The temple on the rock, cut off from the shore at high tide and walkable at low tide. Visitors go to the base, not inside. The shrine itself is for worshippers.
A few minutes along the cliff path, built on an arch of rock with the sea running underneath. Quieter than the main temple and the better photograph in my opinion.
A freshwater spring at the base of the rock, where a priest offers a blessing for a small donation. Only reachable at low tide.
The walkway running north along the headland, with the temple behind you and open ocean in front. Where most people end up at sunset.
A smaller temple in the gardens on the way in, usually walked past. Worth a minute if the crowd at the front is heavy.
An hour inland, wide terraced valleys listed by UNESCO. The natural pairing if you want more than a sunset out of the drive.
The reason most people come. The sun drops behind the rock and the whole headland fills up. Arrive by 5pm if you want somewhere decent to stand.
When the water is out you can cross to the base of the rock and take the blessing at the spring. Tide times change daily, so I will check before we go.
Mid afternoon is warm but far calmer, and the rock photographs well in that light. A good choice if crowds are not your thing.
Plenty of places along the cliff and back toward Canggu. Eating after sunset also lets the car park empty before we drive out.
Jatiluwih or the Bedugul lake temple in the day, Tanah Lot for sunset. One long loop, and a better use of the drive than the temple alone.
Destination