If you’ve been to Kuta, Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak or even my beloved Uluwatu in peak season you will understand the extent of Bali’s issue with crowds. Finding a quiet spot to relax, a wave to yourself, a secluded rice field or secret waterfall now may seem like an impossible mission to find in South Bali. 

In between the instagram filters, 5 star hotels and posing models you can still catch glimpses of the raw beauty of the island, it’s people and their ways. The first trick to avoiding the crowds is to choose locations that aren’t spamming your TikTok and instagram reels. 

So, the team at Lost Backpackers have teamed up with Balinese locals and expats to uncover some of the quiet places, secret spots and uncrowded beaches in Bali. 

Medewi – The most uncrowded surf spot and Bali’s longest wave 

If you’re fed up of fighting for every single wave in Bali then Medewi might just be the best surfing destination for you. This off the beaten track surf spot is a sand bottom left point break which is perfect for intermediates looking for mellow waves and long rides. If you can survive the leg burn it’s possible to ride this wave for up to half a kilometre! 

It may not have hollow barrel riding sections like Bali’s reef breaks but it is an incredible spot for developing as a surfer and a definite local favourite. 

The area itself is filled with beautiful secluded beaches and sleepy fishing villages that remind me of Bali’s coastline before the 5 star hotels popped up. 

Amed – The best unspoilt diving and snorkelling in Bali 

Amed is unlike any other destination in Bali. It’s palm tree lined beaches have volcanic black sand and inland authentic laid back villages sit in the epic shadow of Mount Agung. While beneath the waves Amed is easily one of Bali’s best mainlands dive spots and a favourite with scuba divers that have moved out to Bali. 

Commonly spotted marine life include and Trevally, Clownfish, Ghost Pipefish, Leaf Scorpionfish, Pygmy Seahorses, giant Barracuda, Frogfish, Groupers, Jackfish, Angelfish even larger animals like dolphins, sharks, and Mola Mola 

Sideman – The quietest rice fields in Bali – East Bali

Think Ubud rice fields but empty and far more impressive. Sideman is a hidden gem known by many locals as the best place to witness working rice fields span as far as the eye can see. The rice field landscape is occasionally interrupted by a colourful flower field and temples where active worship echoes throughout the valley.

 The town itself is a great base to go hiking from, with plenty of warungs, cafe and accommodation options to help you relax after walking the rice terraces or trekking nearby mount Agung. 

Munduk– An unexplored mountain village with nearby secret waterfalls 

Deep in the jungle of the highlands in Nothern Bali lies Munduk, a peaceful mountain village surrounded by the very best uncrowded waterfalls in Bali. No queues of posing influencers at these waterfalls just you and potentially a few locals enjoying their secret spots on the island.

Red Coral Waterfall (Munduk Waterfall) – The most popular near Munduk

Labuan Kebo waterfall

Melanting waterfall 

Golden Valley waterfall

Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall – Our favourite quiet waterfall in North Bali 

Tenganan – A Preserved Indigenous Village in Bali 

Tenganan ancient Bali Mula village is one of the few remaining indigenous Balinese settlements in the mountains. Their traditions, practices and craftsmanship have been carefully preserved and now shared with the outside world to celebrate the original culture of the island. 

If you can time your trip to visit Tenganan with the Perang Pandan or Mekare-Kare temply anniversary you will be able to watch the young men of the village play fight in a ceremonial battle using thorny Pandan leaves as weapons. 

Visiting Tenganan shines a spotlight on Bali’s heritage and the core indigenous practices that are live on across much of the Indonesian archipelago.

Candidasa – A laid back fishing village on Bali’s East Coast 

The secluded bays and easy going pace of life of Candi Dasa make it one of our favourite locations in Bali. 

The diving and snorkelling draw most travellers to this village but it has very much kept its authentic charm and natural beauty. 

The nearby white sands of Mendira beach and Lotus covered Candidasa lagoon are almost always very quiet and cannot be missed if you are in the area. 

Menjangan Island – Best secret diving island in West Bali

I have met few travellers who have heard of Menjangan island and those that have speak of it in a hushed whisper as if the crowds will overhear the conversation and ruin the beauty of Bali’s last remaining secret diving spot.

Located off the coast of West Bali’a protected national park the marine habitats and coral of Menjangan island are strictly preserved and teeming with life. 

If you can make the journey to the Wild West of Bali you will be rewarded with some of the best underwater scenes in Indonesia. 

