Bali’s most famous beaches can be found in Badung Regency. From Uluwatu to Seminyak, Canggu to Kuta, Badung Regency’s beaches are internationally acclaimed.
Head a little further west, and tourists will stumble upon the stunning secret black sand beaches of Tabanan Regency.
Tabanan Regency is best known to tourists as being home to Tanah Lot Temple and Mount Batu Karu.
While Tanah Lot Temple sits on a rocky outcrop on the Tabanan coast, tourists don’t tend to visit the region for its beaches, choosing Tabanan for more of a cultural immersion.
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Yet, to overlook the black sand beaches of Tabanan means tourists are missing out on breathtaking ocean panoramas, a laid-back coastal vibe, and none of the crowds.
That’s right, if you’re looking for an incredible beach vacation, none of the crowds, and access to the very essence of Bali, Tabanan may just be the place for you.
The first port of call in a tour of Tabanan’s beaches should be Yeh Gangga Beach. Local leaders are on a mission to level up the tourism offering on the beach, not in such a way that the area becomes a full-blown resort, but rather that all visitors have access to those home comforts and tourism essentials.
Pantai Yeh Gangga is a picturesque surfing spot, ideal for both experienced and novice wave catchers.
The Head of the Yeh Gangga Traditional Village, I Ketut Dolio, along with the support of the village leaders from Banjar Yeh Gangga Kangin and Banjar Yeh Gang Kawan, is seeking to develop tourism in the area, especially for the traveling surfing community.
Yeh Gangga Beach is one of the few beaches in the Tabanan area where turtles still come to lay their eggs.
Local leaders are hopeful that they can develop an eco-tourism initiative inspired by those on Seranagan Island and Kuta so that tourism can help conserve these endangered marine creatures.
At the moment, many of the turtles who lay their eggs on Yeh Gangga Beach have their nests raided by stray and community dogs.
Dolio is seeking the support of tourism revenue to help create a sustainable conservation initiative that helps the turtles, boosts the local economy, and, of course, levels up the experiences of a getaway on Yeh Gangga for visitors.
One of the most popular hangout spots at the beach is Yeh Gangga Beach Club. The laid-back beachfront hangout is frequented by surfers, backpackers, and long-time Bali lovers who are looking for a sense of the Bali of old.
Yeh Gangga Beach Club has its own beachfront pool, restaurant, and bar and often hosts live music nights. It is as laid back as it gets, and the staff is super welcoming.
It’s the kind of place where tourists can hang out all day (entry is free!) and not feel rushed to eat up and get out. The menu caters to every taste and is so reasonably priced.
A wrapped chicken kebab is IDR 45,000, and a classic Balinese Crispy Ocean Fish with sambal match is just IDR 55,000.
There are some great value accommodation options in and around Yeh Gang Beach. Bali Beach Glamping is a luxurious 3-star escape boasting posh beachfront clamping tents, a traditional Balinese spa, and a wonderful in-house restaurant.
These are no pop-up festival-style tents; these are full-blown canvas houses, much like you’d find at top safari lodges in Southern Africa.
For those who want to sleep surrounded by solid walls, look no further than WakaGangga. The rustic yet refined resort offered guests private villas overlooking the beachfront.
The restaurant offers open-air dining, and there is a range of cultural activities to take part in for the real Bali experiences.
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Shorty
Saturday 17th of February 2024
The info on Yeh Gangga is cr*p.
There is little or no surf at the main beach which runs from the river mouth to the western headland.
The beach is the parking place for the village fishermen boats. It's also the site for many upacara.
There's some warung makan with basic food and drinks.
Yeh Gangga Beach Club has low patronage and often doesn't have menu items. Warung Tulus (lobster and fish) immediately next door is marginally better patronised.
For surf and food go over the western headland.
Cliffhanger restaurant is great, and this is where the surf is. Cliffhanger has a surf cam linked thru their Facebook account.
Waka restaurant and bar is a superb location let down by bugger all patronage, overpriced basic menu and expensive drinks.
