Tucked away in West Bali is a small beach area called Balian Beach, or simply referred to as Balian. It’s a sleepy village with a small population of Balinese and offers a perfect getaway from the more hectic Seminyak or Canggu in the South.
Balian Beach is a perfect trip for those who aim to explore the ‘off the beaten path‘ side of Bali. It’s relatively unknown to the masses and see only a handful of visits from foreigners – most being surfers seeking the uncrowded waves.
Where is Balian Beach?
Balian Beach is located in Selemadag Barat (West Selemadag), a region in Tabanan. It’s about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Seminyak and about 2 hours from Uluwatu. From Ubud to Balian Beach is a little less than 2 hours.
Your main destination is likely Pantai Balian (translates to Balian Beach) which sits on the banks of the Balian River mouth by the Indian ocean. Heading west for a 30-minute drive, you’ll pass Medewi – another popular surfer destination in Bali.
Go Surfing
Balian Beach was initially known almost exclusively within the surfer community, being a popular choice due to its famous river mouth break. The waves are also less crowded than Canggu or Kuta.
If you didn’t bring a board with you, you can simply rent one from the small warung on the beach. This is also a good spot to learn surfing if you haven’t given it a shot yet. During low tides, a good amount of the water is waist-high.
For surf lessons, check out Roni’s Surf Shop or Balian Surf School. Both offer private lessons, group lessons, and surfboard rentals.
Try local food at the Market
There is a small market at the entrance of the road towards Balian Beach (Jalan Pantai Balian). On Google Maps it’s called Pasar Senggol Surabrata. Many of the food stalls open up at night, starting to cook around 5:00 – 6:00 PM.
At the night market, you can try a decent selection of local food like Bakso, Gorengan, Roti Bakar, Sate Ayam, and Martabak. The market is also a great spot to shop for fruits and veggies during the daytime. There’s also a small convenience store if you need to grab any necessities.
Sunset at Deki’s Warung
Sitting at the top of the cliff, just before the road descends towards Balian Beach, is Deki’s Warung. It’s a small bar and restaurant that offers the perfect panoramic view of the beach and ocean.
Deki’s Warung has become a popular gathering point to experience the sunset. Grab a Bintang, kick back, and witness the sun slowly fade away as the night sky takes over.
This is also a great spot to grab a bite at any time of the day. They have a good selection of Indonesian and Western foods.
Relax in the Pool at Pondok Pitaya
Pondok Pitaya is rated one of the best hotels in Balian Beach, and you’ll quickly see why. The property sits right at the very end of the road towards the beach. They also have a restaurant, spa, yoga shallas, villas, and beachfront pool.
The pool is available for anyone to use as long as you grab something from the restaurant. I personally enjoy going for a dip in the pool while sharing a few cold Bintangs with friends and family. There’s also public showers, toilets, and changing rooms for you to use after you’re done swimming.
Practice Yoga
Balian is known to be a destination for yoga retreats in the past, possibly due to the location being away from the crowds in Ubud or Canggu. Although recently it hasn’t seen as much yoga groups as before, it’s still a great place to do practice yoga.
Many hotels and villas in Balian Beach have yoga shallas. If you’d like to take up a class with a guru, you can sign up for a yoga class at Pondok Pitaya or go for private lessons with Nicky at Balian Spirit Yoga.
Release Baby Turtles
There is a small Turtle Conservation farm just outside of Balian Beach, and if you’re an animal lover, be sure to pay a visit. For a small donation fee, you can release baby turtles that head out to the big ocean life.
It’s called Suraberata Bali Turtle Conservation Farm and the team is dedicated to assisting the survival rate of turtles. Baby turtle releases are dependent on the seasonal hatching so you’ll need to contact them first to find out when is best to visit.
Walk on Volcanic Sand
Just a short 5-minute drive west from Balian Beach, you’ll come across a small road. If you take this winding road all the way to the end, it will lead you towards a hidden beach entrance near a temple.
This black sand beach is called Pantai Mejan and is almost always empty at any time of the day. There’s a cliff overlooking the beach with a Bali temple sitting at the top. The beach is a great place to go for a walk, relax on the sand, or explore the rocks and waves.
Discover a Hidden Waterfall
Heading Northwest, just about a 15 – 20 minute ride from Balian Beach, there is a hidden waterfall called Pangkung Bengkel Waterfall. Even though it’s on Google Maps, you’ll need the help of a local guide to find it.
It’s about a 20 – 30 minute hike down from the cliffs to get to the base of the waterfall and it’s known to be quite treacherous during the rainy season. If you don’t have appropriate shoes for the climb, I’d suggest skipping this waterfall and visit another of the Best Waterfalls in Bali.
Grab breakfast on the Beach
Right at the entrance of Balian Beach when you step on the sand, just below Deki’s Warung on the cliffs, is a small warung (local shop or stall) that sells food. This is always a high priority stop on my list whenever I take friends and family to Balian Beach.
