About Candidasa

Candidasa sits on Bali's quiet east coast, about 1.5 hours from Ubud and totally different from the busy beach scenes in Seminyat or Canggu. This small fishing village turned laid-back beach town has black volcanic sand beaches and way fewer crowds than you'll find elsewhere on the island. The water here is calmer since it faces the Lombok Strait, making it perfect for snorkeling and diving.

Temperatures stay pretty consistent year-round, hovering around 28-30°C (82-86°F) during the day with gentle ocean breezes. The area sits right at sea level, so it's not as cool as the mountains but definitely more relaxed than the southern beaches. You'll find a nice mix of traditional Balinese village life alongside small guesthouses and warungs. The pace here is slow - think afternoon naps, long dinners, and watching fishing boats come in at sunset. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear the waves at night instead of scooter traffic.

Highlights of Candidasa

The Blue Lagoon is hands down the best snorkeling spot in the area - crystal clear water with tons of colorful fish just 50 meters from shore. You can rent snorkel gear right on the beach for about 50,000 IDR ($3.50) per day. Pura Candidasa temple sits right on a small peninsula and makes for incredible sunrise photos, plus it's free to visit if you're dressed appropriately.

Tenganan Village, just 4km inland, is one of Bali's original villages where they still make traditional textiles and palm wine. Entry costs 10,000 IDR (70 cents) and you'll see crafts you won't find anywhere else. The White Sand Beach (Virgin Beach) is a 20-minute scooter ride away and feels like a hidden paradise - perfect white sand with hardly any visitors, especially on weekdays.

Travel tips for Candidasa

Rent a scooter for 70,000-80,000 IDR ($5-6) per day since everything's spread out and there's limited public transport
Bring reef-safe sunscreen since you'll be spending time in the water - many shops don't carry it
Download offline maps before you go - cell service can be spotty in some areas
Carry cash (IDR) since many places don't accept cards, especially smaller warungs
Pack a light jacket for evening dinners by the water - it gets breezy after sunset
Learn basic Indonesian greetings - locals really appreciate the effort and English isn't as common here as in tourist areas

Location & map

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Candidasa

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Things to do in Candidasa

Snorkel at Blue Lagoon early morning when the water's calmest and fish are most active.
Visit Tenganan Village to watch traditional weaving and try local palm wine (arak).
Take a boat trip to nearby islands for better diving - full day trips run about 350,000 IDR ($25) including lunch.
Hike to Bukit Asah viewpoint for panoramic coast views, especially beautiful at sunset.
Check out the lotus lagoon at Candidasa Beach for great photos with the temple backdrop.
Try night fishing with local fishermen - some guesthouses can arrange this for around 200,000 IDR ($14).
Walk through the village in the evening when families are cooking dinner and kids are playing - it's the real Bali experience.
Take a cooking class at one of the family-run warungs to learn authentic Balinese recipes.

Best time to visit Candidasa

April through September is your best bet for clear skies and calm seas - perfect for snorkeling and diving. The water visibility is incredible during these months, sometimes reaching 20-30 meters. October through March brings more rain, but it usually comes in short afternoon bursts rather than all-day downpours.

Early morning (6-9 AM) is ideal for water activities before the wind picks up. Weekdays are way quieter than weekends when domestic tourists visit from Denpasar. If you're into photography, the golden hour light here is amazing - both sunrise over the water and sunset behind the mountains. Avoid Indonesian holidays like Nyepi and Galungan when accommodation prices jump and everything gets crowded. The shoulder months of April and September give you great weather with lower prices than peak season.