Canggu Beach

Canggu Beach is an eight-kilometer long stretch of dark sand that has made it on quite a few top beaches in the world lists but still remains a more rural stretch of coast that hasn’t yet been overtaken by mass tourism like many other beaches in the area. The sea at Canggu Beach isn’t exactly ideal for swimming, but especially surfers like to come here due to the superb surf and the many challenging waves accommodating beginners as well as professionals. The crowd here is very laid-back and is mostly made up of expats, surfers and adventurers who like to kick back, have a drink together on the beach and enjoy the sunset. Thus, there is no nightlife and instead, people like to gather and have a good time in smaller, more personal settings.
While surf clubs and camps, small cafés and warungs rule the beach scene, on the other side of the barreling waves, green rice terraces cover the landscape. The lush rice paddies are interspersed with a series of villages, houses mostly owned by expats as well as luxury villas for rent. Cruising along the little back roads on a motorcycle or bicycle still shows the rhythm of traditional Balinese village life and thus, Canggu Beach is perfect for those looking for a more unpretentious and local experience.

Practical Info

Canggu Beach can be found about halfway in between Seminyak and Tanah Lot, about a 35-minute ride from the capital Denpasar. Since Canggu is still a very rural area and even taxis can be hard to find, having your own transport is recommended.