Although their menu has options for lunch and dinner, there’s something about their breakfast that hits the spot. Maybe it’s the ocean breeze brushing against your hair paired with a delicious omelette and a bowl of fruits, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m enjoying my first meal of the day just 20 meters from the ocean.
You’ll have a good selection of food when it comes to breakfast – pancakes, omelette, jaffles, and fresh fruits, I must admit, the place and food is far from fancy, but it’s a very special place. In addition to that, the owners are quite friendly and will remember you even after years!
Go Shopping in Bajera
Bajera is a town about 20 minutes east of Balian Beach, and you will likely pass it on the way there from South Bali. It’s a small town but much busier than Balian.
There 2 markets in Bajera. The first one is the main market which is quite empty during the day, but is filled with hawker stalls at night. Here you’ll find about 30 – 40 different vendors who are selling Bali local food.
The second market is open during the day and is quite hidden. It can be accessed through a small entrance off of the main road. The location on Google Maps is called Bajera Goods Market.
See endless Rice Terraces
The regency of Tabanan itself is known for being the forefront of rice farming in Bali, and you will quickly notice when you’ve arrived in Tabanan by simply looking out of your car window while driving.
You’ll come across vast rice terraces and fields that extend far beyond the horizon, and in my opinion, it’s an experience itself to simply stop and appreciate their beauty. Sometimes in life, we need to drop everything and appreciate the moment we’re in.
Visit Monkeys in Belimbing
There is a lesser known monkey forest way up in the hills of Belimbing – a small village in north Tabanan that’s often overlooked by most visitors. It’s about a 30-minute driver from Balian Beach.
The monkeys in Belimbing hang out at a temple called Pura Luhur Mekori – not difficult to find as it’s located right on the main road. It’s a very peaceful temple that’s surrounded by nature. You can give a small donation to go explore the temple grounds.
Where to stay in Balian Beach?
There are more than enough accmmodation options in Balian Beach. You’ll have a handful of small scale, 3-star hotels, and many budget options. Here are a few hotels in Balian Beach with good reputations:
- Pondok Pitaya
- Gajah Mina Resort
- Istana Balian
- Yama Balian
- Balian Princess Villas
For budget accommodation, there is Gubug Balian right by the beach just before you hit Pondok Pitaya. It’s friendly to the wallet at around $20 AUD per night, but keep in mind you get what you pay for.
If you’re already in Bali and looking to spend a few nights in Balian, you’ll need a Hotel Transfer from South Bali with a private car and driver.
Where to eat in Balian Beach?
Admittedly, there’s only a few options when it comes to eating in Balian Beach. Luckily, that saves a lot of time spent on decision fatigue. Here are some restaurants and cafes close to the beach area:
- Pondok Pitaya Restaurant
- Deki’s Warung
- Secret Bay Restaurant at Gajah Mina Resort
- Istana Balian Restaurant
- Rama Balian Surf & Coffee Shop
- Casa Balian Cafe
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy the options above and prefer to opt for local food, there are many warungs and small local stalls in and around Balian Beach.
When to visit Balian Beach?
I reckon Balian Beach is a good visit any time of the year but better during the dry season – April to October. Wet Season usually runs from November until March.
Bali’s island weather can be quite random and unpredictable while Tabanan seems to experience more rainfall than other parts of the island. I suppose that’s why it’s an ideal location for rice fields.
Withdrawing money in Balian Beach
If you didn’t withdraw money before you arrived to Balian Beach, you won’t need to stress. There are a few ATMs within close distance of the village.
There are 2 major banks located very close to the market I mentioned above – BRI and Bank BPD Bali. You can also head to Bajera which has more options like BNI and BCA. If it’s your first time withdrawing money in Bali, considering reading my guide on using Bali ATMs.
Getting to Balian Beach from Bali Airport
It can be quite a hassle getting a private car or taxi from the Airport all the way to Balian Beach if you don’t have a ride. Many drivers will either give you a really high price, or refuse to take you due to how far it is for them to return.
Your best bet is to book a Bali Airport Transfer to Tabanan with a private car and driver. Upon arrival at Bali Airport, your driver will be there waiting for you. He’ll also stay on top of your flight updates in case of early arrival or delays.
If you’re traveling with your surfboards, I also have the optional surfboard add-on, so you won’t need to hunt for a driver willing to carry your equipment on their vehicle. If you’re coming to Bali with a group of 5 or more, I recommend booking the Bali Airport Transfer with Minivan.
Conclusion
Balian Beach has always been close to my heart and I frequently visit to spend a weekend to unwind. It’s quiet and provides a peaceful environment to clear your mind. There isn’t much to do or see but there’s enough for relaxation.
Although I’m biased with my opinion on Balian Beach, I don’t think it’s a great visit if it’s your first time in Bali and you’re only here for a week or two. I’m sure you’ll have tons to do on your Bali bucket list and perhaps you should save Balian for another visit.
