Most know this Indonesian island in Southeast Asia due to its beautiful seashores, plentiful wellness choices, dreamy tropical climate, constant swells and countless jungle journey. Bali is a critically heavenly vacation spot for individuals who love taking part in within the water and ending the day with a contemporary coconut, a nasi goreng and a view.
I’ve been visiting Bali for practically 10 years now, and whereas sure, outdated favourites like Canggu and Uluwatu have modified drastically right here through the years, the untouched magic of Bali remains to be as current as ever, and Balian Seaside is really a testomony to that.
‘So the place is Balian Seaside?’ I hear you ask.
Balian Seaside is a coastal village positioned midway up the West Coast of Bali (see map under), a spot identified for its constant surf, emptier line-ups and actual locals’ vibe. You will have heard of its neighbour, Medewi? One other of Bali’s west coast surf gems you need to take a look at!
Lined with beautiful black sand seashores, the surf meets yoga vibe all of us love, warungs that provide you with excellent views throughout the primary surf breaks and the heat of genuine Bali, Balian Seaside is a spot that’s arduous to not love.
I’m so excited to share the most effective issues to do in Balian Seaside with you at present. I’ve simply spent the final week there, and this Balian Seaside journey information will stroll you thru every thing it is advisable to know to plan your journey.
I’ll cowl every thing from how you can get to Balian Seaside and the place to remain, to the highest issues to do, the most effective day journeys, and native secrets and techniques.
Balian Seaside is your ticket to experiencing Bali at a slower tempo. It actually is the place to go in Bali if you happen to’re searching for a extra laid-back different to the island’s southern (crowded) hotspots.
Easy methods to Get to Balian Seaside
Balian Seaside is positioned a bit of additional away from the airport in contrast the the likes of fashionable spots, Canggu and Uluwatu, nevertheless it’s so definitely worth the distance. As ever in Bali, it’s arduous to be actual with drive instances because it will depend on 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 strategy to get to Balian Seaside is to rearrange a non-public driver by your lodging (most gives you a quantity) or through apps like Seize or Gojek.
Count on to pay round 500-700,000 IDR (£23-32) for a non-public automotive if you happen to’re heading from Ngurah Rai airport straight to Balian Seaside. You’ll have to both have money prepared for a card as a way 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 if you happen to want a experience, pop him a WhatsApp on +62 857-3820-7476 to rearrange. You’ll get a reduction if you happen to point out my title!
For the extra adventurous traveller, renting a scooter from Canggu or Seminyak presents a scenic experience by rice fields and small villages to Balian. It’s no simple feat, although, count on loads of bumps, unpaved roads, some sketchy corners and a few busy roads to navigate. When 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 if you happen to’re travelling from the West, it’s very reasonably priced to go for the non-public automotive possibility!
Greatest Time to Go to Balian Seaside
One of the best issues to do in Balian Seaside 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 ‘unhealthy time’ to return by any means. Surfers, you can see good waves right here all 12 months, 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 favor the resort, villa or retreat expertise!
Listed below 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 therapies, and wholesome meals. Guide 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 primary seaside and all of the warungs and therapeutic massage spas you want! Message +62 856-3716-014 on WhatsApp to guide.
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 well known spot for its constant left-hand break.
Intermediate and superior surfers – you’ll like it right here. While novices, you may stick with the seaside break and there’s additionally the choice to take classes from native instructors. You’ll be able to hire a board proper on the seaside, and the waves work year-round, although, as talked about beforehand dry season presents probably the most dependable situations.
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. An amazing 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 may have just a few choices right here to hop between. Listed below are just a few to take a look at:
- Pondok Pitaya Yoga (proper on the primary seaside) – Vinyasa yoga each morning at 10am
- Balian Spirit Yoga (simply up the hill from the primary seaside) – Hatha and meditation day-after-day at 8.30am and 4pm.
10. Decelerate with a coconut and soak all of it in!
Maybe the most effective 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 sluggish, lovely Bali life, learn your guide 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 superb 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
- Recent 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 carried out with warning. The currents will be robust, particularly close to the river mouth.
On calm days, nonetheless, a swim right here will be one of the vital refreshing and finest issues to do in Balian Seaside. I seen that the time most individuals have been swimming was at low tide. All the time examine situations with locals first and get within the water with warning!
7. Go to the Sunday Market
In case you’re right here on a Sunday, the native market is a should. This small, community-run market sells contemporary produce, snacks, and handmade crafts. In case you’re searching for 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 kind of hanging. It appeared fairly surreal after we arrived to discover (forgot to take a photograph although lol). You’ll be able to see it within the late afternoon mild under – nonetheless attractive.
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. Good for date night time!
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 motels 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 primary seaside, you’ll spot it on the left.
When you have a morning or night free, take a stroll alongside the riverbank, throughout the picket bridge, and into the encompassing 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 acquired:
- 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, fashionable with photographers!
- Seseh / Canggu – about an hour away! Fairly unbelievable views as you scooter by the rice fields and alongside the rivers to get there (see under!).
Have you ever been to Balian Seaside?
What are the most effective issues to do in Balian Seaside? Something you’d add to this Balian Seaside bucket checklist?
Love as all the time and completely happy adventuring…
