Canggu, Bali: 72 Hours of Waves and Caves Thrill Seekers

After a gnarly surf session, replenish your energy with a heavy brunch meal. Whether you prefer green juices, Indonesian coffee, smoothie bowls, or carb-loaded platters, Canggu has just the place for you.

Nestled at the heart of Batu Bolong, Crate Cafe is a homey cafe serving brunch options, from green breakfast platters to mouthwatering chia pudding. Prefer plant-based meals? Cafe Organic is also a fantastic alternative for vegan dishes. It serves all-day breakfast and lunch, as well as coffee, tea, smoothies, and kombucha.

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If you take a longer stroll and somehow end up at Berawa Beach (it happens to the best of us), you have plenty of options there, too. Head over to RUKO Cafe for flamboyant food bowls and an energising cuppa. You can also consider Milk & Madu Cafe, one of the most popular coffee shops for families; it has its very own playground, serves both savoury and sweet dishes, and offers delectable home-baked goods.

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Once you recuperate after your food coma, make your way towards Finns’ Beach Club for golden hour. You can spend a whole day in this chic resort and won’t run out of things to do. Finns’ Beach Club claims to be the “best absolute beachfront venue in Bali,” where guests can enjoy its swim-up bars and witness the splendid sunset of Canggu. 

Even on rainy days, you can still maximise your stay in this private venue. Indoors, it has a 25-metre lap pool, an air-conditioned trampoline centre, a ten-pin bowling arena, a body temple spa, a cubby house for kids, and various sports areas. Just make sure you have an all-access entry ticket to enjoy each amenity. 

Kids can also enjoy Splash Water Park, Bali’s number one kid-friendly park. Aside from being a water playground, the park also has cabana daybeds and food outlets, so the adults in the family can relax the whole day.

Tip: If you’re working remotely, you can use your day pass to access Finns’ Beach Club’s co-working hub. You’ll get unlimited access to co-working areas, and an hour of exclusive access to its Silent Booth.

Image credit: Niek van Son

Start your second day in Canggu early; marvel over the sunrise in one of its rice fields. We recommend renting a bicycle and riding towards Jalan Sempol or Jalan Pantai Pererenan for the best panoramic views. 

The Canggu rice fields feature the Balinese water irrigation system called subak. Dating from the ninth century, subak encourages water to flow through hectares of rice plantations, resulting in prolific harvests across seasons. 

Nearby Canggu’s rice fields are several warungs serving hearty Indonesian fare. Among the closest to both Jalan Sempol and Jalan Pantai Pererenan is Warung Local, which serves both vegan and regular versions of Balinese staples. You can definitely explore other warungs, but don’t miss ordering nasi campur, mie goreng, and sate. 

If you’re willing to drive approximately an hour for food, you must try Warung Mak Beng. An unassuming eatery with a surprisingly big reputation, this seaside warung offers authentic seafood dishes, including the crowd-favourites fish head soup and spicy fried fish. Be warned, however, that this place fills out fast, so better drop by early.

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If you must visit just one cultural destination near Canggu, go for Tanah Lot Temple. In Balinese, Tanah Lot means “land in the sea” — the temple, which has aged through the centuries, stands in the Indian Ocean on a large offshore rock, boasting a majestic view of staggering crags and crashing waves. You will surely enjoy this place for sunset, so hurry to beat the magic hour and appreciate the sundown view. To make the most of your visit, you can also take a half-day sunset tour of Tanah Lot.

After your magnificent time at Tanah Lot Temple, grab a meal in one of the restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean. Have yourself a romantic candle-lit dinner, and then wrap up the night with some Asian-inspired cocktails or refreshing juices.

Image credit: Marlon Trottmann

Tourists have long been flocking to Bali for rattan bags or hand-loomed batiks, mostly sold across colourful flea markets lined up against each other. You can find these products (and more) in Canggu. The town is rapidly evolving into a shopping hotspot that can compete with the likes of Seminyak and Kuta.

Although Canggu started and continues to thrive with practical stalls selling surf gear and beachwear, hip indie kiosks have also popped up in the area. From handmade skincare to organic snacks, Canggu markets are among the hippest and coolest shopping areas around.

Image credit: Marlon Trottmann

Walk along the coastal streets and find tiny stalls offering various beautiful, ethical, and artisan products. One of the top shopping destinations is Love Anchor, where local sellers offer sustainably sourced clothing, jewellery, and souvenirs. As this market is open everyday, you can add this to your itinerary, regardless of your time of visit.

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Beaches blessed with pink sunsets, eco-resorts for different tastes and budgets. And, of course, world-class spas for all sorts of treatments — Canggu has it all to get you relaxed. As for the latter, Canggu boasts of several types of spas, from those that employ cutting-edge equipment to traditional establishments.

If it’s your first time in Bali, try out a local massage. At Tanah Gajah Ubud, a luxurious spa near Canggu, you can get an Ayurvedic Abhyanga body treatment, where masseurs apply organic essential oils and exfoliate your skin to reveal a healthy glow. For the ultimate relaxation, you also get a welcome drink, a foot cleansing ceremony, and a picturesque view of rice paddy fields.

While not the rowdiest town in Bali, especially compared to its effervescent neighbours, Canggu certainly doesn’t bore. Think black-sand beaches against an orange horizon, tropical cocktails and ice-cold beers, international DJs, and live bands. While relatively young, the nightlife in Canggu is growing more promising by the year. Lately, its crowd has evolved into a melting pot of tourists, locals, and expats from all over the globe.

You can grab dinner at Luigi’s Hot Pizza and enjoy its techno beats till midnight. Alternatively, you can return to Finns’ Beach Club and experience the nightlife of a prime beach club: It has four bars, daily DJs, and live vocalists. On top of that, it stretches across the gorgeous coastline of Berawa Beach. And there are also party beds that let you drink cocktails over an oceanfront infinity pool. What more can you ask?

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From solo travellers and laidback surfers to lively expats and digital nomads, Canggu is a paradise for every thrill seeker.

So once you’re ready for an electrifying vacation, whip out this 72-hour Canggu itinerary and start preparing for the one of the coolest holidays of your life.