Cenengan Island – The most peaceful island in Bali 

Cenengan is the little brother of nearby Nusa Lembongan, and offers an even more laid back and crowd free adventure. You can access Cenengan for a day trip via the yellow bridge from Nusa Lembongan for a lazy day snorkelling, surfing or simply lounging on its quiet beaches. 

When the swell is right you can actually surf at Mahana Point in Cenengan. If you are good enough to surf this break you can enjoy this hollow world class wave almost completely to yourself. 

Penglipuran – A local mountainside village 

If you want to witness a rural village who still uphold Bali’s traditional culture in their daily way of life then Penglipuran is perfect for you. Penglipuran is located in the quiet Bengli region. 

The ancient cobbled streets and arched gates are classic Indonesian architecture that are almost as old as the giant bamboo forests that grow nearby. Penglipuran is one of the best places to escape the crowds and experience Bali as it once was. 

Pemuteran – A secluded Fishing Village and Diving hotspot in North Bali 

This remote corner of northern Bali guarantees empty beaches, untouched nature and world class snorkelling and diving. 

Pemuteran is home to the largest coral restoration project in the world the bio rock project and the reefs around this area are strictly protected. The snorkelling and diving here is ideal for all levels as the bay is very calm with shallow waters, weak currents and a crazy array of marine life

You can also visit Java’s Ijen crater on a day trip from Pemuteran for a volcanic adventure and some of the most dramatic panoramas in all of Indonesian.

Jatiluwih – A region of rice terraces in the foothills of Mount Batukaru 

Jatiluwih is one of the best uncrowded photography destinations in Bali. In fact many of the crowd less Bali footage we have on our website is from this region. 

The horizons are filled with miles upon miles of rolling rice field that sit beneath a mountain range background which lights in orange hues at sunset. If you are a photographer you cannot leave Bali without paying Jatiluwih a visit. 

Bedugul – The most impressive uncrowded temple in Bali 

Ulun Danu Beratan temple standing proudly alone on the Bedugul Lake is a breathtaking sight. The fame of Ulun Danu Beratan temple’s beauty is spreading fast so be sure to get here quick before it becomes another tourist heavy destination. Luckily the distance from Kuta, Ubud and Seminyak is big enough to keep the large crowds away! 

Once you’ve explored the temple be sure to visit Gemitri flower fields or Bedugul’s strawberry farm for a very a beautiful and tasty day out. Or if you’re looking for some more adventure sign up to the nearby Mount Batur Jeep Tour to speed passed the hikers and reach the breathtaking mountain viewpoints. 

Soka Beach – An uncrowded volcanic beach with epic surf in Bali 

This beach is has the most dramatic scenery in all of Bali. It’s not only quiet but absolutely epic. The volcanic black sands contrast with the emerald jungle backdrop, bright blue waters and the white wash of powerful waves; which on the right swell can offer some great uncrowded surf. 

When you first arrive you can’t help but feel like the beach has been lost to time and you are the first explorer to lay eyes on this unique stretch of coast. This beach is the polar opposite of the white sands and crowded beaches of the south. It holds a powerfully raw and unfiltered beauty that everyone should witness when they visit Bali. 

Are there any quiet places in South Bali? 

If you are only planning to stay in the south of Bali there are still a few things you can do and to find a quiet moment in even the busiest of beaches, waterfalls and temples:

• set your alarm early : As a general rule of thumb Bali is at its most breathtaking as the sun rises. You’ll have most tourist hotspots completely to yourself from 6-8 ish so why not rise with the sun to escape the crowds. 

• For a quiet beach day avoid Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu. Instead head for Uluwatu and visit Nyang Nyang, Balangan and Bingin in the morning. 

• If you are visiting Ubud (you should) stick to the suburbs the centre is hectic and getting more expensive and touristy by the day. 

• Visit Bali in April, May, September or October to escape the summer holiday crowds while still enjoying the dry season. 

• Bali never really gets below 30 degrees all year round so why not consider visiting in wet season? On average you may get 10-15 days with rain but often these tropical downpours last a maximum of 3 hours. 

So to sum up, Bali is busy yes but certainly not spoilt. 

As the cliffside sea view hotels replace coastal habitats, local temples turn into tourism venues and reefs are bleached for our boat rides it’s increasingly hard to find any quiet spot to enjoy Bali’s natural beauty all to yourself. But it’s not impossible you just need to know where to look! 

We hope these travel tips and list uncrowded destinations proves to you that those unfiltered, crowd free spots can still be found in the beautiful island of Bali.