Bali Strengthens Coastal Protection

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has signed Regional Regulation Perda No. 3 of 2026 aimed at protecting the island’s beaches and coastal areas. The regulation officially recognizes the coastline not only as a tourism and economic zone, but also as an important sacred space for local communities.

The new framework emphasizes that beaches serve two key functions: the sacred (niskala), related to spiritual and religious traditions, and the practical (sakala), associated with daily life and tourism development. The law guarantees public access to the sea for traditional Balinese ceremonies, including rituals such as melasti and nyegara gunung.

The regulation also prohibits restricting access to ritual sites, relocating, or damaging ceremonial objects located along the coast. Violations may result in strict penalties, including fines, closure of facilities, and even demolition of illegal structures.

A separate focus of the law is the protection of coastal areas from excessive development, pollution, and misuse. Authorities state that the goal of the regulation is to maintain a balance between tourism growth, environmental preservation, and the cultural traditions of Bali.