Canggu used to be rice fields and a few surf shacks. Now it's one of the busiest corners of Bali: a string of beaches with surf schools on the sand, cafes and coworking spaces in between, and beach bars that fill up for sunset. It's an easy first stop if you're travelling alone. Surf lessons, yoga classes and hostels all put you with other people from day one, and a lot of travellers start their Bali trip here.
This guide covers the beaches, surfing, where to stay, getting around, costs, the best time to go and how many days to spend. For the rest of Bali and the islands, see our Bali and Indonesia travel guide.
Canggu at a glance
- Where: Bali's south-west coast, in Badung regency, north of Seminyak
- Getting there: about an hour from Bali's airport by car, often more in traffic
- Known for: surf lessons, cafes, coworking, beach clubs and sunsets
- Beaches: about 5 km of coast from Berawa in the south to Pererenan in the north
- Best months: April to October (the dry season)
- How long: two or three nights, or a week or more if you're learning to surf
Canggu's beaches, from south to north
Canggu's beaches are black volcanic sand, with waves that suit surfers more than swimmers. Swim only where it's calm and other people are in the water, and stay between the flags where there are lifeguards.
| Beach | What it's like | Surf |
|---|---|---|
| Berawa | Wide beach with beach clubs behind it | Consistent waves, good for improvers |
| Batu Bolong | The centre of Canggu, with the temple on the rocks, surf schools and the busiest sunset scene | Long, slow waves over a sandy bottom. The best place in Canggu to learn |
| Old Man's | Next to Batu Bolong, with a beach bar of the same name | Also friendly for beginners |
| Echo Beach (Batu Mejan) | Rockier, with seafood restaurants and sunset bars | Bigger, faster waves over reef. For experienced surfers |
| Pererenan | Quieter, with a more local feel | For intermediate and advanced surfers |
Further up the coast, Tanah Lot is one of Bali's best-known sea temples, set on a rock in the waves. Go for sunset. Entry for foreign adults is about IDR 100,000 (sources differ on whether the rise from IDR 75,000 has taken effect). You can't go inside the temple itself, and the grounds get crowded in the late afternoon.
Learning to surf in Canggu
Canggu is one of the easiest places in Bali to learn. Batu Bolong has long, forgiving waves over sand, and dozens of surf schools work right on the beach.
- A beginner lesson is usually two hours in a small group, with the board and a rash vest included. Expect to pay about IDR 300,000 to 500,000.
- Go early. In the dry season the mornings are usually glassy, before the wind picks up.
- Look for a school with a low student-to-instructor ratio, soft-top boards for beginners and instructors who stay in the water with you.
- Mind the crowds. Batu Bolong gets busy. Learn the basic rule that the surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave has priority, and keep your board under control.
After a few lessons, most people move on to Berawa or Old Man's on small days. The reef breaks at Echo Beach and Uluwatu are for later. Our Bali surfing guide compares all the island's main breaks, and surfing in Uluwatu covers the reef breaks in the south.
Things to do in Canggu
- Sunset on the beach. Batu Bolong and Echo Beach are the classic spots, with beanbags and cold drinks on the sand.
- Yoga. There are drop-in classes all over Canggu, from early morning flow to evening yin.
- Cafes and coworking. Canggu is one of Bali's main bases for remote workers, so there's no shortage of good coffee and fast Wi-Fi.
- Rice fields. A few patches of rice field are still left between the villages, especially towards Pererenan. Walk or cycle through them early, before the heat.
- Markets and food. Warungs (small local restaurants) serve nasi campur and other Indonesian dishes for much less than the cafes.
- Tanah Lot at sunset, up the coast (see above).
For a longer list, read things to do in Canggu.
Where to stay in Canggu
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Batu Bolong | First visits, surf lessons, meeting people | Walk to the beach and the surf schools. The busiest and noisiest part |
| Berawa | Beach clubs, cafes, gyms | Smarter and a bit more spread out. Near Finns and the southern beaches |
| Echo Beach | Surfers, sunsets | Close to the reef break and the sunset bars |
| Pererenan | Quieter stays | Further from the nightlife, with more rice fields and space |
Canggu has plenty of hostels with pools, surf lessons and social nights, and they're the easiest way to meet people if you're on your own. Our Canggu hostels guide picks out the best ones. Whatever you book, check that it's a licensed place to stay.
