A Perfect Day Trip from Canggu, Bali: Belimbing Rice Terraces, Soka Beach and Tanah Lot Temple
One of the most varied yet easy day trips from Canggu, Bali. We start at vast rice terraces with almost no tourists, then head to a wild beach with black volcanic sand and dramatic cliffs, and finish at the famous Tanah Lot Temple sitting right in the middle of the ocean. Between the stops there are gorgeous roads, villages and rice fields, so the ride itself is part of the trip. And at the end — a trick that makes two of these spots far more beautiful.
Reads in 5 minutes: save the pins to Google Maps, hop on a scooter and go — you won’t have any questions left on the road.
The Route at a Glance
- Start: Canggu, leave around 7–8 AM by scooter
- Stops: Belimbing Rice Terraces → Soka Beach → Tanah Lot Temple
- To the first stop: ~1.5 hours of riding
- Format: half a day, back in Canggu after 2 PM
- Top tip: time Soka Beach and Tanah Lot for high tide (more at the end)
Stop 1. Belimbing Rice Terraces
Grab a scooter and leave Canggu around 7–8 AM — the first stop is about an hour and a half away. It’s best to arrive by 9 AM: the light is still soft and there are hardly any people.
There’s a café right by the terraces, so you don’t even need to have breakfast at home. Get a coffee or tea and a bite to eat, sit down with a view over the enormous rice fields and enjoy. After breakfast, be sure to walk down and stroll through the terraces themselves — it’s stunning here and doesn’t feel anywhere near as touristy as Bali’s more famous rice terraces.
💡 Hidden spot right nearby. Once you’ve had your walk, cross the road. It’s not marked on the maps at all, but on the other side there’s another café and another set of rice terraces. We found them almost by accident, and the views there are just as beautiful.
Stop 2. Soka Beach
Back on the scooter. Along the way you’ll keep passing rice fields, small villages and gorgeous views — this stretch of the ride is part of the trip too, so don’t rush.
Soka Beach is a practically wild beach with black volcanic sand, huge cliffs and a beautiful ocean. When we arrived, there was literally no one there. Be sure to walk in both directions along the beach — the views keep changing. You can rest here for a bit, sit by the ocean, and then start heading back toward Canggu — stopping at one last must-see point on the way.
Stop 3. Tanah Lot Temple
One of Bali’s most famous temples, standing right on a rock in the ocean. Entry is 75,000 IDR (about $4.5). The grounds are large, so don’t limit yourself to just the temple: there are beautiful gates, cliffs, viewpoints and a small market with souvenirs and food. Set aside a couple of hours for the walk.
The Key Trick: Catch the High Tide
That detail I mentioned at the start. Before you go, be sure to check the tide schedule and plan your route so you reach both Soka Beach and Tanah Lot closer to high tide. It’s during high tide that these places look exactly like the most beautiful photos you’ve seen — the ocean comes right up to the cliffs and the whole scene transforms.
You can check the tide schedule in any handy app — for example, Tides Near Me, Windy, or a quick Google search for “Tanah Lot tide times.” A couple of minutes of planning is enough to make the whole trip shine.
The Full Route
Three stops in the right order, ready to open in Google Maps:
Handy Tips Before You Go
- Leave early (7–8 AM) so you catch the terraces without crowds and avoid traffic on the way
- Breakfast is optional — you’ll eat with a view over the rice fields at the café by the terraces
- Check the tides in advance and time Soka and Tanah Lot for high water
- Carry cash for entry at Tanah Lot and Soka and for cafés along the way
Want a Route Built for You?
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