Most know this Indonesian island in Southeast Asia due to its beautiful seashores, ample wellness choices, dreamy tropical climate, constant swells and infinite jungle journey. Bali is a critically heavenly vacation spot for many who love enjoying within the water and ending the day with a contemporary coconut, a nasi goreng and a view.
I’ve been visiting Bali for almost 10 years now, and whereas sure, previous favourites like Canggu and Uluwatu have modified drastically right here over time, the untouched magic of Bali remains to be as current as ever, and Balian Seaside is actually a testomony to that.
‘So the place is Balian Seaside?’ I hear you ask.
Balian Seaside 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 you need to try!
Lined with beautiful black sand seashores, the surf meets yoga vibe all of us love, warungs that offer you excellent views throughout the principle surf breaks and the heat of genuine Bali, Balian Seaside is a spot that’s exhausting to not love.
I’m so excited to share the very best issues to do in Balian Seaside with you immediately. I’ve simply spent the final week there, and this Balian Seaside journey information will stroll you thru all the things it’s good to know to plan your journey.
I’ll cowl all the things from how one can get to Balian Seaside and the place to remain, to the highest issues to do, the very best day journeys, and native secrets and techniques.
Balian Seaside is your ticket to experiencing Bali at a slower tempo. It really is the place to go in Bali for those who’re in search of a extra laid-back various to the island’s southern (crowded) hotspots.
How one can Get to Balian Seaside
Balian Seaside is situated just a little additional away from the airport in contrast the the likes of widespread spots, Canggu and Uluwatu, however it’s so definitely worth the distance. As ever in Bali, it’s exhausting to be precise with drive occasions because it is determined by what time of day you journey, as to how a lot visitors is on the highway. IYKYK.
- From Canggu, Balian Seaside 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 Seaside is to rearrange a personal driver via your lodging (most will provide 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 personal automotive for those who’re heading from Ngurah Rai airport straight to Balian Seaside. You’ll have to both have money prepared for a card in an effort to cease at an ATM en path to get cash out.
Journey tip:
My driver’s title was Toni, and he lives in Balian, so for those who want a journey, pop him a WhatsApp on +62 857-3820-7476 to rearrange. You’ll get a reduction for those who point out my title!
For the extra adventurous traveller, renting a scooter from Canggu or Seminyak gives a scenic journey via rice fields and small villages to Balian. It’s no simple feat, although, anticipate loads of bumps, unpaved roads, some sketchy corners and a few busy roads to navigate. If in case you have no expertise on a scooter, I’d go for a personal automotive!
This Balian journey information wouldn’t be full with out noting that there’s no public transport right here on the island, however for those who’re travelling from the West, it’s very inexpensive to go for the personal automotive possibility!
Greatest Time to Go to Balian Seaside
One of the best issues to do in Balian Seaside might 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 stunning and isn’t a ‘unhealthy time’ to return by any means. Surfers, you can see good waves right here all yr, although the dry season tends to be extra dependable.
The place to Keep in Balian Seaside
Balian Seaside 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 Seaside. Simply have a take into consideration whether or not you’d choose the resort, villa or retreat expertise!
Listed here are a couple of choices.
- Pondok Pitaya Resort – Beachfront resort with a pool, yoga shala, and surfboard leases. E book right here.
- Balian Bliss Retreat – A wellness-focused stick with every day yoga, spa remedies, and wholesome meals. E book right here.
- Surfside Studio Villa – That is the place we stayed. It’s a beautiful villa with 2 double beds, a kitchen and a pool space with solar loungers. It’s honeslty so excellent and strolling distance from the principle seaside and all of the warungs and therapeutic massage spas you want! Message +62 856-3716-014 on WhatsApp to e-book.
1. Surf Balian’s well-known surf break
A spotlight of any Balian journey information is clearly the surf. Drawing surfers from world wide, Balian Seaside is a widely known spot for its constant left-hand break.
Intermediate and superior surfers – you’ll adore it right here. While novices, you possibly can stick with the seaside break and there’s additionally the choice to take classes from native instructors. You’ll be able to lease a board proper on the seaside, and the waves work year-round, although, as talked about beforehand dry season gives probably the most dependable circumstances.
2. Watch the surf or the sundown from Deki’s Warung
If browsing isn’t in your precedence checklist and you end up in Balian Seaside, head as much as Deki’s Warung for the proper view of the break. The volcanic black sand, the blue hues of the ocean, a contemporary chilly coconut or Bintang… and also you’re set for the afternoon.
One of many finest issues to do in Balian Seaside is to observe the sundown from this spot. A terrific place to go for dinner! They serve up all of your Indonesian favs and the service was at all times so pleasant.
3. E book a yoga class
Though Balian village is small, it has a surprisingly sturdy yoga scene. With shalas set in open-air areas overlooking both the ocean or the rice paddies, you will have a couple of choices right here to hop between. Listed here are a couple of to take a look at:
- Pondok Pitaya Yoga (proper on the principle seaside) – Vinyasa yoga each morning at 10am
- Balian Spirit Yoga (simply up the hill from the principle seaside) – Hatha and meditation on daily basis 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 Seaside is solely nothing in any respect. It is a place to disconnect, to get pleasure from gradual, stunning Bali life, learn your e-book in a hammock, watch surfers and simply dwell 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 wonderful foodie spots right here
- Heat cinnamon scrolls (belief me) and iced espresso @ Mojo Balian
- Breakfast / espresso / pizza night time @ 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 seaside)
6. Dip (safely) within the Ocean
Whereas Balian is nice for browsing, swimming needs to be performed with warning. The currents might be sturdy, particularly close to the river mouth.
On calm days, nevertheless, a swim right here might be one of the crucial refreshing and finest issues to do in Balian Seaside. I seen that the time most individuals had been swimming was at low tide. At all times examine circumstances with locals first and get within the water with warning!
7. Go to the Sunday Market
For those who’re right here on a Sunday, the native market is a should. This small, community-run market sells contemporary produce, snacks, and handmade crafts. For those who’re in search of an actual genuine expertise on this Balian journey information, decide in for this one!
8. Go to Secret Seaside
The early afternoon mild on this volcanic sand seaside is sort of hanging. It seemed 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 beautiful.
You’ll be able to drive proper as much as Secret Seaside restaurant to entry the seaside earlier than taking the trail up both facet to get pleasure from views throughout the shoreline. Take a refreshing dip within the water after which get a contemporary coconut / cocktail / contemporary seafood dinner on the restaurant. A extremely beautiful, calm atmosphere. Excellent for date night time!
9. E book 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 lodges and guesthouses may 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 conventional 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 seaside, you’ll spot it on the left.
If in case you have a morning or night free, take a stroll alongside the riverbank, throughout the picket bridge, and into the encircling rice fields. You’ll move 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 Seaside.
8. Day Journey to Medewi, Soka Seaside or Seseh
On the times when the surf isn’t as you prefer it or once 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 Seaside, 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, widespread with photographers!
- Seseh / Canggu – about an hour away! Fairly unimaginable views as you scooter via the rice fields and alongside the rivers to get there (see beneath!).
Have you ever been to Balian Seaside?
What are the very best issues to do in Balian Seaside? Something you’d add to this Balian Seaside bucket checklist?
Love as at all times and completely happy adventuring…