Teenager Dies At Popular Bali Surf Beach As Security Intensified Across Tourism Hotspots

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A local teenager in Bali’s Nusa Penida died after being overcome by waves off Pandan Beach on Wednesday 2nd April 2025.

While members of the public and emergency services worked to save the young man’s life, he passed away late in the afternoon. 

The 18-year-old, known by his initials MS, was out surfing with two local friends, known as MA and WW, around 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon. The three young men are believed to be regular surfers at Pandan Beach, which can be found on the northwest coast of Nusa Penida in the cove next to Crystal Bay Beach. 

Local reports suggest that the trio quickly got into trouble while paddling out from Pandan Beach, and strong ocean currents meant that they each let go of their boards to try and swim back to shore more efficiently. While MA and WW made it back to shore, however, MS continued to struggle against the waves, and drowned. 

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Speaking to reporters in the immediate aftermath Nusa Penida Police Chief, Commissioner Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta, revealed that MA was evacuated and rushed to Gema Santi Hospital though he was already unconscious. Members of the public are reported to have conducted CPR on the young surfer. Sumerta confirmed, “The victim immediately received medical treatment, but his life could not be saved.”

In light of Wednesday’s tragedy tourists in Bali, but especially Nusa Penida, are urged to practice extreme caution whenever they enter the ocean; whether it be to paddle, swim, surf, snorkel, or dive.

Many of Nusa Penida’s most iconic beaches are strictly no swim, no surf zones and despite these rules being in place, every year tourists disobey the rules, and every year search and rescue teams are called out to save people from the water. 

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As part of Operation Ketupat Agung 2025, the nationwide security mission in Indonesia to ensure public safety and order over the Lebaran Eid al-Fitr holiday period, more security staff have been stationed around top tourist attractions, including all across the island of Nusa Penida.

Tourists visiting iconic tourism hotspots like Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach will observe an increased security presence over the coming week, as more patrols, surveillance and overall support has been ordered. 

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Speaking to reporters the Head of Nusa Penida Police, Iptu I Wayan Wirya, said that as more tourists arrive on the island, that safety must remain a top priority. He noted, “We also have a dialogue with visitors to remind them to always be careful in the tourist area.”

He explained that police officers are present to help urge tourists to always obey the rules, maintain cleanliness, and be careful when taking pictures or walking on the edge of the cliff.

Across Nusa Penida more security patrols are being carried out. Police officers also carry out security at the port by checking activities, monitoring passengers, and arriving and departing vehicles.

While there is a sharp surge in the number of visitors arriving and exploring Nusa Penida this week, overall, visitor numbers to Nusa Penida are down right now. The island in the low season is surprisingly and rather refreshingly quiet, making the land the perfect place to rest, retreat, and rejuvenate.

In an interview with local reporters earlier this week the Head of Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, explained the outside out the national public holidays, Nusa Penida is only welcoming around 2,000 tourists per day at the moment.

In the high season Nusa Penida can see over 4,000 tourists per day easily, in addition to day trippers who depart from Sanur or Seranagan for snorkelling and dive trips. 

Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningnan, Bali’s outing islands, offer tourists a whole new world to explore.

It is easier than ever to travel from the main island of Bali to the Nusa Islands, with dozens of departures daily from Sanur Harbour, as well as increasing availably of fast boat services from Serangan Port and Padangbai Harbour.