climate, constant swells and countless jungle journey. Bali is a critically heavenly vacation spot for many who love taking part in within the water and ending the day with a recent coconut, a nasi goreng and a view.
I’ve been visiting Bali for practically 10 years now, and whereas sure, previous favourites like Canggu and Uluwatu have modified drastically right here over time, the untouched magic of Bali continues to be as current as ever, and Balian Seashore is really a testomony to that.
‘So the place is Balian Seashore?’ I hear you ask.
Balian Seashore is a coastal village situated midway up the West Coast of Bali (see map beneath), a spot identified for its constant surf, emptier line-ups and actual locals’ vibe. You’ll have heard of its neighbour, Medewi? One other of Bali’s west coast surf gems it’s best to take a look at!
Lined with gorgeous black sand seashores, the surf meets yoga vibe all of us love, warungs that offer you good views throughout the principle surf breaks and the heat of genuine Bali, Balian Seashore is a spot that’s onerous to not love.
I’m so excited to share the very best issues to do in Balian Seashore with you immediately. I’ve simply spent the final week there, and this Balian Seashore journey information will stroll you thru every thing it’s good to know to plan your journey.
I’ll cowl every thing from tips on how to get to Balian Seashore and the place to remain, to the highest issues to do, the very best day journeys, and native secrets and techniques.
Balian Seashore is your ticket to experiencing Bali at a slower tempo. It really is the place to go in Bali in the event you’re in search of a extra laid-back various to the island’s southern (crowded) hotspots.
Easy methods to Get to Balian Seashore
Balian Seashore is situated a bit of additional away from the airport in contrast the the likes of well-liked spots, Canggu and Uluwatu, however it’s so definitely worth the distance. As ever in Bali, it’s onerous to be actual with drive occasions because it depends upon what time of day you journey, as to how a lot visitors is on the street. IYKYK.
- From Canggu, Balian Seashore is technically a 1.5-hour drive.
- From Bali’s Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport (DPS), on a transparent day, it’s round 2.5 hours.
The best technique to get to Balian Seashore is to rearrange a non-public driver by way of your lodging (most provides you with a quantity) or by way of apps like Seize or Gojek.
Anticipate to pay round 500-700,000 IDR (£23-32) for a non-public automotive in the event you’re heading from Ngurah Rai airport straight to Balian Seashore. You’ll have to both have money prepared for a card so that you could cease at an ATM en path to get cash out.
Journey tip:
My driver’s identify was Toni, and he lives in Balian, so in the event you want a experience, pop him a WhatsApp on +62 857-3820-7476 to rearrange. You’ll get a reduction in the event you point out my identify!
For the extra adventurous traveller, renting a scooter from Canggu or Seminyak affords a scenic experience by way of rice fields and small villages to Balian. It’s no straightforward feat, although, anticipate loads of bumps, unpaved roads, some sketchy corners and a few busy roads to navigate. In case you have no expertise on a scooter, I’d go for a non-public automotive!
This Balian journey information wouldn’t be full with out noting that there’s no public transport right here on the island, however in the event you’re travelling from the West, it’s very inexpensive to go for the non-public automotive choice!
Finest Time to Go to Balian Seashore
The perfect issues to do in Balian Seashore will be loved year-round (surf, eat, yoga), however the dry season right here in Bali (April–October) brings probably the most optimum climate for my part, with calmer seas and extra constant surf.
The moist season (November–March) sees extra rain and humidity right here, however the surrounding countryside turns to the lushest of greens, so it’s extremely lovely and isn’t a ‘dangerous time’ to return by any means. Surfers, you’ll find good waves right here all yr, although the dry season tends to be extra dependable.
The place to Keep in Balian Seashore
Balian Seashore is simply the cutest little coastal village, and so wherever you select to remain, you’ll be shut sufficient to stroll to the surf and a lot of the finest issues to do in Balian Seashore. Simply have a take into consideration whether or not you’d choose the resort, villa or retreat expertise!
Listed here are just a few choices.
- Pondok Pitaya Lodge – Beachfront resort with a pool, yoga shala, and surfboard leases. Guide right here.
- Balian Bliss Retreat – A wellness-focused stick with every day yoga, spa remedies, and wholesome meals. Guide right here.
- Surfside Studio Villa – That is the place we stayed. It’s a stunning villa with 2 double beds, a kitchen and a pool space with solar loungers. It’s honeslty so good and strolling distance from the principle seashore and all of the warungs and therapeutic massage spas you want! Message +62 856-3716-014 on WhatsApp to ebook.
1. Surf Balian’s well-known surf break
A spotlight of any Balian journey information is clearly the surf. Drawing surfers from around the globe, Balian Seashore is a well known spot for its constant left-hand break.
