Officials Take Action To Protect Tourists On Bali’s Most Dangerous Beach
Nusa Penida’s top officials have held a meeting to discuss how best to keep tourists safe at Bali’s most dangerous beach.
Kelingking Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, but high waves, strong currents, and the precarious cliffside walkway have proven deadly to visitors.
Leaders are deeply concerned about the high number of incidents that occur at Kelingking Beach.
Although safety measures have been promised for nearly a year, and tourists are continuously urged by their guides and local people to proceed cautiously, more tragedies have continued to occur at the tourist attraction.
The meeting was attended by all significant figures in Klungkung Regency politics, including the Deputy Chair of the Klungkung DPRD, I Wayan Baru, the Head of Tourism Office Ni Made Sulistiawati, as well as officials from the Department of Environment and Land, Department of Education, Youth and Sports and the Assistant for General Administration.
The Head of the Tourism Department, Ni Made Sulistiawati, said she is currently preparing safety fences and staffing.
She added, “The personnel we assign will wear special uniforms so that tourists will follow directions.”
Although signs prohibiting swimming have been installed, tourists still dare to swim in the treacherous waves.
The Klungkung Regency Government has also assigned lifeguards to the island’s most busy beaches and those with potentially dangerous terrain.
Tourists visiting Kelingking Beach are urged to practice caution. While the beach and clifftop are breathtakingly beautiful, they are also incredibly dangerous.
Tourists are reminded not to enter the water under any circumstances, even if the waves look gentle.
The strong undercurrent quickly rips the sand from beneath the bather’s footing and can drag them out to sea in a matter of seconds.
Tourists are also urged never to jump into the water after someone who is in distress, rather contact the emergency authorities, the newly stationed lifeguards, or Bali Search and Rescue.
Tourists are welcome to relax and enjoy the sandy shores of Kelingking Beach and marvel at the crystal clear waters and the rugged clifftops above.
However, the decision to hike down to the beach is not one to be taken lightly.
The dangerous cliffside hiking path can be described as precarious at best. It is steep and uneven, with no footholds in some places and hardly any handrails for balance.
Tourist are advised to wear sensible hiking gear, bring plenty of water, and really concentrate on their footing. Many tourists note that the hike takes longer than they think and is more tiring.
One of the biggest problems with the Kelingking Coastal Path is the volume of tourists trying to get up and down at any one time.
Visitors are encouraged to take the hike slowly and steadily and to be extra considerate of other hikers, especially in narrow passing places.
It is not advisable to attempt the hike in the rain or drizzle, nor if it is foggy since conditions can go from bad to worse very quickly indeed.
All this advice is not to incite fear but rather to promote respect and caution for the landscape. The views from the clifftop of Kelingking Beach are breathtaking and not to be missed off the Bali Bucket List.
This is to say that tourists must adhere to the warnings and guidance of the soon-to-be deployed security staff, lifeguards, tour guides, and even concerned local residents.
Water safety is a key theme for the tourism sector in 2024.
Over in Buleleng Regency, the local Tourism Office is encouraging all Tirta Tourist Attractions [water-based attractions], including waterfalls, natural springs and pools, beaches, and open ocean activities, to have lifeguards on duty at all times.
The regency is funded training for more lifeguards to help encourage more tourists to the area.