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Photographing the Kuta Sunset in Bali

You are here: Home / Southeast Asia Travel / Indonesia / Photographing the Kuta Sunset in Bali

By Lina Stock on June 27, 2014 • Last updated August 17, 2020 • 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our Disclosure here

Just the mention of Kuta, Bali is enough to make some seasoned travelers cringe. I wasn’t quite sure why before visiting, but now that we have been there, we get it. The town is so commercial and busy that you can hardly take a breath with all the frantic movement on any given day.

We were so overwhelmed by this that we didn’t even make it down to the beach the first 2 days that we were there. Instead, we hung out in the air-conditioned sanctuary of our room on Legian street and just wandered around the immediate area.

A couple of days in and we were prepared to take on the beach. We knew it would be busy but we packed up the tripod and camera equipment anyways and headed down for sunset.

Kuta Sunset Bali Beach

Yes, it was definitely busy on the beach; there were times when the crowds were so thick with people that you couldn’t even see the water. Add that to the street sellers that have trickled in behind that wall and setup now permanent stations and you will be hard-pressed to relax at all.

Don’t let this deter you. I’m serious, push your way to the front of the crowd, set up your camera and get ready for a beautiful sunset. In my opinion, it is still worth it to pay a visit to Kuta Beach for this purpose.

You can’t beat the way the sun smears color across the water while the surfers use the last rays of light from the day to ride some waves. The scenes are timeless and make for some great photo opportunities.

I think the biggest thing to know about Bali is that you should prepare yourself for the madness. If you don’t do this, it would be really easy to have an erratic, poor holiday while you are there. I hate to say it, but get the Eat Pray Love out of your head before you visit.

You’ll be hard-pressed to have such a quiet experience while you are there but don’t be discouraged. You can still have a great time, with great views and memories if you just prepare yourself ahead of time. Most importantly of all, don’t let the crowds deter you, get out in the streets, see the culture of Bali and enjoy a beautiful sunset, that is what vacation is all about.

Kuta Sunset Beach Bali Indonesia

Tips for Photographing the Kuta Sunset

Here’s a look at some tips that should help you get great shots despite the large crowds on the beach.

  • Push your way to the front, all the way to the front.
  • Stand as close to the water as you can so people walk behind you to avoid getting wet.
  • Alternatively, stand far back at the top of the hill, where you can photograph over or between people.
  • Walk down the beach and out of the crowds so you can stand where you want.
  • If you can’t beat them, incorporate some of the people into your photos for contrast to the sunset.
  • Use the surfers in the water to create a foreground contrast in your photos.
  • Have fun, you’re on a tropical island where your biggest worry is how many people wander into your frame!

Kuta Sunset Beach Bali Indonesia

You can’t beat the way the sun smears color across the water while the surfers use the last rays of light from the day to ride some waves. The scenes are timeless and make for some great photo opportunities.

I think the biggest thing to know about Bali is that you should prepare yourself for the madness. If you don’t do this, it would be really easy to have an erratic, poor holiday while you are there. I hate to say it, but get the Eat Pray Love out of your head before you visit.

You’ll be hard-pressed to have such a quiet experience while you are there but don’t be discouraged. You can still have a great time, with great views and memories if you just prepare yourself ahead of time.

Most importantly of all, don’t let the crowds deter you, get out in the streets, see the culture of Bali and enjoy a beautiful sunset, that is what vacation is all about.

Kuta Sunset Beach Bali Indonesia

More on Indonesia:

  • 11 UNREAL Places to Visit in Indonesia
  • 15 Unmissable Things to Do in Ubud, Bali
  • Ubud Monkey Forest Survival Guide (Do Not Visit Without Reading!)
  • 17 Epic Things to do in Lombok, Indonesia
  • Borobudur Sunrise- Everything You Need To Know
  • 9 Interesting Things to Do in Bandung, Indonesia
  • Raja Ampat Islands- Guide to Paradise
  • 2 Days in Yogyakarta: Things You Can’t Miss
  • RTW Recap: 4 Weeks in Indonesia
  • Into the Jungle with Thomas Jungle Tours
  • Mount Bromo Sunrise Hiking Adventure
  • 5 Reasons Why Bali Is Not the Paradise You Think It Is
  • A Surprise Experience at Uluwatu Temple
  • 15 Photos and Facts About Visiting Gili Trawangan
  • We Got PADI Open Water Certified in Gili T!
  • Red Beach: The World’s Best Snorkeling Location
  • Review of Our Tour with Kencana Adventures
  • Walking with the Komodo Dragon in Indonesia
  • Should I Rent a Scooter in Bali?

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Article by Lina Stock

Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents.

Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    June 29, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    I had no idea it was so crazy busy there! But you’re right with your one point – have fun, you’re on a beautiful tropical island after all!

    Reply
    • Lina says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:03 PM

      Hi Lauren! Yes, Kuta is insanely busy but you have to put the visit in perspective, I think it is the only way to enjoy that part of Bali. Otherwise, it can be quite overwhelming! Thanks for stopping in!

      Reply

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We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. We’ve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. You can learn more about us here.

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