Have you ever wanted to have a beach to yourself in a tropical paradise like Bali? Well, you still can. You just have to get off the beaten path and head out to Balian Beach.
Our guide will share what to expect, where to stay in Balian, where to eat in Balian and much more. That way you can book a trip to Balian Beach with complete confidence.
Where Is Balian Beach?
Balian Beach is on Bali’s West Coast in the Tabanan Regency. It’s about an hour and a half’s drive from the main beach towns of Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta and that means it gets relatively few visitors in comparison to those towns.
Address: Lalanglinggah, Selemadeg Barat, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82162, Indonesia
How To Get To Balian Beach
If you’re going to stay in the Balian Beach area (and there are plenty of small hotels to choose from in the small village nearby) then you might opt for a Grab or Gojek to reach this black sand beach but otherwise, you’re going to want to hire a private driver and car for the day.
That’s OK, it’s about 500,000 IDR for a driver, car and petrol for the day which is about $35 USD or $50 AUD for the day. It also means that you can explore other parts of the island once you’re enjoying your time at Balian Beach.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Balian Beach
If you’re coming for kite surfing or regular surfing, then you will want to visit in the dry season when there’s a bit of an onshore breeze, this breeze picks up between June and August and can become quite a strong wind.
Otherwise, there’s no bad time to be on Balian Beach, it never rains all day during the rainy season and there’s an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day in the wet season. If you’re not making use of the Balian surf, there’s never a bad time for sunbathing.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Balian Beach?
As we go to press in April 2024, there’s no entrance fee for Balian Beach and you can walk straight onto the sands here.
This is, of course, subject to change at any time but until Balian Beach sees significantly more international visitors than it gets now, we don’t think it will change any time soon.
What To Expect At Balian Beach
This is a black sand beach with very soft sand and a few rocky plateaus that break the line of the beach up.
This secluded beach has a few pleasant restaurants and warungs along the shoreline and it’s got some surf schools and places for equipment hire.
Otherwise, you can sunbathe here and enjoy the moody black sands of this beach while enjoying the lack of crowds.
Where To Eat Near Balian Beach
The Balian Beach area may not be a tourist hot spot but there are some absolutely superb places to eat nearby and each of these places is within a few hundred meters of the main strip of beach:
Tekor Bali – if you want high-end Balinese food in Balian Beach, then Tekor is the place to go. Try their babi panggang which is absolutely out of this world. The portions are very generous here too.
Sushi Surf – this surprisingly good Japanese restaurant does some excellent sushi rolls and their tempura is not to be sneezed at either. All the seafood is fresh catch of the day and the beer is ice cold, we liked Sushi Surf a lot.
Deki’s Warung – this pleasant family-run restaurant has an amazing view over the beach area and it’s an ideal place for non-surfers to appreciate the skills of those on the waves. It’s a very inexpensive spot and you’ll be very pleased with the value for money that you get.
Casa Balian Cafe – this little cafe has one of the most ambitious international menus that we’ve ever seen and somehow, they manage to deliver on every item on it! The food here is first rate and the ambience is very pleasant too.
Yama – you can use the swimming pool at this resort restaurant if it’s not too busy and the area is shaded nicely with palm trees. The food is very good and they even offer post-dinner yoga classes for those looking to stay supple.
There’s not much in the way of 5-star hotels or luxury resorts in this corner of the island but that means you might find the perfect place for a getaway on a smaller budget than you’re used to in Bali:
The Beach House at Balian Beach – this is a cross between a homestay and boutique hotel and the onsite infinity pool is amazing considering that this is not a high-end resort. You’re sure to enjoy a stay here and the owners and staff are super helpful.
Gubag Balian Beach – this place boasts the best location of them all and you can see the beach from your bedroom. Their onsite bar area is great for socializing and there’s a decent breakfast included in the room rate. It’s a little basic in terms of rooms, but the low prices reflect that.
Sanava Balian – this is a very new hotel that is just about to open. It’s aimed at surfers and will offer board rentals, lessons, etc. as well as comfortable rooms. Please make sure it’s open before you go though.
The Villas Balian Beach – this is a lovely place that’s harder to get to from the beach than the name sounds, but this means you get the benefit of being in the Balian countryside with peace and quiet and not many tourists to break the mood.
