9 Best Things to do in Canggu
I didn’t expect to fall for Canggu the way I did.
What I thought would be a short stop for smoothie bowls and sunset views turned into days filled with black-sand beach walks, early morning surf lessons, and spontaneous chats with local vendors at the weekend markets. Canggu isn’t just a place, it’s a vibe. A laid-back, barefoot kind of rhythm where rice fields hum behind cafés, incense drifts through temple gates, and every golden hour feels like a postcard.
Between turmeric lattes, sea-salt breezes, and the warm chaos of scooters zipping past street art murals, I found a little pocket of Bali that feels both grounded and free.
Here are my 9 favourite things to do in Canggu, from surf breaks and secret alleys to cultural gems and ocean conservation moments. The kind of experiences that made me slow down, look around, and think: yeah, I could stay a while.
Quick Overview: Best Things to Do in Canggu
- Lounge, swim, or surf at Batu Bolong, Echo, and Berawa Beaches
- Catch the sunset over the Indian Ocean at Batu Bolong Beach
- Learn to surf with a local surf school
- Visit Tanah Lot Temple and explore its seaside setting
- Join a Balinese cooking class with vegetarian-friendly options
- Take a non-diver Manta Ray conservation course with Aquamarine Diving
- Hunt for treasures at Canggu’s local markets like Love Anchor and La Brisa
- Discover vibrant street art scattered across hidden walls
- Treat yourself to an authentic Balinese massage at a local spa
TRAVEL
1. Visit the Beaches (and the Beach Clubs)
Canggu is best understood barefoot, on sand, under sun, with salt in your hair. Its beaches, while not postcard-perfect in the traditional sense, have a raw, rugged energy. The black volcanic sand heats up by noon, the waves crash with confidence, and the locals and long-term expats lounge with equal ease.
- Batu Bolong: Arguably the heart of Expect beginner surfers, bean bags, ice-cold coconuts, and the buzz of people who’ve come for one week… and never left.
- Echo Beach: A moodier, surf-heavy stretch with stronger swells and sunset bars that come alive with music
- Berawa Beach: A little more spread out, where upscale beach clubs like Finns and Atlas sprawl beside simple warungs and sandy volleyball courts.
Whether you’re sipping a fresh coconut on a sarong or splurging on a daybed with rosé, Canggu’s beaches are where the day begins — and often ends.
About
Hi, I’m Nitisha. I grew up in a world that told me to follow the script, but somewhere along the way I traded the script for a compass. These days, I follow where my feet and heart lead, from sleepy towns to saltwater coves, capturing stories that feel like home even when I’m far from it.
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2. Learn to Surf with a Local School
It’s hard not to be lured by the rhythm of surfboards slicing through the ocean at sunrise. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to sharpen your turns, Canggu is one of the best surf spots in Southeast Asia to learn — especially thanks to its long, rolling breaks and a surf culture that’s both welcoming and laid-back.
Top surf schools in the area include:
- Bali Local Surf School – Friendly local instructors with group or private lessons.
- Canggu Surf School – Excellent for absolute beginners.
- In Da Surf Bali – Highly rated for longboard sessions and theory-based learning.
Pro Tip: Book your session for early morning (7–9 AM) for calmer waves and smaller crowds.
3. Watch the Sunset at Batu Bolong Beach
There are sunsets, and then there are Bali sunsets, where the sky set over. Batu Bolong Beach offers one of the most effortless yet unforg tide retreats and the horizon melts into pinks, oranges, and electric p gather, some in stillness, some in celebration.
Live acoustic music drifts from The Lawn, kids play in the tide pools, palms. It’s Bali in one frame: raw, alive, sacred, and social.
Best time to arrive: 5:30 PM for golden hour and to grab a front-row beanbag.
4. Visit Tanah Lot: Bali’s Sea Temple on the Rocks
Just a 20-minute scooter ride from central Canggu, Tanah Lot Temple temples — and for good reason. Built on a rocky outcrop where the this sacred site is especially enchanting during sunset, when the tide protective moat.
Explore the clifftop viewpoints, sit quietly by the boulders where the the tide is low, walk out closer to the base of the temple. There’s a lo everything from sarongs to incense to handmade silver rings.
Important Note: While the temple itself is closed to tourists, you’re welcome to observe and receive a blessing at the freshwater spring at its base.