Oliver
Thursday 15th of February 2024
And at Yeh Gangga Two you can try the delicious meals of the German-Indonesian owned Clifhanguer” lovely food, Great service and facing the sea breeze then you can walk to Yeh Gangga One to enjoy a few late drinks under live music on the beach.
Peter
Friday 16th of February 2024
@Oliver, I want to apologize for my previous comment and remove if possible, because I went to Yeh Gangga beach this morning and it was much much cleaner than I remember from when I lived there 7 years ago. My gf and I had a pleasant beach walk at low tide, miles of open sands and rocks, and then shared a cold coconut at a super nice warung on the beach. I spoke to a very friendly Balinese man who said they are also recycling the rubbish in his village. The whole place looked much cleaner and more organized, and we promised ourselves to return for a sumset beer at one of the new bars and restaurants on the beach. Overall a very pleasant experience and look forward to come back soon.
Peter
Wednesday 14th of February 2024
Yeh Gangga and Kedungu are black sand beaches full of rubbish from the nearby rivers and Java! We used to surf there 20yrs ago but now its too polluted, so many new buildings and no tranquility. I never surf there now, but i feel sorry for the businesses there, never seen the locals clean the beach, no-one cares!! Bali in general got more busy and more traffic and more buildings everywhere. Its not the cool place I used to love. And now too many undomesticated Russians behaving badly!!!
Peter
Friday 16th of February 2024
@Peter, I want to apologize for my previous comment and remove if possible, because I went to Yeh Gangga beach this morning and it was much much cleaner than I remember from when I lived there 7 years ago. My gf and I had a pleasant beach walk at low tide, miles of open sands and rocks, and then shared a cold coconut at a super nice warung on the beach. I spoke to a very friendly Balinese man who said they are also recycling the rubbish in his village. The whole place looked much cleaner and more organized, and we promised ourselves to return for a sumset beer at one of the new bars and restaurants on the beach. Overall a very pleasant experience and look forward to come back soon.
Thommo
Wednesday 14th of February 2024
I live in the Yeh Gangga Beach area whoever wrote the article praising its beaches, surf and businesses seems to have avoided ever visiting there. The beaches are full of rubbish from Love beach/Kedungu to Yeh Gangga there are numerous illegal rubbish dumping spots around the area. And whilst there is surf the Yeh Gannga beach is just a dangerous close out full of floating debris and I've never seen anyone even locals surf out there.
Shorty
Saturday 17th of February 2024
@Exp,
Problem Expat is the vast majority of punters don't give reviews.
Unless there's a real problem those posted are +ve. In most cases they're inflated.
Bums on seats and when you turn up is the most reliable.
There's the old definition of stats/research. An exercise to prove your probity.
Peter
Friday 16th of February 2024
@Thommo, I want to apologize for my previous comment and remove if possible, because I went to Yeh Gangga beach this morning and it was much much cleaner than I remember from when I lived there 7 years ago. My gf and I had a pleasant beach walk at low tide, miles of open sands and rocks, and then shared a cold coconut at a super nice warung on the beach. I spoke to a very friendly Balinese man who said they are also recycling the rubbish in his village. The whole place looked much cleaner and more organized, and we promised ourselves to return for a sumset beer at one of the new bars and restaurants on the beach. Overall a very pleasant experience and look forward to come back soon.
Thommo
Thursday 15th of February 2024
@Exp, The recent response from articles/officials that tried/aimed to target/ a tik tocker that criticised traffic, general pollution and beach pollution around Kuta is disturbing. It claimed that the task force was investigating ( getting around on flying carpets) she had already left the country. Her observations as harsh and comparative as they seemed were supported by many.
Thommo
Thursday 15th of February 2024
@Anthony, Agree, I've made this point also regarding the completely sanitised articles that appears in this publication. My reactions are based on daily observations, year round. I've travelled across most of the Indo archipelago surfing and diving and seen the plastic/ rubbish on the coast and interior everywhere and heard the same ignorant excuses and projection of blame. It's sad that new bules/ expats respond sometimes " if you don't like it leave or do something about it. I do try and remove but it's a losing battle and argument".
Exp
Wednesday 14th of February 2024
@Thommo, This is why I always check out the (honest) 1 star reviews first