Kedungu Beach Guide

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Bali is a dream destination that wraps you in endless beauty – from the beautiful beaches and mountains, to the beautiful culture of the Balinese, to the beauty of the communities that have adopted Bali as home.

Unfortunately, Bali’s reputation has been its gift and its curse. As stories of the “Island of the Gods’” unmatched island lifestyle spread around the world, tourists, nomads, and expats responded to the call, coming to Bali in droves.

This large influx of visitors may have been welcomed by the Ministry of Tourism and local businesses, but still has left the quaint villages overloaded. As the once “charming” spots of like Canggu attracted digital nomads and Uluwatu attracted adventurously dirtbag surfers, these once quiet places are now overrun with tourists, vehicles and noise.

And Bali visitors searching for somewhere new. Bali visitors are searching for somewhere with the small surf village vibes, a slight view of the rice fields, and Balinese culture and spiritualism maintained as a priority.

This is likely why you’ve heard of and are interested in coming to Kedungu Beach and the village of Kedungu. And with reason.

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Welcome to Kedungu!

Kedungu is a small village within the Tabanan Regency of Bali. Located a 20 minute ride from the popular Canggu, Kedungu has become a small haven for longstayers and visitors that want a glimpse of what Bali was, complemented with the peace that come with ricefields and nice, friendly surf break.

Why Kedungu

Compared to the popular spots of Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud, Kedungu offers more authentic and a more “Bali” experience than other destinations thanks to its small village vibe.

More than that, Kedungu is a great place to start and end a day trip because of:

Kedungu: The Gateway to Tabanan – an unexplored region of Bali

Because the region of Tabanan, where Kedungu is located, has not been as heavily touristed, like Ubud in the Gianyar region, or Canggu, Ulutwatu, Seminyak, and Kuta in the Badung region, Tabanan presents a wonderful opportunity to experience the true Bali.

Whereas Kuta is packed with bars, Seminyak is packed with beach clubs, and Canggu is just packed, Tabanan is still filled with vast, green ricefields like the UNESCO heritage Jatiluwih rice terraces, the jungle filled greenery of the botanical gardens and lakes in Bedugul, and the last great surf spots on the west coast of Bali. As the gateway to Tabanan, Kedungu is the perfect place to start your adventure.

With all of this to offer throughout Tabanan, Kedungu is the perfect place to start and end your adventure for the day, with cool cafes**, amazing cuisine at the local restaurants**, and great local run surf schools**

Cafes

If there’s anything Bali delivers on amazingly, its cafes, and Kedungu doesn’t disappoint.

From Little Ripper, the original Kedungu Café that arguably put this little surf village on the map, to Front café and tinier ones popping up, you’ll find the early opening (and early closing) make Kedungu the great start of a day trip through Tabanan, up the coast, or on the way to Medewi.

Click here to see the list of Kedungu Cafes

World Class Food: Little Ripper, Dowtown Kedungu, Halo Kedungu, and more

The second thing this tiny little village delivers on is amazing food, with Little Ripper, Downtown Kedungu, and Halo Kedungu being the stars, and one more reason to make Kedungu part of a day trip, or a midday getaway.

Little Ripper owns the morning as the best breakfast and brunch place for miles and a fantastic place to start the day.

Downtown Kedungu delivers impeccable upscale Latin Fusion cuisine for dinner that makes the perfect end to an adventure. For those that love authentic Chinese food, Halo Kedungu fits as a great end to a day. Last, the Tipsy Pig delivers tasty American and Aussie dishes close to Kedungu beach, and perfect to munch on after a day of adventure

Click here for the list of Kedungu Restaurants

Small village vibe, among other small villages

While the rest of Bali is aiming for bigger, flashier, beach clubs and more, Kedungu draw is, its closer to old school Bali than the other popular destinations. Rice field views are still within a ride and beautiful Balinese ceremonies still take over the road.

You won’t find amped bars that stay open until 2AM, influencers and Instagrammers littering the cafes, or huge motorbikes with half naked tourists.

You will find friendly street dogs, welcoming Pecalang, and a surf community that aims to choose good vibes, respect, and etiquette over all.

Surf: Or gateway to surf

Ask most people why they come to Kedungu and the answer will be “surf.”

However, actually, Kedungu does not necessarily offer the best surf in the area. Kedungu is a fantastic gateway and refueling point. Whether you’re on your way to Medewi, or simply scouring the coast for surf spots, Kedungu is a great place to start the adventure (with coffee) and end the adventure (with a meal, a beer, or on the beach) as you explore less popular Bali west coast for greater surf.

