Bali is poised to legislate to ban private ownership of beaches and ensure locals can always access parts of the island deemed to be public assets. Lawmakers in the Regional Council are currently considering draft proposals from Governor I Wayan Koster, who wants to protect beaches and shorelines in the Indonesian province from further privatisation.
The battle between tourism and the needs of local residents is playing out in many destinations around the world, but Bali, sometimes described as “island of the Gods” is perhaps one of the clearest and most sensitive examples of these tensions playing out in real time. Koster has described the Southeast Asian island’s beaches as “highly important” religious and social spaces for local communities, where Balinese Hindus carry out Segara Kerthi rituals to honour and spiritually purify the sea, and Pakelem ceremonies see offerings made to the ocean as prayers for harmony, safety and blessings.
NEW: Construction of a 600-ft-tall elevator on a beach in Bali has been halted after locals fumed over the multimillion-dollar eyesore.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 14, 2025
Authorities & investors thought the huge elevator was a perfect addition to Kelingking Beach, located on an island off the coast of Bali.
The… pic.twitter.com/ZiEQyxySku
Despite 2016 Presidential Regulations that define land along the shoreline and 100m inland from the highest tideline as public spaces belonging to the state, hotels and resorts have increasingly flouted the rules, effectively restricting beach areas near their properties and preventing locals from accessing the shore or accusing them of trespassing.
Hotels and hospitality businesses have argued they need to maintain seaward vistas and, in some cases, as reported by The Jakarta Post, villa occupants have tried to stop locals from swimming in waters they consider to be part of their rental property. In addition, hoteliers and guests have been known to offend or drive away locals by allowing other practices that undermine local religious ceremonies to take place simultaneously, even though guidelines exist to regulate tourist behaviour, clothing and photography at sacred sites.
“Some hotel and villa operators are blocking public access, prohibiting residents from performing religious activities or carrying out inappropriate activities on the shoreline during important ceremonies,” Koster said, adding: “It’s as if those who build hotels or villas think they own the beach and the sea.” Koster said the new legislation would “restore Bali’s beaches to their original purpose,” urging council members to make a decision on the proposals before the end of 2025.
Also on the table are proposals to levy a daily visitor tax on the island to support sustainable development and highlight the need for a responsible tourism model in Bali. A moratorium is currently in place, preventing permits from being issued for new hospitality projects in already-developed areas.
