Staying in Berawa Beach, Bali

There is an easy rhythm to life in Berawa Beach that makes it appealing for a family holiday. Mornings begin with breakfast before the boys head towards the beach, surfboards under their arms. By late morning, I might be beside the pool at Lv8 Resort Hotel, enjoying a leisurely lunch while they return to the water.

Later, we wander along Jl. Pantai Berawa, usually without a particular destination in mind. We choose between an open-air food court, one of the neighbourhood’s cafés or a relaxed restaurant. An acai bowl often finds its way into the day, too.

Berawa has a distinctive blend of Bali’s established surf culture and a modern, international dining scene. Surfboards lean against cafés, scooters weave through busy streets and tropical greenery softens the increasingly developed landscape. There is plenty happening, but the atmosphere remains relatively laid-back.

Set within the wider Canggu area on Bali’s southwest coast, Berawa offers a convenient combination of beach activities, restaurants and easy-going holiday living. For our family, it provided an enjoyable base for exploring this part of the island, although not quite the beachfront resort experience we had anticipated.

Staying at Lv8 Resort Hotel

We chose Lv8 Resort Hotel, a beachfront property overlooking Berawa Beach. Its location was undoubtedly convenient, with the ocean immediately outside and restaurants and cafés within walking distance.

The resort has an attractive outdoor setting, with a swimming pool overlooking the beach and plenty of space to relax between outings. For a family holiday, the arrangement initially seemed ideal. The boys could head towards the beach for their surf lessons while we enjoyed some downtime at the hotel.

Some afternoons, we simply settled beside the pool, ordering lunch while the boys moved between the table and the water. With the ocean stretching beyond the resort, it was an appealing setting for an unhurried afternoon.

However, while Lv8 was comfortable, I would hesitate to describe it as luxurious. The facilities felt somewhat tired, and the swimming pool proved particularly disappointing. Following a storm on the day we arrived, the water became noticeably cloudy. Despite remaining that way throughout our week, it never seemed to clear sufficiently for comfortable swimming.

This was frustrating because the beachfront position and poolside setting had been central to our decision. We specifically wanted somewhere that combined easy access to surfing with a beautiful place to relax afterwards. While Lv8 delivered the convenience, the overall experience fell short of expectations.

Berawa Beach and Surfing

Berawa Beach has a different character from the postcard-perfect tropical beaches often associated with Bali. Its dark volcanic sand meets the rolling Indian Ocean, creating an energetic coastline better suited to surfing than leisurely swimming.

The beach forms part of the wider Canggu coastline, where surf culture has become central to the area’s identity. What was once a quieter landscape of coastal villages, fishing activity and agricultural land has evolved into one of Bali’s most recognisable international surf destinations.

For our family, the beach quickly became the centre of the boys’ holiday. Each morning, they carried their surfboards towards the water for lessons, full of anticipation about the waves ahead. From the shore, Jason and I watched their instructors guide them through the basics. There was plenty to learn, from positioning on the board and paddling out to recognising the right wave.

There was considerably more paddling and falling than standing, but every successful attempt brought renewed enthusiasm. Gradually, the boys grew in confidence. What had initially looked rather intimidating became an exciting challenge they couldn’t wait to repeat. By the end of each lesson, they were tired, sandy and already talking about getting back into the water.

Surfing is one of Berawa’s main attractions, although conditions vary and the ocean deserves respect. Waves, currents and changing tides can make the beach challenging, particularly for inexperienced swimmers. For children and beginners, experienced local instructors make an important difference, helping them understand the conditions while building confidence.

The convenience of staying at Lv8 also meant the boys could reach the beach easily without lengthy journeys or complicated arrangements. For Jason and me, watching them catch a wave, however briefly, was one of the highlights of our stay.

These simple moments often become the most memorable parts of a family holiday. In Berawa, the boys had the waves while we had front-row seats.

Berawa’s Kitchen, Milk & Madu and the Local Food Scene

Much of our time exploring Berawa revolved around food, with no particular plan beyond finding somewhere appealing to eat.

The streets around Jl. Pantai Berawa and neighbouring Tibubeneng offer plenty of choice. There are relaxed cafés, casual restaurants, international menus and smaller food outlets serving quick, refreshing snacks.

One of our favourite discoveries was Berawa’s Kitchen, an open-air food court where a collection of food stalls makes choosing dinner an easy, informal affair.

Everyone can wander between the different options and order whatever takes their fancy. This worked particularly well with the boys, who were happy to choose independently rather than settle on one restaurant menu.

The relaxed outdoor setting encouraged us to linger. There was no formality, just good food, plenty of choice and an easy atmosphere that suited the neighbourhood.

We also visited Milk & Madu in nearby Tibubeneng. This popular neighbourhood café provided a welcome change of scene, with its laid-back atmosphere and café-style menu. It was an easy stop while exploring the area, whether for a leisurely meal or a break from the heat.

