Wondering what to do in Medewi, Bali?
With long, winding roads that trace the mountains, black-sand beaches stretching into the distance, and a relaxed coastal rhythm that whispers stay a little longer, Medewi is a laid-back corner of Bali’s west coast where surf culture meets simple village life.
Around 70 km north of Canggu, this quiet fishing village has become my kind of place: mellow, authentic and full of surprises for those willing to explore beyond the highlights.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Medewi, from mellow surf mornings and hidden waterfalls to the ancient Bunut Bolong and all the laid-back spots in between.
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At a Glance: The Best Things to Do in Medewi Bali
Medewi is a gem if you want a break from Bali’s busier hubs like Canggu or Uluwatu. Below is a quick overview of the best things to do in Medewi:
- Surfing at Medewi Beach: There’s a good reason people come here: the waves.
- Explore the Black-Sand Beaches: Medewi’s coastline is long and dramatic.
- Visit Bunut Bolong: A giant fig tree with a natural archway.
- Juwuk Manis Waterfall: A short ride inland brings you to one of Bali’s quieter waterfalls.
- Pura Rambut Siwi: This sea temple feels majestic and calm.
- Cycle Through Rice Patties & Village Life: Pulukan’s rice fields paint endless shades of green.
- Yoga, Coffee & Chill Time: Yoga sessions, beachside lattes and hammocks beside the palm trees
🌟 My top pick >> Explore all the attractions on this list with a private driver for the day. Customise your day tour and explore Medewi, the waterfall, rice fields, temples and Bunut Bolong – you might even get suggestions for more places!
How to get to Medewi, Bali
Mewdei is located on Bali’s quiet west coast, in Jembrana Regency, roughly a two- to three-hour drive north of Canggu, depending on traffic. Medewi Point is where most people stay, but it isn’t directly on the beach.
Nothing in Medewi is super far apart, but without wheels, you’ll feel limited. Renting a scooter gives you freedom and opens up all these spots at your own pace.
🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Medewi // 9+ ratings
Budget-friendly: The middle Surf house | Mid-range: West Break Bali | Luxury: Bombora Medewi
Is Medewi Worth Visiting?
Totally, Medewi is worth visiting. If you want a different pace from busy Bali hotspots, Medewi delivers in big, quiet ways, with plenty of rewarding things to do in Medewi if you enjoy slowing down.
It’s not about flashy shops or nightlife; it’s about breathing in big ocean views, catching waves at dawn, and finding joy in the simple things: sunsets, surfing, and spectacular scenery.
Unlike the crowds further south, here you’ll find a slower pace, friendly locals and plenty of room to explore at your own rhythm, whether that’s sipping coffee after a sunrise surf or wandering down village roads to discover hidden spots.
It’s known for its easygoing waves, black sand beaches and local atmosphere, and it’s particularly popular with surfers looking for one of the island’s longest left-hand point breaks.
There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants, along with a good atmosphere to take it easy. And to top it all off, the prices in Medewi are still more affordable than in Canggu, Uluwatu, or Seminyak.
I loved my time in Medewi and recommend it to anyone who wants to chill and surf, away from the South Bali chaos.
Related Post: If you’re exploring Southeast Asia, you will love Indonesia! I have pulled together an epic 3-week Bali itinerary that is perfect for adventure travellers.
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Activity Map: Attractions in Medewi
The Best Things to Do in Medewi Bali
After a week in Medewi, I want to return. It’s laid-back fun, and the surrounding area offers plenty of activities to keep you busy for at least a week.
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1. Surfing
One of my favourite things to do in Medewi was to surf. The sunsets here were unreal, the kind that make you stop paddling for a moment just to take it all in.
A friend I met in Canggu was already in Medewi when I arrived, spending her days surfing around the island. After visiting countless beaches, she eventually settled here, and honestly, I can see why.
She pointed me towards what turned out to be the best surf spot along Medewi Beach, around a ten-minute scooter ride from Medewi Point.
You can walk along the beach in about half an hour, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re carrying a board.
The walk from the hotel wasn’t particularly pleasant either. It passed the fishing boats, with a fair bit of rubbish and some pretty strong smells lingering in the air.
