Tourists At Bali’s Tanah Lot Temple Given Important Advice About Taking Selfies

Share The Article

Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most famous and culturally significant landmarks.

The coastal temple attracts millions of visitors every year, with people from all over the world heading to the sacred site to soak up the view and take those all-important photos.

Now, officials who manage the temple are sharing some important new advice and guidelines for visitors. 

Tanah Lot Temple is located on a rocky outcrop that is accessible by foot and at low tide.

It is believed that once upon a time there was a bridge connecting the mainland to the temple island, but that it was destroyed by crashing waves many years ago. 

Formally known as Pura Tanah Lot, the temple is a physical dedication of devotion to the God of the Sea.

Pura means temple, Tanah means earth, and lot (laut) means sea. At the temple, there is a sacred spring, the freshwater a stark contrast to the salty sea water that surrounds the temple. 

@bali_karisma_holidays Tanah Lot Temple Terletak di Kabupaten Tabanan Bali… #explorenusantara #indotravellers #exploreindonesia #Wonderfulindonesia #explorebali #wisatabali #fypシ ♬ LIMITS THE SKY – Mpax

Just looking at photos of Tanah Lot temple, it is easy to see why the site is a popular spot for visitors. Millions of visitors enter the temple every year. A trip to the temple is often accompanied by a sundowner drink back on land, overlooking the temple as the sun dips below the horizon.

It has long been the case that tourists in Bali take crazy risks in order to get the perfect photo.

Tragically dozens of tourists have died, and many more injured, while they attempted to capture a moment at some of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions. 

In light of tourist injuries and tragic deaths around the province, leaders at Tanah Lot Temple have introduced new rules to help keep tourists safe.

Tourists will now be banned from taking photos at the precarious rocky locations around Tanah Lot Temple when the waves and tides are rough. 

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

@kendall_davon One of the coolest places I have ever been. #bali #indonesia #traveltiktok ♬ original sound – Davon & Kendall

Speaking to reporters, the Head of Airud Polres, Tabanan Police, AKP I Nyoman Artadana, explained that over the weekend, waves became very dangerous and so from now on, the new rules are in place. He said that over the weekend, “Sea water is high tide with a wave height of 1-1.5 meters, so it is quite high.”

Artadana continued, “We have advised tourists not to take selfies near the waves and not to get close to the shoreline to the north of Tanah Lot Temple.”

@djstrex Early morning at the beautiful Tanah Lot temple in Bali 🏝 #canggu #bali #indonesia #tanahlot #shotoniphone11 ♬ original sound – Sean Strecker

He confirmed that the new rules would be implemented by all teams who help facilitate tourism at Tanah Lot Temple.

Noting that lifeguards, temple security staff, and pecalang (village security) will all share the responsibility for enforcing the new rules when waves are rough and helping to keep tourists safe. 

The Police Chief concluded, “Visiting this holiday [Lebaran] is quite crowded; let’s all stay alert and always be careful when crossing the beach.” 

The update to the rules at Tanah Lot Temple comes as part of a bigger effort to make tourist attractions across Bali Province as safe as possible for tourists.

Over on Nusa Penida, officials recently banned tourists from swimming at a number of the island’s most popular beaches after a steep rise in emergency callouts to Search and Rescue teams.

Tragically, a 33-year-old tourist from India fell to his death while posing for a photo at the clifftop at Nusa Penida’s famous Broken Beach.

The man, known to the media by his initials AB, was traveling with his partner and their tour guide.

Following the incident, local leaders pledged to increase safety protocols across the island.

Member of the Klungkung Regency Council, I Made Jana, urged the regency government to install safety fences along the clifftop photo spots to ensure that such a tragedy could not happen again.