PECATU, Bali – What began as an ordinary walk along Bali’s spectacular southern coastline turned into a terrifying overnight ordeal after three construction workers became trapped beneath the towering limestone cliffs of Uluwatu by a rapidly rising tide.
With no safe route back and darkness closing in, the men spent hours stranded on a narrow rocky outcrop as waves crashed around them, waiting for daylight and hoping rescuers could reach them.
The incident unfolded on Saturday when Rendi, 20, Mansur, 47, and Tarmuji, 50, were walking along the shoreline from Nyang-Nyang Beach toward the northern section beneath the famous Uluwatu Temple in Pecatu, Badung Regency.
As they continued their coastal trek, the sea suddenly began to rise.
Within minutes, the incoming tide cut off their escape route, forcing the three men to scramble onto a rock formation beneath the 100-meter limestone cliffs.
A Desperate Swim for Help
Realizing they could not all escape together, Mansur made a risky decision.
He entered the water and managed to swim through the surf to reach safety before alerting emergency authorities.
“We received the report at approximately 8:40 p.m. and immediately dispatched a rescue team to the location,” said I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, on Sunday.
By the time rescuers arrived, however, the situation presented an entirely new challenge.
Darkness Forces Rescuers to Wait
Although the victims had been located, the rescue could not begin immediately.
The towering cliffs, estimated to be around 100 meters high, combined with darkness and extremely limited visibility, made any nighttime rope operation too dangerous for both rescuers and the stranded workers.
“Our main obstacle was visibility,” Sidakarya explained. “The victims remained in a safe position and were still able to communicate with our team, so we decided to carry out the evacuation the following morning.”
Throughout the night, rescue personnel maintained communication while monitoring the workers’ condition from above, ensuring they remained calm as waves continued to pound the shoreline below.
Precision Rope Rescue at Sunrise
At first light on Sunday morning, the rescue operation finally began.
At approximately 6:15 a.m., a specialist rescuer was lowered down the cliff using advanced rope-access techniques to reach the stranded workers.
Tarmuji became the first person lifted to safety at 7:24 a.m., followed by Rendi at 7:48 a.m.
All three workers were rescued without serious injuries and transported to the Pecatu Village Hall for medical assessment and assistance.
The operation involved personnel from the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, local police, village security officers (Linmas), community police (Bhabinkamtibmas), and Bali’s traditional security force, the Pecalang.
A Reminder About Bali’s Hidden Coastal Dangers
While Bali’s southern coastline is celebrated worldwide for its dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, and world-famous surf breaks, emergency officials say the landscape can become extremely dangerous when tides change rapidly.
Unlike many tourist beaches, sections beneath Uluwatu’s cliffs offer few escape routes once the ocean rises, leaving walkers with little choice but to seek higher ground and wait for help.
For visitors unfamiliar with local conditions, a routine coastal walk can quickly become life-threatening.
Travel Advisory for Visitors
Authorities urge tourists, photographers, surfers, and hikers exploring Bali’s remote coastline to check local tide schedules before venturing beneath the island’s limestone cliffs.
Avoid walking along isolated shorelines during incoming tides, never rely solely on visual observations of the sea, and always carry a fully charged mobile phone when exploring remote coastal areas.
The successful rescue of the three workers ended without tragedy, but officials hope the incident serves as a reminder that Bali’s breathtaking coastline commands not only admiration—but also respect. Along the island’s rugged southern cliffs, nature can change the course of a day in a matter of minutes.