👉 Related post: I did start improving my surfing here, but after Bali, I headed to Gerupuk Lombok, which is also a great place to practice.
I quickly fell into a routine: an early 7 am surf for a couple of hours, followed by a much-needed coffee at Wakey Wakey Coffee Shop, just up the road from the beach. After that, it was back to the point to relax, and if I had the energy, an evening surf too.
Life really does feel beautifully simple here.
⭐ BOOK: Discover the best things to do in Medewi with a private driver for the day. Customise your day tour and explore the region, stress-free.
2. Explore the Beaches to the North
Getting to experience everyday life in Bali was what I wanted most from this road trip.
The northern beaches were where I surfed, and honestly, they were the better option.
They’re wide, open and wonderfully undeveloped; places where the jungle and rice fields seem to tumble straight into the ocean, with barely a building in sight.
It feels raw and refreshingly untouched.
The beaches in Medewi aren’t the easiest to access unless you have a scooter or car. If you’re staying near Medewi Point, it’s very rocky, and there isn’t much of a usable beach.
Getting to the better stretches usually means heading out on a bit of an adventure, which, for me, was all part of the appeal.
Enjoying this blog? All my content is free, but I do spend a lot of time in coffee shops. If you’re finding my content helpful and would like to buy me a coffee, I’d love that! Thank you 🤗
3. Walk Along The Coast to the South
After already walking and surfing north from my hotel, I decided to head south along the beach instead. In the distance, I’d spotted a line of colourful fishing boats, so naturally, that became the plan.
Walking along the coast was one of those slow, unplanned moments that turned out to be a real highlight and easily one of my favourite things to do in Medewi.
The walk quickly turned into a bit of an adventure: long, quiet stretches of coastline broken up by rivers, fishing spots and completely empty beaches.
Not long into the walk, I hit the first river crossing. Shoes off, clothes rolled up, wading straight through with the water reaching waist height.
A little further on, another river appeared, deeper and wider than the first, meaning a second strip-down and splash through.
Between the river crossings, I passed a handful of beaches, each slightly different from the last. Some were sandy and calm, others covered in driftwood and smoothed stones.
💡 Good to know
It’s worth being honest, though, Indonesia does struggle with pollution, and Medewi isn’t immune. Along parts of the walk, plastic and debris washed up with the tide.
It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but it’s something to be aware of and a reminder of the realities facing even the quietest corners of Bali.
4. Find The Fishing Boats
Medewi is first and foremost a fishing village, so fishing boats are a constant presence along the coastline.
The boats closest to Medewi itself weren’t particularly pleasant to walk past, the beaches here were littered with rubbish and the smell was… intense, to put it mildly.
Further south, though, the scene changed completely.
After around an hour of walking, I reached a stretch of beach that felt like a different world. Rows of fishing boats sat pulled up on the sand, painted in a riot of colours and varying wildly in size.
Locals were busy selling the day’s catch, while others cooked fish over open bonfires right on the beach.
The mix of smells was strangely unforgettable: fresh fish sizzling over flames alongside the much less appealing scent of decaying fish dotted along the shore.
It was a slightly chaotic, slightly grim, but undeniably fascinating snapshot of everyday life, and I couldn’t help but find it oddly amusing. Messy, real, and completely unpolished.
5. Visit Dajuma Eco Lodge & Spa
After passing the fishing boats, I somehow (and very conveniently) ended up at Dajuma Eco Lodge & Spa. I had a quick break here, but didn’t stay long before returning to the point.
On my last day in Medewi, I was especially lucky with the weather. The sun was out from morning to evening, so it felt like the perfect time to return properly.
This time, I stayed longer, enjoying the pool, soaking up the ocean views, and eventually settling in for lunch, with the waves in the background.
If you’re wondering what to do in Medewi and fancy something a little slower and more indulgent, this is easily one of the most relaxing things to do in Medewi. Planning an evening at Dajuma Eco Lodge & Spa to watch the sunset is absolutely worth it.
It’s calm, scenic, and a lovely contrast to Medewi’s more rugged coastline: the perfect way to round off a stay here.
6. Find the Ngurah Rai Monument
You’ll spot the Ngurah Rai Monument on the beach in Pekutatan, right by where Dajuma Eco Lodge & Spa is located.
