Medewi Beach

Medewi Beach is a tiny, remote village in one of the least visited areas of Bali. It is very much a surfing hot spot, and most visitors who do stay here stay for that reason alone. For non-surfers, it does offer a glimpse of what so much of Bali was like before the growth of mass tourism in the 1970s, and is a great place to relax.

Medewi is located about 75 kilometres west of Denpasar on the main south coast road, about 34 kilometres further west than the town of Tabanan. Anyone who travelling from the south of Bali by road to the west coast port town of Gilimanuk will pass by here.

The beach is divided in to two main portions, the eastern half which is very rocky with some large flat grey stone boulders interspersed with pebbles and black sand, and the western half which is sandier. It’s not the best beach for sunbathing or lounging, but good for long quiet strolls.

Local fishermen bring in their catch just east of the river mouth, which is accessible down a steep incline from the main road. You can buy really cheap and fresh seafood here of all types, or just go to check it out. Cows grazing, fisherman’s wives mending nets, sales taking place, kids playing, and boats being hauled out of the water.

The sunset is over the Indian Ocean here which is quite magnificent.

The town of Negara is about 15 km further west from here and then on to Gilimanuk, West Bali National Park, and ferries to Java beyond that.

If you have your own transport, definitely consider the pretty spectacular road across the mountains to Seririt that starts only a couple of kilometers east of Medewi, then perhaps onward to Lovina. The road is marked by a drive-through banyan tree and sporadic but impressive views on the way up the southern side, and rice paddies and volcano views back down the north.