Click here for more on surfing around Kedungu

Balinese culture

One of the most beautiful parts of Bali 10 years ago was the prevalence of Balinese culture throughout Bali. As Canggu and Uluwatu disappear under a string of beach clubs and cafes, Balinese culture was often and unfortunately replaced by tourists and compromise.

However in Kedungu, and the nearby villages of Yeh Gangga and Pasut, Balinese culture and spirituality is still at the forefront. Partly because the holy Balinese Hindu pilgrimage site is a mere 10 minute drive away, but primarily because the locals of Kedungu insist on living their culture openly and beautifully. Ceremonies, processions, and ritual offerings still take place as a priority along Jalan Pantai Kedungu.

If you are lucky enough to visit Bali during the Balinese holy periods of Galungan, Kuningan, and Nyepi, be sure to pass through Kedungu, and use it as a springboard to visit other truly Balinese villages within Tabana.

The purpose of this Kedungu guide: To help you experience Kedungu better, and keep Kedungu’s charm

Though I’m not a “local” of Kedungu (only the Balinese with family heritage in the village are locals), I do consider Kedungu home and close to my heart.

As Bali becomes more popular and receives the respect it is due, no doubt, Kedungu will grow and change. As we’ve seen on Bali, with the exploitation and irresponsible development in Canggu and Uluwatu, development can benefit some while destroying nature, culture, and the livelihood of locals.

However, we that live in Kedungu hope the village can grow from being a “small surf village with cool cafes” to being a “large surf village that hasn’t lost it’s soul, and still has cool cafes.”

To do this, we need everyone that passes through our little village to come, fall in love with it, and appreciate it enough to enjoy it but not exploit it, and leave it better than they found it.

This guide, and the KedunguBeachBali.com site overall, aims help welcome visitors the right way, and help them do Kedungu the Kedunugu way, so Kedungu doesn’t lose its “Kedungu-ness”…if that makes sense.

So…this guide exists to help you fall in love with Kedungu enough to keep Kedunugu as close to the way it is as possible.

Places to Visit in Kedungu

The major sights in and around Kedungu are:

  • Pantai Kedungu: Kedungu’s best attraction **
  • Pantai Cinta (Love Beach): A hidden beach with bean bags and a clifftop overlook of Kedungu beach**
  • The Swell: This hostel and hotel hosts a rooftop bar and pool that is the best place for rooftop beers **
  • Pretty Poison: The legendary Pretty Poison of Canggu, with full on skate bowl and live music, is nestled between the ricefields of Pangkung Tibah **
  • Joshua District: Restaurant and villas commonly hosts evening events, entertainment, and charity events **
  • Bali Beach Glamping: Commonly home to weddings, Bali Beach Glamping’s beachfront bar and restaurant and Hemingway lounge and bar are wonderful places for an upscale drink in a down to earth paradise

Click here for a full list of the best sites to see around Kedungu

Near Kedungu

  • Yeh Gangga Beach and Yeh Gangga Villa: This beautiful beach is just a 10 minute ride from Kedungu
  • Tanah Lot: A temple complex and pilgrimage site for Balinese Hindus
  • Nyanyi Beach: Between Canggu and Kedungu, another peaceful, underrated, not crowded beach
  • Cemagi Beach: Just outside of Canggu, the perfect place for accommodation and midpoint between Canggu and Kedungu
  • Pasut Village: A nearby, very Balinese village a glimpse of what Bali is like without the cafes, posh restaurants, and tourism

Places to Visit Beyond Kedungu

  • Amed: A calm water diving paradise with small crowds and lots of peace in north Bali
  • Sidemen: A recently popularized gem in east Bali with a very small handful of resorts and restaurants among beautiful ricefield terraces, mountains, and roads to explore.
  • Candi Desa
  • Karangasem and east Bali

More in Tabanan and Around

  • Bedugul and Baturiti: Nestled in the highlands of Bali, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and strawberries
  • Bali Botanical Garden (Bedugal): 160 hectares of beautiful trees, plants, flowers, and indigenous jungle flora, ending with a beautiful overlook of lake Baturiti
  • Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (Bedugal): Beautiful Balinese Hindu temple complex on the shores of Lake Bratan in Bedugul
  • UNESCO Jatiluwih rice terraces: UNESCO recognized rice terraces and some of the most beautiful in Bali
  • Vihara Dharma Giri Buddhist Temple Complex and reclining buddha
  • Blahmantung Waterfall
  • Balian Village: One of the best surfing destinations on west Bali and worth a trip
  • Medewi Village: Home to the longest left hand wave in Bali

