Thinking of coming to Canggu, Bali? Wondering if you should spend some time on Batu Bolong Beach?
Our guide to the area will help you decide as it has everything you want to know about this popular beach in the island’s most popular area.
Where Is Batu Bolong Beach?
Batu Bolong Beach is at the end of Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong in Canggu, Bali. Canggu is a village on the South Coast of the island and it’s next to Seminyak.
How To Get To Batu Bolong Beach?
Getting to Canggu, Bali is pretty easy. If you’re coming from any of the other Southern beach towns (Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak) or from the airport (or Denpasar city) then you can just jump in a ride-share – Grab or Gojek.
Depending on where you stay in Canggu, you may be able to walk to Pantai Batu Bolong. It’s one of the few places that it’s actually fairly easy to stroll along the road in Bali.
If you come from far away in Bali, you may want to engage the services of a private driver and car but you can always use a ride-share and there will be no shortage of drivers for the return journey from this part of the island.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Batu Bolong Beach?
We don’t think that there’s ever a bad time to visit Bali or, indeed, to visit Batu Bolong Beach (or Pantai Batu Bolong as it’s better known to local people).
While the wet season certainly sees a bit more rain than the dry season, it also gets an average of 8 hours of sunshine every day – which means you won’t be missing out on the fun.
We’d also note that if you surf, then the waves are much more challenging as they come off the reef break in the rainy season.
It’s a little hotter and more humid at this time of year, but to offset that, flights, hotels and other services are often a bit cheaper. The exception being the Xmas to New Year period which is the busiest time of year in Bali – it’s also the most expensive time of year to visit.
The dry season is, of course, ideal for spending time on the beach. The cool onshore breezes are very welcome in the sun.
We’d also note that while it’s less crowded and pretty mellow on the beach in the early morning, the best time of day in this part of Bali is sunset. The Balinese sunsets are world famous and this is a great place to hang out and watch one for yourself.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Batu Bolong Beach?
No, there’s no entrance fee at any of the beaches in Canggu and there is no entrance fee for Batu Bolong Beach.
However, if you want to use the beach parking, it will cost between 5,000 and 10,000 IDR which is around ($0.30-$0.60 USD or $0.50 and $1.00 AUD).
The beach is open 24 hours a day but most visitors will spend their time here during daylight hours even though it never really gets dark except late at night when the local businesses finally turn off most of their lights.
Things To Know Before You Visit Batu Bolong Beach, Canggu
Batu Bolong is named after the big rock at the end of the beach which supports the local temple. “Batu Bolong” means “the hole in the rock”.
There are a few other things that are useful to know before you visit this area:
- This is a black sand beach – this is important not because the sand isn’t lovely, it is. It’s because it gets very hot in the sun. You will find that you need to wear thongs/flip-flops wherever you are on this beach. Otherwise, you’re risking severe burns to your feet.
- This beach is very crowded as the sun goes down – this is the busiest beach in the Canggu area and sunset brings the crowds. It’s the best time of day but you might want to get a seat in one of the cool restaurants overlooking the beach early if you want a good view.
- Swimming is not a great idea at Pantai Batu Bolong – the local standards of beach care do not include lifeguards and this part of Bali is notorious for strong riptides that can snatch even experienced swimmers out to sea. Stay at one of the local villas or resorts and swim in the pool.
- Pretty much everything that you need can be found nearby – cool restaurants, private villas and other accommodations, coworking spaces, cafes, bars, etc. whatever you want from a trip to Batu Bolong, it’s all found nearby.
Things To Do At Batu Bolong Beach
There are several things to do at Pantai Batu Bolong including:
- Pura Batu Bolong – there is a nice temple at one end of the beach and it’s known as “Pura” (which means temple in Bahasa Indonesia) “Batu Bolong”. You should viit as it offers some great photo opportunities of the shore. Please don’t forget that wearing the appropriate attire is mandatory in Balinese temple grounds.
- Surf – the surf break at Batu Bolong Beach makes for some great waves that are ideal for a beginner to learn to surf on. It might be a little difficult at the busiest times to make your own space in the ocean here but if you head to one of the local surf schools, they will make sure you can enjoy the water. You can rent a board for as little as 100,000 IDR for a couple of hours (that’s about $6 USD or $10 AUD) so don’t let a lack of equipment put you off the chance to catch a wave.
- Find a beach bar and enjoy happy hour – what could be better than some groovy tunes, a cold beer and the sight of the ocean lapping the shore? We love to lounge around with some drinks during the heat of the day.
- Take a wander along the beach – this beach is very easy to walk along and you will see everyone from a local old man to very young children wandering the sands here. It’s smooth going for the entire length of the strip. Dog walkers are often on this site early in the day too.
- Go shopping – Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong the road leading up to this beach is one of the best places to go shopping in Bali and you’ll find plenty of boutique stores in the area where you can get the latest in beach fashion or some surf accessories.
Where To Stay Near Batu Bolong Beach
Of course, we think if you stay in Canggu, you should stay at the FINNS Resort (when it opens) but until then…
There are a lot of great resorts and villas in Canggu and many of them are within a short walk of Batu Bolong Beach including:
- Aston Canggu Beach Resort – a lovely resort popular with tourists who want to walk to the beach and the rooftop area is perfect for chilling out. Just sit back and enjoy the view of the surfers below.
