Tourists Must Be Wary Visiting Famous Bali Temple This Monsoon Season 

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Tourists in Bali are being warned to be extra cautious when visiting the world-famous Tanah Lot Temple.

The sacred temple is located on a rocky outcrop in the ocean and is at the mercy of the elements, and during this monsoon season, so are visitors. 

The Regent of Tabanan Komang Gede Sanjaya has asked all tourism attraction managers in the regency to implement tight restrictions and increased supervision of tourists as the worst monsoon season in recent history hits Bali.

Regent Sanjaya said, “In these bad weather conditions, I intend to communicate with the [tourism attraction] management in Tabanan to anticipate unwanted things that could disrupt the nature holiday in Bali, especially in Tabanan.”

Nataru is the Indonesian name given for the combined Christmas and New Year holidays.

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Regent Sanjaya’s teams have also carried out a series of site visits to attractions in Tabanan Regency, such as Tanah Lot Temple and Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, to check that staff are operating in alignment with safety procedures.

Sanjaya added, “If there is an incident in the form of a disaster, with collaboration with village officials, something that happens in the sub-district can be resolved quickly without casualties.”

The Assistant Manager of Tanah Lot Temple Tourism, Putu Toni Wirawan, said that he and his teams have increased security efforts around the temple and tourist attraction area. He noted, “We involve staff, army, and police officers in supervising this attraction.”

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“When high waves reaching more than four meters occur in the coastal areas, the officers on duty will urge tourists not to carry out activities in the area.”

Tanah Lot Temple has seen a huge surge in the number of tourists visiting this festival season. 

Wirawan explained, “8,000 tourists came to Tanah Lot on Sunday 29th. Visits increased by 100% compared to before the Christmas holidays when tourists to Tanah Lot per day reached 4,000 people. At the peak of the Christmas and New Year Holidays, the number of visits could reach 10,000 people.”

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As Tanah Lot continues to implement increased safeguarding of four tourists over at Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, tourism managers have also been increasing efforts to ensure public safety.

The statements from Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest came in light of the Ubud Monkey Forest tragedy on 10th December, where two tourists were killed by a falling tree. 

Speaking to the media in the days that followed the Ubud Monkey Forest indecent, Field Coordinator of the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest Attraction, Ketut Armandi, explained to reporters, “We are taking precautions by warning tour guides not to take tourists around in dangerous areas. We prune and maintain trees that are potentially dangerous.”

Alas, Kedaton Monkey Forest is home to over 2,000 grey long-tailed macaques, and the site spans over 12 hectares. The protected forest is home to ancient trees and regularly hosts cultural dance performances within the temple grounds.

For tourists looking for an alternative, less crowded monkey forest attraction to explore in Bali, Alas Kedaton is a good option. 

Tourists in Bali are urged to keep a close eye on the weather forecast, plan their day trips and excursions accordingly, and not take any risks while visiting the beach, landmarks, or natural attractions.

Wonderful Indonesia, the national tourism board, has also just issued a series of new pieces of advice for tourists on how to stay safe during an emergency and what to do when disasters strike.

Bali is at risk of a range of natural disasters, especially during monsoon season when the risk of flash floods and landslides increases.

The risk of tsunami, earthquake, and volcanic eruption is also present in Bali. Indonesia has a clear set of protocols in place to manage natural disasters, including in Bali.

Tourists should get up to speed with the guidance outlined by Wonderful Indonesia before their next trip to the province.