Click here for the Best of Bali

Best Restaurants in and around Kedungu

  • Downtown Kedungu: Upscale Latin fusion and arguably the best restaurant in Kedungu
  • Little Ripper: The staple café that started Kedungu’s scene delivering amazing coffee and breakfast daily with artisanal baked goods and pescatarian dishes
  • Halo Kedungu: Delicious traditional Chinese food with flair
  • Tipsy Pig: Hearty Australian and American cuisine
  • Cliff Hanger: Located in Yeh Gangga, delivering great, authentic German food and beer with an amazing waterfront view
  • Bali Beach Glamping: Known for its luxurious glamping, BBG has a great waterfront bar overlooking Pigstone Beach
  • Joshua District: A unique concept restaurant made of shipping containers stacked for a rice field and ocean view while you dine.
  • Kedai Binggo: A wonderful local (Balinese) take on pork BBQ delivering great pork ribs and pork belly

Click here for a full list of Kedungu Restaurants

Best Cafes

  • Little Ripper: The original Kedungu café delivering amazing coffee and artisanal pastries baked in house
  • Life Between: A newer café on the Kedungu scene, made by surfers and perfect for post surf coffee and mediterranean style eats
  • TMO: A Canggu veteran coffee shop, great for cheap coffee and eats.
  • Front Café: Walking distance from downtown Kedungu, this roadside café is stocked with pastries and coffee

Accommodations and Villas for Rent in Kedungu

If you do find yourself staying overnight in Kedungu, the best options for a place to sleep are

  • The Swell **
  • Joshua District **
  • Little Ripper **

Additionally, there are a small handful of villas for rent in Kedungu. You can find those here

Though AirBnB** is available in Kedungu, you will find yourself paying a small fortune over the normal monthly or daily price. For short term accommodation **Booking.com for villas in Kedungu is best**. For long term private villas rented monthly is best

Click here to see all accommodations and villas for rent in Kedungu

Big Tip: For the best of Bali, don’t live or stay in Kedungu

Kedungu is a very lovely place, but here’s a tip…don’t aim to live or stay in Kedungu.

Because of Kedungu’s small village vibe, there is limited nightlife and limited housing and expensive accommodation, but that’s part of its charm.

Anymore housing or hotels will eat into the rice field that make it the village it is.

Any nightlife, beyond nearby pretty poison, will put in on the same list as Canggu and Kuta.

So, how best to enjoy Kedungu?

Make Kedungu a small piece of your greater Bali adventure.

Explore Tabanan and the West Coast for a day, and make the coffee shops your fuel up in the morning, and maybe one of the restaurants your punctuation for the experience at night.

Beyond the day trip, I highly recommend basing in Seseh, Cemagi, and Nyanyi, closer to convenient nightlife and hundreds of cafes and restaurants.

Surfing Spots around Kedungu

None…there is zero surfing around Kedungu. Batu Bolong is much better. Pererenan as well.

Just to be thorough here are the best spots to surf around Kedungu and where to rent a surf board

The rules and etiquette of Surfing our breaks

If by some off chance you find surf around Kedungu, in order to keep the good vibes all good, here are the guidelines of surfing etiquette generally practiced around Kedungu.

  1. Bring good vibes
  2. Give right of way to 1) the surfer waiting the longest 2) the surfer closest to the peak 3) surfer furthest out 4) first surfer to their feet
  3. Communicate when you’re on a wave and the direction you’re going with “left” or “right”
  4. Don’t drop in on a surfer that is already on the wave
  5. Don’t snake other surfers, by paddling around them to get in position
  6. Apologize if you do something wrong, to keep the good vibes good
  7. Respect the locals – Kedungu is their beach and their break, at the end of the day they make the rules
  8. Don’t surf waves above your level
  9. Help other surfers in trouble
  10. Respect the beach and keep it clean

Click here to read more on the etiquette guidelines for surfing Kedungu and around

Recommended Surf Schools and Surf Rentals

If you do find yourself hunting for surf in Kedungu, it may be worth signing up with a local surf guide or surf school. Our recommended surf schools consist of Kedungu locals that absolutely rip and, even better, bring amazing vibes into the water

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