Pura Tanah Lot

Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

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Pura Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic sea temples, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop just off the coast of Beraban village in Tabanan Regency. Its name translates to “Land in the Sea,” a fitting description for this sacred site that becomes an island at high tide. Built in the 16th century by the revered Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, the temple is dedicated to Dewa Baruna, the Balinese sea god, and is part of a chain of seven sea temples meant to spiritually guard the island’s coastline.

The temple’s silhouette against the setting sun is one of the most photographed scenes in Bali. At low tide, visitors can walk across the exposed seabed to reach the base of the temple, where a freshwater spring—believed to be holy—bubbles up from beneath the ocean rock. While non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum, the surrounding grounds offer stunning views, cultural performances, and access to nearby shrines like Pura Batu Bolong, which sits atop a natural rock arch.

Tanah Lot is not just a spiritual landmark but also a symbol of resilience. In the 1980s, the temple’s rock foundation began to erode, prompting a major restoration project funded in part by the Japanese government. Today, much of the visible rock is reinforced with disguised artificial stone, preserving the temple for future generations.