Melasti Beach
Melasti Beach
Stunning views from the cliff road cut-through leading to a shallow emerald bay. Popular beach with vibrant colors, especially at sunset.
Once a hidden beach obstructed by cliffs, Melasti has recently become one of South Bali's most popular beaches, thanks to the spectacular access road carved through massive limestone hills. Its name derives from the important Hindu purification ceremony 'Melasti,' where sacred objects from temples are cleansed in the sea, often held on this shore. The contrast between the seemingly endless white sand and the turquoise blue sea, revealing coral lagoons at low tide, is truly paradisiacal. In recent years, trendy beach clubs have opened one after another, transforming the area into a sophisticated resort destination where visitors can spend the entire day. Melasti embodies modern Bali, possessing both the face of a sacred ritual site and that of a cutting-edge tourist destination.
Culture: Stage for the 'Melasti' Purification Ritual
'Melasti' is an island-wide purification ritual held a few days before Nyepi (the Day of Silence), a major Balinese Hindu festival. Effigies of deities and ceremonial items from village temples are carried in procession to the shore to be cleansed by the sacred ocean water. Melasti Beach is one of the key locations for this ceremony. During the ritual, you can witness the solemn sight of long processions of people clad in white descending the cliff road. If you encounter this ceremony, please show respect and observe quietly without disturbing the sacred proceedings.
Nature: Natural Pools Appearing at Low Tide
One of the beach's major attractions is the vast, calm natural pool (lagoon) that appears near the shore at low tide, protected by the offshore coral reef acting as a breakwater. The water clarity is high, and there are almost no waves, making it safe for even young children to play. As the tide comes in, waves from the open ocean begin to enter, changing the beach's character. Checking the tide times beforehand and aiming for low tide will allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of this beach.
Things to Do and Photo Spots
Excellent photo opportunities arise from the viewing areas along the winding road descending to the beach. You can capture the striking contrast between the sheer white cliffs and the blue sea below in a single frame. The beach hosts numerous beach clubs where renting a daybed and enjoying food and drinks while relaxing all day is a popular choice. At dusk, the western cliffs glow golden in the setting sun, creating a romantic atmosphere.