Entrance Fee: 60,000 IDR
Best time to visit: Sunset, but early morning is peaceful and cool
5. Take a Balinese Cooking Class
One of the most flavourful ways to connect with Bali is through its kitchen traditions and Canggu has no shortage of cooking classes that take you beyond the tourist menu.
Most classes begin with a traditional market tour, where you’ll learn to identify exotic fruits, fragrant spices, and curious ingredients. Back in the open-air kitchen, you’ll grind fresh sambal in a stone mortar, fold banana-leaf packets of steamed tofu, and simmer coconut curry from scratch.
Many schools offer vegetarian and vegan options, including mock duck, jackfruit rendang, and plant- based sate lilit.
Recommended classes:
- Warung Nia Cooking Class
- The Amala Cooking School (in nearby Seminyak)
- Canggu Cooking Retreat
From 350,000 IDR (~$22 USD) for half-day class
6. Learn About Manta Rays (No Diving Required)
Yes, you read that right. You can learn about Manta Rays in Bali without needing to scuba dive.
Aquamarine Diving in Canggu offers a non-diver Manta Awareness specialty course, designed for curious ocean lovers who want to understand these majestic creatures and contribute to their conservation.
This land-based course includes:
- Manta Ray biology & behavior
- Threats and conservation efforts
- Ethical snorkelling and eco-tourism guidelines
It’s a great way to connect deeper with Bali’s marine life, especially if you’re not quite ready to dive or want to travel more mindfully.
Duration: Half-day theory session
Includes certificate and conservation materials
7. Discover Canggu's Hidden Street Art
Between hip cafés, surfboard-laden scooters, and boutiques selling m have become a canvas for local and international artists. Murals pop café exteriors, and even surf shops — ranging from Balinese mytholo messages.
Notable art can be found:
- Along Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong
- Near Café Vida and Crate Café
- Inside some beach clubs and coworking spaces
Bonus: The art changes often, blink, and a new mural may take it place.
8. Explore Local Markets (Like Love Anchor)
Canggu is more than yoga pants and smoothie bowls. It’s also a grea creatives. The weekend Love Anchor Market is the most popular, offe jewelry, woven bags, embroidered dresses, organic beauty products and tiny treasures.
Expect boho aesthetics, fairy lights strung through palm trees, and a brunch. Many vendors also pop up at La Brisa’s Sunday market or Samadi’s Organic Market.
Love Anchor: Every day (weekends are busiest)
Samadi Market: Sundays, focused on sustainability
La Brisa Farmers Market: Sundays, oceanfront setting
Travel Tip: Bring cash, reusable bags, and support small-batch creators over mass-produced goods.
9. Treat Yourself to an Authentic Balinese Massage
After a day of surfing, temple-hopping, or market browsing, there’s n healing hands of a Balinese massage therapist. Unlike Western spa tr blends acupressure, aromatherapy, and Ayurvedic principles, focusin Expect essential oils, rhythmic palm pressure, and maybe even a few moments as tension melts away.
Some excellent, ethical options include:
- Goldust Beauty Lounge (luxury)
- Therapy Canggu (chic + professional)
- Chillax Massage (affordable and local)
Treatments start at 150,000 IDR (~$10 USD) for 60 minutes.
Ethical Travel Tip: Avoid Horseback Riding on the Beach
Riding horses along the black-sand beaches of Canggu may sound like a romantic, cinematic experience but behind the filtered photos often lies a more troubling reality.
Many of the horses used for tourist rides in Bali are overworked, kept in subpar conditions, and exposed to extreme heat and stress. Unlike natural trail or countryside riding in cooler climates, beach rides in Bali are often during the hottest parts of the day, on hard, hot sand, without proper breaks, shade, or hydration.
Why Skip It?
- Horses are frequently ridden in intense heat, often multiple times a day, with little rest or access to fresh water.
- Some riding schools lack proper veterinary care, saddling equipment, or shelter.
- Beach rides may look ethical on the surface, but many horses show signs of fatigue, poor hoof care, or anxiety.
- Photoshoots involving horses are often staged without considering the animal’s welfare.
Better Alternatives in Canggu
Explore by Bicycle or Electric Scooter
Enjoy Canggu’s lush rice field trails, beach paths, and quiet side streets on two wheels. Rentals are widely available, eco-friendly, and give you freedom to explore at your own pace.
- E-Bikes Bali – Offers guided or solo electric bike rentals with routes through rice fields and coastal roads.
- Alternative: Join a walking food tour or local heritage walk for a low-impact, immersive alternative.