Intermediate and superior surfers – you’ll find it irresistible right here. While learners, you’ll be able to persist with the seashore break and there’s additionally the choice to take classes from native instructors. You’ll be able to lease a board proper on the seashore, and the waves work year-round, although, as talked about beforehand dry season affords probably the most dependable circumstances.
2. Watch the surf or the sundown from Deki’s Warung
If browsing isn’t in your precedence record and you end up in Balian Seashore, head as much as Deki’s Warung for the right view of the break. The volcanic black sand, the blue hues of the ocean, a recent chilly coconut or Bintang… and also you’re set for the afternoon.
One of many finest issues to do in Balian Seashore is to observe the sundown from this spot. An important place to go for dinner! They serve up all of your Indonesian favs and the service was all the time so pleasant.
3. Guide a yoga class
Though Balian village is small, it has a surprisingly robust yoga scene. With shalas set in open-air areas overlooking both the ocean or the rice paddies, you have got just a few choices right here to hop between. Listed here are just a few to take a look at:
- Pondok Pitaya Yoga (proper on the principle seashore) – Vinyasa yoga each morning at 10am
- Balian Spirit Yoga (simply up the hill from the principle seashore) – Hatha and meditation every single day at 8.30am and 4pm.
10. Decelerate with a coconut and soak all of it in!
Maybe the very best of all of the finest issues to do in Balian Seashore is solely nothing in any respect. It is a place to disconnect, to take pleasure in sluggish, lovely Bali life, learn your ebook in a hammock, watch surfers and simply stay within the second. It’s Bali with out the crowds, and that’s precisely why it’s so particular.
5. Eat at one of many many superb foodie spots right here
- Heat cinnamon scrolls (belief me) and iced espresso @ Mojo Balian
- Breakfast / espresso / pizza evening @ Casa Balian (they make the bread and pizza dough in home!!!!)
- Nasi goreng and a bintang with a view @ Deki’s
- Contemporary fish / lobster @ Secret Bay restaurant
- Sundown Bintang @ HARMONY BAR (actually on the seashore)
6. Dip (safely) within the Ocean
Whereas Balian is nice for browsing, swimming must be performed with warning. The currents will be robust, particularly close to the river mouth.
On calm days, nevertheless, a swim right here will be one of the crucial refreshing and finest issues to do in Balian Seashore. I observed that the time most individuals have been swimming was at low tide. All the time verify circumstances with locals first and get within the water with warning!
7. Go to the Sunday Market
In the event you’re right here on a Sunday, the native market is a should. This small, community-run market sells recent produce, snacks, and handmade crafts. In the event you’re in search of an actual genuine expertise on this Balian journey information, choose in for this one!
8. Go to Secret Seashore
The early afternoon mild on this volcanic sand seashore is sort of hanging. It appeared fairly surreal once we arrived to discover (forgot to take a photograph although lol). You’ll be able to see it within the late afternoon mild beneath – nonetheless attractive.
You’ll be able to drive proper as much as Secret Seashore restaurant to entry the seashore earlier than taking the trail up both facet to take pleasure in views throughout the shoreline. Take a refreshing dip within the water after which get a recent coconut / cocktail / recent seafood dinner on the restaurant. A very pretty, calm atmosphere. Good for date evening!
9. Guide in for a Balinese Therapeutic massage
After a day within the surf or exploring (or simply as a result of haha), deal with your self to a therapeutic massage.
Most accommodations and guesthouses can have an in-house therapeutic massage service, however in any other case, there’s a spot on the ocean entrance or my favorite spot, Ayu Bagus Therapeutic massage, the place you will get a standard 1-hour Balinese therapeutic massage for 160,000 IDR (£7.29).
10. Stroll alongside the river
Balian is definitely named after the river that flows into the ocean right here. From the principle seashore, you’ll spot it on the left.
In case you have a morning or night free, take a stroll alongside the riverbank, throughout the wood bridge, and into the encircling rice fields. You’ll cross locals working the land, spot tropical birds, and get a glimpse of rural Balinese life. A river stroll is among the finest issues to do in Balian Seashore.
8. Day Journey to Medewi, Soka Seashore or Seseh
On the times when the surf isn’t as you prefer it or if you really feel like switching issues up… use Balian as a base to discover Bali’s quieter west coast.
You’ve bought:
- Medewi, half-hour north – a surf vacation spot identified for its super-long left-hand wave.
- Soka Seashore, quarter-hour south – well-known for its dramatic rock formations.
- Tanah Lot, 25 minutes south – residence to the traditional Hindu pilgrimage temple Pura Tanah Lot, well-liked with photographers!
- Seseh / Canggu – about an hour away! Fairly unbelievable views as you scooter by way of the rice fields and alongside the rivers to get there (see beneath!).
Have you ever been to Balian Seashore?
What are the very best issues to do in Balian Seashore? Something you’d add to this Balian Seashore bucket record?
Love as all the time and glad adventuring…