Waves & Crowds Maxxxing

July through September is both the best waves and the best weather in Bali. Honestly, it’s probably the time I like the least though 😆

The waves are TOO big. Like for real — 10+ feet daily for weeks. No chill sessions.

And going anywhere in the lower half of the island is a nightmare. Probably the worst example of tourism in the world.

But it makes a great excuse to take trips elsewhere around the island and Indonesia. The weather’s damn near perfect every single day.

Amed (NE Bali)

Amed is one of those places I rarely go. Too far for a day trip, and not interesting enough for me to spend more than a couple of nights. It’s lovely though — super chill and never too crowded. It’s been a bit invaded by refugees since I was last there, but still not unbearable the way some other parts of Bali are.

I went to two new spots that take a wiiiild drive up into the mountains, with insane views of Mt Agung. Valleys and small villages like these are what make you remember the Bali magic that still exists, before the Instagram cafés and fitness centers took over.

Menjangan (NW Bali)

Menjangan is alllll the way at the far northwest tip of Bali — right where the port is to hop over to Java. It’s one of the few places you get that mix of Balinese and Javanese culture.

There’s not much to do here except snorkel some beautiful coral restoration and do a few hikes, but it’s a really nice change of pace. Oh yeah — there are deer. Yes, deer. At the tip of the national park, alongside monkeys and other native species. They’re even on the small island just off the coast (named Menjangan, which — fun fact — means “deer” in Indonesian).

There’s also one of the hottest natural hot springs I’ve ever been to. Fifteen minutes in and I was lightheaded getting out.

Just realized I drove to three active volcanoes, all within three hours of each other, in the past month. The archipelago has been on fire — literally — with six volcanoes erupting last week on the same day. That’s on top of the Borneo wildfires 🔥