West Bali Coast by Scooter: Tanah Lot, Balian & Medewi

Bali's west coast is the side of the island tourists explore least: black-sand beaches, river mouths, rice fields running down to the sea, and Medewi's long left-hand wave. The route follows the Denpasar–Gilimanuk national road in a straight line, so navigation is easy. The real challenge is the inter-island truck and bus traffic. This guide lays out the Canggu → Tanah Lot → Balian → Medewi → Rambut Siwi Temple route, with distances, departure times, estimated costs and how to share the road safely with big vehicles.

Overview of the west coast route

From Canggu the route heads north-west through Tabanan, then follows the southern coast of Tabanan and Jembrana regencies. After Tanah Lot you rejoin the main road at Kediri–Tabanan, then take the national road towards Gilimanuk. West of Antosari the sea starts to appear regularly on your left, between rice fields and coconut groves. Soka, Balian and Medewi beaches are close to the main road, so you only need to turn a few hundred metres towards the sea.

This route suits riders who are already confident on Bali's busy roads and want to see a quieter Bali: fishing villages, roadside coffee stalls, and beaches where surfers wait for waves while watching the sunset.

Stages, distances and riding times

All figures are map estimates without traffic. The total one way from Canggu is about 95–105 km. From Kuta or Seminyak add 10–15 km and 30 minutes, because you have to pass through often-congested Kerobokan. If you're starting from the south, see also our scooter rental Kerobokan guide for smoother ways out of town.

Stage 1: Canggu to Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a temple on a sea rock in Beraban village, Tabanan. On the west coast route you have two options: stop in the morning on the way out, or save it for sunset on the way back. The second is more beautiful but only makes sense if you stay a night in the west. If you're doing a day trip, stop in the morning at 07:30–08:30 when the car park is still quiet. Entry is estimated at approx. Rp30,000 for domestic visitors and approx. Rp75,000 for foreign visitors; check the latest price at the ticket office.

Want to combine Tanah Lot with the Jatiluwih rice terraces instead of the west coast? That route is covered separately in Tanah Lot–Jatiluwih scooter route.

Stage 2: the Denpasar–Gilimanuk national road

After Tabanan you join the national road linking Bali with Gilimanuk Port and Java. It's well surfaced but usually has just one lane in each direction and carries logistics trucks, inter-provincial buses and intercity shuttles. This is the part of the route that demands the most concentration.

• Keep to the left lane and give space when a bus or truck wants to overtake. Don't ride right alongside a big vehicle's rear wheels.
• Never overtake on bends or climbs. The Antosari–Pulukan stretch winds in places and visibility ahead is limited.
• Keep your headlight on day and night, as required by Law 22/2009, so truck drivers can see you in their mirrors.
• Watch for crosswinds when passing trucks on bridges or open stretches; hold the handlebars relaxed but firm.
• Fill up in Tabanan or at petrol stations on the national road. After Balian, petrol stations are further apart than in South Bali.

Avoid riding this national road after dark. Lighting is minimal outside towns, and night trucks often drive fast. Plan to reach your accommodation before 18:30 WITA.

Soka Beach and Balian Beach

Soka Beach at Antosari is a rocky beach with dark sand and plenty of roadside warung (small local eateries), a nice first rest stop about an hour after Tanah Lot. A few kilometres west, Balian Beach sits at the mouth of the Balian River in Lalang Linggah village. Balian is known among surfers for its consistent waves, with a few guesthouses and simple cafés facing the sea.

Be careful if you swim. Currents at river mouths and open beaches like Balian can be strong, especially when the swell is big. Only swim in calm sections, never alone, and follow the advice of locals or lifeguards.

Medewi Beach: a long left-hand wave

Medewi, in Pulukan, Jembrana Regency, is famous for its left point break, which can run for hundreds of metres over a rock and pebble bottom. In good conditions surfers can ride a single very long wave. For beginners, mornings with small waves are friendlier; you can rent boards and hire local instructors near the beach.

Not a surfer? Medewi is still worth a visit to sit in a beachside warung, watch the surfers and see the sun set over the sea. If you're bringing your own board from Canggu, use a scooter with a surf rack; see scooter rental with a surfboard rack. Remember, a board adds wind resistance when trucks pass.

Rambut Siwi Temple on the cliff

About 8–10 km west of Medewi, Rambut Siwi Temple stands on a low cliff above the beach, in Yeh Embang, Jembrana. The temple is linked to the journey of the priest Dang Hyang Nirartha; its name means 'worshipping the hair', referring to the story of strands of the priest's hair kept there. Visitors must wear a sarong and sash (usually lent at the entrance) and are asked for a donation or a small ticket fee. Respect the areas reserved for prayer.

Scheduling options: day trip or overnight

A day trip of about 200 km, mostly on the national road, is hard work, especially for a passenger. Staying a night makes the route much more relaxed and gives you two sunsets: Medewi on day one and Tanah Lot on day two.

Want to continue to Pemuteran or cross to Java? Ask the bike's owner before you go. Many rentals don't allow bikes to leave the island. Read taking a rental scooter to another island first.

Estimated costs

The rental prices above are market estimates. For current prices by model and area, see the Bali scooter rental page and book via WhatsApp.

The right scooter

The national road calls for a bike that's stable at 50–60 km/h with spare power to pull away from trucks. The Honda Vario 125 is enough solo and economical for 200 km. If you're riding two-up or carrying a big bag, the Yamaha NMAX or Honda PCX is more comfortable thanks to bigger wheels, a roomy seat and storage that fits a raincoat.

Conclusion

The west coast route shows you a peaceful Bali: unspoilt Balian, Medewi's left-hander and the clifftop Rambut Siwi Temple. There are three keys: leave early, stay disciplined in the left lane of the national road, and ideally stay overnight. Get the right bike from Bali scooter rental and enjoy a side of Bali that rarely makes it into itineraries.