As of Monday (21/7), Satpol PP have begun dismantling over 40 coastal businesses at Bingin Beach, citing violations of spatial planning and environmental regulations like the Coastal and Small Island Spatial Planning Act (UU No. 26/2007) and Environmental Law (UU No. 32/2009).
The verdict process began a month ago, when officials started issuing notices to halt operations on 19 June. The sudden speed of the process has taken local businesses by surprise, leaving Bingin residents confused and feeling cornered, while others scrambled to get their permits in order. Unable to meet the deadline, many were still in limbo when government officials arrived to enforce the closures that began on Monday.
Surfers and frequent visitors from around the world have voiced their sadness and frustration over the unfolding situation, raising awareness and making petitions online to #SaveBinginBeach.
On the other hand, many voiced support for the Balinese government for taking steps to enforce zoning regulations many businesses and developers have been taking advantage of.
Where is Bingin Beach?
Hidden on the West Side of Bukit Peninsula, just a few blocks away from Uluwatu is one of the beaches discovered in the 70s. This little stretch of sand became popular among the surfer community despite its difficult access, but it has since turned into a popular tourist destination for its ‘hidden gem’ quality.
How were the buildings built in the first place?
Bali operates on two systems: Traditional (Adat) and Legal (Negara).
Many locals operate under traditional laws, relying on what the local Banjar (village council) deems acceptable rather than formal state permits.
For decades, this allowed small, family-run businesses to build and operate along the local protected area, outside of the designated tourism zone, with the blessing of the community—even if they lacked official documentation under national law.
This is what helped the early tourism scene in secluded beach areas like Bingin, Nyang Nyang, and Uluwatu.
As a result, the area remained outside the scope of land and building taxation and formal government oversight, which in turn made it increasingly attractive to new investors who recognized the land’s growing value.
Bingin Beach Today
Long-standing local establishments since the 70s like Kelly’s Warung, Didi’s Place, and Ombak Warung Bingin stood strong despite the rapid business growth. These informal tourist spots were the ones to shape Bingin’s culture, economy, and signature hospitality.
But over time, came high-end developments that reshaped the coastal culture. Bingin Beach no longer became a hidden gem filled with affordable hostels, humble grilled fish, and fresh coconuts—it became a cluster of thousand-dollar-a-night villas and private spa, usually owned by foreign entities and local business owners.
This is part of the ongoing debate surrounding the drastic shift in Bali’s tourism landscape, as more villas and beach clubs continue to be built around South Bali. Many worry that this sudden eviction reflects deeper issues—favoring rapid development and profit-driven projects over sustainable planning and community inclusion.
While many expressed sadness over the rapid eviction process, some praised the Balinese government’s swift enforcement of regulations in order to reduce the number of illegal businesses both local- and foreign-owned.
The community understands the gravity of the situation and the legal oversight, and has shown willingness to cooperate in hopes of coming to better solutions with authorities. The families who saw potential when Bingin was nothing but sun and sand now are only asking for transparency during the entire process, from waste management of debris, employee compensation, to the aftermath of Bingin Beach.
At Bali Luxury Travel, we believe Bali can continue to thrive as a world-class destination with the power of collaboration between the government and local communities to implement a comprehensive plan for sustainable tourism, one that honors the land and uplifts the people who call it home.
Source:
Davidson, J. (2024, July 17). Bali is built on informal and illegal settlements – bulldozing Bingin Beach misses the real threat of overdevelopment. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/bali-is-built-on-informal-and-illegal-settlements-bulldozing-bingin-beach-misses-the-real-threat-of-overdevelopment-261755
Warta Bali Online. (2025, June 30). Usaha di Pantai Bingin Tetap Beroperasi, Pol PP Provinsi Bali Layangkan SP I. Retrieved from https://wartabalionline.com/2025/06/30/usaha-di-pantai-bingin-tetap-beroperasi-pol-pp-provinsi-bali-layangkan-sp-i/
news.com.au. (n.d.). Demolition begins at iconic Bali surf spot Bingin Beach: ‘Ruined’. Retrieved from https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/warnings/demolition-begins-at-iconic-bali-surf-spot-bingin-beach-ruined/news-story/3e564260d76a27420ce08505c55e210d
Instagram. (2025). Overheard in Uluwatu [@overheard_in_uluwatu]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/overheard_in_uluwatu/