Connect With Animals Ethically
- If you’re craving a deeper connection with animals in Bali, opt for wildlife conservation programs or volunteer-run animal sanctuaries. Always do your research. Ethical organizations never offer animal riding, selfies, or entertainment shows.
Pro Tip: Avoid any animal experience where forced interaction, performance, or handling is involved.The most ethical animal encounters are those that respect distance, natural behavior, and habitat.
Map of Canggu’s Top Spots
(Add an embedded or downloadable Google Map with pins for key locations like Batu Bolong Beach, Love Anchor Market, Tanah Lot, surf schools, etc.)
Location:
Southwest Bali, Indonesia — a laid-back coastal town fringed by black-sand beaches, surf breaks, rice fields, and boutique cafés.
How to Reach Canggu:
- From Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar):
The drive takes 45–70 minutes, depending on traffic.
- By Taxi or Private Transfer:
Pre-booking a ride is easiest. Use Grab, Gojek, or Bluebird Taxis for fixed rates and reliability.
- By Shuttle Bus:
Services like Kura-Kura Bus or Perama Tour operate from Ubud, Seminyak, and Sanur.
- By Scooter:
Confident riders can rent scooters (~80–100k IDR/day) and ride in. Just note that Canggu’s roads are often congested and narrow.
Best Time to Visit:
- May to September:
Peak dry season — expect sunny days, ideal surf conditions, and lively markets.
- April & October:
Shoulder months with fewer tourists, great sunsets, and warm ocean temps.
- Early November:
Still mostly dry, and the rice paddies start turning emerald green — a bonus for photographers.
️Low Season:
- December to March:
Rainy season — afternoon showers are common, roads may flood, and beach visibility drops. But the vibes are quieter, and wellness retreats thrive.
Ideal Stay:
- 3–5 days is perfect for a well-balanced trip. It allows time for surfing, sunsets, temple visits, massages, and day trips to Tanah Lot or Seminyak.
Hidden Gems for Photographers:
-
Shortcut Rice Fields:
Located between Batu Bolong and Berawa — best at sunrise with misty light and passing scooters. -
Tanah Lot at Low Tide:
Catch mirror-like reflections as the sun dips behind the sea temple. -
Pantai Pererenan:
A quieter beach with moody skies, fishing boats, and rolling waves. - Street Art in Batu Bolong Alleyways:
From neon tigers to mural poetry — always evolving, always Instagrammable.
Top Nature + Cultural Experiences:
- Tanah Lot Temple:
Sit on the rocks, browse local crafts, or enjoy a quiet oceanfront coffee nearby.
- Balinese Cooking Class:
Learn to make satay, gado-gado, and sambal matah — with vegetarian options widely available.
- Manta Ray Awareness Class:
Join a non-diver conservation course at Aquamarine Diving and support ocean preservation.
- Sunset Beach Hangs:
Batu Bolong and Echo Beach offer unmatched sunset views with live music and fire shows.
- Surf Lessons with Local Schools:
Great for beginners and intermediates, with patient instructors and all gear provided.
Wellness & Slow Travel Options:
- Authentic Balinese Massage:
Try Therapy Canggu, Goldust, or Chillax for ethical and relaxing treatments.
- Markets & Artisan Finds:
Love Anchor, Samadi Organic Market (Sundays), and La Brisa’s eco-friendly market are top picks.
- Sunrise Yoga or Meditation:
Several cafés and studios like The Practice offer drop-in yoga classes with rice field views.
Pro Travel Tips:
- Avoid the Shortcut at Rush Hour (4–7 PM):
It’s scenic but jammed. Take alternate routes when traffic builds up.
- Scooters Are King, But Caution Is Key:
Roads are narrow and chaotic — only rent if you’re confident.
- Pack for All Weather:
Sunny mornings can shift into sudden showers — a light poncho or umbrella helps.
- Cash Is Still Common:
Some shops and warungs don’t take cards. Carry small bills for markets and parking
- Book Surf & Cooking Classes in Advance:
They fill up fast during dry season and holidays.
- Respect Beach Flags:
Currents can be strong. Red flags mean no swimming — even if locals go in.
- Support Ethical Tourism:
Avoid horseback beach rides and animal selfie experiences. Choose businesses that put people, animals, and planet first
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Hi, I’m Nitisha. I grew up in a world that told me to follow the script, but somewhere along the way I traded the script for a compass. These days, I follow where my feet and heart lead, from sleepy towns to saltwater coves, capturing stories that feel like home even when I’m far from it.
