Bali’s Serangan Island Offers Tourists A Glimpse At Traditional Coastal Life

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Many of Bali’s top tourist destinations have stood the test of time, and others are only just starting to make a name for themselves.

One such place is Serangan Island. 

Located off the Denpasar coast, tucked between Tanjung Benoa and Sanur, Serangan Island has for generations been a quiet fishing community.

Over the last twenty years, Serangan has also become a hive of activity for turtle conservationists, and since the end of the pandemic, it has seen a sharp rise in the amount of interest from tourists, both domestic and international alike. 

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One of the top things to do in Serangan is to visit the Serangan Turtle Conservation and Education Center. Much quieter than the turtle conservation centre in Kuta, the Serangan Turtle Conservation and Education Center is the perfect place for anyone who wishes to see turtles in real life and gain a deeper understanding of the role marine conservation has to play in Bali, across Indonesia, and in a global context.

Those who are super lucky may just time their visit with a turtle hatching release. It’s a really quite emotional experience watching the tiny turtles make their way from the sand, out to the shoreline, and into the great wide ocean. 

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For a taste of local culture, a visit to Pura Dalem Sakenan in Serangan is essential. As is the case with visiting any temple in Bali, temple etiquette must be honoured, including wearing a sarong and sash.

With Sernagan still only visited by a handful of tourists every week, a visit to Pura Dalem Sakenan is rarely crowded, giving visitors the opportunity to take a quiet moment of reflection, regardless of their faith. Balinese spirituality is palpable in Serangan.

Every six new moons, the whole community comes together to purify the village, to bless the land and its people, and to ward off malevolent spirits. 

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Seafood is exceptional in Serangan. While Jimbaran has typically been the number one spot for authentic Balinese seafood, Serangan is running close on its tail for the best prepared catch of the day.

Tourists looking for truly authentic Balinese and Indonesian food, to dine alongside local residents and even learn a thing or two about how their food is prepared, would be wise to make a stop by Serangan Village after sunset.

With Serangan being an emerging tourist destination, be prepared for English not to be as widely spoken as in areas like Canggu and Seminyak, but everyone will make an effort to communicate if you do too. Remember that in many areas of Bali, and Indonesia overall, cash is still king.

This is certainly true in Seranagn, so be sure to visit a nearby ATM so you can pay for dinner easily. 

Part of the appeal of Serangan Island is that it is still an emerging tourist destination, and as such, accommodation options are limited.

Graha Shanti Guest House offers a comfortable and welcoming stay to all. Guests are treated to a 360-degree panoramic view of Serangan Island from the rooftop, which is particularly impressive at sunrise and sunset. On a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Agung in the distance. 

Serangan Turtle Island Homesty offers modest and affordable rooms in the heart of Serangan Village.

Homestay staff can help arrange everything from visits to the Serangan Turtle Conservation and Education Center to day trips around the island, and are all too happy to help guests arrange an itinerary to remember. 

Tourists who are keen to explore as much of Bali Province as possible may decide to use Serangan Island as a savvy stopover on a multi-island itinerary.

Seranagn Port is offering an increasing number of fast boat services to outlying islands like Nusa Penida. While 2 nights is more than enough time to tick off the must-dos in Serangan, booking a single night stay is a great way to break up travel between the main island Bali and the Nusa Islands or Gili Islands while maximising time immersed in Balinese culture.