In fact, you can see it clearly while dining at the lodge. At first glance, it looks a little unusual, a large concrete temple perched on the rocks, almost like a boat that’s been run aground just offshore.
But it’s far more significant than it first appears.
The monument commemorates Ngurah Rai, one of Bali’s most celebrated freedom fighters, who played a key role in resisting and attempting to expel Dutch colonial forces from the island.
At low tide, you can walk right up to the memorial, making it easy to explore up close.
It’s regularly repainted and becomes a focal point during Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations on 17th August, when it’s honoured as an important symbol of resistance and national pride.
7. Head To The Mountains
If you’re looking for fun and scenic things to do in Medewi, spending a morning exploring the surrounding mountains is an absolute must.
The roads slowly wind their way uphill, swapping ocean views for rolling jungle, rice fields and cool mountain air.
The views up here are genuinely impressive, especially as you snake along narrow mountain roads with valleys dropping away on either side.
You’ll also pass small local temples tucked into the landscape and, if you’re willing to wander a little off the road, a modest but lovely waterfall hidden among the greenery.
Nothing here feels polished or touristy; it’s all very low-key, but that’s exactly what makes it special.
8. Rambut Siwi Temple
I didn’t manage to visit Rambut Siwi Temple (Google Maps) myself, but it’s often mentioned as one of the most interesting cultural things to do in Medewi.
This 16th-century sea temple sits dramatically on a cliff overlooking the ocean, with a setting that’s often compared to Uluwatu, just without the crowds.
It’s considered one of the largest and most important temples in the area, and its coastal position makes it particularly scenic.
You can walk around the temple complex between 8 am and 5 pm, but you’ll need to wear a sarong to enter (these are usually available at the entrance if you don’t have one).
The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR, with an additional 5,000 IDR for parking.
9. Bunut Bolong
Bunut Bolong is a giant fig tree rooted on either side of the road, forming a natural archway through which people and vehicles still pass today, and one of the most unique things to do in Medewi if you’re exploring inland.
When I arrived, I stopped for a short break and a few photos. There isn’t much around (just a small local warung), but that almost adds to the experience, keeping the focus firmly on the tree itself.
Although it looks like a single tree at first glance, Bunut Bolong is actually a cluster of giant fig trees growing together.
It’s an incredible natural structure and, more than that, a living ecosystem in its own right.
Taking a closer look, I could spot orchids, bromeliads and ferns growing among the roots and branches, all thriving in this unexpected vertical jungle.
A quick bit of local language fun too: bunut is the Balinese word for fig, while bolong means hole, quite literally, “fig hole”.
10. Juwuk Manis Waterfall
There are plenty of waterfalls in Bali, but having one this close to Medewi feels like a bit of a bonus. If you’re picking just one must-do while you’re here, visiting Air Terjun Juwuk Manis (Google Maps) should be right at the top of the list.
After leaving Bunut Bolong, I continued along the mountain road for about 25 minutes.
The drive itself was a highlight, winding gently through the hills, with the trees gradually opening up to reveal sweeping views all the way down to the sea.
Finding the entrance was a little tricky, as it’s poorly signposted, and at first, I had no idea how far down the waterfall actually was. Then the steps began… and they just kept going.
Before long, it became clear that the walk back up would be a challenge.
Eventually, at the bottom, I was rewarded with one of my favourite waterfalls in Bali, made even better by the fact that I had it completely to myself.
It’s not particularly tall, but what it lacks in height it more than makes up for in atmosphere. Lush greenery surrounds the pool, the jungle feels thick and alive, and the whole place has a calm, secluded feel that’s hard to beat.
Hop In The Natural Pools
The water was a mix of aqua blue and turquoise, edged by smooth, rounded boulders that made the whole place feel wonderfully lost in the jungle.
I followed the river downstream, hopping carefully between boulders and slipping into the deeper pools whenever I could.
About 40 metres on, I discovered another smaller waterfall, but that was as far as I dared to go.
The current was surprisingly strong, especially with the changing water levels, and it definitely wasn’t worth the risk of being swept away.
That said, the force of the water created a few natural, jacuzzi-like pockets, and I happily lingered there for a while, letting the water do its thing.
