Swimming in Bali can be dangerous

Swimming in Bali can be dangerous, there’s no doubt about it. When I walk along the Kuta in Seminyak, I can tell where rip currents are likely to be. Sometimes there will be a single red flag, postioned on a sandbar to indicate the area in not safe for swimming.

Quite often I also watch Euro’s in their Speedo’s gingerly wade into the waves, hoping for a dip in tropical paradise. If you see waves breaking aways offshore, directly behind another set of waves that are breaking, you don’t want to end up in that area.

Today the bodies of 3 young Balinese were found after swimming on Kuta Beach. They were caught by a big wave and swept away. If this happens to you, remember not to fight the current. Stay afloat, go with it, and try to swim along the beach in the direction of the swell (NW on Kuta Beach) and you’ll be able to get in.

Southern Bali gets strong swell and currents, hitting unprotected beaches. This is one of the reasons Sanur and Nusa Dua are much safer places to take young kids.