It’s probably not the place to come if you’re looking for a long list of organised activities and things to do in Medewi. That’s part of its appeal of this special corner of Bali.
Life here is slower. There are rice fields, small local warungs, black-sand beaches and the famous left-hand wave at Medewi Point. You can spend a morning surfing, have lunch at a local warung, take a walk through the countryside and finish the day watching the sun go down. (Oh man, the sunset!)
If you want to get out and explore, there are also temples, yoga, waterfalls and places to visit along the coast.
Here are some of the things we enjoyed doing during our visit to Medewi in September 2024, along with a few ideas for exploring the surrounding area.
Surf at Medewi Point
For most visitors, surfing is the main reason to come to Medewi.
Medewi Point is famous for its long left-hand wave, which can offer a much longer ride than you might expect. The rocky shoreline and reef mean it isn’t necessarily the easiest place for complete beginners, but there are surf schools and instructors around Medewi if you’d like to learn.
We based ourselves at the Nyamo Surfschool & Stay for six days – and having never touched a surfboard before arrival in Medewi, I’m proud to announce that with some excellent, and somewhat patient teaching from my instructor Riki, I mastered the ability to stand up, and ‘catch a wave’. Three times, at least…
Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth heading down to the beach to watch the locals and visiting surfers. Especially if you catch the excitement of catching the first wave!
Read more about surfing in Medewi →
Spend some time on Medewi Beach
Medewi’s black-sand coastline is a big part of its character.
This isn’t a manicured beach resort. You’ll see surfers, fishermen, local families and people going about their everyday lives.
Take a walk along the beach, find somewhere to sit and watch the waves, or come down in the evening when the light starts to change.
If you’re staying in Medewi for a few days, you’ll probably find yourself returning to the beach simply because there’s nowhere else you particularly need to be. What I really love about the beach is it isn’t full of accommodation. The number of cows with front line patches makes Medewi a special place.
Read more about beaches in Medewi →
Walk through the rice fields
One of the nicest things about staying in Medewi is seeing the countryside around the coast.
Once you’re away from the main road, the landscape quickly becomes much quieter, with rice fields, palms and small villages. Walking or cycling through the surrounding countryside gives you a very different view of Bali from the busy southern resorts.
There isn’t necessarily a single route you need to follow. Ask where you’re staying about local walks and explore from there.
Visit Rambut Siwi Temple
About 20 minutes along the coast from Medewi is Rambut Siwi, one of the area’s important Hindu temples.
The temple sits dramatically above the coastline and is surrounded by green countryside. It’s a good place to visit if you’d like to see a little more of Bali’s culture and religious life while you’re here.
It’s also a good stop if you’re exploring the coast by scooter or driver.
Make sure you take a cover up – Rambut Siwi is a place of worship, and dressing appropriately is a must.
Try a yoga class
Medewi attracts plenty of surfers, but it also has a slower, wellness side.
There are yoga classes and retreats in the area, making it easy to combine a few days of surfing with something a little more relaxing.
Places such as Daily Bliss Yoga Studio and LiaBhakti Yoga are worth looking at if you’d like to fit a class into your stay.
You don’t need to be staying at a yoga retreat to enjoy this side of Medewi. Just turn up and take an hour to relax.
Explore the local food scene
One of the best things to do in Medewi is simply eat.
There are plenty of small warungs serving Indonesian food, as well as cafés and restaurants aimed at the growing number of surfers and travellers staying in the area.
Don’t overlook the little places. A simple nasi goreng, mie goreng or nasi campur from a local warung can be one of the best meals of your trip. Our personal favourite was the Nasi Goreng at Bamboo in Medewi. Great food, a cheap cold Bintang and a sunset to die for.
Read more about where to eat in Medewi →
Watch the sunset
The west-facing coastline means Medewi gets some lovely sunsets. Lovely? I mean stunning.
Head down towards the beach in the late afternoon, grab a drink or something to eat and watch the surfers as the light starts to fade.
You don’t need an organised sunset trip here. One of the nicest things to do in Medewi is that it’s easy to make your own evening. We spent many an evening on a swing on the beach, watching the world go by.
Visit the waterfalls
There are waterfalls and swimming spots in the wider area around Medewi, although these are more of an outing than something you’ll find right in the centre of the village.
If you’re staying for a week or longer and looking for things to do in Medewi, ask locally about current conditions and which waterfalls are accessible when you’re there. Bali’s rainy season can change paths and access quite quickly.
Take a day trip along the coast
Medewi makes a good base for exploring a quieter part of west Bali.
You can head west towards the quieter beaches and villages or travel east towards places such as Balian. A scooter gives you the most freedom, although hiring a driver for the day is another option if you’re not comfortable riding.
The roads and traffic aren’t for everyone, so don’t feel that you have to hire a scooter just because everyone else seems to be doing it.
Meet the local surfers
Medewi has a strong surf community, and spending time around the beach is probably one of the easiest ways to get a feel for the place.
Whether you’re surfing yourself or just watching, you’ll see a mixture of local surfers, visiting surfers and people who have been coming back to Medewi for years.
It gives Medewi a different atmosphere from some of Bali’s busier surf destinations.
And do absolutely nothing
Honestly, this deserves its own place on the list.
Medewi is somewhere you can sit on a terrace with a coffee, read a book, watch the rice fields and realise that you’ve somehow spent three hours doing very little.
If you’ve come from somewhere busy, that can be exactly what you need.
How long do you need in Medewi?
I’d give yourself at least three or four nights if you want to experience all the things to do in Medewi properly.
A couple of nights is enough to surf and see the beach, but staying longer gives you time to explore the surrounding countryside, try different places to eat and have a slower few days.
If you’re travelling around Bali, Medewi also works well as a stop between the more developed areas of the south and the quieter west coast. You can take a few days to relax between the busier areas of Bali, and depending on where you choose to stay, it may give the accommodation budget a little bit of a break, too.
Planning a trip to Medewi?
Medewi is a little different from the Bali you see in the brochures. It’s quieter, more rural and much less developed than places such as Seminyak or Canggu.
That’s exactly why we liked it.
If you’re looking for nightlife, beach clubs and endless shopping, I’d look elsewhere. If you want good surf, local food, countryside, sunsets and a few days where the pace of life slows down, Medewi is well worth considering.
Medewi accommodation map
There is a good range of accommodation around Medewi, from simple homestays and guesthouses to surf camps, villas and more comfortable resorts. Where possible, we’ve included both the property’s direct booking option and a Booking.com option, so you can compare what’s available and choose the way you’d prefer to book.
We don’t operate any of the accommodation listed here and recommend checking the property’s current prices, facilities and cancellation conditions before booking.
Take a look at the map below to see where different properties are located.
Where to stay in Medewi
If you’re coming primarily to surf, staying close to Medewi Point makes life easier. If you’d rather have a quieter stay, there are plenty of options further back from the beach.
Use the map to see where individual properties are located. This is particularly useful in Medewi because accommodation isn’t concentrated around one obvious centre.
Accommodation listings, prices and availability can change. Check the individual property before booking. We may receive a commission from qualifying accommodation bookings made through links on this site.
This Things to Do in Medewi page was last updated in September 2026. If you spot an error, please let us know info@inmedewi.com