Getting to Canggu
Bali's airport (Ngurah Rai, DPS) is south of Kuta. The drive to Canggu takes about an hour, and longer at busy times.
- Taxi from the airport: use the official taxi counter in arrivals. 2026 guides quote roughly IDR 250,000 to 500,000 to Canggu, so confirm the price before you get in.
- Grab and Gojek: both work in Bali, but at the airport they have to pick you up from a set pick-up point rather than outside the terminal.
- From Ubud: about 1 to 2.5 hours by car, depending on traffic.
- To Sanur (for boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis): allow at least an hour by car, and more in traffic. Boats leave early, so don't cut it fine.
Getting around Canggu
Traffic is Canggu's biggest drawback. The main roads and the narrow "shortcut" roads between the villages are often jammed, especially in the late afternoon.
- Walk within your own area. Batu Bolong to Old Man's and Echo Beach is walkable.
- Grab and Gojek motorbike taxis are cheap and quick for short hops. Car rides are slower in traffic.
- Scooters are how most people get around, but crashes are common. To ride legally in Indonesia you need a motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles, and you should rent only from a licensed rental business. Police run regular checks around Canggu, and riders without the right documents or a helmet are fined on the spot (reports put the fines at about IDR 250,000 to 500,000 each). Without the right licence, your travel insurance may not pay out after a crash. Always wear a helmet.
Best time to visit Canggu
| Months | Weather | Surf |
|---|---|---|
| April to October | Dry season. Sunny, lower humidity. July and August are the busiest months | Offshore winds in the mornings and the most consistent waves on the west coast |
| November to March | Wet season. Heavy showers, often in the afternoon, and more humid | Still surfable, but onshore winds are more common. Beginners can still learn on small days |
In the wet season, plastic and other rubbish washes up on the west-coast beaches from Kuta to Canggu, often at its worst around January. Clean-ups happen daily, but it can spoil the beach for a few days at a time. May, June and September are a good balance of weather, waves and crowds. Our best time to visit Bali guide goes month by month.
How much does Canggu cost?
Canggu is one of the more expensive parts of Bali, mostly because of the Western-style cafes. You can keep it cheaper by eating at warungs.
| Item | IDR |
|---|---|
| Nasi campur at a local warung | about 20,000 to 35,000 |
| Brunch dish or smoothie bowl at a cafe | about 60,000 to 120,000 |
| Bintang beer at a restaurant or bar | about 50,000 to 80,000 |
| Two-hour group surf lesson | about 300,000 to 500,000 |
| Tanah Lot entry, foreign adult | about 100,000 |
| Airport taxi | about 250,000 to 500,000 |
Before you go, every foreign tourist also pays the Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 once per visit, online at the official Love Bali site or at counters at the airport and seaport. Pay for everything in rupiah or by QRIS, and change money only at licensed money changers.
Staying safe in Canggu
- The sea. Rip currents are common on this coast. Surf with a school until you know the conditions, and don't swim after drinking.
- Scooters and traffic. See the licence rules above. Use Grab or Gojek at night.
- Drinks. The UK government's travel advice for Indonesia warns that drink spiking, linked to sexual assault, has been reported in Bali. Buy sealed drinks and don't leave yours unattended.
- Temples and ceremonies. Cover your shoulders and knees and wear a sarong at temples. Bali's rules for tourists ask for modest dress at sacred sites.
How many days in Canggu?
Two or three nights is right for most people. That gives you a surf lesson, a sunset or two, a day at the beach clubs or cafes and Tanah Lot. Stay a week or more if you want to learn to surf properly or work remotely.
Here's how Canggu fits into longer Bali trips:
- One week: two nights in Canggu, three in Ubud with the Mount Batur sunrise trek, then two on Nusa Penida.
- Ten days to two weeks: add the Gili Islands after Nusa Penida, or more surf in Uluwatu.
- A month: use Canggu as a base for a longer surf course, then add Lombok, Komodo or a slower week in the east of Bali.
Both our Bali trips start in Canggu with a sunset at Batu Bolong and an early surf lesson with a local instructor. Bali Express moves on to Ubud on day 2. Bali & Gili Islands spends two nights here, with Tanah Lot at sunset.
