Surfing

Canggu is a small area on the southwest coast of Bali nestled between bustling Seminyak to its south and Tanah Lot to the north. Known among expats as “The Gu,” the area was once a sleepy surfing village, completely unknown to the tourism industry. Canggu is now, arguably, the place to be seen on the island, whether at one of the contemporary cafes or mellow, beachfront bars. This place oozes chicness and can be reached in just under an hour from Denpasar airport.

Uluwatu has some of the world’s best surf breaks, beautiful hidden beaches, and epic sunset views. The limestone cliff-fringed peninsula is home to the iconic Uluwatu Temple and other cultural opportunities. The area hasn’t been overdeveloped, so it’s still relaxing and peaceful. There’s a variety of accommodations available from inexpensive surfer rooms to deluxe resorts; and cliffside dining options with panoramic ocean vistas. Uluwatu is on the Southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula about 1 hour south of Ngurah Rai Airport.

Formerly a quiet fishing village, Kuta became one of the first areas in Bali to undergo a major transformation to cater to the tourism industry. This village has become the most well-known part of the island. Kuta is situated on the southwestern coast of Bali and is a short, 15-minute drive from Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Kuta’s proximity to the airport makes it the first pit stop for many travelers arriving at the island, but it is also becoming increasingly common for travelers seeking quieter and lesser-known destinations to skip Kuta completely.

This remote area in southwestern Bali is seldom visited by typical tourists but is well-known in the surfing community for Medewi Beach and its epic left-hand surf break. Medewi offers the flavor of old Bali with its endless rice fields, simple villages, and long black sand beaches. It’s great if you’re a surfer or just looking for an authentic place to really get away from it all. Medewi is located in Jembrana Regency, a 2.5-hour, 46.6-mile (75-km) drive west of Denpasar.