Tegal Wangi Beach: The Best Kept Secret in Bali
Get off the beaten path in Bali and search for this hidden gem. Tegal Wangi Beach is a local’s secret that has yet to be discovered by most tourists.
Whether you want to enjoy the beach cave at sunset or soak in the natural jacuzzis along the shoreline, be sure to add Tegal Wangi Beach to your Bali bucket list.
Getting To Tegal Wangi Beach
Located on the southern tip of Bali just 30 minutes from Denpasar, you can reach Tegal Wangi Beach by taxi or motorbike.
Motorbike
If you decide to visit Tegal Wangi Beach by motorbike, be sure that you are comfortable driving in Bali traffic. The rules of the road are much different from what westerners are used to.
I would recommend practicing on a quiet street with few to no cars. Take things slow, wear a helmet, and have confidence.
Being a hesitant driver is just as dangerous as being a reckless driver.
Renting motorbikes in Bali is simple. Due to the popularity of this island, there are shops renting out bikes on every corner. Prices shouldn’t exceed 50,000 IDR for a daily bike rental.
If you’re uncertain about where to find a motorbike, never hesitate to ask your Airbnb or guesthouse host for help.
Whenever we needed a motorbike, we simply talked to our host and they catered to us immediately. They also made sure we were not scammed on the price.
Note: Be prepared to send them a copy of your passport and have cash available to pay for the bike.
Hire a Taxi
Hiring a taxi in Bali was never my first choice, but if you’re an inexperienced motorbike driver, this is the option you’ll want to take.
To set up a ride to Tegal Wangi Beach, you can either hire a driver for the entire evening or catch a Grab/GoJek taxi.
Hiring a driver for the night will ultimately be the most expensive way to get to and from the beach, but it will be the most secure way. It is most secure because you’ll certainly have a driver waiting for you when you’re finished at the beach.
If you decide to take a Grab taxi, you’ll have to order your return taxi ride after sunset. This usually wouldn’t be an issue, however, cell service at Tegal Wangi Beach is minimal.
We were lucky enough to get one bar of service at a certain location on the beach, which was enough to order the taxi.
Since the walk to the main road is strenuous and long, I wouldn’t want anyone to be stranded here without transportation. Be aware of this before heading to the beach.
Directions
The best way to navigate to Tegal Wangi Beach is through Google Maps.
Type in Tegal Wangi Beach or Pantai Tegal Wangi. Both of these options will bring you to a narrow road that will lead you to the parking lot; the parking lot is situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean and beach below.
If you don’t have international data or a local SIM card, I suggest downloading the directions prior via the Google Maps “download” option. This allows you to view driving directions offline.
When To Visit Tegal Wangi Beach
Although Tegal Wangi Beach is beautiful at any time of day, the best time is to go for sunset. Look up the sunset time for Bali and plan on arriving at the beach one hour before this.
Pro-tip: This beach is popular among locals and many Balinese come here to enjoy the sunset.
My best advice is to come an hour before sunset but to stay for at least a half-hour AFTER the sun dips below the horizon. The most magnificent colors will appear well after the sun has already set.
Most beach-goers will leave as soon as the sun is out of sight. Staying for a bit longer will give you ample time to enjoy the sights alone.
Bali Beach Caves
The coveted beach caves are some of the coolest rock formations on the entire island. Caves, in general, are amazing but a beach cave? Bali, you’ve outdone yourself!
In order to reach the beach, take the dirt path from the parking lot along the cliff’s edge. Be careful while trekking down to the beach; loose rock can lead to a nasty fall.
Once you arrive at the beach, walk along the shoreline until you can’t go any further (rocks and cliffs will stand in your way). This is where you’ll find the most popular beach cave.
Interestingly enough, most people stop here without adventuring further. If you’re up for a challenge, a little rock climbing, and a bit of risk, climb up the rocks to the left side of the cave.
You’ll be rewarded with a view of the ocean without anyone else in sight. There are also several more caves along this path.
Pro-tip: Proper shoes can go a long way; I would not suggest climbing these sharp rocks with flip flops!
Tegal Wangi Natural Jacuzzis
Natural jacuzzis dot the southern end of the shoreline, another treat for Tegal Wangi beach-goers. Let the waves splash into your designated pool and receive a free day at the spa!
When we arrived at the beach, there were a few other people congregating around the natural jacuzzis.
Since there are several pools in the area, getting one for ourselves wasn’t an issue. We took our turn in the pools and politely let others enjoy their time as well.
The jacuzzis are a smidge warmer than the ocean water, but do not expect hot tubs; I stupidly made this assumption and I was very wrong.
These pools are excellent for relaxing after taking a dip in the ocean or for watching the sunset beyond the horizon.
Related content about Bali:
6 Things to Know Before Visiting Tukad Cepung Waterfall
A Nusa Penida Trip: Every Detail For Your Epic Adventure
Where To Stay In Bali
If you’re in the process of planning your trip to Indonesia, here are a few tips for accommodation and where to stay in Bali:
Canggu
Our home base for the duration of our trip to Bali was in Canggu.
Think of Canggu as the digital nomad center of Bali. Many expats live in the neighborhoods surrounding Batu Bolong Beach where smoothie bowls are prevalent and cute boutiques are on every corner.
We found that living in Canggu was a great location for exploring the entire island.
And since we are digital nomads, having strong WiFi was important to us. This is where you will find the strongest WiFi connection in Bali.
Seminyak
Another great place for tourists with a very central location. Seminyak has reasonably priced resorts, guesthouses, and Airbnbs. Restaurants are plentiful and beach clubs get busy for sunset!
Nusa Dua
Looking for the most pristine beaches in Bali? Look no further.
Nusa Dua has beautiful resorts, clean beaches, and incredible temples. If you decide to stay in Nusa Dua, be sure to add Melasti Beach to your itinerary. This was by far our favorite beach in all of Bali.
All of these neighborhoods are a short drive from Tegal Wangi Beach and many other hidden gem locations. If you plan on exploring the southern end of Bali, these are the neighborhoods I recommend.
Personally, our go-to source for accommodation is Airbnb. This remained true for our trip to Bali.
All of our guesthouses or bungalows were top-of-the-line and extremely affordable. If you haven’t signed up for Airbnb yet, use this link to get $40 off your first booking.
Pro-tip: No matter where you decide to stay, be sure that your accommodation has a pool!
I’ve noticed that the guesthouses without pools charge the same amount as the places with pools. You might as well save yourself from the Balinese sun and get a place with a pool.
The Wrap-Up: Tegal Wangi Beach, Bali
One of our favorite parts about this beach was the laidback atmosphere and kind locals. Unlike other places in Bali, Tegal Wangi flies under the radar among tourists.
At this unspoiled paradise, we didn’t have to fight the crowds and we could watch the sunset in solitude.
Come here to enjoy the epic Tegal Wangi Beach cave or the relaxing natural jacuzzis. Either way, the colors reflecting off the sky at sunset will have you coming back for more.
Want To Be A Travel Blogger?
We were able to take our small hobby blog and turn it into a 6-figure business in 16 months. Want to know how we did it?
Grab your free guide below and we’ll share the 6 steps we took to turn our blog into a thriving business and how you can, too!
Enter your name and email address and we’ll deliver the guide directly to your inbox!
Find this post helpful? Save it to Pinterest for later!