Gilimanuk isn’t a place where most visitors will ever see given that it’s a long way from the main beach towns in Bali.
However, if you are passing through and fancy seeing a beautiful beach that almost no visitors to the island will ever see, you should stop at Karang Sewu Beach.
It’s also located pretty close to West Bali National Park, so if you’re heading to the park, then you might enjoy this area as one of the places to stop on the way.
Our guide to Pantai Karang Sewu (Pantai means “beach”) so that’s Karang Sewu Beach will ensure you know everything that this area has to offer, before you opt to spend some free time here.
Where Is Pantai Karang Sewu?
Karang Sewu Beach is in West Bali in Gilimanuk where the port is on the coast facing Java. If you’re opting to visit Java by boat, you will almost certainly be leaving from there.
Address: RCHV+FPH, Gilimanuk, Melaya, Jembrana Regency, Bali, Indonesia
How To Get To Pantai Karang Sewu?
This beach is located a long way from the majority of beaches on the island and you will almost certainly need to hire a private car and driver to take you to Gilimanuk.
That’s not expensive here in Bali, you can get a driver, car and petrol for 8 hours for about 500,000 IDR (that’s $35 USD or $50 AUD).
When’s The Best Time To Visit Pantai Karang Sewu?
You can visit Karang Sewu Beach at any time of the year. However, if it’s rained or is raining, you’re going to find that the beach surface can get pretty muddy and sheltering under the trees is not recommended in a storm.
So, we’d say if you’re making a special trip just for Karang Sewu Beach, you’d want to go in the dry season to reduce the risks of rain.
Karang Sewu Beach doesn’t see all that many visitors, mind you, so there’s no need to get up at the crack of dawn to explore the area, there won’t be any crowds at any time of day.
Is There An Entrance Fee At Pantai Karang Sewu?
Yes, the current entrance fee at Karang Sewu Beach is 20,000 IDR for foreigners (that’s $1.35 USD or $2.00 AUD) and while that is a little steep compared to other beaches, this is a unique place.
Karang Sewu Beach is kept spotlessly clean and there are a lot of very pleasant places to stop and rest beneath the branches of the local trees on this beach.
What To Expect At Pantai Karang Sewu
Karang Sewu Beach is a really unusual beach. It’s a coral beach that has been covered in a layer of silt from the ocean. That means much of it is covered in grass and trees.
It’s a scene of real natural beauty and while it is a little bit of a hike from the main road, the round trip when walking is probably only 20 minutes.
There are no restaurants or warungs on the beach, but you can certainly find some within walking distance of Karang Sewu Beach.
People come here to enjoy the sight of the coastline and to grab some unusual beach photographs. It’s a nice area for a jog or a bit of dog walking too.
You can get a local boat from Karang Sewu Beach if you want to explore the nearby mangrove swamps and it’s a pleasant little trip that takes less than an hour, so don’t overpay for it.
Where To Eat Near Pantai Karang Sewu
A key component of a good day out is to find a nice place to eat and while there’s no restaurant on Karang Sewu Beach there are some decent places to eat in Gilimanuk including:
Ayam Betutu Men Tempeh – this is one of the finest betutu restaurants on the island and we just wish it was a bit closer to home. Expect a fiery, spicy blend on your chicken, unless you ask them to tone it down a little when you order.
Ikan Bakar Ibu Peni – this is a great seafood restaurant run by some local Muslims and their grilled shrimp, baby lobster and crabs are absolutely delightful.
Bakungan – a pleasant seafood restaurant with friendly staff and the freshest catch of the day waiting for you to sit down and tuck in.
Gili Seafood – we were blown away by the huge portions of shrimp in oyster sauce at this humble warung and the prices are incredible value for money!
Nasi Babi Guling Bu Jero – a decent babi guling restaurant, ideal for trying Bali’s most famous dish before you jump on a boat to Java, where pork is a bit harder to come by.
Where To Stay At Pantai Karang Sewu
Accommodation in this part of Bali is very basic and again, there’s nothing on Karang Sewu Beach, but there are some hotels you can enjoy in the town.
Hotel Sari – a simple and basic 3-star hotel. You can get air-conditioned rooms and the breakfast is decent enough. However, we found there were a few more insects hanging around than we might have liked.
Hotel Lestari – a very cheap 2-star hotel with large, clean and comfortable rooms and within walking distance of the ferry terminal. The staff do speak English which is a bonus out in this part of the island.
Hotel Niki – a very clean and well-maintained hotel with some of the friendliest staff in Indonesia. We like that there’s a good warung nearby for food too.
OYO 3096 Hotel Dewi Warsiki Near Gilimanuk Port – we’re not big fans of OYO hotels but this one is OK, it’s cheap and the rooms are clean. However, the service can be a bit hit-and-miss.
OYO 91192 Homestay Antara – the better of the two OYO properties in Gilimanuk, they have Netflix on the TV, nice staff and decent rooms.
Things To Do Near Karang Sewu Beach
We’re surprised that we’ve managed to find 5 things to do for this page given how quiet this area is but there’s enough to do in the vicinity that you don’t need to be bored after a visit to Karang Sewu Beach:
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Museum Manusia Purba Gilimanuk – this is a local museum that is all about the ancient burial site out of town. It’s not very well promoted, but the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their subject.
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Secret Bay – the best spot in town to watch the sunset, it’s free to wander down the pier here, and if you want you can also rent a boat to see the local area here.
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Taman Siwa – this is a very attractive large statue of Shiva and one of the last things people see before jumping on a boat to Java.
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West Bali National Park – the big attraction in West Bali and Bali’s only national park. A must-see if you love hiking, diving and spending time in nature.
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Monumen Operasi Lintas Laut Jawa – Bali – an interesting old monument, not in the best repair, but the weaponry show is fascinating and it’s good to pay respects to the unsung local heroes of the island.
FAQs
What Is A Coral Beach?
A coral beach is simply a beach where the majority of the rock/sand particles on the shore are from dead coral breaking away from the local coral reefs.
That doesn’t mean that all of the sand/rocks come from coral and you will find that a beautiful beach with coral sands will often have other forms of rock from around the coastline too.
What Time Does Pantai Karang Sewu Close?
Karang Sewu Beach is a beach and beaches in Bali don’t tend to have closing times, you can unwind in your free time in this area of natural beauty in Bali at any time you want.
However, while this beach is easy to get to, it’s not directly by a road and you’ll either want to leave while it’s still light or ensure you have a torch/headlight to get back to the road located about 300 meters from the shore.
Final Thoughts On Karang Sewu Beach
Foreign visitors to Karang Sewu Beach are something of a rarity as this part of the coast is quite remote from most places that are popular with tourists.
It’s worth a trip if you’re visiting West Bali National Park or if you want some variety in your day from sitting in the local restaurants while you wait for a boat to Java.
However, we wouldn’t plan a special visit to this beach unless you really like beaches, there are many other places to chill on the beach in Bali that offer more facilities and amenities and don’t require anywhere near as much travel.
Other Bali beaches:
Berawa Beach – Our favourite Bali Beach!
The 28 Best Beaches For Swimming in Bali: Safe Waters & Super Scenery
Double Six Beach: Your Guide To The Magic Of This Bali Beach