Note: The walk back up is no joke. I counted 864 steps, and my legs were definitely shaking by the time I reached the top. The silver lining is the incredible views along the way, which make the climb feel slightly less brutal.
One word of advice, though: spray yourself generously with insect repellent before starting the ascent; the mosquitoes are hell.
11. Pulukun Rice Paddies
There are rice paddies everywhere around Medewi, and wandering through them is one of the most peaceful things to do in Medewi.
If you’re riding up the coast from Canggu, you’ll pass through endless stretches of them, and even heading down to the beach for a surf usually means weaving your way between bright green fields.
The Pulukan Rice Paddies (Google Maps) are especially lovely because they run right up to the ocean. It’s not something you see every day: neat rows of rice framed by palm trees, with the sea sitting just beyond them.
The spot where I surfed in Medewi is exactly where the rice paddies meet the beach, which meant I could sit on the sand afterwards and look straight back over the fields.
12. Yoga & Meditation
No trip to Bali feels complete without carving out a little time for yoga or meditation, and it’s easily one of the most relaxing things to do in Medewi.
Whether you’re completely new to it or have been practising for years, this is the kind of place that naturally encourages you to slow down and breathe a little deeper.
Medewi’s long, calm stretch of black-sand beach is perfect for quiet moments of reflection. It’s peaceful, rarely crowded, and the steady rhythm of the waves makes it easy to switch off.
You can join a class if one’s available, or simply roll out a mat on the sand and practise on your own.
13. Sea Fishing
Although I didn’t go sea fishing in Medewi myself, it’s actually one of the more interesting things to do in Medewi if you want to experience local life beyond the beach.
You can organise a trip through a tour agency, but if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s also worth asking a local fisherman directly; it often leads to a more authentic (and memorable) experience.
I did this during my time in Amed, another fishing village on Bali’s east coast, and it turned out to be one of my favourite days.
We negotiated directly with a fisherman and paid around 250,000–300,000 IDR (£ 16/$20) for two people, which felt like great value for a few hours out at sea.
If Medewi had offered the chance during my stay, I’d absolutely have done the same.
👉 Related post: Amed was one of my favourite places in Bali, and I’d recommend anyone heading to the island make time to visit. It’s ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving thanks to its sheltered bay. You can read more about the things to do in Amed here.
Places to eat in Medewi, Bali
There were a few places we enjoyed eating at during our time in Medewi. If you’re reading this and thinking about where to eat, we recommend making a stop at a few of these places:
- Mai Malu: My favourite dish all week has to be the Balinese fish curry from Mai Malu.
- Nal’s Kitchen: They do a really good seafood soup.
- Wakey Wakey Coffee Shop: Try their banana bread, it’s to die for!
- Kedai Jukang: Great for pizza and really cheap.
- The Eco Lodge: Great for a poolside day, and the wifi is fab too.
Pro tip: Medewi beach break is down the same road as Nal’s Kitchen and Wakey Wakey, plus they do the most scrumptious, moist, chocolate chip banana bread.
Resources For Bali
Is it your first time visiting Bali? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Bali Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- Read this post if you’re still wondering if Bali is worth visiting for your next holiday.
- It’s an affordable country, but there are always ways to save money while travelling in Bali.
- You might be interested in visiting a few other locations. We enjoyed Ubud and Canggu, but my favourite was Amed.
- There are also a handful of popular attractions to visit, such as Banjar hot springs, Kajeng Rice Fields in Ubud, the sunrise hike to the top of a volcano and the famous Melukat purification ceremony.
- You might also like to read about the best Tanah Lot temple tours and the best Bali bike tours the island has to offer.
End Note: Things to do in Medewi
Medewi ended up being one of those places that quietly stays with you. It’s not flashy or polished, but that’s exactly why I loved it.
Whether you’re surfing at sunrise, wandering through rice paddies, chasing waterfalls, or watching the sky change colour at sunset, the things to do in Medewi are simple, slow, and deeply connected to everyday life in Bali.
If you’re planning a Bali road trip and want to experience a more traditional, crowd-free side of the island, Medewi is well worth the detour.
Take your time here, explore at your own pace, and don’t rush from one highlight to the next; the real magic of Medewi lies in the in-between moments.
Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton) and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are.
