Tourists visiting Bali’s southern coast this week must be extra aware of their surroundings. While the height of the rainy season always brings the risk of extra high waves, with this week’s full moon impacting the ocean, the risk of tidal swells is dramatically increased.
The Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has issued early warnings for tidal swells, tidal flooding, and high waves. The weather warning is in place until 4th February, and impacts the southern coasts of Tabanan Regency, Badung Regency, Denpasar City, Gianyar Regency, Klungkung Regency, Karangasem Regency, and Jembrana Regency.
In perhaps more familiar terms, this includes top vacation destinations like Canggu, Smeinyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kutuh, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kermas, Candidasa, as well as Soka Beach, Balian, and Medewi.
The Head of the Bali BMKG told reporters, “The Full Moon phenomenon on February 2, 2026, has the potential to increase the maximum sea level in several coastal areas of Bali.”
He added, “We urge the public to remain vigilant and alert to anticipate the impact of maximum sea levels and to pay close attention to maritime weather updates from the BMKG Region III through its official channels.”
The tidal swells have the potential to impact beachgoers, especially at high tide, as well as tourists who are boarding fast boats and ferries, and taking part in snorkelling and diving activities. Local fishermen, seaweed and salt farmers have also been issued with the same weather warnings as tidal swells could impact their capacity to work safely in the water.
At this time of year, which is just beyond the peak of the rainy season, tidal swells have the capacity to not only bring heightened volumes of water to the shore but also increased trash and ocean debris too. Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster is taking the matter seriously and has responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s warnings about the trash situation on the island’s most popular tourist beaches.
Speaking to reporters, Governor Koster confirmed that he will be creating a Coastal Clean Up Task Force to tackle the issue. He explained, “I will form a task force to guard the beach, so that as soon as trash arrives, it can be cleaned immediately.”
He added, “In December 2025, January and early February 2026, as long as it rains, the waste will arrive from outside the area very quickly due to the strong currents.” While there are clean-up teams from the Badung Regency Government on standby, the response typically takes 2-3 hours to mobilise, which greatly impacts both local communities and tourists’ access and experience of the island’s most famous beaches.
The new Coastal Clean Up Task Force will include officers from the Bali Provincial Government, the Denpasar City Government, and the Badung Regency Government.
Governor Koster explained, “Based on the President’s directive, we will immediately gather the Head of the Environment Agency, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Head of the Education Agency, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the Indonesian National Police. Once we return, we will immediately form a task force.”
Tourists traveling to Bali’s southern coast this week, and for the rest of the rainy season, are urged to check in with the latest weather forecast prior to their visit and respond to weather warnings issued by the Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency accordingly.
Here at The Bali Sun, we ensure that our readers are kept up to speed with the latest weather warnings and safety advice, so that tourists and travellers can make informed decisions about their vacation plans.
Our top tip, alongside sticking with us here at The Bali Sun, is to follow the Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency on Instagram, where both weather forecasts and weather warnings are published in both Bahasa Indonesia and English on a daily basis.
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Exp
Tuesday 3rd of February 2026
Koster explained, “I will form a task force to guard the beach, so that as soon as trash arrives, it can be cleaned immediately.”
In my area (south Denpasar) they put up a huge banner telling locals to stop throwing their trash bags into the subak/drains (a huge problem). I know the warning was aimed at the locals as it was written in Bahasa Indonesia.
So Koster would be wise start working to solve the core problem with locals using the waterways to get rid of their trash. No wonder sometimes as trash collection by trucks is arbitrary despite we pay on time.
Steve bmi
Wednesday 4th of February 2026
@Exp, correct