With everything that happened since July 2018, it’s normal to wonder if it’s safe to travel to Bali. Here’s what it’s like right now in Bali & more importantly, how you can help the people touched by the recent earthquakes.
At the end of this article, you’ll get an update regarding the earthquakes/tsunamis that happened in September and December 2018.
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As I’ve been based in Bali since 2017, I experienced earthquakes earlier this year. Being in Indonesia means that you’ll be surrounded by volcanoes, waves and pretty islands. Of course, this also means that it can be quite active.
On August 5th I was in a restaurant with a friend of mine in Canggu. I felt earthquakes before but it was the first time I would experience something this strong.
In a few seconds, we ran to the street where everyone was a bit nervous. It felt like it was way longer than it was.
Since then we experienced a few aftershocks. I woke up because everything was shaking. And again, it hit again on the 9th of August.
I was with the same friend who ran outside in a second. I didn’t have time to realize what was happening and already, it was over.
I’ve been following the earthquakes for a few days now, tracking everything with an app. There’s a lot of activity according to this app, and we only feel a few of them.
But what is it like here in Bali?
We’ve been pretty lucky here. It’s pretty sad to see that that isn’t the case on Lombok and the Gili Islands. Many people died, many buildings collapsed and it is still striking. Unfortunately, some people also died in Bali and a lot of buildings were damaged. Still, the situation in Lombok and the Gili Islands is even worse! While some parts of Bali have been touched more than others, life in Canggu seems pretty normal.
On the 5th everyone was at the bar like on a normal Sunday.
The only difference was that most people were talking about the earthquake. Everyone was surfing on Monday and yes, we all get a bit nervous when the ground starts to shake but we will have to get used to it.
After such big earthquakes, it’s normal to have aftershocks and yes, it won’t stop this soon. Aftershocks will likely happen regularly in the upcoming weeks and months.
Since then I have educated myself about earthquakes and tsunamis. I’ve read so much about it that I truly find it interesting (of course, it’s quite scary too).
When was the last earthquake in Bali?
The last earthquake in Bali was in 2004. You can check the history of earthquakes in Indonesia here.
When was the last tsunami in Indonesia?
When you take a look at the historical tsunamis versus the last tsunamis that happened in Indonesia, it’s hard to know what really happened and when. It seems the last one was in 2004 (the historical boxing day tsunami).
On September 28th, there were many earthquakes in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The earthquakes were followed by a tsunami which destroyed many lives. The wave was initially seen like a 2-meters wave. Every day, the news seems to report that the wave was higher than this.
Update: On December 22nd, there was a volcano eruption followed by tsunamis in Anak Krakatau (very far from Bali).
What should you do when there’s an earthquake?
The first step would be to stay calm and get to an open field or space if you can once the shaking is over. Move away from buildings, exterior walls, street lights as well as wires would be a great idea too! If you have to stay inside you can go under a table or a desk or stay against an interior wall.
It seems like many of us just ran everywhere when we felt the earthquake here. Although, running outside during shaking can also be dangerous as you have to go through doorways. Instead, you should try to protect yourself and move away from heavy furniture.
What should you do if there’s a tsunami warning?
Get as far away from the water as possible and to high ground. In Bali heading north would be a great idea and get to a higher point if you can.
In Bali places like Kuta or Sanur are more likely to be hit by tsunamis. This is why they have a Tsunami alert system in place.
Click here to learn more about the evacuation plans in Bali.
Is it safe to travel to Bali?
While I’m writing this I feel safe in Bali. It doesn’t mean it will stay that way, but at the moment, it feels safe. Last year I was around when the famous volcano was getting scary.
The tourism died down and it did affect the communities and local businesses. The beaches were empty and it was crazy to think that so many people canceled their holidays. Of course, I get it, everyone wants to be safe right?!
Kind note: In the end, it’s your decision whether you go to Bali or not, I don’t want to be held responsible if something does happen! We cannot predict this kind of situation in advance I’m afraid!
Tip #1: If you book your flights in advance, you cannot know in advance how the situation is going to be in the upcoming weeks and months. Make sure you get travel insurance!
Tip #2: You might want to avoid going to the Gili Islands and Lombok at this point. There are other beautiful islands to discover in Indonesia, such as Flores, Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Indonesia is a huge country and yes, you can avoid going too close to Lombok if that makes you feel safer.
Tip #3: You might want to prepare a small waterproof backpack ready for the worst with essentials such as your wallet, charger, flashlight, passport, etc.
So, when you go to sleep or somewhere a bit further to explore, you might want to bring this bag with you just in case of an emergency.
On September 28th, there were many earthquakes in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The earthquakes were followed by a tsunami which destroyed many lives.
Even if the International news said this happened close to Bali, it’s actually not really accurate. Central Sulawesi is quite far from Bali.
Update: On December 22nd, there was a volcano eruption followed by a tsunami in Anak Krakatau. It’s actually quite far from Bali. You can see it on the map.
