You might’ve already heard that all those rickety lil cliffside warungs at Bingin, the world’s easiest tube which you can find just north of Uluwatu, were about to be pulled down after an edict from the local administrative authority the Badung Regency government.
Badung Regency’s got Kuta, Nusa Dua and Ulus, which includes Bingin, on its remit.
Earlier today, demolitions started, targeting over 45 illegal villas, restaurants and businesses along the cliffside.
The Badung Regency government issued eviction notices in June for violations including unpermitted constructions in protected coastal zones, nominee schemes by foreigners, and zoning breaches. Officials cite environmental preservation and legal compliance, amid Bali’s crackdown on overtourism-driven encroachments.
Local villagers, some of ‘em who’d been operating their joints since the eighties have protested fiercely, see the Instagram post below, claiming the actions disrupt livelihoods for 48 families and ignore cultural sites.
A Balinese ceremony was reportedly interrupted by demolitions today, sparking accusations of corruption favoring wealthy foreign investors. Some owners filed legal challenges to halt proceedings, but authorities proceeded after court validations.
Critics argue it’s selective enforcement, while supporters see it as reclaiming public land. The full operation may reshape Bingin’s bohemian vibe, shifting investments elsewhere like Sumba.
My favourite memory of Bingin is being seventeen years old and getting shook down for cash in the carpark by the local heavies.
Least favourite was twenty years back when I vowed never to surf the joint again.
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