Beaches in Medewi, Bali

The beaches in Medewi are a little different from the picture many people have of Bali. There’s no white sand and rows of sun loungers here. Instead, you’ll find dark volcanic sand, rocks, palm trees and some seriously impressive surf.

We spent plenty of time around the coast during our visit in September 2024, and even if you’re not a surfer, the beach is a big part of the reason to stay in Medewi.

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Medewi Beaches at a Glance

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Medewi Beach

Medewi Beach is the main beach around the village and is best known for its long left-hand surf break.

The beach itself is a mixture of dark sand and rocks, with the landscape becoming particularly atmospheric when the waves are running. You’ll see surfers heading down towards the water throughout the day, but there’s much more going on than surfing.

It’s a lovely place to walk, sit and watch what’s happening in the water.

If you’ve never surfed before, it’s also worth coming down just to watch the surfers. The waves at Medewi Point can look impressive when you’re standing on the beach. And If you’re thinking about giving surfing a go, have a read of our Surfing in Medewi guide.

Walking to Pura Rambut Siwi

When the tide allows, it’s possible to walk along Medewi Beach to the temple of Pura Rambut Siwi. It’s around 2km each way along the black sand, though it’s quite stoney so proper beach shoes as opposed to flip flops make the journey a little easier. Remember to take a sarong so that you can cover appropriately in this religious building.

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Yeh Sumbul Beach

Yeh Sumbul is just along the coast from Medewi and is another good place to spend some time by the sea.

There are a few places to eat and drink around the beach, including The Holy Tree Kitchen and Bamboo Beach Bar, so it’s easy to combine a trip to the beach with lunch or a cold drink.

Yeh Sumbul has a relaxed feel and is a good option if you want to get away from the main surf area for a while.

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The beaches around Medewi

One of the nice things about staying in Medewi is that you’re not restricted to one beach.

The coastline around the area is a mixture of beaches, rocky sections and small stretches of sand. Some are busy with surfers, while others feel much quieter.

If you’ve got a scooter, it’s easy to explore further along the coast and see what you find.

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Can you swim at Medewi Beach?

Medewi is primarily a surf destination, so swimming isn’t the main reason people come here.

The sea can have strong waves and currents, particularly around the main surf breaks. Conditions can also change, so don’t assume the beaches in Medewi are safe for swimming simply because other people are in the water.

If you want to swim, check local conditions and ask locally about the safest place to enter the water.

For many visitors, the beach is better enjoyed from the shore — watching the surfers, walking along the sand or finding somewhere to sit with a drink.

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Watching the surfers

Even if you never intend to get on a surfboard, watching the surf at Medewi is worth doing.

Head down towards Medewi Point and you’ll see surfers making the most of the long left-hand wave. There can be something quite hypnotic about sitting on the beach and watching the same wave peel along the coast.

I had never surfed before our trip, so spent quite a lot of time watching others, trying to pick up a tip or two. You can read about my first attempt in our guide to surfing in Medewi.

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Medewi beach at sunset

The west-facing coastline means sunsets are another great reason to head down to the beach in the evening.

You don’t need a plan. Grab a drink, find somewhere to sit and watch the sun go down.

There are several beachfront restaurants and bars around Medewi and Yeh Sumbul where you can combine dinner or a drink with the sunset. A few have swings on the sand, which is my favourite way to wait for the sun to dip below the horizon.

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A quieter side of Medewi

One of the things I loved about Medewi was that the beaches, and the area in general didn’t feel overly developed.

You don’t have the big beach clubs and busy resort atmosphere that you’ll find in some of Bali’s more famous coastal destinations.

Instead, there are small local businesses, surf schools, fishermen, surfers and stretches of coastline where you can simply sit and take it all in. Many of the beach front location are grazing for the cow. If I come back in another life, I want to be a cow on the beaches of Medewi!

That’s part of what makes Medewi feel different.

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Balian Beach

If you’re staying in Medewi for a while, you can also explore further along the west coast.

Balian Beach is further south and is another well-known surf destination. It’s more developed than Medewi, with a wider choice of places to eat, drink and stay.

It’s worth considering as a day trip if you want to see another part of this stretch of Bali’s coast and explore more beaches in Medewi.

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Pulukan and the coast around Medewi

Pulukan is another area worth exploring around Medewi.

The coastline here is quieter and gives you another opportunity to see the landscape around west Bali away from the main tourist areas.

If you’ve got your own transport, following the coast and stopping when somewhere catches your eye is one of the easiest ways to explore.

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The beach isn’t just for surfers

You don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy Medewi’s beaches.

You can walk, watch the waves, find a spot for sunset, have lunch overlooking the sea or simply spend an hour doing absolutely nothing.

For me, that’s part of the appeal of Medewi. The beach isn’t something you have to tick off a list. It’s just there, and you can make as much or as little of it as you want.

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Where to stay near the beach

If being close to the beach is important to you, there are several accommodation options around Medewi and Yeh Sumbul.

Staying near the surf area makes it easy to get down to the water in the morning and walk to restaurants and cafés later in the day.

Take a look at our guide to Where to stay in Medewi for accommodation options, or use the map below to see what’s available around the coast.