- Hotel Tugu Bali – this hotel, also located within a stone’s throw of the beach, is one of the best on the island according to their devoted fanbase of regular guests.
- Le Sari Village – a very pleasant guest house that’s very popular with the surf community. It’s a great place for travellers on a tight budget.
- Blossom Eco Luxe Villas by Ekosistem – as the name suggests this group of attractive villas have been designed with sustainability in mind. The interior design is excellent and the location attracts families looking for peace and quiet.
- Chesa Canggu – this is a very attractive accommodation where you can enjoy world-class service. It’s got an amazing reputation for friendly and attentive staff.
Where To Eat Near Batu Bolong Beach
There are plenty of cool restaurants in this area many of them playing groovy tunes while you eat and some of the best include:
- Seaweed Resto – this is a beachfront restaurant that specializes in local sea food, the presentation’s not great but the flavour is definitely there. It’s pretty good value for money for this location too.
- Warung Alody Canggu – a nice locally owned business that offers a varied international menu at extremely reasonable prices. They also offer some excellent beer deals.
- Island Beach Canggu Restaurant – this is a nice place if you like to enjoy shisha with friends. It’s got a nice vibe and you can feel the wind from the sea on your skin as you sit and chill here. The food, however, is pretty average.
- Dolan Restaurant & Park – a very nice place that’s ideal for families as it has an excellent playground for children to play in. Their pizzas are among the best on the island too.
- Ji by The Sea Restaurant – Ji is our favourite place in this part of Canggu. It does excellent Japanese fare for reasonable prices and the rooftop space delivers an amazing view over the beach and sea.
Other Things To Do Near Batu Bolong Beach
Canggu, Bali is a great area to enjoy other attractions and some of the best in this part of Bali include:
- FINNS Beach Club – FINNS is the home of cool in Canggu. It has groovy tunes, cold drinks, sun, the ocean and the most amazing entertainment of any venue in Bali. People plan their whole Bali trip around visiting FINNS and is it even a Bali holiday without spending, at least, one day at FINNS? We doubt it.
- Love Anchor Market – If you want vintage clothing, a cool new look, some space to hang out with other tourists and some amazing souvenirs, you can’t go wrong with the island’s hippest marketplace. It’s not far from Batu Bolong Beach either.
- Tanah Lot – OK, it’s a 20-minute drive to this temple but it’s worth the effort to see the famous site on a small island offshore. This is one of the most beautiful places near Canggu, Bali.
- Rice Fields – they may not be as famous as the rice terraces of Jatiluwih or Tegallalang but they’re still quite lovely and much closer to the Batu Bolong area too. Canggu, Bali has many nice rice fields where you can stop and get a nice photo or two.
- Street Art – Oner of the best things about Canggu is its street art scene, get off the main paths in Batu Bolong or any other part of town and you will discover some of the most talented artists on the planet.
FAQs
What Is The Cleanest Beach In Bali?
There are two beaches vying for the title of cleanest beach in Bali. Balangan Beach and Bias Tugel Beach.
They benefit from having the least amount of trash washing up ashore from the ocean and fewer visitors than most other beaches in Bali.
What Is The Most Picturesque Beach In Bali?
We think it’s probably Kelingking Beach but if you want to see it, you will need to take a boat to the Nusa Islands.
When viewed from above it’s in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex!
However, if you want to stay in Bali, then why not head to Berawa Beach in Canggu, Bali at sunset and take an amazing photograph of the world’s best sunset?
What Is The Nicest Beach In Bali?
We’re huge fans of Berawa Beach and FINNS Beach Club but we acknowledge that most people agree that Nusa Dua Beach is considered ” the nicest beach in Bali”.
This is because it’s a white sand beach which is kept clean and tidy by the large number of big-name international resorts that dot the shoreline there.
However, you may prefer to stay in another area and then visit Nusa Dua for a day trip because those resorts are very expensive.
Is Batu Bolong Beach Good For Beginners?
Yes! If you want to learn to surf Batu Bolong is the ideal place for it. The waves are very much suited to beginner and intermediate surfers.
Is Batu Bolong Part Of Canggu?
Yes! Batu Bolong is part of Canggu, Bali. It’s one of the three main beaches that the area is famous for.
The road to Batu Bolong, Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong is probably the busiest place in Canggu.
What Is The Most Popular Beach In Canggu?
Batu Bolong is currently the busiest place in Canggu by our estimate but there are no official visitor numbers for beaches in Bali.
Can You Swim At Batu Bolong Beach?
You can, but we wouldn’t. The beaches in Canggu, Bali just aren’t good for swimming and you risk being pulled out to sea by the tide.
Can You Walk From Seminyak To Canggu On The Beach?
Yes! You can walk from Seminyak to Canggu on the beach but you ned to be aware that you will have to wade through some water and that you must travel at low tides.
It’s actually easier to walk from Seminyak to Kuta, Legian or Jimbaran down the beach than it is to walk to Canggu, even though Canggu is a bit closer to Seminyak.
Final Thoughts On Batu Bolong Beach Bali
Batu Bolong is one of the most popular beaches on the island and you will be glad that you spent some time by the ocean here.
If you want a quieter alternative with similar amenities nearby, you could try Berawa Beach home of FINNS Beach Club.
Canggu, Bali is a brilliant holiday destination and one of its real charms is the collection of nice beaches that it has to offer visitors including Batu Bolong.