Canggu Guide · surf, sunset and food
Batu Bolong Beach
Batu Bolong is where most people catch their first wave in Canggu, and where half the town turns up for sunset. It is just down the coast from us, so here is what our guests usually want to know before they go.
Short answer
Batu Bolong Beach is a black-sand beach in Canggu, Bali, best known for gentle, beginner-friendly waves and busy sunsets. Surf boards rent for about Rp 100,000 to 150,000 a day, and the quietest surf is from about 6.30am to 8am. There are no formal lifeguards, so swim with care. For food, The Avocado Factory is a short ride away on Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, open 7am to 11pm. See our menu.
Batu Bolong at a glance
- Sand: long, wide and black. Very hot by late morning.
- Surf: soft, rolling waves for beginners and longboarders, best at mid to high tide.
- Board hire: about Rp 100k to 150k a day for a soft-top.
- Quietest time: about 6.30am to 8am.
- Sunset crowd: builds from about 5pm.
Surfing at Batu Bolong
This is Canggu's learner beach. The wave is a soft, reforming peak that breaks both left and right, which is why it is packed with surf schools and longboarders. It works best from mid to high tide and tends to close out at low tide.
- Lessons: most surf schools on the beach run lessons of around 90 minutes.
- Board hire: expect about Rp 100,000 to 150,000 a day for a soft-top or foam board.
- Crowds: the line-up is busiest from about 7am to 10am and again from 3pm. Go at first light for more space.
- Next step up: once you are comfortable, Berawa and Pererenan are the next breaks to try. Echo Beach, just up the coast, is for advanced surfers.
Sunset at Batu Bolong
Batu Bolong faces west, so the sun drops straight into the ocean. From about 5pm the beach fills up with surfers, families and travellers, and the beachfront bars get busy fast. If you want a good seat, arrive well before the sun starts to go down.
Is it safe to swim at Batu Bolong?
Be careful. There are no formal lifeguards, and rip currents happen, especially at lower tides and near the rocks at the southern end. Weaker swimmers should stay in shallow water, and nobody should swim alone or after drinking. If you want to get in the water properly, take a surf lesson.
The temple and local etiquette
There is a small Hindu temple on the rocks at the southern end of the beach. It is an active place of worship, so watch from outside the walls, do not step on offerings, and dress respectfully if you go near it, especially during ceremonies.
Getting there and parking
Batu Bolong is at the end of Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, one of Canggu's main roads. Most people come by scooter or ride-hailing car. There are small car parks near the beach entrances, and local attendants collect a small fee. At sunset, parking fills up quickly, so arrive early or get dropped off.
Where to eat near Batu Bolong
- The Avocado Factory (that is us, on Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, a short ride away). Breakfast from 7am to 11.30am: the Classic Benedict (Rp 85k), Avocado Pancake (Rp 90k) or Acai Smoothie Bowl (Rp 90k). After 11.30am the lunch and dinner menu runs until 11pm, with burgers, birria tacos and poke bowls. Gluten-free options are available, but our kitchen is shared, so they are not suitable for coeliacs.
- Kawisari Coffee Farm Shop & Eatery on Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong serves coffee from its own plantation in East Java, plus all-day breakfast and Indonesian dishes.
- Miel Coffee, also on Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, is a bright specialty coffee spot with plenty of plugs if you need to work.
More ideas: our guides to the best breakfast, best cafes and Echo Beach.
About The Avocado Factory
The Avocado Factory is an avocado-focused restaurant in Canggu, Bali, open since 2018 on Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Bali 80351. We are open every day from 7am to 11pm (kitchen last orders 10.30pm). Breakfast is served from 7am to 11.30am, then the lunch and dinner menu runs until closing. We are rated 4.5 on Google from more than 4,000 reviews, hold a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award, and won Silver for Best Sustainable Brand at Bali's Best 2024.
See the full menu, get directions, or browse more Canggu and avocado guides.
Related guides
- Echo Beach, Cangguthe advanced break next door
- Best Breakfast in Cangguafter a morning surf
- Best Cafes in Canggucoffee and work spots
- Breakfast & Brunch at The Avocado Factoryour morning menu
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Batu Bolong good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Batu Bolong is the main learner beach in Canggu, with soft, rolling waves that break left and right and suit beginners and longboarders. It works best from mid to high tide. Surf schools on the beach run lessons of around 90 minutes, and boards can be hired by the day.
How much does it cost to rent a surfboard at Batu Bolong?
A soft-top or foam board usually costs around Rp 100,000 to 150,000 for a day at Batu Bolong Beach. Prices vary between rental stands, and surf lessons are priced separately.
Is Batu Bolong Beach safe for swimming?
Take care. There are no formal lifeguards at Batu Bolong, and rip currents occur, especially at lower tides and near the rocks at the southern end. Weaker swimmers should stay in the shallows, and nobody should swim alone or after drinking alcohol.
When is the best time to visit Batu Bolong?
Go early, from about 6.30am to 8am, for the quietest surf. Come from about 5pm for sunset, when the beach and its bars are at their busiest. Mid to high tide gives the best waves, so check a tide chart before you paddle out.
Where can I eat near Batu Bolong Beach?
The Avocado Factory is a short ride away on Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan and is open 7am to 11pm, with breakfast until 11.30am. On Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong itself, Kawisari serves plantation coffee and all-day breakfast, and Miel Coffee is a good specialty coffee stop.