Some of our simplest food discoveries were equally memorable. We often came across small outlets selling acai bowls, piled high with fresh fruit and toppings. They were perfect for a hot afternoon, offering something cool and refreshing after walking around the neighbourhood.

The boys were particularly enthusiastic, viewing them as a treat somewhere between a snack and dessert.

Between casual lunches, café visits and evenings spent browsing the food stalls, eating became a natural part of our Berawa experience. The variety was one of the neighbourhood’s real strengths, with something to suit every appetite and occasion.

The Appeal of Staying in Berawa Beach

One of the pleasures of staying in Berawa was the freedom to slow down. Bali offers endless opportunities for sightseeing, from temples and waterfalls to markets and coastal excursions. However, our days here felt refreshingly unstructured.

The boys had their surfing lessons while the rest of us could enjoy a leisurely breakfast, relax at the hotel or wander around the neighbourhood. There was no particular pressure to fill every hour.

Berawa also makes a convenient base for exploring the wider Canggu area. Batu Belig and Seminyak are within relatively easy reach, offering even more restaurants, shopping and beachside venues. We could enjoy Canggu’s cafés and restaurants, then return to the familiar surroundings of Berawa rather than stay in the middle of its busier streets.

The neighbourhood has changed considerably as Bali’s international popularity has grown. Traditional village life and agricultural landscapes have increasingly given way to villas, boutique hotels, cafés and restaurants. Yet the underlying appeal of the area remains connected to the coast and its surf culture.

For families, that combination of activity and flexibility has real appeal. The boys had plenty to keep them occupied, while Jason and I could enjoy the cafés, restaurants and slower pace of the neighbourhood. There was always somewhere new to try, whether a casual meal at Berawa’s Kitchen, a visit to Milk & Madu or an acai bowl picked up along the way.

Ultimately, Berawa’s appeal lies in its easy-going beach lifestyle and the variety within walking distance. A surf lesson became a family memory, a casual stroll turned into dinner, and an ordinary afternoon became time well spent together. It was a relaxed way to experience this part of Bali, without feeling the need to fill every hour.

Is Berawa Beach Worth Staying At?

While I enjoyed our time in Berawa, I would not choose to stay here again. We specifically booked Lv8 for its beachfront position and ocean-facing swimming pool. We wanted a week that combined surfing with relaxed resort living. Unfortunately, both fell short of expectations.

Berawa Beach provided a good setting for the boys’ surf lessons, but the conditions were unpredictable and the beach was unsuitable for swimming.

More disappointing was the rubbish along the shoreline in front of the resort. Plastic and other debris washed ashore regularly and remained there throughout our stay, despite our efforts to collect some ourselves.

Coastal litter is an issue across parts of Bali, and beach conditions can vary considerably with the weather, tides and season. However, the shoreline immediately outside our resort was particularly disappointing. We had expected a more appealing beachfront experience.

The resort was comfortable rather than luxurious, and its swimming pool proved another frustration. The water remained cloudy throughout the week, never clearing sufficiently for us to enjoy swimming. Given that the pool and beachfront location were the main reasons we had chosen Lv8, this significantly affected our experience.

I have fond memories of the boys learning to surf, discovering local restaurants and enjoying unhurried family time. However, those pleasures are not exclusive to Berawa. Bali offers plenty of alternative locations with comparable facilities and value, often in more appealing surroundings.

Ultimately, the two things we had prioritised – a good beach and a beautiful resort pool – were the very things that let us down.

Good to Know

Berawa Beach sits within the wider Canggu area of southwest Bali, close to Tibubeneng, Batu Belig and Seminyak. Its location makes it a convenient base for exploring the neighbourhood, particularly for families interested in surfing, cafés and restaurants.

However, the beach is exposed to surf and currents. Always check conditions before entering the water, especially when travelling with children. Berawa is better suited to surfing than relaxed family swimming.

Berawa works well as a base for exploring Canggu and enjoying its café culture. However, if a beautiful beach and quality resort facilities are priorities, I think there are better options elsewhere on the island.

For me, the experience reinforced the importance of choosing accommodation around the actual beach conditions and facilities, rather than relying on beachfront positioning alone.

Explore More of Bali: Bali offers many options for beaches, day trips, food and culture. Check out the snorkeling at Nusa Penida, Tanah Lot Temple, an Ubud Day Trip as well as the Nusa Dua area.

Other Destinations: Bali is just one of the many destinations we explore. If you’re planning a wider collection of adventures, take a look at our selection of travel guides including Dubai Travel Guide, Phuket Travel Guide and Georgia Travel Guide.

Would I Return?

No. Although we enjoyed the surfing, restaurants and relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, I would choose a different part of Bali next time.