TEGAL WANGI BEACH

Tegal Wangi Beach in Bali 

A Hidden Beach South of Jimbaran

 

Tegal Wangi Beach is one of the most unique ‘hidden’ beaches to grace the western rim of the southern Bukit Peninsula, and despite the fact it’s not very well-known amongst locals, it is ‘in plain sight’, and publicly accessible. Tegal Wangi Beach is named after the temple perched on top of the limestone cliff that overlooks the coast, reachable via a paved road just to the right of the entrance of the glitzy Ayana Resort and Spa in Jimbaran. Tegal Wangi Jimbaran Beach is indeed not the only beach in Bali. Being in a place that is quite hidden, this beach is one of the beaches that you must visit if you want to calm down. Tegal Wangi Beach is increasingly popular is not without reason.

The name of this beach consists of two syllables, namely Tegal and Wangi. The word "Tegal" has the word plantation meaning, while the word "fragrant" means fragrant. When combined, "Tegal Wangi" means a very fragrant plantation. Even though it means like that, there isn't any special smell when you are on this beach. Having clean white sand and turquoise sea water, Tegal Wangi Beach deserves to be a tourist destination in Jimbaran targeted by tourists. Apart from being a tourist attraction, this beach is also used for the location of the Melasti Festival. Melasti itself is a ceremony of purification to welcome Nyepi Day by all Hindus in Bali. On this special day, local people will come in droves to worship at Tegal Wangi Beach.

This beach was, quite casually, kept a secret among wedding photographers over time, admired for its simple and barren beauty making particularly exotic backdrops. The best time to visit is before sunset and around the ‘blue hour’ (18:00 – 19:00). A hundred meters or so down the winding road from the Ayana, a car park adjacent to the Pura Tegal Wangi temple is obstructed by a high wall, which adds more mystery to first-time visitors – or instead deter them altogether. But once you find your way in, small glimpses of the ocean panorama are visible behind the hill’s shrubbery. It’s these views of the Indian Ocean from a hundred meters up from Tegal Wangi Beach that draws young local couples to the grassy headland, all laying claim to each of the their ‘favourite spots’.

Here, you will be spoiled with beautiful views of white sandy beaches that blend with the high rock hills. Different from the usual beach which can only be enjoyed from the seaside area, Tegal Wangi Beach allows you to enjoy the view from the cliff top. From here, the sea will appear to have no borders as if it were merging with the blue sky above it. On this cliff, visitors usually choose the best spot to watch the sunset panorama. Besides enjoying the beauty of the sunset, you can also swim or just play water at Tegal Wangi Beach. It's just that you have to be careful because there are no coast guards here watching. One of the advantages of the Tegal Wangi Home that is rarely owned by other beaches is that there is a natural jacuzzi near the shoreline that you can use to soak. Tegal Wangi Beach does not have special operating hours. Opened every day for 24 hours, you can freely come to this beach to your heart's content. You also don't need to think about costs because Tegal Wangi Beach does not specify an entrance ticket system. However, for those who come to Tegal Wangi Beach by private vehicle, you have to prepare money for parking fees. Motorcycle parking will be charged a fee of IDR 5,000, while the cost for car parking is IDR 15,000. You also need to bring more money if you plan to stop by one of the eating places around Tegal Wangi Beach.

From this vantage point southward you’ll be able to observe the glimmering torches of the wharfs in the distance and the famous Rock Bar of the Ayana Resort. It’s quite an overwhelming idea that you are experiencing the same great views of luxury, for free (simply bring your own drinks!). Fishermen’s boat lights speckle over the silky waves and you can also see the virtually endless flow of airplanes approaching and landing at the Ngurah Rai Airport runway in the far north. Down below on the white sand there are usually a few photographers with their tripods and brides and grooms-to-be dressed in their best for their pre-wedding photos.

Even though it's in a hidden location, you don't need to worry about accommodations around Tegal Wangi Beach. Here, there is already a choice of star hotels. Some of these hotels are only about 1 km away, so you can easily and often visit Tegal Wangi Beach.Not only hotels in Tegal Wangi Beach, there are also cafes and restaurants around this beach. If you feel hungry or want to relax for a while after being tired of doing activities, you can try visiting Authentic Italian Sami-Sami, Damar Terrace, I.C.E, or Rock Bar. The menu is also quite diverse, ranging from Balinese specialties, Indonesian food, to western-style food.

Besides eating in the places mentioned, enjoying the delights of seafood in the Jimbaran area can also be your choice to fill up before or after visiting this beach. Tegal Wangi Beach is quite close to the Jimbaran area, only about 5 km.Tegal Wangi Beach is located on Jalan Tegal Wangi, Jimbaran Village, South Kuta. Access to this location is also easy because the road to the beach has been coated with asphalt. You can use a private vehicle or rent a vehicle to reach this beach. If departing from Ngurah Rai Airport, you only need a travel time of 40 minutes by driving. Meanwhile, from Denpasar you can travel for 1 hour to reach Tegal Wangi Beach. If confused with road directions, you can enter the name "Pura Segara Tegal Wangi" or "Hotel Ayana" to the online map application on the mobile to direct the road to this beach.
Ni Made Wulan Dwi Artini , NO.06, MBP 5C