Balian Hideaway River Hut – this is more of a villa than a hut and it’s right next to the Balian River but far enough from the river mouth that it’s still a bit of a walk to the beach. It’s fully self-catering and a great place to stay if you’re a family on a tight budget. It offers spectacular views of the local countryside too.
Other Things To Do Near Balian Beach
There are some other attractions around Balian and we’d recommend that you check out:
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Mejan Beach – this beach gets even fewer visitors than Balian Beach and it’s just a short walk away. It’s also a black sand beach and you can enjoy an amazing sunset at this place surrounded by nothing but the sound of the waves and the cliffs overlooking the beach.
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Pantai Soan Gulah – another beautiful beach just a short drive from Balian but it’s not the easiest beach to get access to and you may need to walk a way from the road to enjoy the sands here.
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Pura Dang Kahyangan Gading Wani – this is a pleasant local temple dedicated to Dang Hyang Niratha and celebrating the sacred Kayu Kunyit tree at the centre of the temple grounds. It’s very peaceful.
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Pantai Bonian – a bit further down the coast this lovely beach is almost deserted with a Hindu temple sitting on the cliffs nearby overlooking the sands.
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Pantai Petangahan – this may be the least visited beach in the area and it’s a bit of a trek to get there, but if you want the perfect place to spend sunset in silence, you can’t go wrong with this beach.
FAQs
Where Is Balian Beach?
Balian Beach is about a 50-kilometer journey from the main beach towns of Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta and it’s to the northwest in the Tabanan Regency.
Can You Swim At Balian Beach?
You can but this beach is a surf destination for a reason and its position on Bali’s west coast means that there are strong currents from the Balian river mouth and the Indian Ocean and that means, this is nothing like a swimming pool.
Only the strongest swimmers will want to opt for swimming off the coast of Bali in this location. It’s better to enjoy sunbathing on the black sand beach or taking surf lessons or just chilling out at the nearby Gubug Balian Beach Bungalows.
Is Balian Good For Surfing?
Yes, in fact, Balian surf is considered by most surfers to be ideal for intermediate surfers. The surf breaks left and right, with the left enduring for longer and the right offering steeper waves that can pitch to a barrel more often on the left.
At low tide, you can enjoy a beach break from the river mouth at the South end of the beach.
However, the river isn’t always a positive for surfers and the pollution that’s dumped out into the Balian surf can be pretty grim due to stormwater runoff.
It’s best to avoid surfing in the wet season until there have been a few storms.
Is Balian A Reef Break?
Yes, Balian is a reef break and it’s not sharp or shallow, which lends itself ideally to intermediate surfers.
The line-up here isn’t particularly long but there is a deep water channel that makes it easier to paddle back once you’re in position.
Advanced surfers, will want to stick to the sides of the A-Frame as they provide waves that are of very different characters.
What Time Of Year Is Best For Surfing Bali?
If you intend to surf on the West Coast in South Bali, then the best time of year for surfing is the dry season. That’s because it’s slightly cooler and there’s a pleasant onshore breeze at this time.
However, from June to August, you get the largest swells as the offshore winds pick up and beaches can be much more challenging to tackle on a board.
Is There Surf At Nusa Lembongan?
Yes. There are 5 (perhaps more) breaks that you can surf in Nusa Lembongan. You will, of course, need to get out there to find your hidden gem of a beach that other surfers haven’t tackled – so make sure to plan ahead and get your boat tickets in advance if you want to surf Lembongan.
How To Book A Bali Holiday That Includes Balian Beach
Our recommendation is that you book your Bali holiday through the Bali Res Centre. That’s a locally owned travel agency service, that can ensure your stay in Balian Beach is as close to Jalan Pantai Balian (the beach road) as possible.
They can also make certain you get to any other destinations you want to see such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Subak system.
Best of all, they can offer very competitive pricing on hotel rooms, flights, and other services such as tours or daily yoga classes.
Final Thoughts On Balian Beach
Balian Beach is a hidden gem in Bali and if you’re ready to rub shoulders with the locals and get away from the tourists in the more crowded beach towns, it’s a great place to visit.
Of course, once you’re ready for somewhere with a bit more of an upbeat vibe, we recommend heading to FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, in Canggu where you can enjoy live DJs and cold cocktails while appreciating a spectacular sunset.
